Top Tent Camping near Dexter, MO
Looking for the best Dexter tent camping? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Dexter. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Dexter's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Dexter, MO (8)
1. Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort
1 Review•2 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
2. Lake Girardeau Conservation Area
2 Reviews•11 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
3. Wanderers End Sanctuary Forest Farm
1 Review•69 Photos•1 SaveThis is also a Silvopasture Forest Farm so expect rewilded critters scampering around. All pets must be leashed at all times. All children are to be instructed to never chase a critter. We'd love to invite them to our daily feeding time to offer them a chance to get closer. They may even see Stormy, our rewilded bunny.
We only have one outhouse in the woods next to tent campgrounds about 100 meters away so if you can, bring your own buckets with toilet seat lids theyre cheap and we have a hungry methane digester you can dump it in. We need volunteers to help us build a bigger bathroom and bathhouse. Let us know if you wanna help. We are just starting out so there are a few construction sites with materials we are using to build with to recycle into other needed raw materials. So our apologies for the mess, but it really is us having an abundance of building materials and not enough people to help us build. If you wanna help Check out our EcoJunk Division :)
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$35 - $50 / night
5. Chaonia/Snow Creek
Be the first to review!•3 Saves- Tents
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
6. Chaonia Landing Marina
Be the first to review!This recreation area is part of Wappapello Lake
- Tents
7. Donaldson Point Conservation Area Camping
Be the first to review!•3 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Recent Tent Reviews In Dexter
232 Reviews of 8 Dexter Campgrounds
GB N.
ScoutDD Hwy Campground
October tent camping
Tent camping back away from the RVs & we were the only people. Gorgeous river to view just a few steps away & the night sky view was fantastic. LOVED the bathroom & shower facilities!
- JJohn R.
Legend
Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park
Small campground with large sites.
Beautiful small campground with large sites. Restroom was emaculate. Clean park with a boat launch. Electric only spots and dispersed. Water and dump are on site.
- PPatricia S.
Traveler
General Watkins Conservation Area
Maybe not a travel destination, but certainly a good waypoint.
We opted for this site on our way west as a stopover because it was free and not a parking lot. There are a couple of loop trails and we walked one of them. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. The locals use the area for fishing and walking and it was somewhat busy in the afternoon. A couple of guys fished at night until about nine. There was only one other couple camping. Very quiet and peaceful. There was a portable toilet but we didn't investigate.
The cool thing was that the loop trail was forested by hundreds of paw paw trees. It must have been just past the season and we saw only a couple of decaying ones, but the entire trail smelled of apple cider vinegar and was quite pleasant.
If you consider this waypoint, two things:
1. The last mile is good, but very dusty, gravel road.
2. No cell coverage in the parking lot for T-Mobile, some coverage on loop trail.
Joseph A.Traveler
Sam A Baker State Park
Where the rivers meet
Sam 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
- JJames W.Traveler
Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park
Quiet by the lake
Tent camped here during the week in June and the campground was only about 1/3 full. Quiet and the restrooms and showers were very clean.
Bonnie M.
Guide
Wanderers End Sanctuary Forest Farm
So happy we found them such a fun place
We had so much fun playing in the creek learning about as Aztec and their gardening methods. Very adorable , baby goats and baby chicks that were just all over and loving living. ❤️ My family and friends found out that I was going there and she was more than happy to help us be accommodated for so many people. I kept adding and she was like no problem. Thank you so much for making it easy and affordable. We will definitely be back to visit. I feel that we have actually found some true lifelong friends. Thank you Ivy
- Bonnie M.Guide
Castor River Campground
Sketchy crowd of long term residents
Way to crowded tiny sites
- FFrank G.Traveler
Sulphur Springs Dispersed
Beautiful River site for parking or dispersed
We stopped here chasing the 2024 eclipse. Easy to find. No cost. About 20 parking spaces, a vault toilet, and a boat launch. Open for solar panels, but tree cover around the lot. Only about 5 parking spaces are not on a slant. Places in the trees for tents. Absolutely beautiful views up and down the river. A single fire pit on the river’s edge. No road noise to speak of because it is way in the distance and rare at night. Fireflies and owls into the night. Mist on the water in the morning: just beautiful. T mobile service has 3 of 4 bars. There is no apparent Verizon service.
Mike L.TravelerJulian Tower Lookout
National Forest - Old Julian Lookout Tower site - Tower Removed
There is not much here other than a place to camp for free. There is one two-path logging road suitable for hiking and mountain biking back into the woods. It leads to a T where additional two-path logging road.
- KKarlieGuide
South Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park
Beautiful Location
Site 17
Location : perfect location if you’re wanting a good view of the water. Brush is cleared behind this site making it a clear view to the water / sunset. The sunset is breathtaking. Directly across from the bathrooms, laundry, & dumpster. Paved site. Fire pit. Tree located right in front of the spot, would only be a problem of putting out an awning.
Bathrooms : Shockingly clean! Large bathrooms. Laundry area located in the same building. Dumpster outside of the building.
Cons : I can’t even explain the amount of mosquitoes at this site - of course because you’re directly on the water, but the mosquitoes are insane. We had trouble locating the campground by the address on the reservation. We ended up finding it by putting in Blue Bank Resort which is located right next door.
- Megan S.Scout
Sam A Baker State Park
Family Camping Perfection ✨
We 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!
- CCindy C.Guide
Hinton RV Park
Nice RV Park
We’ve stayed here a couple times when passing through. Nice level gravel sites. Owner is very friendly and helpful. Bathrooms only have one shower and toilet. Small laundry.
- OOzzie L.Guide
Pinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest
Peaceful stay
It was a great stay! Site 10 had a beautiful view of the lake. Multiple restrooms but no showers. Each site was paved with a picnic table and fire pit. The only complaint would be the enormous amount of bugs.
- BBrianne G.Traveler
Riverview MDC Donaldson Point
Gorgeous views
Gorgeous views of the Mississippi River. It was a little sketch getting here but super easy. One lane dirt road but room to move over if need be. I just got here, so we'll see how the night fares 😆 might review more later.
Kurt O.ScoutPinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest
Quiet and nice
This was a great stay! Nice and peaceful, great company with total strangers on the next site over. Campsites are spaced out nicely. There are only a handful of sites that are suitable for tents as each site varies on cleared area. No water or electricity that we seen. Boat launch and floating dock are just a short walk from any camp site. We stayed at campsite #5 and it was spacious for our tent. Dumpster for trash is next to the bathrooms across from site #3 & 4. Asphalt road through the camping area and Asphalt pulloffs at each site. Chiggers and bugs are an issue here so bring plenty of Off. We stayed 10 nights and we will definitely mark this one down on our list. Truck Stop 1 mile east for ice, food and drinks. There is a small grocery store about 18 miles west with a great selection. Picnic table and fire pit at each site. Free wood laying all over the place, when the management team cut trees down they leave them there for campers to use.
- TTravis B.Guide
Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park
Great Lakeviews
This park is a hidden gem. Stayed at the Asher Creek part of the park spectacular views of the lake, also has a boat ramp for registered campers.
Grant M.
Ranger
Ridge Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park
Always a good spot
Love this park, lakeside or ridge top. Only 4 spots without electricity, use that how you will. The lake side is dope for water views and stag gazing.
- mmarcellaGuide
Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife
small campground with water and some sites with working electric near lake and farm land
electric was not working at some sites and one post had hookups for two sites. No sewer, there is a dump station down the road. east side campground was busier and had more people than the smaller west campground where we stayed. sites are not well demarcated and grass lots. campground near boat launch and a decent restroom with showers that mostly worked. gray lake for kayaking. about 30 minutes from Cape Girardeau no which is a decent sized town or similar to Sikeston, MO. There is gas, liquor store and dollar general within 10miles. west side was very peaceful for most part. first come first serve, no reservations but fairly cheap. electric not working at first 3 or 4 sites so check before you set up your camper.
Ronnie S.GuidePinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest
Plenty of wood there for accessible burning
Does have restroom and fire rings with a grill
- aamandaScout
Greenville - Lake Wappapello
It’s more for locals
I would have given a 5 star rating other than the showers are summer camp style meaning you share with everyone but there are curtains but no privacy now for the sites you have 50 amp water and sewer and no one bothers you compared to my horrible experience at wappapello lake at peoples creek and Redman I am appalled at the way I was treated by the volunteers at both lakes they are racist and will never go back!!! one other thing is here you also share with a cemetery there is one right next to my camp with in walking distance my kids did not like that but not a bother to me and I was treated so much better here they let u camp and don’t care the color of your skin or your age what’s funny though is the gentleman wasn’t even part of our group but she thought he was at Redman lake I never told her differently cause it shouldn’t have mattered oh but it did so to have the volunteers like that the army corps should really be aware of how there volunteers are treating guests it’s terrible but anyways back to this one other than the few things that I stated it’s a good park and I would come back!
justin F.TravelerSouth Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park
Great stay
Stayed for the night on the south campground and it was excellent. Lots of friendly people with locals and travelers alike . Only downside was the massive amount of gnats and mosquitos by the lake sites. Bring your mosquito repellent and don’t let them take away the great experience you can have here! :)
- JJenniferTraveler
Greenville - Lake Wappapello
Our Favorite
One of our favorite places to stay. Spacious, clean, very Historic. Lots of places to ride tour bikes and walk. Trail of tears cuts right through. Easy river access. Convenient little town right down the road.
Staci R.Legend
Reelfoot Lake State Park Campgrounds
Reeled in at Reelfoot SP
This is a great state park campground, with the water and electric close to each pad, Although some sites have water on one side & electric on the other! The camp sites out along the main road actually faced the main road, so your front door opens on to the main road about 75' away. Camp sites on the water are great, but it's not an easy walk in to the water, there are cypress knuckles and no beaches. campsites along the end and side between 19 - 25 are actually backed by swampy overgrown woods, rather than actual waterfront. There are a lot of snakes so be aware of those.
- Staci R.Legend
South Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park
Getting Reeled at Reelfoot
Campground is well layed out with everything well marked. The campsites all have Blacktop drives With concrete pads for picnic tables. Picnic tables are fastened down so you cannot move them. Water and electric are near each site as well as a standard fire ring. There are 2 shower houses on each end of the campground and then there are also several bathrooms on each opposing corner so they're close to all camp sites. Beware the lake has a lot of snakes, so if you are in a lake front campsite you are more likely to see snakes. And the sights along the leg from 23 24 25 up to 68 and on down to the seventies on the map looks like it's lake front but it's actually backed with wooded overgrowth.
- MMaggieScout
South Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park
Family friendly, simple campground with lake views
This campground had a lot of families, a simple but age appropriate playground (ages 5-12), and many spots with views of the lake. The bath house nearest our site (88) was not in commission, and judging from the webs and nature overtaking it I would say it hd been closed for a long time. The land is low so if there is heavy rain it will be soggy in many places. The site we had was spaced nicely from others but close to the main road. Lots of campers with dogs. Only one hiking trail on-site. We did choose one night to go to the resort restaurant (a fish house) next door to the campground (a quick walk even with small children).
Joy W.RangerSouth Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park
Nice park with some great water front sites
Reelfoot is just a few hours from our Tennessee home and a great weekend spot. The campground is next to a waterfront restaurant with boat/fishing and a nice deck. There are several restaurants and stores close to the campground.
The camp store is small but has essential items and the folks were nice. They delivered wood to our site.
Rhonda M.Scout
Redman Creek Recreation Area
Best place to camp
This is a Army Corps of Engineers campground. We love it because it is quite and peaceful. The sites are well maintained with asphalted pads, fire pit, grill, camp light pole and picnic table. Best of all it is full hook up. Redman West traditionally has older campers (sites 1-40)but Redman east usually has more kids (sites 41-109) (currently under remodel 2023 season). Both sides are family friendly. We camp Redman West March to November.
Guide to Dexter
Camping near Dexter, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
What to do
- Hiking: Explore the trails at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding."
- Floating and Swimming: The Big Spring Campground is perfect for water activities. A visitor shared, "Great park lots to do—hiking, swimming, boating, kayaking, etc."
- Wildlife Watching: At Trail of Tears State Park Campground, you might spot deer and other wildlife. One camper noted, "We even had a deer run through our campsite while we sat fireside!"
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Big Spring Campground stated, "Bathrooms were clean, roads were well maintained."
- Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Silver Mines. One visitor said, "The campground was spacious and quiet."
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Huzzah Valley are great for families. A reviewer mentioned, "RV sites are clean, mostly level, and well spaced out, with quiet hours rules to accommodate families."
What you should know
- Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially near water. A camper at South Campground warned, "The mosquitoes would eat you alive, even with repellant."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Pinewoods Lake Rec Area, lack showers and water hookups. A visitor noted, "No water or electricity that we seen."
- Train Noise: If you're sensitive to noise, consider this at Trail of Tears State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Lots of trains, day and night with train horn blaring."
Tips for camping with families
- Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Sam A. Baker State Park Campground. A family camper said, "There is something for everyone here!"
- Plan Activities: Make sure to have a mix of activities. One camper at Big Spring Campground said, "The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles."
- Pack Bug Spray: Given the mosquito situation, it's wise to bring plenty of repellant. A visitor at South Campground advised, "Bring your mosquito repellent."
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Trail of Tears State Park Campground mentioned, "Sites that back to the river very close to each other."
- Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Reelfoot Lake State Park Campground. One camper noted, "The camp sites out along the main road actually faced the main road."
- Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds can be cramped. A visitor at Big Spring Campground said, "Great park lots to do—hiking, swimming, boating, kayaking, etc."
Camping near Dexter, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dexter, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dexter, MO is Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Dexter, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Dexter, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.