Leasburg, Missouri sits at 750 feet elevation within the Ozark Highlands. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and crystal-clear streams feeding into the Meramec River. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while fall camping brings cooler 60-70°F days with colorful foliage throughout the region's extensive trail systems.
What to do
Cave exploration tours: 1-2 hour guided experiences at Meramec State Park Campground offer educational opportunities. "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. Tours cost $12-16 per adult with reduced rates for children.
Float trips: 4-6 hour river excursions on the Meramec and Huzzah Rivers remain the area's primary attraction. Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground provides affordable options. "20 bucks for a 4 hour float, ya can't beat it! Definitely be back," shares Richard C. Most outfitters require advance reservations during summer weekends.
Zip line adventures: crossing directly over the river at multiple locations near Leasburg. "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," reports Joy F. from Ozark Outdoors. Most courses require closed-toe shoes and have minimum weight requirements.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: level surfaces throughout the region help maintain clean camping areas. At Onondaga Cave State Park, "The campground itself is very well taken care of. Spotless bathroom/shower, attentive campground hosts and plenty of amenities," writes Julia M.
River beaches: accessible wading areas for cooling off. "Nice green property, group sites. Pretty trench of river," mentions Jennifer G. about Bass' River Resort. Most beach areas feature gravel bars with gradually sloping water entries ideal for pets and children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: dawn and dusk animal sightings throughout the camping areas. "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. about Meramec State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: spotty or nonexistent coverage throughout most Leasburg area campgrounds. "The campground is great. Most of the sites are flat and paved. The campground is right next to the Meramec River. There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent," warns a reviewer at Meramec State Park.
Standing water issues: drainage problems after heavy rain affect multiple campgrounds in the region. At Meramec Caverns Natural Campground, "the only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because sometimes the park closes or they have to evacuate due to the quick rise of the river," explains Randy H.
Highway proximity concerns: road noise affects some campgrounds. "Our campers backed up to a fence about 5 feet off the highway. Cars and trucks fly down this highway at very fast speeds all hours of the day and night. Worried for everyone's safety if there was a crash," cautions Kari F. about Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: ranger-led activities enhance visits for children. "Lots of ranger led educational programs," mentions Lynn G. about Onondaga Cave State Park. Most programs run 30-45 minutes and accommodate all ages.
Beach access evaluation: check conditions before swimming with children as water levels fluctuate seasonally. "Access to the river for lounging or floating," reports a camper at Meramec State Park. Weekday visits typically offer more space and calmer water conditions.
Campground selection: separate family areas at several resorts. "Huge campground with a family side and a late night side. Lots of updates in the last 15 years," explains Jess Z. about Ozark Outdoors. Family sections typically enforce quiet hours starting at 10pm.
Tips from RVers
RV site drainage: select elevated spots to avoid water issues during rain. "We stayed on the family side and had a great time. Staff super helpful and upbeat, everyone looked like they wanted to ACTUALLY be there," shares Matt about Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort. Sites numbered 106-108 receive positive reviews for drainage.
Hookup availability: full service sites throughout the region. "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 (no need unhook for an overnight stay). Very clean," notes a reviewer about RV Self-Park, highlighting the convenient access to local attractions.
Pull-through options: easier access at select campgrounds. "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," describes Joy F. at Ozark Outdoors.
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