Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground
Nice new section
Full hook up! Level concrete site. Lots of deer. Great trail along the river and cliffside.
149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"This state park is one worth a stop when near Springfield. I drove north toward this park to enjoy something a bit different and found it to be very peaceful during a weekday. "
"A trout fisher dream, as one of Missouri’s 5 hacherys are here. Fun for this kids to see the amazing amount of fish."
from $15 - $48 / night
Check Availability"One of my top 3 campsites to visit in Missouri. Through the warm season visit at least once a month. Good clean facilities, great staff who are friendly, respectful and fun to laugh with."
"We live 45 minutes away from this campground but love spending time here. No shade in the campground because it's still relatively new but has many great aspects and continues to add more."
"It offers direct access to the Niangua River, and it is only a short drive from Bennett Springs State Park, where you can fly fish and pull trout from the river from dawn until dusk. "
"atv rentals make getting around a breeze. canoe raft and kayak rentals."
from $250 / night
Check Availability"Right off the highway so yo do have some noise. Friendly staff who will shuttle you to the local craft brewery up the road. We walked to the brewery and stayed here again on our return route."
"Walking trails."
from $40 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Lake of the Ozarks State Park campground is located in Kaiser Missouri about 5 miles down highway 134 off of highway 42. This campground is about 1.5 hour from Columbia and Springfield Missouri."
"We stayed close to the river in the primitive area and the deer were all over. These deer were super friendly and didn't move at all as we walked right past them. "
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Nothing but icadas, crickets and quiet laughter from the camp next to us."
"I was right next to the river, and the sounds of the water made everything tranquil. There is a ton of space for tents and RVs, and the road in is well paved."
from $5 - $100 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $48 / night
Check Availability"It’s still very family friendly and even during the COVID outbreak, they remained positive and helpful."
"The cabins don’t look like much from the outside, but inside they are wonderful. Showers were hot and the campground is clean and quiet. Perfect for families."
"Driving through Missouri needed a quiet place to stay. We stayed at Honey Berry Hideout, it has metal fire ring and grill."
"Brendan and Teresa are an adotable young couple who are transforming a large area in the midst of Missouri farm country into a small black- and blueberry farm that includes a small RV camp."
from $7 - $48 / night
Check Availability











Full hook up! Level concrete site. Lots of deer. Great trail along the river and cliffside.
You can tell this property had potential; the owners have put a lot of $$ into installing sites w/electricity/gravel & a new bathhouse. But checking in was sketchy when “the office” is an unidentified building with a handwritten poster board, “Knock before entering.” I had to text before a young lady came out to show us to our site. The listing says all sites have water & trash. Not accurate. None in our site & water pumps at top of the hill were turned off. The only water avail was at the bathhouse….100 yards from our site. NO TRASH RECEPTACLES OF ANY KIND any where except a dumpster at the top of the hill at the office entrance. Individual toilet rooms w/showers were nice enough, but only 1 had toilet paper! Plus, the campground has long-term campers. We had no problems with that, but this is not a polished property; fairly primitive in overall experience … but with potential. Rather than post a public review which WOULD affect future customers, I sent a detailed text to the owner (?) with feedback & details that are easily fixable. I said I did not want to post a public negative review. It’s been almost 2 weeks now, & I received no response or acknowledgment. Perhaps the young lady who was on-site never gave the feedback to the owners who were “out of state”..???… I don’t know. But when customers attempt to provide actual info privately rather than on public blast, that’s a good thing. Oh well; I tried. Overall, this is “a place to stay.” And $35/nite w/elec is equitable. But don’t go to Hitching Post & expect what it’s not. I’m actually only disappointed the “owners”(?)may not have seen actual feedback that would help the campground.
This is a USFS campground that is perfect if you want a secluded spot to disconnect for awhile. No water, electricity, or cell service, but the views are amazing and Paddy Creek is beautiful. Campground requires a six mile drive on somewhat rough gravel roads and and a paved creek crossing if you are are coming from the Licking, MO side of the forest.
There are about two dozen campsites, each with a narrow and short concrete pad to back a vehicle into. A small popup camper or travel trailer may fit, but anything medium or larger is not going to work. All sites have good shade from tall trees and include a picnic table and fire ring. The single vault toilet was clean and stocked.
Cost is $15 a night and is paid for in the iron ranger nearby. The campground appears to close in late fall and open again in the spring at different dates each year, so be sure to check the USFS website before planning a trip.
We were there on a Friday of 4th of July weekend. We used the day-use area but drove though the campground loops to check it out first. Campground was not full, even on a holiday weekend, sites are spread out, and we will definitely come back for camping. Very peaceful.
Day use area was well maintained, easy path to spring, and river access just past the spring. Plenty of tables and grills. Lovely in the evening with the fog creeping up the river!
A nice place to park your car for the night
Campground was very nice. good river access and pool area. the store is nice to get a coffee or a smoothie. atv rentals make getting around a breeze. canoe raft and kayak rentals.
Simply the best! Beautiful waterfront location. Every amenity that you need or want. Easy booking and fantastic communication. This was our third stop on our first RV trip, and definitely the best. We have been spoiled forever after visiting 38 Special. Everything is clean and easy to access. The pool was perfect, plus there are gas grills available in the covered pool patio.
Absolutely wonderful owner Mr.Kim! Awesome pool with staircase gradual and ledge community fire pit (they supply wood) Bathrooms are the absolute best they're completely private excellent showerheads and always clean they are also adding cabins soon! Monthly rates as well!!
Nice spot on our way to the east coast. Right off the highway with full hookups and a great staff
Camping near Lebanon, Missouri centers around multiple river systems with the Niangua River and several spring-fed waterways providing year-round recreation options. The area sits in the northern Ozarks at elevations between 1,100 and 1,300 feet, creating varied terrain suitable for diverse camping styles. Winter temperatures often dip below freezing while summer can bring humid conditions with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F.
Trout fishing beyond Bennett Spring: The area's fishing extends beyond just Bennett Spring. Mountain Creek Campground offers river access with multiple float trip options. "You can rent tubes, canoes, or rafts, and float down the river. You can float as long as 10 miles, or as few as 4," reports one camper.
Hiking trails with scenic views: Several parks offer hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground features numerous trails. One visitor noted, "The park has a lot of hiking and biking trails. We saw about 20 deer each day."
Berry picking opportunities: For a unique camping activity, some sites offer agricultural experiences. At B Berry Farms & Co., campers can pick seasonal berries. "We enjoyed picking black berries right next to our campsite to have with breakfast in the morning," mentioned one visitor.
Natural swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature river access for swimming. One camper at Hidden Valley Outfitters said, "Water is chilly year around so if you like bathwater warmth, not the place for you. For us it's perfect."
Rustic but comfortable facilities: Campers appreciate the balance between natural settings and necessary amenities. A visitor to Froggys River Resort observed, "Shower house was clean and efficient," while mentioning unique features like "a fire pit in the middle of the river which was so cool."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground, campers frequently mention wildlife sightings: "Huge beautiful park. A lot of hiking and biking trails. We saw about 20 deer each day."
Water availability varies seasonally: Some campgrounds have limited water availability during certain months. At Bennett Spring State Park Campground, one camper noted, "We stayed in campground one because it is the only one open during the off season."
Site privacy varies significantly: Site spacing and privacy differ between campgrounds and areas. A camper at Riverfront Campground and Canoe mentioned, "The sites are fairly large so you're not on top of your neighbor. It has a playground and a large area in the middle of the loop for playing."
Highway noise at some locations: Campgrounds closer to major roads may experience traffic noise. One visitor to Rustic Trails RV Park stated, "The highway noise was loud but earplugs worked," while noting the "sites were large and easy to set up."
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Some campgrounds offer child-friendly recreation spaces. A reviewer at Hidden Valley Outfitters mentioned, "Great campground for family and friends! Close access to the river and Bennett Springs."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lebanon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lebanon, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Lebanon, MO and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lebanon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lebanon, MO is Bennett Spring State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 41 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lebanon, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Lebanon, MO.
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