Campgrounds near Dexter, Missouri offer diverse accommodations across the region's Mark Twain National Forest and lake areas. The terrain combines wooded hills with multiple water features, creating variable camping conditions. While summer temperatures frequently climb above 90°F from June through August, most campsites maintain dense tree coverage, especially at higher elevations within conservation areas and state parks.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: General Watkins Conservation Area provides multiple ponds with excellent fishing. A camper reports, "General Watkins has a good amount of ponds (great fishing) and has a few good walking/small hiking trails" while noting this free primitive camping area typically has space available outside deer hunting season.
Lake activities: Peoples Creek - Lake Wappapello offers excellent water access with boat ramps at the entrance. According to one visitor, "Lower Peoples Creek is on beautiful Wappapello Lake, MO. It has nicely spaced sites and well maintained facilities. There is a public swimming beach and boat ramps located at the entrance."
Halloween festivities: Redman Creek Recreation Area hosts special seasonal activities. One camper describes, "They do a Trick or Treating event at Halloween. Campers decorate campsites and the kids walk through. They also hold the Festival of Lights around Christmas time."
Hiking trails: The region features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. A camper at Asher Creek Campground notes, "We're here on a Friday night and there are only five other people in the whole place," highlighting the opportunity for solitude on trails during off-peak times.
What campers like
Large, shaded sites: Sam A. Baker State Park Campground receives praise for its natural features. A camper shares, "My group and I 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."
Clean facilities: Asher Creek Campground at Lake Wappapello State Park maintains exceptionally clean restrooms. According to one visitor, "The sites closest to the lake are very level, and everyone in the campground is only a short walk from the cleanest park restrooms I've ever seen."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to observe native wildlife. At Holliday Landing Campground & Marina, a camper mentioned, "The nature was nature'in and the wild was wild'in" while another noted, "And the birds nesting across the lake were an added bonus!"
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round. Wildwood RV Park operates throughout winter months, allowing for off-season camping when many other facilities close.
What you should know
Limited amenities at conservation areas: General Watkins Conservation Area provides very basic facilities. A camper notes, "No water, no electricity, no trash cans. Hunters will be shooting nearby during hunting season."
Variable site conditions: Ridge Campground at Lake Wappapello State Park has uneven quality between loops. One camper reports, "When we drove through the Asher loop it was like a different campground! I couldn't believe the difference and was quite upset. Just because Ridge is the older part of the park doesn't mean it should be maintained any different."
Wildlife cautions: Some conservation areas have significant wildlife concerns. One visitor to General Watkins Conservation Area warns, "Rattlesnake Hill is what the locals call this place. This conservation area is home to Missouri's largest venomous snake - the timber rattlesnake."
Water level changes: Lake-based campgrounds experience seasonal water level fluctuations. A camper at Sam A. Baker State Park noted, "We spent four days at the park with friends during the higher rain and very high river. I have never seen the river through the park so high to the top of the banks."
Tips for camping with families
Best pet-friendly campgrounds near Dexter: Beyond standard leash policies, several dog friendly campgrounds near Dexter offer specific amenities. At Peoples Creek, one camper notes sites are "nicely spaced sites and well maintained facilities" providing room for pets to relax without crowding neighboring campsites.
Beach access for children: Holliday Landing offers family-friendly water access. A camper reports, "The beach was clean and well kept. Our kids had a blast and played hard so they slept good."
Playground options: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. At Redman Creek Recreation Area, a visitor mentions, "Nice campground. Usually full of families with children. Has a playground in the middle by the shower house."
Educational opportunities: Camelot RV Campground/RV Park offers convenient access to nearby educational sites. Its proximity to Poplar Bluff makes it "a good jumping off point for this and other points of interest in the area as well," according to one camper.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Redman Creek Recreation Area may require significant leveling. One RVer cautions, "Not many real level sites. Bring plenty of blocks. Some sites are pretty close to each other."
Access considerations: Large rigs should approach some campgrounds cautiously. At Peoples Creek, an RVer warns, "This park is amazing, clean, pretty wildlife, nice swimming beach and good fishing...BUT if towing anything over 35' be careful when navigation. The twisty turns will grab your stabilizers and bumper if you're not very careful."
Overnight stopover options: Hinton RV Park provides convenient accommodations for travelers passing through. According to one RVer, "This little RV Park is not far off the highway and it was easy to find. Staff was nice and friendly. Each space has full hookups and its own picnic table."
Electric service quality: For RVers concerned about electrical capacity, most larger campgrounds offer 50-amp service. Camelot RV Campground provides "Full hook ups including cable. Clean and level sites," making it suitable for RVs with higher power requirements.
