Best Glamping near Eminence, MO

This 1200 acre property used to be the beautiful Cherokee Ridge Girl Scout camp until it was sold in 2019. We have went through extensive renovations and development to bring this property to the public so that it can be enjoyed by our guests. River access and our private gravel/sand bars are available exclusively to our guests and have provided some of the most peaceful weekends imaginable.

We have everything from glamping tents right on the river bluff (photos attached) to 12 fully equipped cabins with hot tubs overlooking the 22 acre lake with a beach and activities (photos attached)

We have 4 Conestoga Wagons that are heated and air conditioned (see photos attached). They are the definition of glamping.

50 RV sites with picnic tables fire/grill pits with a variety of 30 and 50 amp pull-through and back-in sites. We offer float trips, rental boats for the lake, and rental golf carts to adventure around the park.

The park is going through endless development to continue to provide everyone with the most enjoyable and peaceful vacation possible.

Please check out our website www.otahkilake.com

Tent, rv Hookups, cabins. yurt. Pool. Pleasant place for kids and adults. Good restaurant, live entertainment on occasion, views, trails. Great staff. Conpletely new place. Good time by current river mo.

Round Springs is a National Park campground. It’s about 12 miles north if Eminence MO on the Current River. There are only 50 sites, some have electricity. Most of the campsites are scattered along the road with lots of trees and privacy. The electric sites are in the center of the campground on the road with no shade. There are few walk in sites near the river. There is a shower and dump station.

Positives: Tranquil little campground with beautiful spring and cave. Quiet, shady, has two points of river access, group sites, and steaming hot showers.  Close to Echo Bluff State Park, Current River State Park, and Eminence, MO.  

Negatives:  Test sites are hit or miss. Sites 1-18 are fairly small and not very level. Sites 19-29 have larger, more level areas. 30-39 are kind of mixed.  Many sites have steps up of down to the site from the road.  There is no cell service available, so make sure you have made reservations before you get here. Closest cell service is up the road at Echo Bluff State Park. 

Other info: You may get lucky and see otters on your way to the spring, or some of the wild horses in the area. Go in the early morning to the spring trail to watch the mist roll off the water and enjoy the wildlife - so otherworldly. 

Cave tours are available June - Oct., but even if you visit is outside of this window, the walk to the cave is kind of magical.  

If you walk to the spring overlook, you'll also encounter a portion of the Ozark Trail. About a half a mile down the Ozark Trail you can cross the Current River on a pedestrian bridge which is a pretty cool experience.  

Bathrooms available on the upper camping loop, but the showers are located on the bottom loop (three family style showers).  Fantastic water pressure. 

Host was friendly even when he had to tell us we couldn't hang hammocks in National Park campgrounds. 

While you're there drive down to Alley Spring for a nice hike, another beautiful spring and historic mill, and at the camp store you can get a National Parks Passport stamp (located in the screened in porch) for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. 

We stayed in site 13 which is located directly behind the bathrooms. Good if you have to go all the time, bad if you don't like to hear loud toilet flushes.  Very shady site.

Echo Bluff State Park in Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Eminence, MO is a brand new “old camp”. 

Opened in 2016 the history is rather interesting. From 1929 until the 1980s, Camp Zoe was a children’s summer camp, founded by Russell S. and Margaret McMahan Louis County teachers. There is one of the structures still on site with plaques and information. More recently, it was home to music festivals — and an open-air drug market. I didn’t find any plaques in relation to that. However when the government gained control of the land in a court proceeding it was decided to bring more business into Shannon County by opening a very nice campground for people not wanting to rough it. 

And “BAM” you have very pricey accommodations from lodge rooms, to cabins and two story condos. The campground is pretty nice too but lacking in shade and privacy. There are walk-in (uphill) sites and nice wagons provided to transport your gear. Not my favorite style of camping. Completely full and busy, which is why it got a 4 instead of 5 star. This may be your type of camping and you would say a 5 star. Reserve ahead, I mean way ahead.

There is a huge pavilion that can be reserved that overlooks the area. It has a large fire pit and mega size grill, one of the trails meanders below the pavilion. This would be a nice venue for an extended family get together.

This is a very nice, new, recreation creation. The playground was given two thumbs up by my granddaughter. Then the river, which you can see from the lodge and playground was given 12 paws and 2 thumbs by dogs and grandkids alike. Crystal clear ice cold water that you can walk across to the sheer wall of rock. Bring your water shoes, the rocks aren’t fun to walk on.

A very cool feature , if you are lucky , you will see the wild horses that roam the area. They are not for petting, so use caution. 

Aside from the abundance of people we enjoyed Echo Bluff SP.

This is really the gem of Missouri state parks. Rv sites are all full 30/50 amp with water and sewer. All spots have plenty of room but are back in. The pads are perfectly level and are concrete. Camp hosts are helpful and kind. The lodge is in walking distance and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is pretty good also! They offer inside dining but the best place to eat and enjoy the outdoors is on their huge deck. Wonderful place all around and Missouri really has done this one the right way!

Missouris newest state park was a huge disappointment. The campground is void of all trees!! in the summer there would not relief from the sun if you were in a tent. The facilities are top notch but it does not make up for the campground.

Echo Bluff State Park is nestled in the heart of Missouri's Ozarks. This natural haven offers a perfect retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The park boasts a stunning blend of scenic beauty, recreational activities, and comfortable amenities.

The first thing that strikes you about Echo Bluff State Park is its breathtaking natural beauty. The towering bluffs, dense forests, and the pristine Sinking Creek that meanders through the park create a picturesque landscape that's a joy to explore. Hiking trails like the Signal Hill Trail and Current River Trail offer hikers stunning vistas and the chance to encounter local wildlife.

For those looking to relax, the park offers a range of options. The modern campground facilities are well-maintained and provide all the comforts of home, while the cozy cabins offer a rustic yet comfortable escape. The Echo Bluff Lodge is a standout feature, offering a beautiful setting for meals and relaxation with its panoramic views of the park.

One of the highlights of Echo Bluff State Park is its accessibility to the Current River. Canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular activities, and the park provides easy access to the river. It's also a designated Missouri Trout Park, making it a paradise for anglers.

In conclusion, Echo Bluff State Park is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful getaway. Its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and comfortable accommodations make it a must-visit destination in Missouri. Whether you're an avid hiker, a water sports enthusiast, or simply looking for a tranquil escape, Echo Bluff has something to offer everyone.

It is shaped by Marble Creek, from overhead it looks the piece to a puzzle, no matter where you are in the campground any direction takes you to the water. There is hiking, it is in a National Forest that allows Dispersed Camping outside designated areas and off roads. It is a pure delight natural water park, in the capital of natural water parks The St. Francois Mountains where creeks and rivers have "natural shut-ins" . The area around Black Mountain next door in the National Forest is a natural wilderness area, filled with geo features not marked on any maps and seldom ever photographed. Some of the largest gorges and canyons in Missouri are nearby, waterfalls (seasonal). Marble Creek flows into the St. Francois River a short distance away. 16 miles west of Fredericktown Missouri on Madison County Road E

The state of missouri does an amazing job providing opportunities for families to enjoy the beauty of nature. Nature programs for kids and parents to learn. Well kept facilities. The ice cream is just a bonus. This is by far my favorite campsite for the kids.

Excellent park for trout fishing in Missouri. Camping available from March through October, when trout are stocked daily and available to keep a limit of four per person per day. Well-maintained sites are subject to flash-flooding during heavy rain. Shower and bath houses are decent. Park has privately owned lodge with store, restaurant and motel rooms and free Wifi. Beautiful scenery along spring-fed river.

State Park in Southeast Missouri along Big Creek. Well maintained campsites with electric hook ups. Water and dump stations, but no water hook up sites. Nice beach with easy access for swimming and kayaking. Very nice bike trail throughout park. Privately owned store and restaurant in park. Cabins also available for rent.

The state park is located in southeastern Missouri was a disappointment to us on our visit. The campground, while large and spaced out, was a little bit on the trashy side. The facilities were dated and the park state were not the most pleasant. There are several trails in the park that look challenging but we chose to move on.

If you’re traveling through southern Missouri and looking for a park to stay in, this is a great choice! Right off the interstate and easy to get in to. Site are graveled and level, and most are full hookups. The majority also have picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potty spots for the babies scattered throughout the park and a 25 acre trail area. John, the owner, is a great guy! Friendly and welcoming, he keeps the park well maintained. Will definitely be using again!

This place literally has everything you can want from walk in tent sites to an entire lodge with all the amenities. Campsites are all well manicured and offer everything from basic sites to full RV hook ups. The only negative is that we have experienced are that you need to reserve your side months in advance because this campground is so popular. And the only other negative is that all of the campsites are out in the open with no shade. But other than that it’s easy to see why the state park is a perfect representation of how much pride Missouri takes in its conservation and park system.

We absolutely loved this state park! It's easily our favorite Missouri state park to visit with our kiddos. There's just so much to do! The campsites are nicely spaced and clean. Expect plenty of sand at your site (my kids loved this, of course). There's a paved bike path that runs through the park. We took bike rides every day! We were pleasantly surprised that Big Creek was clear, cool and shallow (at least where we were). Swimming in the creek was one of our favorite activities each day... even having a 2 year old. The kids caught and released huge bull frogs and tons of minnows. We also enjoyed the evening presence of deer. Shower house and bathrooms were as clean as to be expected from a packed campground. This park also has a couple of on site stores in case you forget swim shoes or even swimsuits (like we did). You can even rent kayaks and canoes!

I had a pretty awful expereince with Apple Jacks 21 this weekend. I wanted to share to maybe help others get more clarification when booking. I had a lot of upset and disappointed friends that drove a long way for this. 12 people total.

I know this resort is new and just coming along. I understand that. But there are quite a few issues that concern me and should have been addressed before allowing bookings.

The owner did not reply when asking for confirmation via Facebook messenger, which is how I booked but she did look at and ignore my message. We decided to go anyway. After all, we had 12 people in our group and I can't let people down. She did not want payment before our arrival.

When we got here we had to go search for someone to figure out where to go, which is precisely why I tried to confirm the day before. Took 3 phone calls before we got the owner to answer and we were told to go down to the bar and find some man. The man had no idea what we were to do or where we should go. Again we waited while he called her several times. We were exhausted from a long trip and just wanted to get setup and rest.

After finally getting settled the owner drove by and said she would come back after supper (for payment I'm guessing) but never did. We still hadn't paid by night 2. And then night 3.

When asking where our friends would park their RV it was again an hour long process to figure it out. We also figured we should attempt to find out which cabin is for our other group since it's so hard to find anyone here that knows what is going on.

Our friend finally got in the RV site the electric hookup had an open ground. The wire was literally sticking out of the post box for my kids or anyone to get seriously injured. They also just wanted to get settled and rest so we ran an extension cord from our post since no one is to be found and no one answers their phone, again. Finally the worker man called back and came and said he couldn't help us due to a warranty on the work but gave us an extension cord.

The cabin, no one knew what was going on either. We finally found out later on and went and checked it out. There were other people's items inside. But noticed maybe it was 2 parts because there was a door in the middle. So they carried their stuff to the other side where it was pretty filthy. Hair in the sinks from someone shaving, a sink full of dishes, filthy refrigerator, filthy bathrooms etc. Then the worker man comes flying in aggressively asking who is in cabin 1 and I said I had no idea what cabin is which so he showed us we weren't supposed to walk through cabin 1 (again, no signs or numbers). Nothing is marked here. Then they have no key to lock up the door to the outside or the door to the "grandsons" that apparently live on the other side (cabin 1??). The "grandsons" can just come into my friends cabin anytime they want as there is no lock between the cabins. We were also told that the cabin was "right across the street" from our RV sites. It's was a 1 mile drive because they removed the driveway between them (didn't inform us of this). Our friends in the cabin have mobility issues and that is the reason being close was so important. It was a truck ride away. Definitely

Again, I tried to drive up to River's Edge to pay for my site (that's what the worker man said to do) and no one knows the pricing. She wanted me to leave my credit card there and she would charge me later. Not happening. I left all my info, she was supposed to get a total and call me to pay by phone but that never happened either.

On Sunday, the owne came flying in after seeing my comments to someone else having issues about this place being a disaster and was nice at first until I wanted to tell her my issues. She snapped and didn't want to hear any of it. She also asked me for a pen to write down my credit card number. It's 2021 and they write down credit card numbers? The owner stated that I had booked 3 cabins and she had to turn people away Friday night and they sat empty because of me. That is false. I read a reveiw that she turned them away due to plumbing problems. I have screenshots of booking 1 cabin and 1 RV site and later adding another rv site. I also have screenshots of asking for confirmation of 1 cabin and 2 rv sites. Finally in such a mean but sweet way she told me this wasn't the place for me and we weren't welcome back so we packed up and left.

After we left and got on the road someone else called me about payment. I told her I already paid the owner. She said the owner told her to call me about payment. Apparently, this woman texted me a bill but I didn't get it until we left due to phone service issues. The bill didn't even show the total. But the woman was kind and understanding that I didn't get her text. Then 2 hours later my card was charged $653 when it was supposed to be $580. What a disaster.

All in all I think I lost 6 hours just trying to figure out what is going on here.

This was supposed to be my birthday trip. What a fiasco.

Luckily, my credi card company refunded me since none of the amenities she advertised were there.

We took a last-minute trip on a beautiful weekend in June 2020 to get outside (responsibly) during the pandemic. Two Rivers campground did not disappoint! We were able to get a first come first served site around 4:30p on a Friday - it was one of two remaining sites so we likely lucked out. The campground had gnats, but we didn’t get too many mosquitos so for that we were grateful. There were several other groups who were camping there to go floating; there is an outfitter right at the campground with a small convenience store in a trailer. They coordinate float trips and rent canoes and rafts. We didn’t float this time, but would definitely consider returning to do so! Would recommend going for sites on the outside of the ring, if possible - these seemed to have more shade and a tad more privacy.