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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
