Best Campgrounds near Lebanon, MO
Lebanon, Missouri serves as a base for several established campgrounds including Bennett Spring State Park Campground and Hidden Valley Outfitters. The area supports multiple accommodation types with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals available at most locations. Bennett Spring State Park features five separate campground loops offering various levels of amenities from basic tent sites to full hookup RV sites. Several private campgrounds like Riverfront Campground and Canoe, and Lebanon-Bennett Spring KOA complement the state park options with additional amenities and year-round availability.
Most campgrounds in the region remain open throughout the year, though seasonal considerations affect services and availability. Bennett Spring State Park maintains limited winter camping with only Campground 1 operating during off-season months, while private establishments like Hidden Valley Outfitters typically operate from March through October. Full hookup sites with electric, water and sewer connections are common in the area, especially at private campgrounds. Water service in some state park loops is seasonally restricted, with one camper noting, "The water is not turned on in Loop 1 until April 15th."
Trout fishing represents the primary draw for many visitors to the Lebanon area campgrounds, with Bennett Spring State Park featuring an on-site hatchery and designated fishing areas. Campgrounds along the Niangua River provide water recreation opportunities beyond fishing. The state park includes over twenty miles of hiking trails ranging from easy streamside paths to more challenging routes through the Ozark Mountains. Amenities vary by location, with most established campgrounds offering showers, restrooms, and picnic tables. Recent renovations have improved facilities at some locations. As one visitor noted, "Bennett Spring is so serious about their fishing they even have a trout cam so you can watch other anglers testing their skills." Campers frequently mention the historical character of CCC-built structures in Bennett Spring State Park, including the stone dining lodge, cabins, and arched bridge.
