Best Campgrounds near Gainesville, MO

Camping areas surrounding Gainesville, Missouri, include a mix of developed campgrounds along the shores of Bull Shoals Lake and North Fork River. The region features established camping options like North Fork Recreation Area, Patrick Bridge Access, and Pontiac, providing tent, RV, and cabin accommodations within a 30-mile radius. Several campgrounds offer electric hookups and water access, while others maintain more primitive facilities. Bull Shoals Lake serves as a central recreation feature, with campgrounds like Cranfield Park and Lakeview offering direct water access for boating and fishing activities.

Road conditions and campground availability vary significantly by season, with most lakeside facilities operating from April through October. Weather patterns create distinct camping conditions, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and winter bringing occasional freezing conditions to higher elevations. Campgrounds like Pontiac Cove and Lakeview operate seasonally, while others like Blue Heron Campground and Sunburst Ranch remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays during peak summer months. One camper noted of Lakeview, "Campsite are spread out enough that you aren't in top of other campers. You could see Bull Shoals Lake through the trees."

Water access represents a key attraction across multiple campgrounds in the area. Many sites feature concrete pads with picnic tables and fire rings, particularly at Army Corps of Engineers and state park campgrounds. Shaded sites are prevalent, with mature oak trees providing coverage at locations like Lakeview. At Patrick Bridge Access, a visitor shared that it's "a popular place during summer months, fishing, vault toilets. Old campground that is no longer managed so it is free." Mixed-use campgrounds catering to both tent and RV campers dominate the region, though primitive camping options can be found at select locations like Patrick Bridge Access. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water and vault toilets, with some offering shower facilities and sanitary dump stations for RVs.

Best Camping Sites Near Gainesville, Missouri (177)

    1. Bull Shoals-White River State Park

    26 Reviews
    Bull Shoals, AR
    20 miles
    Website

    "Long walk to the restroom from here. The RV sites have paved drives & offer views of the river. Most sites are small, feels crowded, although there were many unoccupied "Reserved" sites."

    "My friends have been trying to get us here for a few years and we finally made the drive. It did not disappoint! We shared a “buddy site” because we have tiny campers."

    2. Lakeview - Bull Shoals Lake

    10 Reviews
    Lakeview, AR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 431-8116

    $22 - $54 / night

    "You could see Bull Shoals Lake through the trees. Bathrooms clean. The water hookup was quite a distance from the site and had to use three hoses to make it reach."

    "Shade for days, amazing lake and campsites are a very good size. Shower house was big and air conditioned! Trees almost give it a forest feel and deer were everywhere!"

    3. Classic RV Park

    1 Review
    Gainesville, MO
    5 miles
    +1 (417) 679-2328

    4. Gamaliel

    8 Reviews
    Gamaliel, AR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 467-5680

    $22 - $50 / night

    "The sites are great but close to each other. The park is clean and well maintained with a playground for the littles, and they have clean, full bathrooms on site."

    "Close to water, critters, keep your foodstuffs put away. Bring the Deet."

    5. Blue Heron Campground

    15 Reviews
    Cotter, AR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 453-4678

    "The location is great in the sense that it’s easy to get to and it’s laid out well. Unfortunately, it’s directly under an overpass and it is loud- loud enough that I used ear plugs at night."

    "It's a beautiful rv resort next to the water.  Step out of your rv and you will see some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the United States. "

    6. Sunburst Ranch

    1 Review
    Dora, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 284-3443

    $15 / night

    "Situated near a mile of riverfront property, you can take out the water toy of your choosing and float down the rive. Come back to home base for a night of stargazing."

    7. Patrick Bridge Access

    3 Reviews
    Dora, MO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 256-7161

    "You can walk or drive up the road for beach river access thats safer. Felt safe here. Well maintained. Large sites (trees) big rv friendly with easy loop gravel road. No verizon cel service."

    8. Pontiac

    1 Review
    Theodosia, MO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 679-3676

    "Bull Shoals lake is lovely. Marina and restaurant at the campground. Ice available. Nice bathrooms. Walk to swim from the shore. No beach but rocks to jump from into incredibly deep water."

    9. North Fork

    6 Reviews
    Dora, MO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 438-5427

    "There are some trails from the sites to the river but nature has mostly taken them over and it is not a safe trek."

    "Beautiful scenery with good hiking nearby. Sites are first come, first served, but so worth the risk! We LOVED it!!"

    10. Cranfield Park

    3 Reviews
    Henderson, AR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 492-4191

    $16 - $50 / night

    "The campground at the Marina was nice, wooded with level dedicated tent pads, nice picnic tables with firepits and prep tables next to level parking pads."

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Recent Reviews near Gainesville, MO

619 Reviews of 177 Gainesville Campgrounds


  • Jennifer O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    White Buffalo Resort

    Can’t beat this view!

    Amazing little Campground that backs right up to the light river with a fantastic bluff behind that. Beautiful! Would definitely come again, friendly staff, quiet, easy. I will say I like site 11, but if you are not camping and pears, you will be camping directly next to site 10. They are pull through sites that are connected basically. We had another couple with us and it a great set up. But if it had just been us it would have been weird.

  • Mary H.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Fordland RV Park

    Positive review

    Nice , clean, quiet, campground. Not many amenities

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Robinson Point

    Clean, well maintained campground

    Camped at site #8 in Oct 10-11, 2025. Our site was on a wooded loop, the first camping section on the left after entering the campground. Good spacing between sites. Our campervan fit nicely on the site; level. Shared water faucet between sites 7 & 8. Our site had 20 and 30 amp power. There was a partial view through the trees of Norfork Lake from the backside of the site. Walked down to the bank of the lake to fish and caught a bass. Sites 5, 7 & 8 are really nice on this loop. Campground is clean and well maintained. AT&T and T-Mobile service. I normally do primitive and dispersed camping, but occasionally use established campgrounds, such as this, for replemishing water and power, and to take a shower. I was very pleased with our campsite and the campground. Did some hiking on the campground trails. The person working the entrance gate wad very nice and helpful. I would stay here again.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Gunner Pool Recreation Area

    Beautiful National Forest Recreation Area

    Camped at site #3 for 3 nights in early October 2025. This site was really good for my camper van; just about level. The site backs up to a beautiful forest. The campground in this recreation area has  27 sites in 3 separate sections. There are some sites at the "pool" which are appropriate for car and tent camping. There is a section down a dirt road along the creek bottom that has a handful of sites; these sites are also good for car and tent camping. I camped in a wooded loop; the sites here can accomodate car, van and tent camping. A few towables may fit in this section. This is a beautiful wooded campground; clean and very well maintained. Most sites are level. Hammock camping is possible in some sites. Most sites have a table, tent pad, lantern pole, metal fire ring and a grill. Some sites are open, some shaded. No hookups. Potable water is located in a central area of the sections; the water was turned on during my visit. There are 4 vault toilets - clean and supplied with tp. Parts of the campground is prone to flash flooding. Very peaceful; the campground wasn't too busy midweek. The campground has access to the beautiful North Sylamore Creek trail. Access to campground on the gravel Gunner Pool Road from Highway 14 was very good during my visit. This forest road goes through the recreation area; it is busier than you would see on typical forest roads. Love this recreation area. One of the best that the Arkansas Ozarks has to offer for outdoor recreation.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Barkshed Recreation Area

    Mostly walkin tent sites

    Visited here on Oct 7, 2025. Did not camp here. There are a handful of first-come, first-serve primitive sites. I only saw one drive-in site down near the creek. There are about 4 walk-in tent sites up a driveway into a parking area. The walk-in sites are close to the parking area. One site, which is not quite level, has a picnic table. The walk-in sites have metal fire rings. There are 2 clean vault toilets with tp at the campground. No potable water. The tent sites have a dirt and grass surface. There are a few shade trees. Starlink connectivity is possible. No AT&T and T-Mobile service. Nice swimming hole down by the creek. Access to the North Sylamore Creek Trail is at this recreation area. Note that the unpaved forest road approaching the recreation area from highway 14 is sketchy in spots due to Spring storm damage. Sections were being regraded during my visit. Low clearance, 2wd passenger vehicles can make it, but should tread carefully. Also note that, due to storm damage, Tie Ridge Road between Barkshed and Gunner Pool Road was only open to 4x4 vehicles at the time of my visit.

  • Jeff P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Table Rock State Park Campground

    Back to our fav campground

    We love this state park. We have been regularly going there for a long weekend annually

  • Brian L.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Wild Oaks Campground

    Close corner

    It was quiet,peaceful and nice. The entrance wasn't well marked and I had a hard time navigating the entrance with my bumper pull 36'

  • R
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Robinson Point

    Fantastic and beautiful

    We stayed for 3 nights on sites 64 and 65. Absolutely beautiful views. Some damage from flooding but didn't really notice. Bathrooms and bath house were clean. Stay if you get a chance.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Table Rock State Park Campground

    Great spot!

    We had the perfect little spot for our tent camping weekend. It is a campground so you do have neighbors but the sites were spread out and didn’t feel cramped. There was ample room for our tent, the fire ring, our hammock set up and the picnic table. Restrooms were the cleanest i’ve ever seen. I will definitely be back!


Guide to Gainesville

Camping spots near Gainesville, Missouri feature varied terrain along the White River watershed, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet influencing both accessibility and views. Water levels at Bull Shoals Lake fluctuate seasonally by 15-20 feet, directly affecting boat ramp and shoreline campsite availability. The region's limestone geology creates unique fishing conditions with deep holes and underwater structures.

What to do

Trout fishing access points: At Bull Shoals-White River State Park, the cold river water creates premier trout habitat. "We chartered the afternoon with a local outfitter and had a great time. We caught a number of trout and were able to eat them for dinner on our last night," reports Ryan S. River temperatures remain consistently cold year-round due to dam releases.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Eagle watching ranks high among visitor activities. "We got to Eagle watch all day as they circled the river hunting for their dinner. It was AMAZING!!" notes Shana D. The area supports over 200 bird species with peak viewing during spring and fall migrations.

Nature education programs: Rangers conduct scheduled wildlife presentations. "We went to an owl talk and a bear talk that was very informative. We also did the lake cruise," shares Shannon M. Programs typically run weekends from May through September with special holiday sessions.

What campers like

Spacious sites with shade coverage: Many camping locations near Gainesville provide ample space between sites. "Sites are spread out enough that you aren't in top of other campers," reports Kelley D. about Gamaliel Campground. Most sites feature mature hardwoods providing 80-90% shade coverage during summer months.

Clean facilities: Blue Heron Campground stands out for maintenance quality. "Best level pads and hookups we've ever seen. Firewood and ice for sale. Everything was absolutely perfect except the road noise," states Jennifer O. Bathhouses typically receive twice-daily cleaning during peak season.

Fog-enhanced river views: Morning mist creates distinctive camping experiences. "My highlight was the way the fog rolls in at night and disappears in the morning. It was so pretty over the river," shares Sharon N. This natural phenomenon occurs most frequently during spring and fall when temperature differentials between water and air are greatest.

What you should know

Seasonal water level changes: Cranfield Park visitors should monitor lake conditions. "There seems to be two camping areas, but one was inaccessible due to flooding when I visited," explains Annie C. Water levels typically peak in May-June and reach lowest points in January-February.

Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some locations. "LOTS of noise. It died down after 8pm and before 8am and we couldn't hear it in our camper so it was ok," notes Jennifer O. Sites furthest from bridges and main roads experience 40-60% less traffic noise.

Water hookup distances: Prepare for extended hose requirements at some sites. "The water hookup was quite a distance from the site and had to use three hoses to make it reach," explains Krissy C. Standard hookups range from 25-75 feet from parking pads depending on campground layout.

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and recreation areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated child spaces. "There is a playground and a basketball court that are functional and easy to access for families," notes Ryan S. Most playgrounds accommodate ages 3-12 with standard swing sets and climbing structures.

Biking opportunities: The terrain around Gainesville camping areas supports family cycling. "The campground is mostly flat which makes it very easy to ride a bike. There were a lot of kids and adults riding bikes or scooters in the campground," shares Ryan S. about North Fork Recreation Area.

Swimming access considerations: Not all water access points work well for children. "River access but not kid swim friendly. You can walk or drive up the road for beach river access thats safer," explains Tammy L. about Patrick Bridge Access. Designated swimming areas with gradual entry points occur at 2-3 mile intervals along shorelines.

Tips from RVers

Concrete pad advantages: Lakeview - Bull Shoals Lake provides solid foundations. "Concrete pads and asphalt driveway. Good road around campsites. Pads are very level," notes Wayne P. Most pads measure 12x40 feet with additional parking for tow vehicles.

Site length considerations: Check site specifications before booking larger units. "Good concrete pad. Abit short for our 36' camper. Parking available on road or grass," reports Brian L. about Gamaliel Campground. Site lengths vary from 30-50 feet with most accommodating up to 35-foot rigs comfortably.

Multi-site options: Groups can reserve connected spaces. "We ended up with a triple site by ourselves because friends had an emergency and couldn't make it," shares Krissy C. Double and triple sites typically cost 1.5-2x standard rates but provide shared common areas for group gatherings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gainesville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gainesville, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 177 campgrounds and RV parks near Gainesville, MO and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gainesville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gainesville, MO is Bull Shoals-White River State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gainesville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Gainesville, MO.

What parks are near Gainesville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Gainesville, MO that allow camping, notably Norfork Lake and Bull Shoals Lake.