Lake of the Ozarks near Linn Creek, Missouri spans over 54,000 acres with 1,150 miles of shoreline and fluctuating water levels between 645-660 feet elevation throughout the year. The area's camping options extend beyond lakefront properties with several campgrounds offering mountain biking trails, fishing opportunities, and various accommodation types. Water temperatures in summer typically reach 80-85°F, creating opportunities for extended swimming seasons from late May through mid-October.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground features multiple trails for nature enthusiasts. "Plenty of trails, fishing, and swimming," writes Elizabeth W. The park maintains several miles of paths suitable for various skill levels, with wildlife viewing opportunities throughout.
Fishing access: Majestic Oaks RV Park & Campground offers multiple fishing spots with well-maintained facilities. "Nice park, hiking trails on site, spots are well maintained. Good amenities on site and very close to everything the Lake has to offer," notes Russ G. The campground provides bank fishing access with convenient proximity to boat launches.
Water recreation: Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and other water activities at many locations. At Cross Creek RV Park, "Campground sits on 70 acres and includes an 8 acre stocked lake. Boat rental, paddle boats, miniature golf, shuffleboard, volleyball, playground, hiking and a general store," according to Sherry D. The private lake offers a quieter alternative to the main Lake of the Ozarks.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently mention abundant wildlife sightings in the area. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground, "Huge beautiful park. A lot of hiking and biking trails. Boat ramp and store in the park. We saw about 20 deer each day," reports Anthony C. The park's diverse habitats support various species throughout the year.
Quieter camping seasons: Spring and fall offer more solitude at many campgrounds. "I was just there during spring break. I was the only tent camper. Maybe 8 RVs or so out of nearly 150 campsites. It was nice and quiet. Beautiful scenery—able to camp with a view of the lake," writes David W. about Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
River access: For those seeking alternatives to lake camping, Fiery Fork Conservation Area provides free riverfront options. "The river access is really amazing though. It's a great place to launch a boat from or just to wade in a bit and fish. Fly fishing can be done easily from the bank or just by wading in a bit," notes Amanda. The conservation area features multiple access points with varying levels of privacy.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Fiery Fork Conservation Area, "We have AT&T for our cell service and there was absolutely NO service there which was good to get away, but bad in an emergency," reports Amanda. Most lakefront campgrounds maintain better connectivity than conservation areas.
Seasonal facility restrictions: Many campgrounds reduce services during off-peak months. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park, "The water was off until the end of March but luckily the pump near the registration kiosk was on. It was just a bit of a drive to get it. And the bathrooms/shower houses are locked as well. Vault toilets were open," explains David W.
Site reservations: The best places to camp near Linn Creek, Missouri often require advance planning. Little Niangua Campground divides their property into specialized sections. "They have a party side and a family side. Bath houses are also available," states Brandy C. This organization helps match campers with appropriate environments.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple activity options: Cross Creek RV Park provides family-friendly amenities beyond water recreation. "Kids love the mini golf, shuffleboard, and basketball. Huge private lake great for fishing and watching duck families swim by and come up to you on the grass!" shares Keidra P. The campground's layout allows for supervised play with minimal travel between activities.
Wildlife education: Campgrounds with nature programming offer learning opportunities. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park, "Sites were spread apart, lots of shade, close to the lake. Plenty of trails, fishing, and swimming," explains Elizabeth W. The park's diverse ecosystems provide natural classrooms for children.
Campsite selection: Bennett Spring State Park Campground offers various family-appropriate options. "The roads are all paved so it made biking for our kids easy and enjoyable. The campsite was spacious and shaded. The kids loved playing in the creek and hiking the trails," notes Amanda R. The park's layout accommodates different family sizes and equipment needs.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Many campgrounds feature challenging terrain. At Osage Beach RV Park, "Very nice RV park near grocery store and food. Also near the Lake Of the Ozarks State Park. This RV park has everything you'd need. There is a nice pool, games, laundry, playground, propane, supplies and food, full hook ups, cable, restrooms and showers," shares Shannon G., though noting "the sites were closer together than I like."
Internet connectivity: Working remotely requires reliable connections. "This was a very nice, clean campground in the city of Osage Beach. We needed a campsite to be able to work and school remotely from and this fit the bill with excellent WiFi that had boosters all throughout the campground," reports Melissa H. about Osage Beach RV Park, adding "Phone signals good for AT&T and Verizon."
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites in the Ozarks require adjustment. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Jenny H. notes, "Our site was kinda tricky to get into, especially if you have a longer trailer. Seemed like quite a few were that way, so do your research. But campsite was average." Preparation with leveling blocks is advisable throughout the region.
