Camping areas near Irondale, Missouri provide access to the rugged terrain of the eastern Ozark Mountains, with elevations ranging from 700-1,300 feet. The region features numerous spring-fed creeks and streams that maintain temperatures around 58°F year-round, creating unique microclimates. Most campgrounds remain accessible during winter months, though water connections at individual sites may be limited during freezing temperatures.
What to do
Explore creek swimming: Big Creek RV Park features a spring-fed creek perfect for cooling off during hot summer months. "The creek is nice for cooling down on a hot day, but there is a pool if you'd rather do that. Saturday is fun with different campground activities and an evening hayride," notes camper Mike T.
Fishing opportunities: Indian Springs Resort and Campground offers direct river access for anglers. "Fun time! Clean campground and beach area. Float was easy and beautiful," shares Denni G. who enjoyed the Meramec River access.
Hiking and biking trails: Pheasant Acres RV Park maintains walking paths through wooded areas. "This is a small campground but right next to it there is a lot of land to walk through. Sheri/Sharon the owner is right up there with one of the coolest women I've ever met. She gave us Maps for the trails and where there was nearby trout fishing," according to Robyn C.
What campers like
Large, level sites: RV Self-Park offers pull-through sites that accommodate larger rigs without unhooking. "Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras. Also has a really nice dog area. Was a bit concerned if my power would be on since the place isn't manned by someone, but it was," explains Grant, who appreciated the convenience.
Family-oriented activities: Many campgrounds organize regular activities for younger campers. "Our family absolutely loves camping at PARV! We go down every year for kids fishing day and couldn't ask for a better experience. She has a very clean shower house and plenty of room for the kids to run and play," shares Ashley H. about Pheasant Acres RV Park.
Weekend entertainment: Some rv sites near Irondale, Missouri offer organized events. "Nice, clean, quiet campground. Spacious lots. Clean pool (on the small side). Duck races were fun," reports one camper about their experience at Big Creek RV Park.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Campgrounds closer to Interstate 44 experience traffic noise. "Just a simple nice place to come for a night or a few days to tour the area. Small dog exercise area, large level spots. Very clean. Lots of interstate noise as it's very close," warns a reviewer about RV Self-Park.
Cell service variations: Reception varies significantly across campgrounds in the region. "Verizon worked ok. T-Mobile very poor," reports Eric H. about his stay at Big Creek RV Park.
Flooding concerns: Some campgrounds experience water issues during heavy rainfall. "While we were there they had a record rainfall amount and the park apparently already has flooding issues so it was flooding pretty bad but also our RV was right next to a creek that had risen really high," reports Charlie about Covered Bridge RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain animal areas. "This was our first trip with our first camper and this place was perfect. They had a few turkeys and chickens at the site which were our alarm clock," notes Chris L. about Patt's Place, LLC.
Playground accessibility: Some rv parks near Irondale offer dedicated play areas. "Camped here in 2004-2010. Very peaceful and quiet surrounded by woods," mentions Sherry S. about Pheasant Acres RV Park, highlighting its family-friendly atmosphere.
Water recreation options: Many campgrounds feature water activities beyond swimming. "Float trips are a big deal here, and Indian Springs offers both boat rentals and shuttle services. We used their shuttling one day, then the second day, I drove my husband up to the put-in (less than 10 mins) and he floated back and took out here," explains Taryn S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on specific needs. "For this to be such a small RV park (smallest we've stayed at so far) the sites are very spacious! The wi-fi was surprisingly good enough that my wife and I could both work off of it and even stream shows on the Roku the whole week," notes Charlie about Covered Bridge RV Park.
Arrival timing considerations: Many campgrounds near Irondale, Missouri have specific check-in procedures. "We rolled into RV Self-Park late with our pup and loved how smooth the process was. Booking online was quick, the site was level, and everything was super easy—even after dark. It's well-lit, secure, and the hookups worked right on time," explains Amber C.
Supply planning: Limited shopping options exist near some campgrounds. "Great little pool in middle of park. Spots were clean and easy to back into or pull through. Be advised, not a lot of supplies nearby. Make sure you bring with you," advises Eric H. about Big Creek RV Park.
