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Best Campgrounds near Poplar Bluff, MO

316 Reviews

Southeastern Missouri's Poplar Bluff region features diverse camping options centered around Lake Wappapello and the Mark Twain National Forest. Established campgrounds like Camelot RV Campground offer year-round access with full hookups, while Lake Wappapello State Park provides multiple camping areas including Asher Creek and Ridge Campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area in Mark Twain National Forest offers more rustic camping experiences with spacious sites and lake access. The area balances developed RV parks with primitive camping opportunities, all within proximity to rivers and lakes that define the region's outdoor recreation landscape.

Summer humidity significantly impacts camping comfort from April through September, with many campers seeking electric hookups for air conditioning. As one visitor to Asher Creek Campground noted, "From April to September, you're gonna want electric so you can run AC or at least a fan. Missouri humidity is not a joke." Most campgrounds in the area maintain good road access, though some forest service roads may require careful navigation during wet weather. Limited cell service exists in more remote areas, particularly within the national forest boundaries. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays during summer months when water recreation draws crowds to Lake Wappapello and nearby rivers.

Shaded campsites receive consistently positive reviews throughout the region. At Peoples Creek on Lake Wappapello, a camper reported, "Trees cover every site so you're in shade all day. The spaces are big with fire pits and barbeques at every site." Many campgrounds feature swimming beaches, boat ramps, and fishing access, making water recreation the primary draw. Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area offers surprising solitude even on holiday weekends, with one visitor noting, "Stopped here on 4th of July weekend and there were only 3 other campers when we arrived." Limited shopping options exist near most campgrounds, with Poplar Bluff serving as the main supply point. Campers frequently mention the need to arrive with supplies, as most rural camping areas have minimal services beyond basic campground amenities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Poplar Bluff, Missouri (87)

    1. Camelot RV Campground/RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Poplar Bluff, MO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 785-1016

    $40 - $50 / night

    "The trash bins were located up the hill from my site. Not a problem for me to access, but someone with mobility issues might find the location less than ideal. Perhaps you could drive to them."

    "Simple one the best park in all of southern Missouri."

    2. Redman Creek Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Wappapello, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 222-8233

    $10 - $50 / night

    "Paved roads for bike riding & close to the lake for swimming, kayaking, etc. Playground for the kids nearby as well."

    "Campers decorate campsites and the kids walk through. They also hold the Festival of Lights around Christmas time."

    3. Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

    8 Reviews
    Wappapello, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 297-3232

    "Worth the trip up from US 60 if you’re driving E/W, standard MSP rates and setup. There’s a campground on the lake and and a campground up on the ridge."

    "My group and I camped in two of the basic sites in Asher Creek campground and we couldn’t get enough of the front-row lake view!"

    4. Peoples Creek - Lake Wappapello

    10 Reviews
    Wappapello, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 222-8234

    $16 - $50 / night

    "Walk to the swimming beach and boat ramp. The showers are huge. But it's dark don't go out at night without a flashlight. I got lost looking for my rv, walked around and around."

    "Lower Peoples Creek is on beautiful Wappapello Lake, MO. It has nicely spaced sites and well maintained facilities. There is a public swimming beach and boat ramps located at the entrance."

    5. Ridge Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

    8 Reviews
    Wappapello, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 297-3232

    "Love this park, lakeside or ridge top. Only 4 spots without electricity, use that how you will. The lake side is dope for water views and stag gazing."

    "Fishing & boating close by. Laundry at restrooms."

    6. Pinewoods Lake Rec Area — Mark Twain National Forest

    16 Reviews
    Ellsinore, MO
    23 miles

    $15 - $25 / night

    "Stopped here while passing through Missouri on a Saturday on 4th of July weekend and there were only 3 other campers when we arrived late afternoon."

    "Just off highway, it is dispersed camping in a park that no longer charges, blacktop pad, lantern hook, picnic table, fire ring w cooking grate at ea site, vault toilets."

    7. Beaver Lake Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Ellsinore, MO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 785-1475

    8. Holliday Landing Campground & Marina

    7 Reviews
    Greenville, MO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 224-3430

    $30 - $35 / night

    "He had a bonfire waiting for us right outside our cabin!  The cabin was great!  Anything we needed was supplied.  And the birds nesting across the lake were an added bonus!"

    "The Holliday Landing is your fishing paradise, crappie & catfish everywhere on this side of the lake. "

    9. Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Patterson, MO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 856-4411

    "State Park in Southeast Missouri along Big Creek. Well maintained campsites with electric hook ups. Water and dump stations, but no water hook up sites."

    "Shower houses were conveniently located in camping area. Big River was just a small walk away from the campsite. I know they had been flooded, but I am still cleaning rocks and dirt from the camper."

    10. Markham Springs

    6 Reviews
    Williamsville, MO
    18 miles
    Website

    $10 - $34 / night

    "The sites are all right on or right near the Black River and the forest surrounding is gorgeous. A unique experience while passing through Missouri."

    "Definitely on the list of favorite spots in Missouri"

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Recent Camping Photos near Poplar Bluff, MO

75 Photos of 87 Poplar Bluff Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Poplar Bluff, MO

316 Reviews of 87 Poplar Bluff Campgrounds

  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Piedmont Park

    Beautiful Place

    This is a beautiful campground. It is an older campground but very well maintained and very clean. The view from my camp is spectacular. I have electric, water, a covered picnic table, a fire ring and all for $8/night with my pass discount. Only negative thing I can say is the long hike to the bathrooms, but not really all that bad. Wonderful campground, will stay here again

  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Mark Twain National Forest Markham Springs Campground

    Beautiful out of the way spot.

    This is a very clean, well kept campground in Mark Twain National Forest. It has electric, vault toilets showers and a potable water spigot. Very reasonably priced. The water was cut off for repairs shortly after I arrived but, no problem, stuff happens. Been here 12 days and it has been very enjoyable. I did a field report and it tested my "cell" reception but I have no signal here so I am using Starlink and have a great connection so that will skew the test results. They need to ask if using Starlink before doing that test.

  • J
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Log Yard Campground Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

    Beautiful but not free

    Stunning views. Multiple spots. All have a picnic table and fire ring. They have a QR code on each picnic table so you can book your site through the state and pay $10 to Camp but there's no service in that area so I'm not sure how they expect us to be able to do that. There's two camping sections. One is about halfway down the road. It's grass and trees and it's across from a vault toilet and a trash bin. If you go all the way to the end of the road it rocks and sand and you're right on the water but there's no toilets or trash.

    The coordinates for this place just takes you to the start of the road not to the actual campsites. So once you get to the road just drive down it. It's not too far and car could make it.

    The only annoying thing was that when I stayed with my tent on the rocks by the water, all the way at the end, I could still hear the person at the very first campsite with RV generator humming very loudly and it took away a lot of the ambiance of the place. So it's primitive but you may not be alone.

  • Trevor S.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Black River Hideaway Campground

    Clean and neat

    Camp host were very friendly, park is very clean and neat. Nice amenities through the campground; pool, small playground, basketball court and volley ball. Would most definitely stay again.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Rector City Park

    City park with RV parking

    If you’re passing through or need to be in this area, it’s a nice affordable park with full hookups.

  • Kayla M.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Ridge Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

    Great campground

    Love it here, it’s got tons of campsites to choose from. Fees are very reasonable, and 30A & 50A options available. Fishing & boating close by. Laundry at restrooms.

  • Makayla C.
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Piedmont Park

    Better than Expected!!

    Despite living in this general area my entire life I’ve never been to Clearwater Lake, the trip was better than I expected. We got an amazing spot with 10/10 views. The first day it did rain, keeping us in the car, but after that we were able to set up our site and head straight to the water! It was pretty hot tent camping but not unbearable.

Guide to Poplar Bluff

Camping near Poplar Bluff, Missouri, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds, like Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground, provide access to scenic trails. One visitor mentioned, "Easy access to the mountain overlook and trailheads," making it a great spot for hiking.
  • Water Activities: At Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway, you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and fishing. A reviewer said, "Great park lots to do—hiking, swimming, boating, kayaking, etc."
  • Floating Trips: The Huzzah Valley is known for its floating options. One camper shared, "Floating options are plentiful, with multiple routes and raft/canoe/tube options available."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. A visitor at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms were clean, roads were well maintained."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park mentioned, "Our site was right at the beginning of the loop and was very level and offered privacy."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. One camper at Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground said, "We were very impressed with the staff and the campground."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities for kids. One family at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground said, "The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. A camper at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park mentioned, "The shut-ins were right down the road or you could walk or bike the paved path all the way there."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand makes everything easier. A reviewer at Huzzah Valley noted, "The camp store is larger than most convenience stores you'd find on the highway."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground mentioned, "Camp host was nice and river was also very nice but campground was really tight."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, but not all. A visitor at Big Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway said, "The campground is beautifully manicured and has spacious sites."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Some campgrounds, like Silver Mines, do not have dump stations. A camper noted, "There is water available to fill your tank, but no showerhouse, water-hookups at site, and no dump station."

Camping near Poplar Bluff, Missouri, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find tent camping options in the Poplar Bluff area?

Marble Creek Rec Area offers excellent tent camping with spacious sites that aren't crowded together, providing good privacy. The campground is located on a winding road south of Arcadia with well-maintained sites close to the creek. Fire rings and picnic tables are provided at each site. Peoples Creek - Lake Wappapello is another great tent camping option at $20 per night, featuring large sites with ample shade from tree cover. Each site includes fire pits and barbecues, with convenient access to swimming beaches and boat ramps. The area is quite dark at night, so a flashlight is essential.

What campgrounds are available in and around Poplar Bluff, MO?

The Poplar Bluff area offers several campground options within a reasonable drive. Lake Wappapello State Park features multiple camping areas including Asher Creek Campground with standard Missouri State Park amenities. The park provides both lakeside and ridge camping options, with weeknights and off-season periods being less crowded. Markham Springs offers beautiful sites along the Black River surrounded by gorgeous forest. Other nearby options include Peoples Creek, Greenville, Sam A. Baker State Park, Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area, and Marble Creek Recreation Area. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities such as fire pits, picnic tables, and access to water recreation.

What conservation areas around Poplar Bluff offer camping opportunities?

The Mark Twain National Forest surrounding Poplar Bluff offers several conservation-focused camping areas. Pinewoods Lake Rec Area features spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings, including some double sites that can accommodate larger groups. A scenic trail circles the lake, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts. Fourche Lake Rec Area is another conservation area accessible via MO 142 east and MO V. Located down a well-maintained gravel road, it provides a serene setting with boat launch access. The area allows dispersed camping outside designated areas and off roads, perfect for those seeking a more primitive experience.

Are there RV parks with full hookups near Poplar Bluff?

Camelot RV Campground/RV Park offers full hookups for $35 per night, making it a reasonably priced option for RV travelers. This year-round facility includes convenient amenities like propane sales and an on-site store. The campground maintains clean facilities despite having some year-round residents. For state park options, Greenville - Lake Wappapello provides paved, level sites with reliable power and water hookups. The campground features easy access to a dump station, three playground areas, and historical attractions including a Civil War cemetery. Both locations offer good accessibility for RVs of various sizes.

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