Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Gainesville? Find the best information on tent camping near Gainesville, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Missouri camping adventure.
Rush Campground is a first come, first serve campground in the lower district of the park. Rush has 12 tent only sites with no electrical amenities and no flush restrooms. Drinking water is available when fees are collected March 15 - November 14. It is free to camp at Rush in the winter. All sites are limited to 6 people per site and each site is $16 per night. This is a pack in/pack out facility, trash collection is not available.
Noblett Lake Picnic Pavilion provides a sheltered place among forests, streams and wildlife, for groups to picnic near Noblett Lake. It is a great location for birding, canoeing and boating.
Noblett Lake is a popular location for boating, canoeing and fishing. Only electric trolling motors or non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake. Visitors enjoy the day-use picnic area and the Ridge Runner Trail, a 22-mile remote path that loops hikers through the scenic Ozark Mountains.
The pavilion offers seating for up to 75 people. If over 75 people, a special use permit is required; please contact Tray Hall at 417-967-4194. It is equipped with electricity, tables and grills. There is a vault toilet. Trash collection services are provided. There is no water available; visitors must bring their own. There is no overnight camping allowed in the day use area. Dispersed camping (no amenities provided) is allowed in area across from Noblett Trailhead (old Oak Hill camping area) and below dam (old Sycamore Loop camping area). A parking area for the pavilion and the adjacent trail is available.
The pavilion is set in a forest of oak and pine trees, on the Salem Plateau. It is near Noblett Lake and south of the town of Willow Springs.
West Plains, Willow Springs, Cabool and Mountain Grove are the closest towns.
$50 / night
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area is in southern Taney County, southeast of Branson, off of Route J. The area, located in the heart of the White River glade region, was the Conservation Department's first deer refuge. The area is named for early landowner Frank Drury and the settlement of Mincy. The Commission leased the land in 1939, then purchased it in 1987. At present, the area is comprised of 5,599 acres which includes a portion of Bull Shoals Lake managed lands. By the turn of the century, deer numbers had dwindled to the point that Missouri could claim only 14 herds. One of these lived in the Drury-Mincy area. The area was purchased by a private landowner in 1929, who worked with the Department to increase deer numbers. From 1939 through 1959, Drury-Mincy deer were successfully used to restore populations statewide. The Drury-Mincy area, one of three areas that supported flocks of native wild turkeys, provided 300 turkeys for statewide restoration projects during the 1960s. Bluestem glades and post oak woodlands dominated the rolling hills. Mincy, Fox, and Bee creeks meander through stands of wild cane on their way to Bull Shoals Lake. Purple beardtongue, fringetree, and Ashe juniper are among the unusual plants found on the area.
Primitive camping is permitted in designated camping area only. Campers are limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. Groups of more than 10 campers are required to obtain a special use permit.
$25 - $45 / night
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round nonmotorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 20 miles of moderately used riding, hiking, and mountain bike trails available. Swan Creek itself offers swimming, fishing, and a non-potable water supply. For more detail of the trail visit Map of the Trail System. Trail System Map (printable) and Trail System Map GEO Referenced for use with Map Apps
Spring Creek Campground is a first come, first serve campground near Harriet, AR. Spring Creek has 12 tent only sites with no electrical amenities, no flush restrooms, and no water.
Traveler
We stayed here over Thanksgiving. The campground was about 1/3 full . The people working here are very nice! I think the campground would get a 5 if there were more pull-thru sites and the bath houses were a little more updated. We will definitely stay here again when in Branson.
Traveler
Quiet in December. Good shower and laundry facilities.
Scout
Blue Heron cabin was awesome! It was so so clean, and beautiful! Over looking the water can’t get any better! The cabin was so nice! Michael was great to work with and very professional and very nice! Can’t wait till next time ❤️
Guide
Right in town but actually quite. Bathrooms very clean nice laundry area and cheap.
Scout
While it was pretty last year (the reason it was my first pick this year) the owner uses Marissa, Jamie and Serena as his own personal shield to avoid taking responsibility for his business, and all of them are rude as all get out. Marissa promised multiple times that the owner would call me, and kept changing when exactly that would be. Two days later, I have NEVER heard from him, despite him being fully aware he needed to contact me. I ended up having the credit card company cancel the charge.
And omg, the shower house. Bring a space heater. It's an open air shed with exposed pvc and no drain. I can't imagine how it operates in the winter.
If you come in October, expect loud screaming, gun shots and chainsaws for THREE HOURS at night from one of their events your probably won't be told about til you arrive. Greg deserves to have this place fail.
GuideGreat trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery
Guide
Right on Highway good for campers
Scout
This campground had the potential to be amazing- it's beautiful, is right next to the river with amazing views of the stars, and has several hikes close by. But the camp hosts and rangers don't enforce any sort of quiet time or people capacity rules. So unfortunately my partner and I had a group of probably 20 people camping next to us. They brought in a DJ car(open the trunk and it had huge speakers and running lights) to bump techno music during the day, and at night they set up a movie projector and large screen and watched horror movies late into the night. It's not serene when there are 8 tents, a crowd of people, and horror movie screaming right beside you all day and night. I even went and talked to the camp hosts but nothing was done. So, I don't recommend this place. Usually I camp to unwind and chill, but I left the weekend more frazzled and exhausted than I came.
ScoutYou will love this campground. 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. Michael is the director of the campground and he is so very helpful and congenial. We travel to many states but this campground is our very favorite and if you like or love to fish, this is your place! Go see for yourselves and we will probably see you there!!
Wanda and Pete Shurow
Guide
This beautiful campground in classic Ozark hardwoods is a haven for things with motors. Bikes, ATVs, gold carts, all manners of off-road thingies, and the louder the better. At the same time, it was clean, folks were respectful, and it was quiet after dark. Enough Verizon signal to get Facebook. Some sites have electricity.
LegendWe loved our stay at Blue Heron. We had a riverfront spot and really just came to chill not fish but it’s a fishing location. White river is trout paradise so if you’re an angler this is where it’s at. Campground was SUPER clean. Best level pads and hookups we’ve ever seen. Firewood and ice for sale. Everything was absolutely perfect except the road noise….which in all fairness we knew about. LOTS of noise. It died down after 8pm and before 8am and we couldn’t hear it in our camper so it’s was ok.
Legend
Decent campground with excellent trout fishing! The campground layout was kinda weird and the dump station was in an odd spot. However, we had a nice river front site that we really enjoyed. Lots of nice people in the campground and on the river. Be sure to visit the hatchery across the street. . Limited AT&T service. Individual Private suite style bathrooms. Playground. No store, no firewood for sale. Level sites. Several sites have covers over the picnic tables. .
ScoutThis location has been a great place. It is clean and well maintained. The staff is friendly and the area is peaceful. We would recommend this place to anyone looking for a campground in Branson Mo. It is also a short and scenic drive to what ever suites you in Branson.
GuideAn update since all other reviews are a couple of years old. Nothing has changed. Except I imagine the price! Accurately depicted above. A bit of road noise, which comes with the convenience. Clean. Friendly. A bit packed in there as far as the sites go. Site 42 is empty and looks like a winner to me. Town has plenty to offer for stocking up on a trip. We would stay again if passing through.
ScoutI have not really been able to use it just checking it out
ScoutThis is our 5-6 year to stay here. Over the years, we have seen so many b improvements to this area.. it’s always a great time. Michael, the host, is just an all around great guy. We are looking forward to our next stay
Legend
Very small park. Restaurant and store are Nextdoor. Spots are large. We were the only campers in the park.
Traveler
We have stayed with them twice. Spots are strategically placed and surrounded by woods. The owner is very kind and informative guiding you to your spot and helping you park. He will also give his favorite local recommendations for restaurants and attractions. He’s a veteran. Never had any issues with anything.
Traveler
Super friendly people, very accommodating. They offered to help us hookup when we arrived, so sweet, and specially since we are new to this. Gave us advice about where to eat around town. The site was nice and shady. The bath house was excellent - very nice showers and bathrooms, very clean, very private. Such a family feel. Very good value for the price! Thanks for an excellent stay. Would stay here again if we ever return to the area.
Guide
Old Highway 86 Campground is situated on a picturesque peninsula on Table Rock Lake, offering stunning morning views. The park is family-friendly, quiet, and meticulously maintained, ensuring a pleasant stay for all visitors. It features a great swimming area that is both safe and enjoyable. The serene environment and cleanliness make it a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway.
TravelerThis is our go to get away! If you like canoeing and kayaking… it’s here. Like hiking… plenty of trails. Want to just site by one of the cleanest rivers around and enjoy the Ozarks… this is it. We’ve tent camped and trailered here for more than 15 years.
The camp grounds are well maintained by the NPS. The showers and restrooms are a bit, um, rustic. Sites can be hit and miss depending on the time of the year. Be sure and view the campsite online and consider the direction of the site. Some get full sun in the morning but most are shaded in the evening due to the mountain. Also, sites on the river side are frequented by raccoons at night and mosquitos depending on the weather.
I would still pick Buffalo Point as a definite place to stay.
Scout
This campground promotes child molestation. Eric Wyatt the park supervisor is a tier 3 child predator.
ScoutWe stay at Blue Heron 3-4 times a year and love it! Excellent concrete pads with easy back-in markings for RVs. Great cement patio so there is no mud in case of rain. Each site has its own fire pit and 2 chairs. All the sites are great, but the river sites provide a nice cool breeze off the water!
Scout
Even though their website says they have tent camping they DO NOT
Scout
We stay here every year during May! Will be back. Clean, family owned campground that is very loved and cared for.
The bathhouse is clean and new. Homey little campsite.
Traveler
We have always loved coming to the Silver Dollar City campgrounds. We have been doing this for over 10 years now. We usually stay in the cabins, and this is our first year taking our fifth wheel. I was worried about the height, clearance and trees since our RV is is over 13 ft tall and 45 ft long. The trees were well trimmed and I had no problem getting into our pull-through spot all the way in the back. The people here are always friendly and helpful. We love the quiet woods atmosphere. Great little playgrounds for the kids and the pool. The pull-through spot was a little uneven but not as bad as it looks. It would be nice if they were paved. It usually rains this time of year (May) and the unpaved spots can get a little messy in the rain. The pull-through spots are alternating so you are facing your neighbor's door and not their sewage. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. We always come here for the Bluegrass Festival at Silver Dollar City. The park is great and worth the season pass if you plan to go more than one day.
Tent camping near Gainesville, Missouri offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from peaceful lakeside sites to secluded forest areas, there's something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gainesville, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gainesville, MO is Rippee Conservation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gainesville, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Gainesville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
