Cabin camping near Farmington, Missouri provides access to the rugged Ozark highlands and the scenic Big River watershed. Most sites sit between 800-1,200 feet elevation in heavily forested terrain. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making cabins a practical alternative to tent camping from November through March when overnight lows can reach the 20s.
What to do
Hiking on varied terrain: Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park offers trails connecting to cabin areas with multiple difficulty levels. "There is a beautiful bike trail connecting the campground to the rest of the park. They also had neat programs going on while we were there including a smores contest and adult scavenger hunt," notes one visitor to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park.
Horseback riding: Some cabin properties accommodate equestrians with specialized facilities. At Twin Eagle Lake Estates & Hideout, "They offer trail rides on their horses. Dog friendly. Connected to ozark trail," according to a reviewer who appreciated the equestrian options.
Fishing access: Many cabin sites provide direct lake or river access for anglers. "We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access," states a visitor to Cherokee Landing who enjoyed the fishing opportunities.
Paved biking paths: Several state park cabin locations connect to wider trail systems via paved routes. Sam A. Baker State Park Campground includes "a nice paved bike path connecting" the campgrounds, making it accessible for visitors of all abilities.
Historical exploration: The region features significant historical sites near cabin accommodations. Washington State Park Campground offers "prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby [that] are a must see," according to a visitor who spent a week exploring the area.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The layout of some cabin areas provides good separation between accommodations. At Washington State Park Campground, "This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings constructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here."
River swimming opportunities: Many visitors appreciate the natural water features near cabin sites. "You can sit in the cool clear water and relax. Great place for kids. Park is well maintained," notes a camper who stayed at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground.
Winter cabin availability: Several locations maintain year-round cabin operations. A visitor to Meramec State Park Campground reported, "It snowed on our last visit in March," showing the appeal of cabins during colder months.
On-site food options: Some larger cabin properties provide meal services. Huzzah Valley offers convenience with their restaurant where "Huzzah Bobs cooks up an amazing breakfast buffet, or you may want to include a BBQ dinner in your package to eliminate the hassle of cooking after a long day."
Fishing ponds and lakes: Many cabin sites feature dedicated fishing areas. Twin Eagle Lake Estates & Hideout receives praise for "Great shop and fishing!" from visitors who take advantage of the stocked fishing areas.
What you should know
Highway noise: Some cabin locations experience traffic sounds. At Perryville RV Resort, "The highway is also extremely close and can be heard at all times," according to one reviewer who noted this drawback.
Variable rule enforcement: Management approaches differ significantly between properties. One camper at Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney noted, "The bad parts of this place was the fact that rules didn't seem to apply. Someone was playing loud music till at least 1130pm when we went to bed."
Weekend crowds: State park cabins often fill completely during peak season. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park experiences high demand as one visitor noted, "Stayed on a Monday-Wednesday in a walk-in spot in loop 5. Every spot was occupied but park was maintained well."
Pet restrictions on trails: Not all cabin-adjacent trails allow pets. "The shut-ins trail DOES NOT allow dogs so that's a bummer," cautions a visitor to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park who was disappointed by the restriction.
Cellular service gaps: Several areas have limited connectivity. Meramec State Park Campground has technology limitations as "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short."
Tips for camping with families
Look for educational programs: Several parks offer organized activities for children. At Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, "We loved this clean and beautiful campground! We stayed in the fall and the colors were amazing. Our kids loved climbing all over the shut-ins."
Consider proximity to shower facilities: When booking cabins with children, note bathroom locations. "The cart provided was great to walk our gear down the trail to our site, and there was a flat deck for us to camp on," reports a Johnson's Shut-Ins visitor who appreciated these conveniences.
Inquire about special events: Some properties host seasonal family activities. Twin Eagle Lake Estates & Hideout offers "day long family friendly activities and the campsites deck out for Halloween with a $500 prize for best. Then at dusk trick or treat."
Check swimming area features: Water access varies significantly between locations. St. Joe State Park Campground has "Two clean and well kept swimming areas, great trails, good camp sites, and great bathrooms/showers!"
Scout flat sites for play space: Not all cabin areas have level ground for activities. Washington State Park Campground is noted for sites that are "very large, flat, and easy" which provides room for children to play.
Tips from RVers
Look for pull-through options: Several cabin campgrounds also accommodate RVs with specialized sites. At Sam A. Baker State Park Campground, "The sites are very close together and even on one of the hottest weekends of the year the campgrounds were full!"
Verify hookup capacities: Electric service varies between parks. St. Joe State Park offers both 50-amp service and cabin accommodations, making it versatile for different camping styles.
Check for dump station access: Some properties require additional fees for services. Many cabin campgrounds with RV sites include sanitary dump stations, though availability and seasonal operation can vary.
Consider road conditions to sites: Access routes differ in quality. Patt's Place LLC offers "Well graveled spaces, easy water and electric hook-up with both 30 and 50 amp," according to a satisfied customer.
Ask about reservation timing: Popular cabin/RV combination sites book quickly. One visitor to Perryville RV Resort advised, "Booking was easy and price was average. The property itself is beautiful. Spots are intermingled in the trees and it is spectacular in the morning."
