173 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas around Eldon, Missouri center on the Lake of the Ozarks region, with several developed campgrounds offering a mix of tent and RV sites. Cross Creek RV Park provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations within Eldon city limits, while Majestic Oaks RV Park & Campground offers 80 sites with full hookups. The Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles south in Kaiser, features primitive to full-hookup sites along the lakeshore, attracting both tent campers and large RVs.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with several closing between November and April. Cross Creek RV Park typically operates from April 15 to November 1, while some facilities like Majestic Oaks remain open year-round. Summer brings higher temperatures and increased humidity, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent camping. Water levels at Lake of the Ozarks fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline access at lakeside campsites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may vary in more remote areas. One camper noted, "If you come in the winter or spring the lake will be low and your lakeside campsite will be lake view instead."
Lakefront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Campers appreciate the well-spaced sites despite how crowded they appear on reservation maps. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer that frequent camping areas, especially in the primitive sections. The region provides good access to water recreation, with several campgrounds offering boat ramps or docks. Fishing is popular, with bass, crappie, and catfish commonly caught in the lake. According to one visitor, "Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground is a wonderful place to set up camp for the weekend and is one of my all time favorites. The State Park is clean and well maintained with plenty to do for everyone." Most developed campgrounds feature modern amenities including showers, restrooms, and electric hookups, though primitive camping options are also available for those seeking a more rustic experience.
"Lake of the Ozarks State Park campground is located in Kaiser Missouri about 5 miles down highway 134 off of highway 42. This campground is about 1.5 hour from Columbia and Springfield Missouri."
"We stayed close to the river in the primitive area and the deer were all over. These deer were super friendly and didn't move at all as we walked right past them. "
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Clean bathroom, laundry, pool, playground, dog run, hiking trails and firewood that you can actually burn. It's off the beaten path but still close to everything."
"Nice park, hiking trails on site, spots are well maintained. Good amenities on site and very close to everything the Lake has to offer."
from $24 - $42 / night
Check Availability"It’s tucked back nicely so it feels very secluded."
"Access to camping ground was little difficult. It was gravel road but it was very steep hill (very common in this area). Campground had private lake with boat rentals, mini golf pool."
from $40 - $199 / night
"We stayed overnight here because our dog was sick and this was close to the animal hospital we visited. We wish would have stayed here originally (we stayed the. first night at the state park)."
"Minutes away from great food and the water."
"Excellent camping conditions close to the river that we float down in a canoe each year. I'll continue to do this every year until I absolutely can't anymore!"
"Sites with electric and water only are in nice oak woods overlooking Lake of the Ozarks. (Our site # J has a concrete stairway with 150 steps down to the water.)"
"Just one look around and we spontaneously decided to camp that night to check out the area."
"Great Off the beaten path location. Open layout camping spaces, with cleared out areas. Rv no problem, just know seals rd is the least hill rd for heavier rv’s or trailers."
"Bring your side by side or ATV and explore this vast location. I love that you can creekside camp in the warm summer months. Enjoy your experience with them and leave a review!"
from $30 / night
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TravelerOctober 2026 - only a drive by to ck things out. Nine sites for tent or RV with fire rings. No water, electric, or picnic tabes. No shade. Lack of shade is why we gave it only 3 stars. Toilet. Camping area well mowed. Area clean. Nice if looking for a more secluded area. No cell signal or 1 bar (T-Mobile) in camping area itself.
TravelerPretty area. Tent camping late Oct '26. Fire rings, trash bins, toilet. RV and tent but No water or electric. No picnic tables. About 24 sites with fire rings, a few more without. Best to avoid using Old St. Thomas Rd, esp if pulling RV. 10+ miles narrow gravel road. Best to come through St Elizabeth. Sites a little close but still plenty of privacy this time of year. Most sites have some shade. Quiet for the most part. Farm road passes behind one side of camping area but wasn't that active. Small amt of noise from farm equip. Some noise from boat traffic but not bad. Not sure how it will be in the summer. Had 4-5 bars with T-Mobile. Plan to use often.
ScoutStaff is great and the location is nice for lake activities although its not on the lake with lake views. Lots of fun campground activities throughout the spring, summer and fall with bands and pot lucks.
Scouta quiet, clean and peaceful campaigning environment. clean amenities. love it
GuideConvenient off I70, quiet, nice sites right along the river.
Guide1000% beats out a store parking lot, but this is not “dispersed” car camping. You drive in and there’s a large roundabout with rocks creating a border so cars can’t get through. I travel solo, so I like a place where I can at least tuck myself away. This offered no privacy, but luckily when I arrived there was nobody else there. however, my luck ran out when 2 motorcyclists rolled in about 11pm. They were obviously there to camp and not murder me, but it was still not ideal for a female solo traveler, especially when there is zero Verizon cell service. I had a lazy morning and a few day visitors during that time who were there to enjoy the water, which was out of site from the actual campground but just a short walk away. Clean, pretty place.
ScoutThere are 4-5 campgrounds and some extra parking. There is a $15 fee to camp here, but there is no attendant, just a drop box. More of a picnic area than a campground.
TravelerLarge lots with woods between, roomy. Metal picnic tables. Fireplace with attached grill. Lake is gorgeous, lots of wildfowl. Very quiet, even with kids around.
GuideWe stayed in a 36' pusher with a toad
Lake of the Ozarks serves as the camping hub near Eldon, Missouri, located in the northern portion of the Ozark Highlands. The area features heavily wooded terrain with elevations ranging between 600-1,000 feet, creating rolling hills around the 55,000-acre reservoir. Most campgrounds operate seasonally with limited winter facilities, though some sites remain accessible year-round with reduced services.
Fishing opportunities: Lake of the Ozarks holds abundant bass, crappie and catfish populations. Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground provides shoreline access for bank fishing. "Huge beautiful park. A lot of hiking and biking trails. Boat ramp and store in the park. We saw about 20 deer each day," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds maintain trail systems ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Cross Creek RV Park offers hiking trails across its 70-acre property. The park "sits on 70 acres and includes an 8 acre stocked lake. Boat rental, paddle boats, miniature golf, shuffleboard, volleyball, playground, hiking and a general store."
Off-road adventures: For campers with ATVs or side-by-sides, dedicated riding areas exist within 30 minutes of Eldon. LOTO Off Road allows camping anywhere on the property with direct trail access. "Bring your side by side or ATV and explore this vast location. I love that you can creekside camp in the warm summer months," mentions one visitor.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained grounds and bathhouses. Osage Beach RV Park receives praise for cleanliness. "Very nice, clean campground in the city of Osage Beach. It was quiet, with not a lot to do at the campground itself, but is centrally located to a lot of sight-seeing adventures. Very friendly, helpful hosts and nice laundry facilities," notes one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Many sites offer opportunities to observe deer, waterfowl, and other wildlife, especially during mornings and evenings. "Sites were spread apart, lots of shade, close to the lake. Plenty of trails, fishing, and swimming," reports a visitor about Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
Family amenities: Most established campgrounds include recreational facilities designed for families. Majestic Oaks RV Park & Campground features "Cable, WiFi, pool. Etc. close to the Lake of the Ozark hot spots made it very convenient. Best shower house. Great bathrooms. Very clean."
Water level fluctuations: Lake of the Ozarks experiences significant water level changes throughout the year. "I was just there during spring break. I was the only tent camper. Maybe 8 RVs or so out of nearly 150 campsites. It was nice and quiet. Beautiful scenery—able to camp with a view of the lake," reports a spring visitor to Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry roads. Camp Bagnell offers waterfront views but "bathrooms could definitely use an upgrade and it would be awesome if they had more than one washer and dryer. But the campground is very quiet and peaceful on week days."
Limited availability: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly between Memorial Day and Labor Day, especially for lakefront sites. Reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends. Weekday camping typically offers better availability and quieter conditions.
Dedicated swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming spots with gradual entry points. "Really fun place to fish and swim!" notes a visitor about Water's Edge Campground.
Playground access: Many established campgrounds include play equipment. Cross Creek RV Park "offers full hook up sites 30 and 50 amp as well as tent sites, has a park, bathrooms, laundry, and an activity pavilion."
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons frequently visit camping areas after dark. "Raccoons can become a problem if food, lotions or anything with a scent if left out," warns one camper at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. "Our site was kinda tricky to get into, especially if you have a longer trailer. Seemed like quite a few were that way, so do your research."
Full hookups: For extended stays, several parks offer complete utility connections. Military Park Fort Leonard Wood Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area provides "full hookups, big rig friendly and has a large array of boats you can rent. A little difficult to get to it and fairly far from towns but it's worth it."
Campground layout: Some RV parks place sites close together. "The reason I took a star off was that the sites were closer together than I like," notes one Osage Beach RV Park visitor, while another mentions, "Location is close to the town, restaurants, and the state park. Friendly hosts. Sites are pretty close together though."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Eldon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Eldon, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 173 campgrounds and RV parks near Eldon, MO and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Eldon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Eldon, MO is Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 48 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Eldon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Eldon, MO.
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