1 campground with availability this weekend
Otahki Lake Cabins and Campground features luxury glamping accommodations overlooking a 22-acre lake and the St. Francis River. The property includes Conestoga wagons with heating, air conditioning, and full amenities, plus riverfront glamping tents set on scenic bluffs. Fredrock Glampground provides upscale canvas accommodations with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings in a tranquil woodland setting. Both locations offer premium bedding, private outdoor spaces, and scenic water views. Glamping options include climate-controlled units with proper furnishings rather than basic camping gear. A visitor noted, "The cabin had all the amenities included, towels, coffee, soaps, dinnerware and cookware. Front deck included a B-B-Q grill, and hot tub that over looked the lake and camp fire."
Crystal clear waters of the St. Francis River and Big Creek provide natural recreation opportunities for glamping guests. Swimming, kayaking, and fishing are popular activities, with some sites offering boat rentals and private river access. Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort includes a sandy beach and water playground equipment for families with children. Sam A. Baker State Park features paved biking trails, hiking paths, and a visitor center with nature programs throughout the season. Most glamping locations maintain on-site stores selling essentials, firewood, and snacks. According to a camper, "We watched the baby deer, and listen to the owls at night. The lake and St. Francis river are crystal clear." Reservations are recommended for premium glamping accommodations, especially during summer months when waterfront locations are in highest demand.
"Had a great area to roast s’mores and sit around the campfire at night"
"Easy access to the sand bar from the campground. Our site had electricity but no water. Fill up on the way in. Did not use the bathhouse due to COVID19. Be sure and check out the stars at night!"
Available this weekend
from $14 - $46 / night
"Full hook up, shade and near river. Plenty of room on the gravel bar to have fun. We floated. They picked us up and dropped us off at our camp sites since we had a large group."
"Really, with campsite prices from $12.79 (for the family camping area) to $16.00 (for the loud area with no quiet hours, nicknamed the Zoo) per person, per night most people not looking for this experience"
from $11 - $65 / night
"Small lake. Has tent camping or cabins. All roads are gravel. We have stayed in the cabins. It was a double bed and also had a set of bunks. So plenty of room. Lake has sandy beaches."
"Boomland RV Park& Campground was super easy to find off I-57 near the I-55 junction. After passing the Boomland complex, the large campground sign clearly marks the right turn into the park."
"Easy to access off the highway, easy gas station nearby, cheap, AND fhu. Office looks like it hasnt seen a soul in 20 years but this place is the perfect stop."
"We have everything from glamping tents right on the river bluff (photos attached) to 12 fully equipped cabins with hot tubs overlooking the 22 acre lake with a beach and activities (photos attached) We"
"The lake and St. Francis river are crystal clear. Watched the baby deer, and listen to thw owls at night. "
Available this weekend
from $48 - $295 / night
from $45 / night
"Pool, clean bath house, ice, fire wood, etc. Bordered by a spring branch and just a mile from Clearwater lake access. Has several cabins and one RV for rent."
from $18 - $85 / night
LegendThe trees changes are amazing in the fall. Lots of great camping spots to select from. Good for any kind of camping and has cabins, store, and restaurant. Great bike trails and plenty of water play in the river.
LegendBoomland RV Park& Campground was super easy to find off I-57 near the I-55 junction. After passing the Boomland complex, the large campground sign clearly marks the right turn into the park. The campground operates first come, first served, so campers choose a site in either the 50/30-amp or 30-amp pull-through sections, all with full hookups, with power options clearly marked on numbered site posts. We drove the small campground loop to find a longer pull-through so we would not have to disconnect our 40-foot fifth wheel and F-450 for an overnight stay, and settled on site 20 with 50/30-amp service. The 30-amp section in the center of the campground appeared to have the longest sites overall. After parking and setting up, registration was handled inside the building by completing an envelope with name, vehicle license number, and payment, then dropping the envelope in the box. All utilities functioned properly, though the campground does not offer Wi-Fi. Cell service was solid with three bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. We walked to the Boomland complex and noticed 24-hour diesel pumps that accept major credit and trucker cards, which could be convenient even though we did not fuel there. The Boomland complex was worth exploring, with a restaurant, gift shop, packaged foods, fireworks, souvenirs, and snacks, and during our November visit the seasonal Christmas shop was especially impressive. Boomland also offers a 10% military discount on non-food items. The campground does not have a designated pet area, but a large park-like space across the street provided plenty of room for off-leash exercise. Overall, this campground made a solid and convenient overnight stop.
ScoutEasy to access off the highway, easy gas station nearby, cheap, AND fhu. Office looks like it hasnt seen a soul in 20 years but this place is the perfect stop.
TravelerSam a Baker is a beautiful destination for any family. There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding. There are multi camp sites that can be easily reserved online. The Saint Francis River and the Big Creek meet in the park. The big creek is spring feed and ice cold. The Saint Francis is wild and is considered white water during the rainy season. There are plenty of amenities in the park for the novice camper. From the camp store to the shower house. SAM A BAKER has you covered
TravelerWent to stay in a cabin for one night, then extended our stay. The place was to nice to leave. The lake and St. Francis river are crystal clear. Watched the baby deer, and listen to thw owls at night. The cabin had all the amenities included, towels, coffee, soaps, dinnerware and cookware. check-in was easy. Front deck included a B-B-Q grill, and hot tub that over looked the lake and camp fire. Our family will be back. Thank you!
ScoutWith a paid reservation made 3 months in advance, the Campground Host cancelled our reservation, refunded our money and then quadrupled the rate for that same period ($125 went to $750 for one night). Your paid family vacation plans reservation is not firm with Otahki Lake Cabins and Campgrounds KOA. I hope this does not happen to you and your family’s dream camping trip!
ScoutWe have been coming here for years, there is something for everyone here! The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles and deep and cold enough for the older kids and adults to cool off too. The store is adorable, the food is surprisingly really good (I’m craving those loaded nachos!), and when you’re absent-minded like me and forget the bikes you can rent them there 😁 We like Campground 2 on the gravel side (to the left when you pull in) because it’s nice and quiet and close to the nature center. You really can’t go wrong with any of the sites!
ScoutCamp host was nice and river was also very nice but campground was really tight. We had camper 5 feet off back window and tents on are side not much space
ScoutThis 1200 acre property used to be the beautiful Cherokee Ridge Girl Scout camp until it was sold in 2019. We have went through extensive renovations and development to bring this property to the public so that it can be enjoyed by our guests. River access and our private gravel/sand bars are available exclusively to our guests and have provided some of the most peaceful weekends imaginable.
We have everything from glamping tents right on the river bluff (photos attached) to 12 fully equipped cabins with hot tubs overlooking the 22 acre lake with a beach and activities (photos attached)
We have 4 Conestoga Wagons that are heated and air conditioned (see photos attached). They are the definition of glamping.
50 RV sites with picnic tables fire/grill pits with a variety of 30 and 50 amp pull-through and back-in sites. We offer float trips, rental boats for the lake, and rental golf carts to adventure around the park.
The park is going through endless development to continue to provide everyone with the most enjoyable and peaceful vacation possible.
Please check out our website www.otahkilake.com
Near Dexter, Missouri, camping options range from basic tent sites to luxury accommodations set among the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The region sits at elevations between 300-400 feet and features rolling hills with dense hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-90s with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures in the 60-70°F range.
River activities: Float trips on the St. Francis River provide a mix of tranquil and technical water experiences. At Sam A. Baker State Park Campground, campers can take organized float trips with scheduled pickups. "We paid $40 for our canoe for the afternoon. It was nice to float a different river, but the St. Francois (at least near Sam A. Baker) was pretty murky and you couldn't see your feet in about knee-deep water," notes one visitor.
Hiking: Varied terrain accommodates different skill levels throughout the region. "The park also has some backcountry trails with backcountry campsites and is near the Ozark Trail," reports a Sam A. Baker visitor. Most trails are accessible year-round, though summer hikers should start early to avoid afternoon heat.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities. Campers at Otahki Lake Cabins and Campground report "watching the baby deer, and listening to the owls at night." The 1,200-acre property provides habitat for diverse wildlife species across its forested areas.
Swimming: Sandy beaches at several lakes offer family-friendly water access. Whippoorwill Lake features "sandy beaches" and a "small playset in the water for kids," making it ideal for families with young children.
Crystal clear water access: Several campgrounds provide direct access to clean water bodies. The St. Francis River and surrounding lakes maintain excellent water quality in many spots. A visitor to Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort noted the "small lake has sandy beaches" with space for relaxation.
Paved biking paths: Connecting multiple camping areas, these trails accommodate casual riders and families. Sam A. Baker State Park features "a nice paved bike path connecting" its two large campgrounds, creating an accessible recreation option for all ages.
Camp stores: Many campgrounds maintain well-stocked stores with essentials. "The camp store sells all kinds of things," notes a visitor to Huzzah Valley, adding convenience for forgotten items. Most stores offer basic groceries, camping supplies, and local souvenirs.
Yurt camping: For campers seeking comfort without full cabins, yurt options exist near Dexter, Missouri. Huzzah Valley offers yurt accommodations among their diverse lodging options, providing a middle ground between tent camping and cabin rentals.
Reservation timing: Summer weekends require advance planning, often 2-3 months ahead. "A paid reservation made 3 months in advance" is recommended, especially for premium accommodations.
Campground size variations: Sites range from intimate to expansive. Sam A. Baker State Park has "2 huge campgrounds (around 100 sites each)" while smaller campgrounds offer more seclusion.
Weekend crowds: Saturday float trips attract large, sometimes rowdy groups. Beaver Springs Campground offers "a really nice smaller privately owned campground that still has all of the perks" for those seeking a quieter experience. One visitor to Huzzah Valley advised that their location "gets a little rowdy at night" and another described it as having a "party atmosphere."
Technical river conditions: Fallen trees can create navigation challenges. A floater noted, "There were also tons of trees down in the water, making it a more technical trip at some points and even requiring us to get out and portage our canoe for about 25 yards."
River safety: Choose weekdays for family float trips to avoid weekend crowds. One parent advised, "Floated on Sunday to avoid the crazies on Saturday" at Huzzah Valley. Morning trips typically offer calmer waters and fewer fellow floaters.
Wildlife education: Early morning nature walks yield the most animal sightings. Sam A. Baker State Park has "a visitor's center with nature programs throughout the season" that can enhance kids' understanding of local ecosystems.
Beach activities: Mornings provide the best swimming conditions before afternoon crowds. A visitor to Fredrock Glampground mentioned their experience was "pretty special" with accessible water features for families, noting the comfortable glamping accommodations provide convenient basecamp for water activities.
Weather preparedness: Summer storms can develop quickly in the region. One camper at Sam A. Baker mentioned dealing with "higher rain and very high river" conditions, noting "I have never seen the river through the park so high to the top of the banks." Pack extra clothing and rain gear, especially during spring and early summer months.
Site selections: Choose back-section spots for more space and shade. "We stayed in Campground 1 and we were so pleased with how well-kept our sites were. Even during the last weekend of September, it was hot out, so we were glad there were plenty of trees around," notes a visitor to Sam A. Baker State Park.
Hookup variations: Call ahead to confirm specific hookup types. "Full hook up, shade and near river. Plenty of room on the gravel bar to have fun," reported a camper who stayed at sites 105 to 111 at Huzzah Valley.
Budget-friendly options: Basic sites with fewer amenities offer significant savings. One RVer found Boomland RV Park & Campground to be "nice for $15 easy pull in, full hook ups, nice gift shop and gas really close as right off the freeway."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Dexter, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Dexter, MO is Sam A. Baker State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 49 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Dexter, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 glamping camping locations near Dexter, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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