Cabin camping near Leasburg, Missouri offers varied accommodations in the heart of the Ozarks, approximately 80 miles southwest of St. Louis. The terrain features rolling hills with elevations ranging between 700-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F, while spring and fall bring milder conditions with occasional rainfall and temperatures in the 60-70°F range.
What to do
Cave exploration: 1-2 hour guided tours at Meramec State Park Campground showcase underground 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. Fisher Cave remains a visitor favorite.
River activities: floating trips on the Meramec River range from 4-6 hours. Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground offers tube rentals with shuttle service. "We rented the new tubes they carry. They were very comfortable with back support and pillow when you're leaning back. 20 bucks for a 4 hour float, ya can't beat it!" reports Richard C.
Hiking trails: multiple difficulty levels provide forest and river views. Most trails range from 1-3 miles. "The hiking is great and our camp sites were always clean and good looking," shares Amy E. about trails near Meramec State Park. Spring and fall seasons offer more comfortable hiking temperatures.
Zipline adventures: seasonal availability from April through October. "The Floating Trees ropes course was supposed to be about 2 hours but the instructors let them go an extra 45 minutes without anyone feeling rushed," explains Joy F. who visited with her family.
What campers like
Privacy options: secluded sites available at certain campgrounds. Bass' River Resort offers quieter camping areas. "This place has something for everyone, whether you're a tent, rv or cabin camper. They even have designated quiet and loud areas right on the water," explains ML W.
Riverside locations: direct water access at multiple campgrounds. "The campground is right on the edge of the river and you can get to the trails from your campsite," mentions Lynn G. about Meramec State Park. Some sites feature small beaches or gravel bars for water entry.
Wildlife viewing: dawn and dusk provide best viewing times. "The State Park has a great canopy of trees located next to a stream as a setting for the campground that bounds with wildlife. We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," reports Tom K.
Cabin comfort levels: various price points starting around $60/night for basic cabins. Huzzah Valley Resort offers more upscale options. "The campgrounds were well maintained. One we used, and many other we saw, had small trees outlining the edges of the sites," notes Nathan P.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: spotty coverage across most campgrounds. "There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short," warns Mats at Meramec State Park.
Seasonal flooding risks: spring rains can affect campground access. "Sometimes the park closes or they have to evacuate due to the quick rise of the river. Easy fix though, just call ahead to see if they're open," advises Randy H.
Campsite spacing: varies by campground and reservation type. Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort has designated family and party areas. "Huge campground with a family side and a late night side. Lots of updates in the last 15 years," explains Jess Z.
Reservation timing: 2-3 months advance booking recommended for summer weekends. "We chose an electric site towards the back to avoid most people. I was pregnant and they had already winterized the back bathroom/shower house but opened up a room for me to use so I didn't have to shlep my belly all the way across the grounds," shares Jennifer G.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: planned programming available at select campgrounds. Indian Springs Resort and Campground offers structured activities. "It's VERY family-oriented with tons of games like volleyball and horseshoes, plus onsite programs and activities including scavenger hunts, movie nights, pancake breakfasts, etc.," explains Taryn S.
Swimming options: designated areas with natural swimming holes and man-made pools. "The camp store has most everything you need, its quiet, family friendly and well maintained. There were many activities to choose from. We are excited to go back!" says Kristen about Blue Spring Ranch.
Budget considerations: additional costs for activities beyond camping fees. "We could never go here on our own. $12.50 per adult and $7.50 per youth. Yikes!" mentions Gwenn W. about Ozark Outdoors. Many campgrounds offer package deals for camping and activities.
Cabin selection: family-sized options sleep 4-8 people depending on configuration. "We rented the large cabin, very nice space, great views, and everyone is very friendly. Recommended for any float trip," suggests Lindsey C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: request level spaces when making reservations. "The sites we stayed at were fairly level and paved. The campground is right next to the Meramec River," notes Hannah S. about Meramec State Park Campground.
Hookup placement: check configurations before booking. Stanton-Meramec KOA has some unusual layouts. "The most disgusting setup with sewer and fresh water literally inches from each other at all full hook up sites. Not worth the money for full hook up," warns Justin P.
Access considerations: roads and turns vary in quality and width. "We enjoyed the buddy sites so that our front doors faced our friends and the hookups were on the outside of each campsite. They also had group buddy sites that allowed four rigs to all front doors to face each other all being pull through sites," shares Joy F.
Campground navigation: arrival timing affects setup experience. "Zero signage to help you find your site in the dark," notes Ken V. about Meramec Caverns. Most campgrounds have limited lighting on roads and at campsites.
