Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Nelson? Finding a place to stay in Missouri while traveling with your horse has never been easier. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect equestrian sites that are scenic and easy to access.
$11 - $23 / night
The roar of ATVs and off-road motorcycles combines with the peacefulness of rolling hills at Finger Lakes State Park, one of two ATV parks in the state parks system. Built in a former coal mining area, Finger Lakes’ trails and motocross track are popular with users who come for the day, but often fall under the spell of the spacious campground, leafy trees and hilly terrain. The park is also the site of the challenging 2.75-mile Kelley Branch Mountain Bike Trail and a 4.5-mile water trail.
Finger Lakes State Park offers basic and 30-amp and 50-amp electric campsites.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
$10 - $25 / night
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
Guide
Heavily forested with a lake. Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses. Camping at lake is open gravel or grass. Nice fishing lake with docks, boat ramp and vault toilet and the only one provided. Parked lakeside. Quite night with one fishing boat late morning. Get a brochure with park map at entrance as roads pass through park and private property.
Guide
Basic tent site, potable water was right near our site. Bathrooms were clean. There were some families staying nearby but overall was a quiet stay.
Scout
Nice place, but just didn't care for how much the cops drove threw nonstop, we are camping to get away from people and doesn't make me feel at peace wondering why so many cops always drive thru.
Ranger
Nice little camp ground. Lots of open space for the dog to play. 2 nice ponds. Sites are nice & level good space. There is some traffic noise, being next to the interstate. We were able to mask it.
GuideI've passed through Missouri numerous times, and their parks are always top notch. Clean and well maintained. As with most "green" places in the spring and summer, the ticks are outrageous. This time was no exception, use spray to keep the buggers off!
This one was easy in/out, plenty of room between campsites. Most sites looked level, but some are a bit wacky. We had a wacky one, and the host was nice, and quick to reposition us to a better spot.
Guide
Campground is on a short gravel road and sites are gravel. Sites are pretty level and WiFi is good. Contactless checkin is a bit confusing from map provided. There are a lot of long term users. Bathhouses are pretty new and adequate but a pretty long walk from the transit sites. I don’t think the baths are cleaned daily.
GuideWe pulled in at the end of a long day, hoping only for a place to sleep, and were happily able to secure a quiet spot for the night. The camp host was helpful and friendly. The bathrooms and showers were clean. We camped in a van. Other campsites contained small RVs and tents. Probably not a good location for larger RVs. This looks to be a good place for families to fish, ride mountain bikes, and enjoy the ATV trails.
ScoutWe are homeless and we got a campsite for two week here and I got a special needs child. And my boy were up at the water and all I did was call then over to me and I get 3 cops at my site. When cross from me the people at that site start there car off and on all night and dog parks from 6 am to 8 am. But I get told if I am loud I get kick out. Thank you for the welcoming feel
ScoutSimple trails, good online same day reservation system, sites list grade so you can find an even surface for your vehicle.
TravelerClean well maintained with large open areas. Hosts are helpful and friendly. It's noisy, but when you are close to a major highway that's how it is. The Bathrooms were large and clean. ATT phone worked without problems.
LegendThis was a good stopover site on our journey. The campground reps were kind and great to work with. The registration online was seamless. We submitted an inquiry online, they replied within a day with the invoice to confirm our site and sent us confirmation details via email. Checkin was simple. The lots felt a bit tight but no big deal since it was just a stopover. It appeared there may be permanent residents who stay so if you’re looking for that, it might be an option based on the setups and work trucks parked at a few. Everyone was friendly, quiet and seemed to keep to themselves. Nice pond onsite that you can fish. We didn’t explore the grounds much but apparently we could’ve walked and seen the horses by the resort. The only thing I didn’t love was the gravel road all the way in. Our truck and camper was covered with gravel dust. So if you had anything exposed, it’ll get a bit dusty. But again overall a nice stopover and the employees were great to work with.
RangerGreat trail network and very nice stock mo state park campground. There are 3 separate trail systems that do not connect, so take a minute with the map.
ScoutQuiet peaceful place for our overnight stop, would like to have extended stay to enjoy all the amenities. Friendly staff, very clean facilities, wonderful natural location.
LegendThis is a Good Sam campground.
Good for an overnight stay. Came in late, called number & lady gave us instructions to find site. Beautiful campground.
TravelerThe bathrooms are nice, fully functioning toilet, sink, and shower. The sites have nice trees for shade and are nicely spaced for hammocking. We went during the end of the usual camping season and had no problem getting a spot and didn't have anyone beside us. It was nice to hear the aircrafts from the base and next time we will bring our kids so they can experience it too. We will be returning since it was such a nice place with everything we needed.
LegendClean restrooms & shower stalls. RVs are packed in with little privacy in between. Camp host was friendly & helpful.
TravelerPeaceful campsites. They have added the sites in 300’s and 500’s this year. The 100’s and 200’s have been established for 3 years or so. Staff is excellent and do everything to help make sure you’re stay is enjoyable. Our site is a newer one so it’s got some final touches to be done but when I mentioned it they came right out to help. Super friendly! I will update this as we venture out to see the see entire resort soon.
TravelerVery nice, some noise from the near by Air Force Base, but you do get to see B2 Spirit bombers fly i up p close
TravelerClean sites, good bath houses and restrooms, easy hiking trails for kids.
TravelerThe camp grounds in our are were well maintained. Even on the trail where a tree fell on it was cleared off the trail.
TravelerReally pretty place. Campground wasn’t too crowded. Parking spots at each site. Bathhouse was very clean. Would come back.
ScoutThe distance from the hiway is a big plus! This is a beautiful State Park. Serene, in April. The birds and frogs are amazing!!!! Site is paved, needed just slight levelling. We will return, love it!
RangerWe camped the last weekend in September picking a late reservation where kayaks were available for our first tent test run were our main goals, which the site met. Kayaking was wildly available, due to the small lake and difficult launch, we can see why, but still very enjoyable. Site was very sizable for our tent, as most are suitable for campers. Lots of even ground, with decent distance. Facilities could do with some updates, but there were a number of bathrooms on site, spaced so no site seemed far, including the vault toilet and a lot of people masking up while going into bathrooms as well, which was appreciated. Current host was super nice and helpful to first timers. The tiny market has a number of random items, including a collapsible fork which was the only thing we hadn't overpacked, and wasn't overpriced. Fire pits on our site were adjustable, making grilling food easier to control.
GuideEntrance to the park is not far off the road, but its 2 miles into the campground as you pass the swimming hole and rentals. We stayed 2 nights on a basic (no hook-ups) unlevel site with our 40' ft diesel. Now I say unlevel, if you dont have leveling Jack's and some boards you might be tipsy. We were able to get level, but to be fair for this review who may not have jacks, come prepared. We had 3 sites all were very unlevel. Our sites were private, primitive, and beautiful. We enjoyed our stay. The camp host was friendly and even delivered wood. Unfortunately the wood was went. Not his fault. If you have any atv, dirt bikes, this is the place to come. Trails all over. We were not bothered by anyone or the sounds, of course you could hear them but at dusk everyone had to be off the trails. Would return to this state park, maybe next time with an ATV.
LegendDue to a family issue we needed to make the drive home (about 1,100 miles) in a few days. Hit the road and decided we’d had enough for the day. Called to confirm a site was available for one night. Drove down a dirt road to arrive to a fairly unlevel gravel pad. Sites are crowded with a shared water hookup. Wanted to pitch our trash in the morning, but no can, dumpster, bin, etc. was available. Just expected a lot more for $50/night!
RangerWell what can I say. I had high hopes for this one. Only offers basic and electric sites in small camping are. One shower house that was ok. Very loud and not a family place to camp. Great dirt bike trails and sever lakes. You can kayak and fish. I wouldn’t recommend swimming even at the designated beach. Had one lake with kayak/canoe rentals. Could be fun for day use. Would be great for riding! All in all not a place I would camp.
TravelerThe campground was average, as were the amenities- but the activities offered were enjoyable (kayak rentals, walking trails- these were shared with dirt bikes, horses, etc.) The lake water was fine for kayaking but we definitely did not want to swim in it. The Park Ranger was unfriendly, and we read reviews of similar experiences written in the campground office guestbook when renting the kayaks.
Not likely to return.
Horse camping in Missouri offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrians. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, the state has plenty to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Nelson, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nelson, MO is Knob Noster State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Nelson, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Nelson, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
