Top Tent Camping near Jackson, MO
Searching for a tent campsite near Jackson? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Jackson campgrounds for you and your tent. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Missouri tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Jackson, MO (18)
1. Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
16 Reviews•47 Photos•9 SavesTurkey Ridge is for campers who want a serene outdoor experience. It is a Class C walk-in campground that includes camp pads, picnic tables, cooking grills and showers. Drinking water and toilets are located near the parking lots.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
$18 / night
2. Lake Girardeau Conservation Area
2 Reviews•11 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
3. Apple Creek Conservation Area
1 Review•1 SaveApple Creek Conservation Area is located in northeast Cape Girardeau County, three miles east of New Wells on Route CC. The Missouri Department of Conservation created Apple Creek Conservation Area in 1986 with the purchase of 2,100 acres from several landowners. Steep hills and narrow valleys characterize this area, and approximately 2.5 miles of Apple Creek stream frontage forms its northern border. The Conservation Department has created watering ponds and planted food plots and agricultural crops within the forest to provide additional food sources for wildlife.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
4. Willow Springs Campground
1 Review•4 Photos•2 SavesPrivate property sunken into the Shawnee National Forest.
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Showers
$20 - $125 / night
5. Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort
1 Review•2 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
6. Backpack Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
3 Reviews•10 Photos•2 SavesBackpackers enjoying their commune with nature will appreciate the solitude of the individual campsites in the Class C Backpack campground. Located a half-mile from the Turkey Ridge primitive campground parking lot, these woodland sites have cooking grills, toilets and showers. Water and trash receptacles are available at the Turkey Ridge parking lot. You're reminded to be careful with your fires and to pack out what you pack in.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Trash
- Drinking Water
7. Dutchman Lake Camp
3 Reviews•6 Photos•44 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
8. Mandolin Grove
1 Review- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Tent Cabin
9. Wanderers End Sanctuary Forest Farm
1 Review•69 Photos•1 SaveThis 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 :)
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$35 - $50 / night
10. Blue Heron Campground & Marina
1 Review•8 Saves- Electric Hookups
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Showers
- Toilets
$15 - $20 / night
Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Jackson
407 Reviews of 18 Jackson Campgrounds
GB N.
ScoutDD Hwy Campground
October tent camping
Tent 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!
- JJohn R.
Legend
Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park
Small campground with large sites.
Beautiful small campground with large sites. Restroom was emaculate. Clean park with a boat launch. Electric only spots and dispersed. Water and dump are on site.
Tabitha R.Scout
Johnson Creek
Nice!
This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toliets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping.
- PPatricia S.
Traveler
General Watkins Conservation Area
Maybe not a travel destination, but certainly a good waypoint.
We opted for this site on our way west as a stopover because it was free and not a parking lot. There are a couple of loop trails and we walked one of them. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. The locals use the area for fishing and walking and it was somewhat busy in the afternoon. A couple of guys fished at night until about nine. There was only one other couple camping. Very quiet and peaceful. There was a portable toilet but we didn't investigate.
The cool thing was that the loop trail was forested by hundreds of paw paw trees. It must have been just past the season and we saw only a couple of decaying ones, but the entire trail smelled of apple cider vinegar and was quite pleasant.
If you consider this waypoint, two things:
1. The last mile is good, but very dusty, gravel road.
2. No cell coverage in the parking lot for T-Mobile, some coverage on loop trail.
Jonathan H.Scout
Dutchman Lake Camp
Weeke d at the lake
Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing.
CeciliaScoutPine Hills
Very nice
Very quiet and secluded. Campsites are roomy and some firewood is supplied.
- JJohn R.Legend
Trail Of Tears State Park
Train Lovers.
Large park with not many large RV sites. Lots of tent and dispersed camping. Disappointing store. Equestrian area. Beach and boat launch.
Joseph A.Traveler
Sam A Baker State Park
Where the rivers meet
Sam a Baker is a beautiful destination for any family. There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding. There are multi camp sites that can be easily reserved online. The Saint Francis River and the Big Creek meet in the park. The big creek is spring feed and ice cold. The Saint Francis is wild and is considered white water during the rainy season. There are plenty of amenities in the park for the novice camper. From the camp store to the shower house. SAM A BAKER has you covered
Scott B.
Ranger
Hilltop Campground
Nice stop
Stopped here for the night driving through the area. Nice campground, clean, safe, and right off the interstate.
- JJames W.Traveler
Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park
Quiet by the lake
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.
- EEric W.Scout
Shawnee Forest Campground
Great place to camp!
We stayed 4 days and had a great time. The camp was clean and well maintained. The staff are very friendly and helpful and was more than happy to offer places to visit in the area, places to eat and provide assistance as needed. The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk (twice around the lake from our site was 3 miles). :) We plan to visit again!
Matthew Z.TravelerDutchman Lake Camp
Road trip break
Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway
Brian F.ScoutShawnee Forest Campground
Great and clean!
Great little stop, everything is clean and a fresh shower was refreshing.
Steve G.Legend
Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Excellent Lakeside Campgrouind
Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale
Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must. This is new& when planning the trip the website said“first come first serve” so we arrived on a Friday evening(4pm) with no reservation. The sign said RV sites all taken. The host was wonderful! He has been here 9 years and steered us to a nice site for the one night we will be here. The online experience with recreation.gov was not pleasant, impossible in fact. So I had to call. This took quite awhile. Once I got a real live person it was great, and we got our site with no problems.
Amenities: Bathrooms: clean, paper towels& air dryers.
Site: A-35. In the middle of the A loop and therefore not on the water. Still, very nice. After all, beggars can’t be choosers! Sites are somewhat spacious, but not terribly private.
Bonnie M.
Guide
Wanderers End Sanctuary Forest Farm
So happy we found them such a fun place
We had so much fun playing in the creek learning about as Aztec and their gardening methods. Very adorable , baby goats and baby chicks that were just all over and loving living. ❤️ My family and friends found out that I was going there and she was more than happy to help us be accommodated for so many people. I kept adding and she was like no problem. Thank you so much for making it easy and affordable. We will definitely be back to visit. I feel that we have actually found some true lifelong friends. Thank you Ivy
- Bonnie M.Guide
Castor River Campground
Sketchy crowd of long term residents
Way to crowded tiny sites
- FFrank G.Traveler
Sulphur Springs Dispersed
Beautiful River site for parking or dispersed
We stopped here chasing the 2024 eclipse. Easy to find. No cost. About 20 parking spaces, a vault toilet, and a boat launch. Open for solar panels, but tree cover around the lot. Only about 5 parking spaces are not on a slant. Places in the trees for tents. Absolutely beautiful views up and down the river. A single fire pit on the river’s edge. No road noise to speak of because it is way in the distance and rare at night. Fireflies and owls into the night. Mist on the water in the morning: just beautiful. T mobile service has 3 of 4 bars. There is no apparent Verizon service.
Michelle K.Scout
Sharp Rock Falls Recreation
Longbranch Shooting House And Saloon
You're welcome to at longbranch! Please make your reservations.
Only 16 spots left!Ava Illinois +1 618-318-6734 Text your name and number of people on your campsite to reserve your spot.
The Solar Eclipse Event "PARK @ THE MOON"
Extended or early arrivals welcome. Just simply request more information in the text. We will get ahold of asap with a more information and a confirmation number.
#ShareThisPost #solareclipse2024
- JJ A.Guide
Dutchman Lake Camp
Beautiful Verizon works well
Beautiful little spots as you come in. Quiet and easy to get too.
Tonya B.GuideShawnee Forest Campground
Great Place!
Stayed here on the way to and from Florida (home in Minnesota). Very nice campground. Well maintained, big sites for our 40ft fifth wheel, great sunrise/sunset views, and the bathrooms are very clean and well lite. The gentleman/host that greeted us at the office upon arrival was polite and helpful. Will definitely stay again!
Jake C.Legend
Willow Springs Campground
New to the Dyrt!
Jake from the Dyrt here! We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!
Logan W.Guide
Giant City State Park
Great trails and well kept campsites
We stayed at Giant City in February on a very cold weekend. It was still a fantastic trip! The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel. Definitely visit the Lodge!!
- Logan W.Guide
Pyramid State Park
Nice campsites and lots of lakes
We stayed at the campground on the north end of Pyramid. The campsites were close together but we visited in February so we were the only campers. The fire pits were a little run down but the sites were nice and level with a table. No lantern posts. Pit toilets that were decent. The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer. Overall pretty nice stay
David F.Guide
Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
Southern Illinois getaway
Great campground away from roads and noise. Goreville is small local town with grocery store and service station for supplies. South LOOP sites 1-23 are first come sites. NORTH LOOP SITES 24 - 59 Reservable at https://camp.exploremoreil.com/ Some 50 amp sites (4, 6, 18, 32, 36, 38, 47, 48) rest have 30 amp. See map in photos. WATER potable at Dump Station also 5 hydrants scattered amongst camp sites. TENT and Equestrian camps take road to the south west of lake.
Stuart O.GuideTurkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
Quiet in November
We do most of our RV travel in the early spring and late fall. Ferne Clyffe does not take reservations after November 1, so its first come first served. Payment is deposited in a kiosk near the black water dump site. This was not well explained on the signage or websites, but, at least in mid-November, there were enough experienced campers around to explain things.
Otherwise, Ferne Clyffe is gorgeous. Great for star-gazing. Lots of mature oak and sycamore trees that I'm sure provide nice shade in summer. In mid-November, there's lots of deer hunters, which means it gets quiet early in the evening. Spaces are of moderate size on the interior, and are more spread out on the perimteter.
- TTori P.Scout
Shawnee Forest Campground
Suburb Camping
Came to this campsite with my boyfriend and I as well as our two dogs. We were in spot 51, we have a large 8 person tent and need water & electricity so we rent out RV spots instead of the typical tent spots. When we arrived after our 15 hour drive, someone decided to park in our site. Once they moved we were able to start putting up our tent which was on a hill so we were slanted throughout the night. A family rented out the entire rest of the cul-de-sac, which isn’t the parks fault, but they claimed the pavilion and surrounding area. I would call this more of “suburb camping” because there are hardly any trees for privacy, large open fields of grass, and you are 2 minutes from the highway, food, and gas stations. It is only a single bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower instead of any stalls. They provide WiFi that did not work for us, we had better connection with our cellular data. No garbages anywhere in the campsite, thankfully we had our own garbage bags and tossed it in the dumpster before we left. It was fine to crash for one night, but I wouldn’t want to stay here for an extended period of time.
- kkenneth B.Guide
Shawnee Forest Campground
Quiet, Peacefull, Friendly
This was one of the best I have stayed out. I met some nice people, Manager helped me get my electric set up, (user error), Facilities clean and very nice, roads and park well taken care of..
Guide to Jackson
Camping near Jackson, Missouri, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene spots by rivers to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Hawn State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The park was very clean and family-friendly. There are several hiking trails and an overlook."
- Water Activities: Enjoy swimming and fishing at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles and deep and cold enough for the older kids and adults to cool off too."
- Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground. One camper shared, "We even had a deer run through our campsite while we sat fireside!"
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Hawn State Park Campground noted, "The facilities in great shape...good neighbors, nobody too noisy and folks generally kind and friendly."
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful surroundings. A review for Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground stated, "Campsite is well taken care of despite being pretty remote and there was only one other person staying there."
- Family-Friendly: Campgrounds like Sam A. Baker State Park Campground are great for families. One reviewer said, "There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding."
What you should know:
- Tight Campsites: Some campgrounds have close sites. A camper at Hawn State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are in close proximity to one another so it gets crowded during Holiday weekends."
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Trail of Tears State Park Campground pointed out, "Only one single unisex pit toilet in campground."
- Wildlife Caution: While wildlife is a highlight, be prepared for encounters. A camper at Jackson Falls warned, "If you’re terrified of wildlife this is not the place for you."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Sam A. Baker State Park Campground. A family shared, "The store is adorable, the food is surprisingly really good."
- Plan Activities: Bring bikes or rent them at campgrounds. One camper mentioned, "When you’re absent-minded like me and forget the bikes you can rent them there."
- Pack for Comfort: Make sure to bring extra blankets and games for downtime. A visitor at Hawn State Park Campground said, "We like Campground 2 on the gravel side because it’s nice and quiet."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Size: Ensure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Gun Creek noted, "Not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water."
- Be Prepared for Tight Turns: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A camper at Giant City State Park Campground mentioned, "Narrow roads with tight curves made for a bit of a challenge."
- Use Online Reservations: Many campgrounds allow online bookings. A visitor at St. Joe State Park Campground said, "Able to reserve online 365 days prior to arriving."
Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a fun family adventure, the jackson county, MO campgrounds have something to offer everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jackson, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jackson, MO is Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Jackson, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Jackson, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.