Owl Creek Market and RV Park
Convenient interstate stop
Pros: beautiful pool and exceptionally clean and well-maintained restrooms, nice market Cons: campsites could use some maintenance throughout, appeared to have many long time residents
49 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The area around Miami, Missouri features several mixed-use campgrounds with varying amenities, primarily concentrated along water features. Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park Campground offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, showers, and firewood availability, while Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground, approximately 20 miles south, provides big-rig friendly camping with full hookups. The region includes a blend of established campgrounds and limited dispersed camping options like Robert's Bluff, allowing campers to choose between developed facilities with modern amenities or more rustic experiences on public lands.
Camping in this region operates year-round at some locations, while others like Stump Island Park maintain a seasonal schedule from April to November. "The campground is well situated on the banks of long branch lake. The walk in sites are 50 feet from the lake and are level," noted one camper about a nearby state park. Most campgrounds in the area feature electric hookups and basic amenities, though water service is typically shut off during winter months. Many sites require advance reservations, especially on summer weekends when waterfront locations fill quickly. Cell phone coverage can be limited in some areas, particularly at Arrow Rock, where one visitor mentioned "no cell phone service really."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Miami area, with multiple sites positioned along lakes and the Missouri River. Van Meter State Park receives consistently high ratings for its well-maintained grounds and interpretive displays about American Indian heritage. One visitor described it as having "well maintained campgrounds with short trails and lake for fishing." Dispersed camping at Robert's Bluff attracts positive reviews for its convenience and accessibility, with a camper noting it's a "nice spot to camp for the night if you're driving through Missouri." The proximity of some campgrounds to historic sites, particularly Arrow Rock's historic town, adds educational value to camping experiences in the region, allowing visitors to combine outdoor recreation with cultural exploration.
"Before leaving, we took the short .10 mile Missouri River Overlook Trail. We had intended to fish in Lake Woolridge, but the gate was closed already for the night when we arrived."
"The campground is one circular lot with I think around 18 spots. Some are basic just for tents and some have water and or electric. "
from $14 - $27 / night
Check Availability"there is a nice walking path around the area and the historical site is close by."
"Bathrooms were centrally located in the campground."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Very small campground on the edge of town (appx 20ish sites). Full hookups and all most amenities you will find at larger properties: laundry, showers, picnic tables and fire rings."
from $25 - $450 / night
Check Availability"In the nearby town Bosworth there is a nice shop and take away for breakfast and great sandwich/wrap/pizza."
"Beautiful spot on the lake. Clean campground, full hook-ups. Tent and RV friendly. Will stop here again!"
"Nice spot to camp for the night if you’re driving through Missouri. Not a terrible amount of mosquitos and the roads don’t get bad after an average rain"
"Put in some miles and didn’t get in until about 2am and this was easy to find and great spots away from the highway but also didn’t have to trek far away"
"There features a wet land prairie that offers a diverse scene that you would not expect in Missouri."
"They are different from any in Missouri. Hiking is so good here. Check out the boardwalk. Small and intimate campground with great spots. Has an archery range."
from $15 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Ground away from the campsite was a bit muddy and made a mess. No surprises there! Established campfire ring at 2 spots. Another ring farther down in the turnaround beyond the boat launch."
"You’re surrounded by farm lane and wildlife. There’s a river at the site but didn’t explore it any."
"City Park that is right outside of town. 17 spots that are first come first serve, roughly 4 people seem to be full time residents, but kept the park clean."
from $20 / night
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Pros: beautiful pool and exceptionally clean and well-maintained restrooms, nice market Cons: campsites could use some maintenance throughout, appeared to have many long time residents
Pulled up in a downpour; didn’t set up camp due to muddy grounds.. there was one other camper with a nice covered tent spot, there is one larger spot at the end we parked at, could fit a smaller rv
We pulled in at 11pm and back on road by 7 am so we didn’t get to experience most of campground
So review is based on just a quick overnight stop
Site was not level (gravel Pull through) so required leveling
Overall it was easy to quick pull in and sleep for night
Pool looked clean as we passed on our way out
We did not use bathrooms or showers
Lots of full time or sesasonal campers
The staff on phone when I called for late check in were very kind
Beautiful place, decent privacy, first night was great then multiple questionable people took primitive camping sites around us that were tent/car living and made us very leary of leaving our site. Was quiet until they came in, then lots of "short term visitor" traffic every 15 minutes through the night.
Double check the website, but it looks like this park is closed 2026 for renovations
We stayed at this campground overnight while we were traveling west. The site was easy to access and very quite.
We stayed at this campground for 1 night while we were heading to Nevada, the campground was nice and quite. We pulled in later in the afternoon so we did not have any opportunity to check out the amenities.
Pulled in after dusk and was still easy enough to navigate. 3 designated spots with fire rings. Lots of bugs and very muggy. Can't wait to wake up to see how pretty it is.
This is a terrible set up. The RV sites are right between the auto entrance and exit, right on the gas station parking lot. You would need to be extremely desperate to stay here.
Camping sites near Miami, Missouri provide access to several waterfront and wooded locations along the Missouri River watershed. The region sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level with seasonal temperature fluctuations ranging from winter lows in the 20s to summer highs averaging in the mid-80s. The area's soil composition creates variable drainage conditions that affect camping conditions, particularly after rainfall.
Hiking through wetlands: Pershing State Park offers unique boardwalk trails through marshland ecosystems. "We also visited nearby LaClede where John J. Pershing's boyhood home is. Very informative and interesting," reports one visitor to Pershing State Park Campground, who particularly enjoyed "the Boardwalk trail - 1 1/2 miles of boardwalk through forest."
Stargazing: Limited light pollution at several campgrounds creates optimal night sky viewing. A camper at Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground noted "Beautiful Stargazing views" that "Photos don't capture the true essence!"
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water access points for anglers of all experience levels. At Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park, visitors can access Lake Woolridge for fishing, though one camper notes, "Once you get to the parking lot for the lake you'll see nothing but trees. On the east side of the parking lot there are two trail heads. Take the one on the left. There's a quarter mile hike down to the lake."
Affordable rates: Budget-friendly camping with electric sites starting under $25. A visitor to Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park Campground described it as "Electric $21 in season. $19 off season. Off season starts Nov 1. Showers, water, ice machine, firewood, firepits."
Historical connections: Several campgrounds offer proximity to educational historic sites. Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground provides access to "nearby town of Arrow Rock with its many historic buildings and an excellent interpretation center. Great for a pleasant cycle in the evening or a stroll after a bottle of wine."
Privacy options: Varying site layouts accommodate different privacy preferences. At Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park, "The odd numbered sites are smaller and may hold water after a rain, but more private. Bring plenty of bug spray. The campground is right by a marsh and it is REALLY buggy."
Seasonal considerations: Water services often shut off during winter months. A camper at Arrow Rock noted, "No bath house until April 1 and no cell coverage (T-Mobile) but wonderful walking, hiking and biking areas, quaint MO town nearby."
Booking systems: Reservation processes vary between parks, with some requiring advance planning. At Lodder Up & Camp, a camper mentioned "Booking online is a bit confusing but owners are very friendly and helpful."
Weather impacts: Proximity to water bodies means monitoring conditions is essential. At Robert's Bluff, a visitor recommended to "check the weather just to make sure it's not going to flood. It's right beside a river."
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas for children. At Annie and Abel Van Meter, a visitor noted the park "had a nice playground for small kids including a little play area and some swing sets."
Bug protection: Marshland areas require extra insect prevention measures. One family camping at Van Meter State Park warned, "Clean, well cared for campground. The even numbered sites are really big and back up to big open grassy area with shade trees... Bring plenty of bug spray. The campground is right by a marsh and it is REALLY buggy."
Educational opportunities: Combine camping with learning experiences at interpretive centers. At Stump Island Park, families can access both camping facilities and nearby educational attractions, though one visitor notes "it was very confusing on where the tent sites were. They have 6 RV sites at the top of the hill and 12 more river side."
Site selection strategies: Choose locations based on privacy and utilities needed. At Roberts Bluff Access, RVers report "3 sites with fire rings and all very nice" but warn "Ground away from the campsite was a bit muddy and made a mess."
Level site identification: Many campgrounds offer concrete or rock pads for easier leveling. At Lodder Up & Camp, visitors noted that "Some sites have concrete pads and others are rock. Sites seemed level despite there being a lot of elevation change within the park."
Setup timing considerations: Arriving at dispersed sites after dark presents challenges. A visitor to Robert's Bluff mentioned, "It was a great camping spot until... at around 9:30 pm pitch black someone decided to camped. It's not very quiet at all. You will wake up from cars driving almost everytime."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Miami, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Miami, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 49 campgrounds and RV parks near Miami, MO and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Miami, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Miami, MO is Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Miami, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Miami, MO.
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