Cabin camping near Laclede, Missouri offers overnight accommodations in forested settings with access to Forest Lake and multiple hiking trails. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,000 feet, creating diverse terrain for outdoor recreation. Winter cabin stays provide opportunities for cold-weather activities when temperatures typically range from 20-40°F between December and February.
What to do
Lake activities: Forest Lake at Thousand Hills State Park Campground provides options for fishing, swimming, and boating. "There are kayaks and canoes to rent, lakeside shelters, plenty of trails to hike, and plenty of campgrounds," notes one visitor who found the park "beautiful" after rainfall.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail options accommodate different experience levels. "The trails and campsites are dog friendly and are very well marked," according to one camper. Another mentions that "many of the trails absorb water well and it's not too muddy" after rain.
Marina services: The park marina offers boat rentals and fueling services. "Park has a full service marina where you can rent kayaks or fill your boat with gas," writes one reviewer. The lake is described as "nice calm lake great for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and small motored boats."
What campers like
Varied accommodation options: Thousand Hills State Park Campground provides multiple camping areas with different settings. "There are areas that have cabins and also places that have RV hookups. Really great for anybody!" writes one camper who appreciated the versatility.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower facilities receive positive mentions for cleanliness. "Shower house is nice. Campsites are good, just not close to the lake," notes one visitor. Another camper highlights the "Clean bathroom/shower house" as a benefit of staying at the park.
Restaurant access: On-site dining options provide alternatives to camp cooking. As one reviewer notes, the park "has a restaurant" though they caution it's "a little more upscale" and visitors shouldn't "show up in flip flops and swim trunks."
What you should know
Campsite layout: At Shoemaker RV Park, campsites offer reasonable spacing. "Spread out fairly well. You're not on top of each other here," reports one camper who preferred "K row" for its location.
Cabin location considerations: Cabins may require walking to access lake amenities. "The campsites are a bit of a hike from the lake but there is lots to do when you get there," advises one visitor who stayed in both a tent and trailer.
Shower house features: Individual shower facilities provide privacy. One camper specifically mentions "The shower houses had individual, private, large, and very clean facilities" which enhanced their overnight stay.
Tent limitations: Some areas better accommodate RVs than tents. A visitor noted, "The spots seemed more fitting for RV's vs tent but there were a couple of tents," suggesting tent campers research specific sites before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thousand Hills State Park Campground offers multiple play areas throughout the grounds. "There are several trails, picnic areas, and play areas for kids," mentions one visitor who gave the park a positive rating.
Beach amenities: The swimming area provides space for children to play. "Huge swim beach, lots of trails, pavilions, playground equipment and beautiful views," writes one Labor Day weekend visitor.
Trail difficulty: Trails accommodate various skill levels, making them suitable for family hikes. The park "has a variety of trail lengths, giving options to the inexperienced and the backpacking adventurers," according to one camper's assessment.
Quiet environment: Campground 2 offers a more secluded setting. "Campground 2 is small and quite with clean shower/bathrooms," notes a visitor who stayed at site 58, though they mention it has "no tent space" and "an uneven pad for camper."
Tips from RVers
Electrical options: Shoemaker RV Park provides both 30 and 50 amp service options. "30/50 amp service throughout," confirms one RVer who enjoyed their stay.
Supply availability: On-site stores stock RV necessities and other items. One camper appreciated the "full store for almost anything you do, and don't, need for your RV" at Shoemaker.
Site selection: Specific campground areas offer advantages for different camping styles. Campground 1 at Thousand Hills is described as "much larger with several great sites" while Campground 2 is noted as "smaller" but offers access to trails that lead "down to indian petroglyphs and the swim beach."
