Looking for the best options for tent camping near Greenville? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Greenville. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Greenville, Missouri's most popular destinations.
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park offers basic, walk-in campsites and two special-use camping areas. The campsites allow for tent camping only. Pop-up or other trailers are not allowed. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no showerhouse or dump station. Water and a vault toilet are available in the camping area.
This is also a Silvopasture Forest Farm so expect rewilded critters scampering around. All pets must be leashed at all times. All children are to be instructed to never chase a critter. We'd love to invite them to our daily feeding time to offer them a chance to get closer. They may even see Stormy, our rewilded bunny.
We only have one outhouse in the woods next to tent campgrounds about 100 meters away so if you can, bring your own buckets with toilet seat lids theyre cheap and we have a hungry methane digester you can dump it in. We need volunteers to help us build a bigger bathroom and bathhouse. Let us know if you wanna help. We are just starting out so there are a few construction sites with materials we are using to build with to recycle into other needed raw materials. So our apologies for the mess, but it really is us having an abundance of building materials and not enough people to help us build. If you wanna help Check out our EcoJunk Division :)
$35 - $50 / night
Three miles from Ellington MO. Trails for miles for ATVs, OHVs, and Horses. Ride to Clearwater Lake Conservation Area for thousands of acres to ride or hike. Also 5 miles from Current River Conservation. area and 12 miles from the Black River for kayaking, canoeing, floating and fishing. Stalls available for your horses. Bring your boat or rent one at Clearwater Lake. They also offer pontoons and jet skies. Blue Springs, Johnson Shut Inns, and Elephant Rock State Park are just a few of the places to go in the area.
$15 - $30 / night
This recreation area is part of Wappapello Lake
Float Camp Picnic Area is located only 150 feet from the cool waters of the crystal clear Current River. Visitors enjoy floating the river, fishing and hiking. A campground is only a half-mile away for those who want to stay longer than a day.
The swift-moving river allows for enjoyable float trips, as well as canoeing and great fishing. Swimming is also a popular pastime. Visitors enjoy horseshoe pits and volleyball courts, as well as hiking and other recreational opportunities nearby.
The day-use picnic area offers an accessible group shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people. The site is equipped with electricity, tables and grills. Individual sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.
The picnic area is nestled under a mature forest of hardwoods, which offers plentiful shade. It is adjacent to the Current River.
Doniphan is four miles away and offers float trip outfitters, restaurants and lodging.
$50 / night
Backcountry Primitive Campsite next to a water source with a fire ring. All garbage must be carried out.
Legend
The people of Missouri gave a wonderful gift to the people of the United States. A gift I did not know about or had never heard of till we made the decision to camp in Missouri.
Big Springs was Missouri's first state park. The CCC did a lot of construction on the park and so much of the buildings are still there. In much need of repair and I do hope the federal government will restore. Big Spring is off of Missouri Highway 160. Turn onto State Route 103 to Big Spring. The spring has a wheelchair accessible pathway that will lead right to the spring.
The campground is large and open. Tent sites along with with RV sites but the RV sites are small and very close together. Some RV sites had electric but no water or sewer. There is a dump site. During the summer I think I would get a reservation for the RV sites if you need electric. If you have the ability to generate your own electric stay in the open tent site area. The tent site area is large and open to the sun. Big Springs has flush toilets and hot showers.
There are picnic areas with tables and grills scattered throughout the park along with two group shelters.
The Ranger programs are well worth checking out. Take advantage.
The Current River makes a wonderful backdrop for nature lovers. You have the options of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, floating, kayaking, and all sorts of boating with a ramp in the park.
Have Fun - Stay Safe
Leave No Trace
Better Than When You Found It
Guide
Shelly seemed like a very nice person via text. She just wasn't there when we arrived, and we had a hard time determining property boundaries, tent site locations, etc. on our own. Unfortunately, the tent site we did find was pretty washed out, and we ended up leaving and camping elsewhere. If you have an RV/trailer, ATV's, etc. this place is probably a hoot. Best of luck.
Guide
We have stayed in cabins and tent camped. Beautiful spot, but can be very heavily populated
Traveler
Tent camped here during the week in June and the campground was only about 1/3 full. Quiet and the restrooms and showers were very clean.
Guide
Sam A Baker has a large selection of sites. Perfect for tent camping or Campers of any size. Great trail selection, many moderate trails, but there are many options for those with young children as well.
ScoutTent camping back away from the RVs & we were the only people. Gorgeous river to view just a few steps away & the night sky view was fantastic. LOVED the bathroom & shower facilities!
ScoutWe enjoyed clean well-maintained bathrooms. Men’s showers were hot and the women’s were cold! The grass was mown well, so it was easier to tent camp. Staff was very helpful and accommodating. Scenery was spectacular.
GuideWe typically camp just at the end of season and have this is our favorite place to camp. We always tent camp with minimal supplies. It is has always been clean and even during peak season I felt there was plenty of space between campsites.
TravelerSmall lake. Has tent camping or cabins. All roads are gravel. We have stayed in the cabins. It was a double bed and also had a set of bunks. So plenty of room. Lake has sandy beaches. Small playset I the water for kids.
LegendJohnson Shut-Ins State Park is an amazing park that combines the comforts of an RV park with the rustic side of walk-in tent sites. It is the best maintained park in the Northeastern part of the Ozark's. It has a store in the middle of the campground. The sites all have concrete pull-ins and the bathrooms and shower houses are all brand new, modern, and clean.
The sites are spread a part giving plenty of room to campers. There are several tent sites that you can walk into to get away from the concrete. There is a gear cart to help you get everything back from your car to your site.
This is a place where you could spend several days and have a lot of fun. This is the premiere campground in that area of the Ozark's.
The staff is also very helpful and friendly.
Traveler
I like this camp site because you are within the trees the whole time. It is tent camping only. Where we camped, the ground was covered in moss. That made for very soft sleeping, except for the few large rocks spread over the area. We had room for two portable canopies and about 35 cub scouts and family members.
GuideThe campsites are very nice. I don't mind the concrete pads they have for camping and parking. We have a camper but used cots when we tent camped so concrete was not a problem for us.
The kids loved the shut ins. We didn't even make it all the way to the back as it was a very long walk. We also visited some of the historical sites in the area.
TravelerThere are hookup sites as well as a primitive loop for tent camping. 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 (which was great on our rainy weekend). The store was nice, and we got some great ice cream on the way out. We drove in, but the people next to us backpacked from another campsite. Absolutely a great experience.
LegendThis is a great little state park that has plenty of options whether you enjoy tent camping or enjoying your Rv. Some of the144-151 sites can be pretty tight to get into because there are so many trees so double check the pictures on the reservation website to make sure you can get yours in. Ours is 40’ and it was pretty hard to get in but we managed. Nice shower facilities and laundry as well as river access within walking distance
TravelerWe tent camped in loop 3 in late November for one night. The bathroom and showers were still on in this camping area. The spots are slightly close together but still very wooded. Not a lot of people camping at this time of the year even on a Saturday. Camp hosts were fabulous. The sites aren’t really set up for tents. More for Trailers. We had to get creative to find a spot to put up the tent in order to stake it down. Large parking pads, fire rings, and picnic tables at each camp site.
GuideIf you are looking for a beautiful RV or tent site on the water, look here. There is a massive lake, perfect for a quiet day on the water. We kayaked out to an island and did some fishing. We didn’t catch anything, but it was relaxing. Campground was oddly quiet, especially after dark... we were the only site with a fire going.
Hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Boat and jet ski rentals in season.
TravelerMy group and I camped in two of the basic sites in Asher Creek campground and we couldn’t get enough of the front-row lake view! The sites closest to the lake are very level, and everyone in the campground is only a short walk from the cleanest park restrooms I’ve ever seen. If you’re like me and are just doing basic tent camping, I’d recommend a pop-up canopy for the table area since there is not a lot of tree cover in those sites. Overall, an excellent place to camp!
RangerVery simple campground lets you feel close to the lovely nature here. The trail options are either a short loop or a loooong out and back along the famous Ozark Trail. Not much else to do (no water activites) so if you’re not planning to hike a lot or just hang out/grill, you might want to plan some time off site.
Yay: Trails through all kinds of forests, waterways and waterfalls. Educational displays.
Nay: TENT CAMPING ONLY!!! My friend had been turned away on a previous trip! (There are some other parks nearby if you are in an RV.) Fills up fast.
Surprise: Hike the tallest mountain in MO, not a long hike. Endless green rolling vistas! Also had deer at our tent.
GuideThe campground is based off first-come first-serve. They offer vault toilets and water and only tent camping.
Taum Sauk Mountain is known for being the highest peak in Missouri but has a lot more to offer with its breathtaking views. There are three trails that are within Taum Sauk Mountain and you don’t want to miss out on these views!
Taum Sauk Mountain- Missouri‘s highest point trail is not a long hike, just a little under 2 miles and rated moderate.
Mina Sauk Falls trail is a little under 4 miles and rated moderate. Best to hike after a heavy rainfall to see the waterfall but don’t let that stop you if it hasn’t rained in awhile, still beautiful to see.
Ozark Trails meets with Mina Sauk Falls and then runs off on own again. Its about a 14 mile trail and rated Hard.
Be sure to wear good hiking shoes!
I downloaded the AllTrails app, which if you dont have I highly recommend downloading it. This app is very helpful finding trails near you and even locates where you are at on the trail.
Guide
This camp site has RV hook-ups and tent camping. There are trees throughout the campground if you're looking to set up a hammock. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table and is a mix of grass and light gravel. Pit toilets, no showers. Water spigots throughout the camp ground. Keep an eye out for snakes though! I nearly stepped on a copper head in the outhouse! Camp sites are a 2 minute walk to the St. Francois River. Great hiking along the river and good fishing, swimming and kayaking in the river! Also not to far from the Castor River Shut-ins if you're looking to pack two rivers into one trip. We just celebrated my husband's birthday here last weekend, though we have been a few times before. Always a blast!
Scout
There’s a nice river next to the campground for swimming and boating. The whole place is a nice quiet setting. The sites themselves are not on top of each other. I’ve had good Verizon signal here.
Currently has 8 electric only sites, and 12 tent sites. All are first come, first serve. There are water spigots available for fresh water. The only dump station is in town at the Rocky River Resort, $10. The host told me that the three year plan is to have all sites set up for water and electric, with a dump station at the top of the hill. I’m staying here 5 days, spot #4, and the campground hosts are a nice couple. I’d recommend it.
GuideI have mixed feelings about this experience. J-Shuts never gets old and I gave been visiting for over 20 years, but only camped once in July. The newish (9 yrs old?) is the result of the old sites being washed out when the Ameren Reservoir breached flooding and destroying much of the campsite area. The decision to move camping across Hwy N is good for safety, but separates you from the shut-ins which is probably why you are there.
We had a site with electric hook up which meant we could charge phones and run a small fan to combat Missouri heat. We tent camped but our site was clearly meant for a camper. There was only a small patch of rocky grass and a large concrete slab and pull through. It backed to trees, but was mostly unshaded and completely exposed to the road. The showers and restrooms are individual, good sized closets. No charge for showers. There is a store that has what you forgot, plus fun stuff you didn't know you had to have until you saw it.
There is so much to see in this area of Missouri. This campground is a great jumping off point for seeing not only the Shut-Ins, but Elephant Rocks, Taum Sauk State Park, hiking the Ozark Trail, and checking out the town of Arcadia Valley.
Guide
We've stayed here for 3 of our Current River float trips. I LOVE THIS CAMPGROUND!! The tent sites are great, the ground is wonderful and not rocky. It's very well maintained. The little store where you check in is so convenient for anything you may have forgotten...and the staff is friendly and helpful!! You can even have pizza delivered to your site, and are within walking distance to an ice cream shop, yet you don't feel like you're out of town. It's right on the river and next to the float check in area. The bathrooms and showers are clean. There is just so much convenience it's crazy. And the absolute best is that there is campground karaoke on Saturday nights when the sun goes down!! I love how that gets the campground to gather and have some fun together! I honestly wish I could live here for the summer.
LegendThis has long been one of our favorite places to go as a family. The campground itself is perfect for families with lots of activities, especially during the summer months. Everything from walk in tent sites to full hook ups and even a few cabins. Book far in advance though! The Shut Ins themself are up the road from the actual campground and require a good hike back to actually get to the water. It’s all flat but you’ll still want to travel light. While the water area itself is beautiful you do need to be extremely careful. Especially with little ones. There are areas up top that you can hang out with children and let them swim without issue. But the shut ins themselves need to be navigated with caution. Overall this is one of our favorite parks in the state with plenty of fun for everyone!
Traveler
Huzzah offers “Everything” ! From tents to amazing large group houses, Huzzah can accommodate whatever your family or group are looking for.
Amenities are to long to list, but with canoeing, rafting, tube rentals to horseback riding, you will surely be pleased.
The family store offers everything you would expect and more.
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 floating on the river.
Tent campsites are Huge! I can’t review the water and electric sites “we are tent campers”, but they appear more than adequate.
My husband have been going there for over 25 yrs, some of my fondest family memories are at Huzzah.
Now our children are married with children of their own, and our family tradition continues on through another generation. Our daughter and her family even travel all the way from Canada tor a Huzzah adventure.
You truly will not be disappointed! The crystal clear waters will definitely take your breath away!
GuideSo in the winter we can't stay away from the state parks and Johnson Shut Ins is a perfect base to explore the area when it is too cold to tent camp with kids. We got a camper cabin in the first weekend of December and brought our two dogs. The campground is mostly empty this time of year. The showerhouses are clean with hot water and there is a friendly host. We bought firewood at a gas station in Arcadia before we got to the park. Of course it was a little wet but burned OK. I wasn't sure if wood was available in the park because of limited facility openings during the offseason. We walked the Shut Ins trail one morning and it was misty and beautiful. No dogs allowed there though. There is some cell service on the cabin loop. My only complaint is other campers, who let their dogs run loose. Obviously not the park's fault. The cabins are clean and very nice with rockers on the front porch. We visited Elephant Rocks also, where dogs are allowed.
LegendI had a great time at Taum Sauk Mountain. I came down to check out the area to see if it would be a good place to do a Boy Scout High Adventure for my son's troop. It is only tent sites, no RV's, campers or pop ups. I prefer setting up my tent and sleeping under the stars so I loved camping here.
There are not a lot of campsites and they are reserved on a first come first served basis. There are only pit toilets and no showers but if you are in a pinch you can power your phones from the outlet outside of the pit toilets and there is a water fountain with a spigot right next to the pit toilets as well.
Taum Sauk Mountain is the highest point in Missouri with a beautiful overlook. It also has a tower if you are not afraid of heights and can make it up the 91 steps to the top. There is a lot of wildlife. I saw several deer myself and my neighbors had a pack of raccoons who terrorized the food they left out on their picnic table. Be sure to keep your food and belongings in your car or hung up in a tree or on one of the posts set up in the camp site.
This is a great park for scenery, wildlife, and solitude.
Tent camping near Greenville, Missouri offers a variety of unique experiences, from serene natural settings to engaging activities for all ages.
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