Equestrian camping near Eureka, Missouri sits on the northeastern edge of the Ozark Mountains, where elevations range between 450-600 feet above sea level. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching 90°F and mild winters with occasional snowfall and freezing temperatures. Most campgrounds in the region sit within heavily wooded areas with oak-hickory forests predominating the landscape.
What to do
River floating trips: 5-6 miles: At Bass' River Resort, campers can enjoy well-organized float trips. "We tent camped and floated the 6 mile float. Bathrooms we're clean and we'll maintained. Showers needed quarters to operate," explains Donna H.
Zip line adventures: thrilling heights: Though not always operational year-round, some campgrounds offer aerial adventures. At Blue Spring Ranch, "They have trail riding and a zip line, but trail riding was all booked when we called to reserve," notes Caitlin F.
Trail exploration: multiple difficulty levels: The Mark Twain National Forest offers extensive trail systems. "The trails are fantastic and have different levels for all. The best spot is over looking the lake and offers a clear view of the night sky," shares Chad K. about Cuivre River State Park.
What campers like
Diverse campsite options: secluded or social: Cuivre River State Park Campground offers various camping experiences. "Campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking," reports Cody S.
River access: swimming and wading: Many campsites provide direct river access. One camper at Blue Spring Ranch recommends: "Highly recommend going to the 'Upper Beach'! It's up by the cabins/cottages and you definitely need to drive there. Get there early in the morning to set up your chairs in the river to get a good spot."
Basic but functional facilities: Berryman Trail & Campgrounds offers simple amenities. "This 8 site campground has well kept vault toilets and no other services, but is fee-less to match. There is a pavilion near the access points to the Berryman and Ozark trails," notes Hannah W.
What you should know
Train noise: persistent at some sites: The Route 66 KOA experiences significant train disturbances. "Beautiful. This was such a nice and serene setting. Close to the city and local attractions, yet surrounded by nature none the less. It will be even better when they invent silent trains," remarks Todd P.
Limited cell service: plan accordingly: Many campgrounds have spotty coverage. At Berryman Trail Campground, "The campsites are good size and great for tents and hammocks. AT&T and Sprint have only enough service to make calls at the sites," explains Jake K.
Horse-friendly sites: minimal facilities: While some sites accommodate horses, facilities are basic. At Greensfelder County Park, "There's tie stalls under a roof and a round pen mounting blocks shower and bathrooms in camp. Electricity at each site and water nearby," notes Alicia B.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: natural and developed: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas. "The park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer (was not open in the winter)," shares Kyle R. about Cuivre River State Park.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: managed noise levels: Some campgrounds separate quieter family areas from party zones. "We stayed on the family side and had a great time. Staff super helpful and upbeat, everyone looked like they wanted to ACTUALLY be there," says Matt about Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort.
Playground access: built-in entertainment: Several campgrounds feature play areas. "They have a swimming pool, playground and store/gift shop. They have pay showers," mentions Joel R. about Ozark Outdoors, though noting it gets "crowded and noisy" on summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: varied conditions: RV sites have different grading challenges. At St. Joe State Park Campground, "Really nice pull through sites and the kids loved the beach," reports Shannon M.
Hookup availability: electric but limited water: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups. "Small campground ground ram by saint louis county parks. Only sites 20-29 have electric and 28 can't be reserved. 2-20 amp plugs and 1-30amp plug," explains Matthew H. about Greensfelder County Park.
Dump stations: limited options: Plan for waste disposal needs. At Greensfelder County Park, there's "no dump but KOA and RV dealer 5-7 mins away," meaning you'll need to plan accordingly for longer stays.
