Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Eldon is the perfect choice. The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Eldon experience while glamping. These scenic and easy to access Missouri glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
The valley that cradles Bennett Spring has created a place of peace and recreation that has welcomed generations of enthusiastic anglers. Bennett Spring camping is one of Missouri’s earliest state parks and continues today to attract fishermen and nature lovers seeking to make new memories. More than 100 million gallons of clear, cool water gush from Bennett Spring each day and form a spring branch stocked daily with rainbow trout waiting for lucky fishermen. Fishing may be the main draw but the park also offers many other amenities such as a dining lodge, campgrounds, cabins and hiking trails. Whether you are a traditional fishing enthusiast or someone seeking a place to relax and refresh, Bennett Spring State Park has what you need to make every trip one to remember.
Looking for a spot to launch your boat, rest your head for the night, or spend some quality time with your friends and family? Cooper’s Landing offers all of this and more! We’re a year-round full-service marina, campground, store, and live music venue on the banks of the Missouri River and right off the Katy Trail. Our family-friendly campground is freshly graded for RV and tent camping and our brand new Backyards and Beyond edition glamping tent package is ready to rent. The country store is stocked with ice, cold beverages, snacks, and firewood. Bring your own grub, or be wowed by the occasional food truck!
$10 - $60 / night
$10 / night
Longshoal Park sits on the shores of Harry S. Truman Lake in the hills of western Missouri. Visitors enjoy fishing, hunting, swimming and boating. Click here for the Harry S. Truman Lake virtual tour.
Longshoal is an excellent fishing location. Truman Lake is also a popular destination for tournament fishermen. Longshoal Marina is located within the park, offering convenient boat services for guests. A sandy beach makes the area perfect for families.
Harry S Truman Reservoir lies among the rolling hills and rocky bluffs of the Ozark Plateau. Mature hardwoods of Oak and Hickory with cedar trees mixed in cover the area. Wildlife such as whitetail deer, turkey, hawks, ospreys, eagles, and many different water birds can be found in and around the park. An abundance of fish such as crappie, bass, walleye, paddlefish, blue and channel catfish can also be found in Harry S Truman Reservoir. Approximately 8,800 acres of standing timber were left in the lake to provide quality aquatic habitat.
The 950 miles of shoreline around Truman Lake provide plentiful opportunities for fun in the outdoors. Many parks surround the lake, including Harry S. Truman State Park. The Harry S. Truman Visitor Center sits atop Kaysinger Bluff and provides a spectacular view of the dam and reservoir. Exhibits provide information about the rich history of the Osage River Valley from pre-civilization to modern day. Waterfowl, bald eagles and turkey vultures are commonly seen from the observation deck. Longshoal Marina
$15 - $30 / night
We are an established name with more than 35 years of experience in this industry. If you love spending time in the lap of nature, we can give you an incredible experience by providing you with just the right amenities. We offer: Cabins, Camping and Canoes
$38 - $48 / night
Traveler
Spots are tight and the party is next door, but looking to trying again when the music starts up. We were in a small trailer, fit the spot perfectly, but had to park in the glamping spot due to no other room on our spot. Not sure if there were showers, but we were all self contained.
TravelerNice view. Right on Missouri River. On Katy trail. Bathrooms are port a johns. Live music some nights.
TravelerOn my road trip out west I stumbled upon this little oasis. Good people and a fun time. Food truck set up and beer was being sold. Gorgeous lookout onto the Missouri River. They have a stage for live music.
ScoutA beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise. A bathroom (in addition to portapotties) as well as indoor shower. Very kind people all around
TravelerCampsites were right on the Missouri River. Had great views and a stunning sunset. Staff was super friendly and helpful. We set up our tent and enos for the night on the way to Colorado. Even had phone service. Everything we could have asked for!
Guide
A trout fisher dream, as one of Missouri’s 5 hacherys are here. Fun for this kids to see the amazing amount of fish. Due to rain I didn’t have the opportunity to hit any of the trails, but there are several that vary in length and difficulty.
GuideThis is a nice campground. But not if you’re looking to get away from people and get deep into nature. This is mostly a fishing campground. Not a lot to do in the area. Campground is still nice, just close to city and not as nice as other areas in Missouri
TravelerLocated right alongside the Missouri river and Katy Trail, Coopers Landing is a real unique place. The flood of 2019 really took it's toll on the facility but the new owner is working hard to get it all back together. We've stayed here several times a year since 2015 and it's a perennial favorite. They have live music on an outdoor stage, a small general store and a view of the river you can't get anywhere. Bring your bikes and take a ride on the Katy Trail!
GuideLeaving this magical place today. For anyone wanting to stay be aware they have live music Thursday through Sunday. They wrap everything up by 10pm and it’s very quiet late night. This weekend they had special events everyday related to the Katy trail right next to it. You will have water and electric but no sewer and no dump station on site. Plan your length of stay accordingly. In addition to the live music, food trucks come in and there is a cash bar/store with drinks, snacks, firewood and ice. It’s a very small campground and you are not walled off from the general public. If this is your style of camping you will really enjoy this place. Built in the 70’s on the banks of the Missouri River I had an amazing time. It was like being on vacation from my full time vacation lifestyle. I didn’t grocery shop the whole time.
LegendThis state park is one worth a stop when near Springfield. I drove north toward this park to enjoy something a bit different and found it to be very peaceful during a weekday.
I had traveled here following a busy time and expected to still have some of that lingering noise which hangs out after a big event. But by the time I reached the location it had dwindled out. Leaving behind in the peaceful outdoors were shaded sites that were well placed but slightly trashed. That isn’t the fault of the park but rather of the people who did not pick up after themselves.
After a little tidying of my site, I was home for the night in a nice tent site. I took a tour of the grounds and noticed that the showers were nice, the water was great in pressure and hot!! Restrooms were well maintained and even after the weekend they had already done their maintenance and had them looking very nice!!
Something else to note when traveling is cell service. With AT&T I had 3 bars of service, something which I was very uncertain of after driving to the location had been spotty in some areas.
The campground runs alongside a waterway and it was nice to enjoy around dusk the sounds of the water. I would have taken a dip in it had I not arrived so late in the evening, it looked so perfect for just dipping the toes in. Also I could see this being a great place to launch a small boat or kayak.
Nearby camp is one of the larger hatcheries in the state which you can visit during certain hours and see how they work to diligently populate the waterways and lakes in Missouri, pretty cool process and information. Definitely recommend!!
Legend
Campsite Review
This is quite a large campground, meaning it can easily cater to tents, car campers, and RV heroes. Each site had electrical hook-ups, and there was a common combination shower & laundry area. My campsite, like all, came with a picnic table and a fire pit. I definitely recommend ear plugs if you are a light sleeper since the bugs were very loud all night. This is one of a few campgrounds within the State Park and I chose it since it offered lakeside views – which were very pleasant. There was also boat ramp access. I had a nice bike ride from the campgrounds to a nearby campsite area near Racoon Ridge on some well paved roads, capped off with some different lakeside views. There was a few places to fill up drinkable water and use bathrooms.
Product Review
I won the Saris Feedom Superclamp 2-Bike bike rack from a contest held on The Dyrt's facebook page, so I decided after a few weeks and trips with the product to do a review.
So far the bike rack has been up to Jasper National Park from Boulder, CO with stops along the way in Grand Tetons, YellowStone, Glacier, Banff and Lake Louise National Parks as well as a roadtrip from Boulder to Toronto, ON through Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan. I've gone on various road conditions over the 5,000+ miles as well as in various driving conditions (city, highway, off roading, and country).
This bike rack is incredibly easy to use. It is what I call "micro adjustable" just because the bike is clamped to the rack with a bunch of slide-able wheel wells and tire arms adjustable at any position. It works with any bike type, and is super easy to install - no special tools needed. Your car just needs either a 1.25" or 2" hitch. Watch the video review here.
I also love that it comes with included, retractable bike locks to secure your crappy or expensive bikes to the rack, then another lock between the rack and your car's hitch. I can't fully open my trunk (although it looks like the new model EX2 solves this bit of trouble) when I have bikes on the back, which I would complain about if this didn't take any longer than 10 seconds to get the bike's off.
I was also impressed how well the rack held up when I went up Shadow Mountain with 2 on the rack to do some riding around the summit with the Grand Tetons as my backdrop. The bumpy road and constant rocking could've bent the frame, but it held up beautifully.
Shout out to Saris for putting some good material around the wheel clamps to keep any harsh contact points against my bike. My bikes are cheap, but someone with anything they care about will appreciate the care they took to keep their bike protected.
I'll do an update on this review after a few more weeks with the rack for my overall impressions, and so far so good!
ROAD TRIP!
And so the road trip to Canada with my dog Sirius begins! I hit the road a little late from Colorado, so I knew as I was driving that when I finally made it to Missouri I was going to be rolling into the campsite in dark. Luckily, most of the drive east once you leave the Rocky Mountains is flat and uneventful so anything I would have seen in the daytime wasn’t much better than blackness. There’s some vast prairie landscape along highway 70, so it’s not the worst scenery to have, but I’ve driven from Colorado to Chicago a few time and I was trying to avoid another one of those endless farm field drives you can find along highway 80. Oh well, more of the same I guess.
When I was researching places roughly 9 hours from home, Harry S Truman State Park looked like a fun place to check out near the Ozarks if you’re on the road and passing through. There are lakes plenty large enough for any water activities you’re creative enough to think up, and the many campgrounds found scattered in the parkland offer a great balance of seclusion and variety. I picked Long Shoal since it was near the water and promised some nice lakefront views. I was going to have to wait until the morning to find out if that promise was one the park could deliver on though, as I didn’t arrive into camp until close to 2am. I parked, popped up the rooftop tent, popped in my ear plugs, and hit the sack. The next morning I awoke to a large lake and a kayaker enjoying their morning paddle. My morning was spent cycling the 4 miles just past the welcome center, where I enjoyed some more lakeside views from Racoon Ridge. It certainly was convenient to have a paved road the entire ride lined with dense forest trees. I wish I saw some deer along the way, but I can’t always get so lucky. The heat was quite strong, so it was a nice coincidence that the ride was shaded and hugged the water’s edge. I took in the lake views, but I didn’t have long to enjoy the scenery, as I had another 8 plus hours in the car that day, since I wanted to get to Kentucky and spend my real play time of the trip checking out the Land Between the Lakes Recreation area.
LegendAfter one visit, this became one of my favorite state parks. This is one of Missouri’s’ “trout parks” with a hatchery and release sites so fishing (which actually becomes catching) is a big draw. Bennett Spring is so serious about their fishing they even have a trout cam so you can watch other anglers testing their skills.
When we pulled into the campground and picked out a super sweet paved full hook-up site we let out a sigh of approval and knew we were going to really like it there for a few days. The park has 143 campsites comprised of five loops so there are a wide variety of camping options, from basic to sewer/electric/water sites with some being reserveable to first come, first serve. There are wooded sites and those in the open where you are close enough to the fishing action to watch anglers from your RV. In addition to camping, there are 65 other lodging units which are cabins, duplex/fourplexes, and motel rooms.
We came to camp, fish, and hike but there is also canoeing, floating, a nature center and museum, trout hatchery, dining facilities, a church, Olympic-size swimming pool, and much more. When I wasn’t wading in the water with a wet line, we were walking through the woods. The park has over twenty miles of hiking trails meandering through its 3,216 acres. Trails range from a leisurely walk along the stream to that of rigorous mountain trails that reward hikers with great picturesque views of the Ozark Mountains. Guided ranger-led tours are also available for those wanting a little more information on your walk. The camp store is quite large with everything from food to souvenirs. For Anglers this is where you get your fishing permit and advice on the best lures to use (of which they have a large selection).
One aspect of this park that is so appealing is the historical character that came from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) improvements made back in the 1930’s. They built a dam, arched bridge, cabins and shelters, dining lodge, roads, and trails. The CCC influence is obvious when looking at the dining lodge with its stone and wood exterior and post and beam interior that stands the test of time and emits rustic charm. The dining lodge still performs its original function and is popular among visitors (especially those who want to have their freshly-caught trout prepared for them).
To make a reservation or view campsite details, photos and availability, go to the reservation website by clicking the “Make a Reservation Now” link below. Reservations may also be made by calling toll free 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766). Printable campground maps are available for your reference by clicking on the "Map" links.
Some state parks are remote and have a quiet and tranquil feel. This park has a lot going on so that is probably not the case in the busy summer season. When we were there in early April the park’s campgrounds were pretty empty and quiet and while we really liked that we also liked that there was a lot to do. Our three days passed quickly and we would definitely come back.
ScoutPublic boat ramp nice cooking spots
Scout
Absolutely hidden gem on the lake available for military (active/retired/DAV). Has 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.
GuideBeautiful campground, though Full hookup sites are on an unappealing parking lot. 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.) Tent sites are right on the water, with spectacular views. You can launch your own kayak or rent a motor boat to explore this gigantic lake. Free laundry facilities. Lean restrooms with nice shower. Very relaxed reservation procedure. We called and were told to just show up. They would hold a spot for us. It worked out fine.
GuideThis is a Military Campground (not quite a FAMCAMP - more a Recreation Area)! They have four areas - tent, water and electric, full hook up and cabins! We have stayed here may times - typically with the full hook ups. It is NOT off I-44 but off US 54. We have stayed up there in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October!
GuideThe only issue is the full hook up area is a big parking lot with no shade! BUT you have great satellite signal!~ also the water in 10 & 11 is slow.We have stayed here many time! They have an awesome Halloween Spooktacular!!!!
GuideIf you have to be in FLW, you might as well be here. There is nothing there. And if you have to be here, you are probably going to be here for a while. Get out and try to enjoy a little nature at least.
Guide
Spacious and mostly level sites, which is outstanding as this park is on face of a hill. We stayed in march so leaves are off the trees and could hear road noise. Very nice stay.
GuideGreat place for a place to stay near the lake of the ozarks attractions. Super close to big surf and not a bad drive from all the lake has to offer. But not a favorite for a trip focused more on hanging out at the camp site. Very hilly (though grade on the site wasn’t bad at all), pull through sites make getting in easy with larger rigs but all roads through are gravel and rutted so not the easiest. Sites close together without much in between. Nice large trees would offer some summer shade but still not much separation between sites. Water and electric at site. Small “dog park” (fenced in area) great for smaller dogs to run off leash and pretty large kid okay ground too. Overall we will stay here again but think of it more as bringing our own hotel to the lake rather than coming to enjoy the campground.
TravelerLynn Creek KOA is a mediocre resort. The pool and the bathroom facilities are pros, and the sites have trees for added shade.
But the cons outweigh those pros, as the sites are all gravel with very little grass, deferred maintenance is an issue for electric & water outlets, the noise from the freeway running in front of the resort is unbearable at all hours, and the flies are biting nonstop.
ScoutVery nice, clean and quiet. We are here in the middle of October waiting for the leaves to turn. Good access to the Lake of the Ozarks.
GuideThe campsite had fine amenities that I would expect from a KOA: decent bathrooms, playground, basic pool. What I didn’t like was the gravel roads around the campsite were very washed out from rain, unlevel, and I was nervous we’d bust up the camper pulling it. Our specific site didn’t have a picnic table, it was very small, and had no shade. We were in spot #26.
It was overall ok. Quiet. I think I’ll try another campsite in the area next time.
ScoutMost sites have been levels and graveled showers and restrooms newly remodeled easy access to byway some traffic noise if close to front is being upgraded and is a good getaway from overcrowded campgrounds on the lake
GuideInteresting spot right on the river. We spent two nights here. Confusion about showers and bathrooms. No showers and no flushable toilets, just out houses. There is a bar at the marina that gets super busy at night with locals. Super busy. There is no buffer or signage keeping bar patrons out of the campsite so we found ourselves being interrupted by foot traffic and questions about our setup. If you are looking for privacy, we suggest looking elsewhere. Staff overall very nice.
GuidePulled into this cozy campground (probably no more than 50 sites) and had a great set up right on the river. We called around 8PM to inquire and then arrived around midnight and paid online. They had a cute stage for what looked like live music and a little tug boat sits in their boat ramp. Loved it here! We did hear there were showers but didn’t use them as we were in a rush to get on the road in the AM!
ScoutSee beautiful scenery on the MO River & Katy Trail. You may get to see a paddleboat cruising the river. Cooper’s has spectacular sunsets, a boat ramp, dock, trails, bonfires, live music, and a very friendly atmosphere.
The Katy trail runs through the edge of the property, offering quick access to trail walking, hiking, and bicycling.
The general store has many options including a wide variety of food and drinks. It also has a small bicycle repair area set up outside.
I highly recommend the delicious Thai food restaurant on site.
Prices are very reasonable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Eldon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Eldon, MO is Bennett Spring State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Eldon, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 glamping camping locations near Eldon, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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