Best Tent Camping near Koshkonong, MO

I'd seen a lot of great reviews for this campground, so I had high expectations when we arrived for a night in early November. We reserved a spot in the 900 loop, just to be safe - a few of the camping loops allow reservations, and the rest are walk in. The loop was very open, spaces all fully visible to each other. The bathrooms were locked for the season after 10/15. 

Since things were pretty empty, we moved to the 500 loop, which was more tree covered, near the river, and next to the shower house, which was the one park bath open for the winter. Bathrooms and showers were clean, though no camp host was present the night we stayed. 

We were the only people on the 500 loop, so it was fine, but again - sites VERY close together. Some picnic tables were less than 20 feet apart. The 600 loop was the only heavily occupied loop when were there, filled with campers, presumably because of the electric access. 

This is a NPS campground, so its amenities tend to be fewer than many MO state parks. I have other parks in this area that have more scenic and private tent camping. Just on the other side of the river is the Alley spring and mill, which are lovely - and ironically, some of the picnic sites are more spacious than these tent sites. I wish we could camp on that side!

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

Quite tent sites with restrooms in each loop and new shower house. Spring, mill, and the trails around the spring are a must!

We 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.

Have stayed here twice so far and love it. Price is cheap and they work off the trust system. They have electric and water camper hookups and tent camping. They also have a little bath house there too. Not 5 star lodging but the view over white river is breathtaking.

This campground was wonderful! We needed a tent site for one night and we ended up getting a whole grove of trees to ourselves! It was a Saturday night and there was an open mic night and bbq. The atmosphere was light and fun and the people rocked! Very clean bathrooms and showers. The rates were very very affordable too! 10/10!!!

This campground is very large thus always having availability for tent camping! They have ranger presentations on weekend evenings about the local wildlife and rivers and springs-Jacks Fork & Current River that are very informative! Great place to bring family and an equally reasonable price!! Offers group camping too! Harvey Kayak and Canoe rentals is right around the corner and will pick you up right at your campsite! I highly recommend this campground. They also have RV hookups and a private beach!

This is a great campground that is just outside of eminence and has just about everything that you need from spacious tree covered tent sites to full RV sites as well. Easy access to both the jacks for river and Alley spring Because flooding destroyed the old restroom a new one has been built in its place with a full shower house as well. If you want a nice peaceful campground that is in the heart of the Ozarks scenic River Ways you will definitely want to check this place out

This campground on the beautiful Current River is operated by the National Park Service and features 6 are so full electric sites and numerous tent camping sites. It is located at the very beautiful Round Spring and the Round Spring Cave. Tours of the cave are given daily June through August and cost $5. The lantern tours show an amazing cave with many beautiful formations. An outfitter for canoe rentals and shuttle service is located across the road and offers ice, beverages and firewood. Reservations are a must for the electric sites. While all sites in this campground are reservable it is rarely full. There are also about five group sites located at this area. The current river provides some of the best canoeing anywhere in America as well as good fishing for Smallmouth Bass.

PROS- First the floating was excellent on the northfolk River. Great wildlife along the way including cranes, turtles, ducks, fish. Fantastic on site restaurant with bar and grill that has Saturday karaoke and Friday live bands. The best showers with privacy and cleanliness. Has extras on site like cornhole, basketball, Foosball, and a pool table. The campsites were large. The tent sites were shady and grassy with even ground and near the river. CONS- The RV sites have zero shade and very little grass so it's mostly clay mud on the ground, which would have been fine but since it rained it made a giant mud soup mess. The cost is higher than the recreation government sites online for camping.

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.

We stopped for 1 night on the way to Wyoming it is way off the beaten path but what a nice campground. The owners were selling it when we were there they had it a long time. The Pool was so cool and refreshing and no one was there. There's nothing around there so come prepared. There are rolling hills, narrow road and paved. 

We almost had the place to ourselves so quiet and well maintained. 

 FEATURES AND SERVICES: Large, Clean Sites Full Hookups Pull-thrus and Back-ins 20, 30, and 50 AMP Mostly Shaded Picnic Tables Tent Sites 17 Sites and a Library.

Clean Restrooms Laundry Modem Hookup and Fax Service In Ground Pool Playground Shuffleboard and Horseshoes Catch and Release Pond Fishing Animal Friendly People Friendly Recreation Hall Recreation Room.

Pretty campground with river access and accessible restrooms. Showers were a little far from our loop. I wish the sites had tent pads as it was hard to find a flat spot to place the tent and several holes in the terrain. There is NO cell signal, so I highly recommend you take a weather radio. I wish we had.

This place has some amenities, and a very friendly staff that help upkeep the area very well. I really loved how the river was just a short trot away from the tent

Very busy place in the prime time (literally memorial day - labor day busy). Big stop for the college kids and younger groups but was still nice. Has a store, canoe/raft/kayak rentals, tent and camper spots, fire wood. Can be load cause of the parties. Still recommend it

Nice spacious areas to tent. We loved going here. Clear waters on the current river lots of wild life. A little ways to get to any town but that’s ok with me. Clean restrooms. Will be back here.

Loved this campground. Some curvey roads to get to it. Has historic mill and plenty of river places to fish and play. Canoe floats available. We had several family’s camping and had taken almost a whole loop. We had everything from tent campers to large motor homes. Great fun !

Fantastic campground. Had all porta potties. Bathrooms were being rebuilt over half were done. Float trip start point for one company. Great water and amazing water. Red wheelhouse on campus is breathtaking. A must visit in Missouri.