Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park in Mansfield serves as a popular camping destination 31 miles southeast of Marshfield, Missouri. The region sits at elevations between 1,400-1,600 feet in the Ozark Plateau, creating rolling terrain with seasonal temperature variations. Most campgrounds near Marshfield remain open year-round with concrete or gravel pads available for RVs requiring level ground.
What to do
Visit historic attractions: Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park provides convenient access to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum, located directly across the street. "Great RV Park with shaded sites. Convenient to the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum," notes one visitor to Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park.
Enjoy fishing opportunities: Anglers can access Lake Taneycomo from Edgewater Beach Resort, which offers lakefront sites approximately 65 miles south of Marshfield. "We had camping site A, which is right on Lake Taneycomo. Sites are very large with full hookups. You can also get a boat slip at a reasonable price and there is a fish cleaning station at the end of the dock," according to a recent review.
Relax at swimming areas: Bull Creek RV Park features creek access just a short drive from Marshfield. A visitor mentions, "Amazing creek access for kids to swim (knee deep at most). Feels like you're in the country while being very close to the hustle and bustle of Branson and SDC."
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the area typically maintain clean restrooms and showers. At Cooks RV Motor Park, "Showers/restrooms/laundry are all in one building, and very clean and well kept. Spaces are packed gravel, pretty level," according to a recent visitor.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer design features that increase privacy. At Edgewater Beach Resort, campers appreciate the thoughtful layout: "We had another RV next to us for a few days, but with the privacy fence in between you would never know it."
Friendly management: The personal touch at smaller campgrounds stands out to visitors. At Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park, campers note "Wonderful 'Ma & Pa' hosts! Very sweet people. This camp is on a hillside that is terraced at each site."
What you should know
Highway proximity noise: Many RV sites near Marshfield, Missouri are situated close to highways, which affects noise levels. At Rustic Trails RV Park, "I-44 is very close and loud. We stayed 1 night and that was enough," reports one camper.
Seasonal amenities: Swimming pools and some water features operate seasonally. Fishing Tales Resort offers "Saltwater pool/hot tub is seasonal, but beyond amazing! A short distance from Bennett Spring State Park."
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds feature terraced or uneven terrain. At Rustic Trails RV Park, campers note "Gravel roads and sites that aren't very level" and "The roads are a bit tricky to navigate and the sites are very unleveled."
Self-service check-in options: Some parks offer flexible arrival options. At Lambert's Cafe RV Park, "Self serve station for registering makes it easy. We were able to refill our water, empty our tanks, have a great meal at Lambert's and get a good night's sleep."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly areas: Several campgrounds accommodate pets with designated areas. At Cooks RV Motor Park, "The park is adjacent to a large field where my dog was able to run to her heart's content, which was very welcome after being in other campgrounds where I had to keep her on a leash at all times."
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment for children. Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park features "Beautiful yard, walking trails and playground with resident kitty," according to visitors.
Educational opportunities: The region offers historical sites that appeal to families. "Super friendly people, very accommodating. They offered to help us hookup when we arrived, so sweet, and specially since we are new to this. Gave us advice about where to eat around town," shares a family that visited Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Extended stay options: Several parks cater to longer stays near Marshfield. At Bull Creek RV Park, "Nice size sites. A lot of activities are available free to campers. Barbeque food truck is very very good...huge proportions."
Site specifications: Most RV sites near Marshfield offer full hookups with level pads. Cooks RV Motor Park features "Roomy pull throughs" while Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park has "Nice pull thru sites" where "Gravel pads made leveling easy."
Weather considerations: The area experiences all four seasons, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and winter occasionally dropping below freezing. At The Hitching Post RV Park, a visitor notes it provides a "Quiet and safe RV park near Mansfield" that remains open year-round.