Hillsboro camping areas sit within Missouri's eastern Ozark foothills at elevations between 500-800 feet, creating varied terrain with wooded hills and river valleys. Winter camping temperatures typically range from 25-45°F with summer highs reaching 85-95°F. Most campgrounds maintain open status year-round, with seasonal facilities closures common between November and March.
What to do
Prehistoric cave exploration: Meramec State Park Campground offers guided tours of Fisher Cave with unique geological formations. "Pay the extra for the caves tour! Down the road there's an old iron foundry and a historic cemetery to explore," notes Lynn G. The park's location provides easy access to both natural and historical attractions.
Waterfall and creek hiking: Hawn State Park Campground features scenic trails along Pickle Creek with small waterfalls and clear water. "The hike is always worth it. This is an extremely popular trail in Missouri because of its beauty and proximity to St. Louis (about 1.25hrs)," explains Mara F. Trails range from easy 1-mile loops to rugged 10-mile backcountry routes.
River paddling: Washington State Park Campground provides direct river access for kayaking. "My husband and i kayaked here and it was amazing! probably the best short trip you could take on a kayak," shares Allyson D. Rentals available on-site with typical rates of $25-45 per watercraft.
Winter bird watching: The forested areas around Robertsville State Park Campground attract over 80 bird species. "We stayed 3 nights at the Robertsville State Park in June of 2016 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The weather was beautiful, fresh at night and comfortable by day," reports Ana B. Best viewing occurs in early mornings near the river access points.
What campers like
Natural swimming areas: Meramec Caverns Natural Campground offers clean river swimming spots. "Good swimming! Clear water. Camp store. Firewood available," mentions Sherry P. The swimming areas feature gradually sloped entry points suitable for various skill levels.
Accessible fishing spots: Multiple lakes and rivers provide fishing opportunities throughout the region. "The fishing pond was a blast for the kids!" reports Chad H. about Pin Oak RV Park. Most fishing areas require Missouri state fishing licenses for ages 16+, available online or at local retailers.
Wooded tent sites: St. Francois State Park Campground features secluded tent camping areas with substantial tree cover. "We had a beautiful campsite with soft grassy ground. We did have a mole or something burrowing around so you had to watch for loose dirt clods but that was NBD," writes Leah H. Sites include fire rings and access to water spigots throughout camping areas.
Dog-friendly hiking trails: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Hillsboro maintain trail systems where leashed pets can explore. "We hiked the 1000 step trail. Most of the campers did fine but those who were not use to hiking did struggle a bit," notes Scott M. about Washington State Park. Trail conditions remain consistent year-round with minimal seasonal closures.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: River proximity creates occasional flooding issues at certain campgrounds. "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues," reports Charlie & Danielle B. about Covered Bridge RV Park. Call ahead during spring rain periods to confirm site availability.
Varied cell coverage: Network reception varies significantly between campgrounds. "There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent," warns Mats about Meramec State Park. Washington State Park and Twin Eagle Lake Estates maintain the strongest signals for most carriers.
Campsite spacing differences: Hawn State Park Campground offers more separation between sites compared to other options. "Small park as far as the amount of campsites, but this makes it peaceful and secluded," observes Jenny H. Most electric sites throughout the region provide 30-amp service with limited 50-amp availability.
Winter facility reductions: Many campgrounds limit services during winter months. "Bathroom and showers are clean, as is entire park," mentions Delores B. about St. Francois State Park, though shower buildings often close between November and March at most locations.
Tips for camping with families
Evening wildlife viewing: Schedule twilight walks to spot local wildlife. "We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," shares Tom K. about Meramec State Park. Most abundant sightings occur 30 minutes before sunset along campground perimeters.
Multi-generational activities: Twin Eagle Lake Estates & Hideout maintains facilities for various age groups. "Saturday night there was live music. Just a single guy with a guitar but great choice of music and great singing voice," reports Wendy P. Summer weekends feature scheduled activities for children and adults.
Pet-friendly campground selection: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Hillsboro welcome four-legged family members. "We took our 2 dogs and would have loved a little more grass for their paws as the entire camping area is rough gravel," notes Wendy P. about Twin Eagle Lake Estates. Most locations restrict pets from certain buildings and require leashes no longer than 6 feet.
Bathroom proximity planning: Choose sites based on restroom needs. "The down side is that they are pretty far from the shower house and bathrooms," advises Annie C. about Meramec Caverns Natural Campground. Sites closest to facilities typically book first during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: St. Francois State Park Campground requires additional equipment for certain sites. "This campground offers no-services tent/RV and RV with electrical. The electrical spots are all in cut grass areas, many with great shade trees," explains Mats. Bring extra leveling blocks for sites near the campground entrance.
Seasonal site selection: RVers recommend different areas based on season. "We stayed in the electric site. They do have tent sites but we wanted to be closer to the river which was a 2min walk," shares Alex T. Sites in loops A and C provide better summer shade at most locations.
Utility connection locations: Pin Oak RV Park maintains standard hookup configurations. "Spaces are tight but the overall camp ground is decent. Nice pool and an arcade area with plenty of room to hangout inside," reports Chad H. Water connections remain functional year-round with heated spigots at most campgrounds.
Winter RV access: Road conditions remain suitable for larger rigs during winter months. "I would recommend this site as a good stopover on I 44," suggests Tom K. regarding Meramec State Park. Interior roads receive regular maintenance with primary access routes plowed within 24 hours of snowfall.
