Best Tent Camping near Nixa, MO

Several tent campgrounds around Nixa, Missouri provide primitive camping options with varying levels of amenities. Busiek State Forest, located a short drive south of Nixa, offers dispersed tent camping by permit, while Swan Creek Conservation Area provides free tent camping with stream access. Both areas feature scenic hiking trails and natural landscapes typical of the Ozarks region.

Tent campsites in the Nixa area generally have minimal facilities. Most conservation areas require campers to pack in their own water and supplies, as drinking water is rarely available. Busiek requires permits obtained in person from the Missouri Department of Conservation office, not available online or by phone. Fire rings and picnic tables are provided at some locations like Drury-Mincy Conservation Area, but vault toilets may be in variable condition or entirely absent. Many tent sites are situated on natural surfaces with little or no site preparation.

The tent camping experience near Nixa offers notable solitude, particularly at conservation areas. Swan Creek Conservation Area provides stream access and designated areas for equestrian camping, about 45 minutes from Springfield. During peak seasons, weekday visits generally ensure more privacy and quiet camping experiences. Busiek's tent areas provide access to multiple hiking trails through varied terrain. A camper at Drury-Mincy noted: "Wonderful campground with roughly 12 designated camp spots with a fire pit, some spots would be big enough to park a smaller RV at." Most tent campgrounds in the area have sufficient shade from mature trees, though cellular service can be limited or non-existent, particularly for AT&T customers at Swan Creek.

Best Tent Sites Near Nixa, Missouri (11)

    1. Busiek

    8 Reviews
    Chestnutridge, MO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 895-8660

    "Busiek isn't to far of the beaten path. It has several trails and camping sites. There is plenty of wildlife available for viewing."

    "Absolutely beautiful hiking trails and amazing off grid camping for family. Just make sure to bring the bug spray and tikis bc there are tons of bugs."

    2. Swan Creek

    1 Review
    Chadwick, MO
    19 miles
    +1 (417) 459-7376

    3. Drury-Mincy Conservation Area

    8 Reviews
    Kirbyville, MO
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 746-0291

    "Lovely spot in Missouri. Passing through to Tennessee and found this gem of a spot with 2 vault toilets, trash and it’s free! Arrived at sunset in a Wednesday and only 2 other campers."

    "This one had all the necessary items, picnic tables and fire rings along with pit toilets which were not in bad shape.  "

    4. Fall Creek Resort

    1 Review
    Hollister, MO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 334-6404

    "FCFS 

    Fee:$35.00 plus tax $40.00 with cable box

    Limit: 21 days (limits set by the state)

    This is a great location that is on the fringe of Branson which puts you in the best of positions."

    5. Big Bay

    1 Review
    Shell Knob, MO
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 683-4428

    "It's primitive camping with only port a potty style bathrooms. No showers are available. Its very wooded and private. Most sites back directly up to the lake."

    6. Outdoor Resorts Of The Ozarks

    1 Review
    Blue Eye, AR
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 749-2700

    8. Rippee Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    Vanzant, MO
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 256-7161

    9. Aufderklamm Farm

    1 Review
    Greeson Lake, AR
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (267) 648-8977

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Beautiful private campground with access to Bull Shoals Lake. The campsite is lake view, and I took my kayak into a private lake cove."

    10. Mountain View Camping

    1 Review
    Eureka Springs, AR
    48 miles
    +1 (870) 654-0481

    $35 - $55 / night

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Nixa, MO

3 Photos of 11 Nixa Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Nixa, MO

507 Reviews of 11 Nixa Campgrounds


  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Drury-Mincy Conservation Area

    Gem in Missouri

    Lovely spot in Missouri. Passing through to Tennessee and found this gem of a spot with 2 vault toilets, trash and it’s free! Arrived at sunset in a Wednesday and only 2 other campers. There’s about 6 spots to pull in with a camper/ RV then at least 6 tent spots. Most spots have a fire ring and picnic table. 2-3 bars of LTE with AT&T. Little bit of road noise but no issues sleeping in my van. Everyone we came across was kind. No electric or water so come prepared. Closest town for supplies is around 25 minutes. Would definitely stay here again!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2021

    Cobb Ridge

    Oasis in the Woods

    Open:  year round

    Reservations:  877-444-6777 or recreation.gov

                               Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance

    Fees:  $15.00 single with electric

                $10.00 single no electric

                $45.00 group site

                Passes honored

    Bear Aware.  Beautiful fence around campground with the road and pads all paved.  Nice.  Complete campground is well maintained.  Camp host on duty, no gate house.  Sites are very large and spaced out well.  Some pull thrus.  Picnic table, fire ring, toilets, showers, water, trash.  There are nearly 80 miles of inter connected loops that go from easy to hard terrian, winding in and out of forested hollers and along ridge tops.  ATV must be 50 inches wide or less.

    LNT

    BTYFI

    Travel safe

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 15, 2021

    Drury-Mincy Conservation Area

    Great Deal, Needs some Tender Loving Care

    FREE

    FCFS 

    Sites: 13 

    This is a dispersed campground with picnic table, fire ring and sitting on the top of the mountain giving a great view. NO WATER but there are two pit toilets. When it comes to the toilets I guess you could say

    "any port in the storm" but they could use some TLC. There is also a trash dumpster but trash."  Come on people there is a trash dumpster USE IT. Pads are grass and the road is gravel. The site is situated along side the highway. 

    LNT  

    BTYFI 

    Travel safe

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2020

    Indian Point

    Crowded On Holiday Weekends But Great Campground!!

    CLICK HERE for Info on Branson

    For those looking for a campground near Branson which offers access to top attractions as well as Table Rock Lake, Indian Point is worth a consideration. The park itself is only a short distance from the 76 Strip and has quick access to Silver Dollar City, even sharing a tram system with the park. 

    The campground is well spaced and offers shaded sites for a variety of sizing options from tent camping to larger pull through sites. Each site boasting the standard amenities for travel of a fire ring and picnic table. Many also have connections available and include both water and electrical offerings. 

    The site offers a dump station for those RVers needing the service and day use areas for those wanting to visit for fun day at the lake without the commitment of an overnight stay. Picnic Shelters are available and can also be rented for special events and larger groups. 

    Restrooms here vary and have both standard restrooms and shower houses. The set up itself is very nice and looks to be much more improved than some parks in the area offering a bit more privacy from the typical sites which have only curtain doors. The facilities instead look very well maintained and have private restroom and shower units for those using them. Although they are still recommending as much distancing as possible and use of your own isolated restrooms when applicable. 

    When I visited I noticed the sites are not all created equally in way of parking, some were very lengthy and could easily allow for more than one vehicle while others were lucky to have a small parking area for a car and tent. My advice is to defiantly look and book online before coming to the park before any trip to ensure your spacing. For those not doing so, additional parking is located throughout the park in small pull out areas near restrooms and closer to the boat ramp areas. 

    With recent closures of many outdoor areas, this location has opened its doors to tourists once again for the season and with that it has quickly become a popular destination. For this reason you will want to book ahead of time and be prepared to face larger than usual crowds when using the public spaces. 

    Rains also can dictate your usage of certain portions of the park as the level of the lake can climb and engulf the swimming beach and outlets to the marina. Upon my visit I noticed the swimming beach was completely under water and thus the facilities near it were not able to be used. The marina was very busy despite many of the walkways being underwater slightly or a brief walk through water to get to. 

    The overall feel of this campground is very homey as the people visiting all seem to be very family friendly. The limitation of alcohol keeps man of the party goes away from this park and it allows for quieter evenings and more family based fun inside the park itself with the vast open spaces. 

    In addition to the lake and campground themselves, there is a small general store located just across from the camp to make those last minute pick ups a bit easier to find versus running back into town. This is extremely helpful for those who need something small but don’t want to have to drive far to get it. A small restaurant is also located in this area. 

    Tips: 

    • If you are staying here book online and really look at the map when doing so to ensure your sizing needs are met in way of parking. 
    • Venture into Branson for live shows and music, activities and more!! 
    • Take a hike on one of the many hiking trails in the areas and explore this region of Missouri!! 
    • Check the weather before securing a waterfront site. Lake levels are displayed on the Table Rock website and you will want to make sure you are not visiting when lakes are overflowing to the point of cutting down your adventure. CLICK HERE FOR LAKE LEVEL
  • Rick G.
    Oct. 10, 2021

    Indian Point

    Nice Stay Close to Branson

    Needed a site near Springfield to allow one of us to fly out for a family event. Picked this ACOE campground due to its proximity to Springfield and Branson. Verizon signal was strong enough to stream Hulu, etc. We were in site #35, 30amp, no water. I think our site was the best in the loop for privacy outside with placement of picnic table and fire ring.

  • Natalie C.
    May. 29, 2019

    Indian Point

    Good swimming area

    This is a favorite campground and swimming hole! It is close to Silver Dollar City and other Branson activities. We most recently camped in the far loop which is not waterfront but has nice sites. We could hike down to the waterfront but there really arent designated trails from this area. It was rough terrain. There is plenty of shade and places for the kids to hang their hammocks. We like the bathrooms with the private toilet and shower. No issues with crowding or waiting for one to open up.

    The swim beach is nice and has picnic tables for use. We kayaked around the cove while others swam. No alcohol or pets allowed in the beach area which I appreciated. Family friendly!

  • Peyton S.
    Nov. 28, 2023

    Lake Leatherwood City Park

    Great Getaway in Arkansas!

    I don’t usually post reviews, but… I fell in love with this campground. I visited in late November, so I was the only tent camper on the grounds. The camp host was very accommodating to me, and made sure everything was good. It was pouring down rain when I first arrived, and she suggested I move to a different site that was less flooded, and I’m so glad I did! I chose a site in the Meadows section, and it had a stunning view of the water, and was a great bird-watching spot as well.

    There was a shower house and a few pitt toilets, and all were very clean and sanitary. They were also all placed in a good location, so wherever you were at in the campground, you didn’t have to walk far. Each basic tent site came with a tent pad, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Some also had metal hooks, but the campsites in the meadows do not.

    All in all, it was a b eautiful, quiet spot with a stunning view. Great for bird-watching and hiking. I’m definitely coming back here again!

  • Joe J.
    Sep. 9, 2021

    Fishermans Paradise

    Off the beaten path

    For starters the RV park is about 1/4 down a 1 lane gravel road so if you’re pulling a big rig you better hope you don’t meet another vehicle. All the 50 amp full hookup sites seem to be in use by permanent residents. The 30 amp sites are not on level ground. No water or sewer connections for the 30 amp sites. The road also gets a little steep and winding to the 30 amp sites. Nice small lakes make for a nice view once you get into the valley.

  • Lea B.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    COE Stockton Lake Hawker Point

    Private and Nearly Perfect

    Just got home from a weekend stay at site C19 at Hawker Point COE Park. This particular site was just up the hill from the lake and completely private. The walk to the lake was about 50 yards and a little steep but we managed to carry two kayaks down and up without too much trouble (and we are a middle-aged couple), and it was totally worth the effort because it was as if we had our own private cove.

    The site is very spacious and shaded with plenty of trees for our hammocks and clothesline. Lots of level places for tents. The park attendants were very friendly and helpful.

    C19 has no electricity or water and the closest vault toilet is a good walk down the road. The shower houses were driving distance away. We have a shower tent, so that wasn’t an issue for us.

    We drove through the rest of this park to check out A and B campground loops. A loop consists of full hookup sites and many sit right on the water. Little shade and crowded, but if you like to play on the lake all day these might be for you. B loop had pretty wooded sites but many were not close to the water. C loop is where it’s at!


Guide to Nixa

Nixa, Missouri, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation in nature.

Tent campers should check out local conservation areas

  • The Drury-Mincy Conservation Area features basic amenities like picnic tables and fire pits, making it a great spot for a peaceful getaway.
  • At the Rippee Conservation Area, you can enjoy fishing and a serene environment, perfect for families seeking a quiet retreat.
  • The Talbot Conservation Area offers a free camping experience with ample space for tents and the chance to immerse yourself in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking and exploring the scenic trails at Swan Creek, where you can also access a creek for a refreshing dip.
  • The Big Bay campground provides a primitive camping experience right by the lake, ideal for kayaking and fishing enthusiasts.
  • For a more social atmosphere, visit Fall Creek Resort, where you can enjoy full hookups and access to a marina.

Unique features of local campgrounds

  • Outdoor Resorts Of The Ozarks offers a gated community with paved streets and full hookups, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of luxury while camping.
  • At Aufderklamm Farm, you can experience a beautiful private campground with spacious sites and direct access to Bull Shoals Lake.
  • The Holiday Island Camp Ground features well-maintained facilities and a friendly camp host, ensuring a pleasant stay in a secluded setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nixa, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nixa, MO is Busiek with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Nixa, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Nixa, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.