Best Campgrounds near Chula, MO

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Chula. Chula is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Chula. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Chula, Missouri (43)

    1. Crowder State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Trenton, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 359-6473

    "Even the vault bathroom next to our site wasn’t that nasty."

    "Nice, but small state park, has around 40 rv sites. Large newer shower house to service all 40 sites. All sites are shaded. They have around 10 sites with full hook ups."

    2. Pershing State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Laclede, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 963-2299

    "There features a wet land prairie that offers a diverse scene that you would not expect in Missouri."

    "Easy to get walk around. There are some wonderful trails nearby. Our favorite was the Boardwalk trail - 1 1/2 miles of boardwalk through forest. Just beautiful!"

    3. Fountain Grove Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Sumner, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 646-6122

    4. Shady Valley Court and RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Chillicothe, MO
    9 miles
    +1 (660) 646-7801

    5. Wallace State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Cameron, MO
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (816) 632-3745

    "Great MO state park, close to the city with easy access to 35 N. Trails, lakes, camping, great spot! If you don’t want/need electric, try campground 1, the spots are tucked into the trees."

    "Not far off of RT 36 going East through Missouri. Cost only $13 with hot showers. Nice campsite with table and fire pit. The night of our stay the ranger did a naturalist talk about stream life."

    6. Dockery Park

    3 Reviews
    Jamesport, MO
    25 miles
    Website

    "Wonderful facility on the edge of Gallatin. Stores and gas just a mile away. A duck was the only full time resident of the park. We got several visits from the local residents."

    "They aren’t sheltered or hidden from the rest of the park though which was kinda weird when the kids from the baseball field nearby were staring at us putting up the tent."

    7. A Country Charm RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Cameron, MO
    30 miles
    Website

    "Small (15 Spaces) RV park located 1/2 mile from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. Most likely the reason why people come to Hamilton. Very clean and well kept."

    8. Lantern Lights RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Trenton, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 285-2788

    $40 / night

    9. Countryside RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Jamesport, MO
    17 miles
    +1 (660) 684-6392

    10. Honey Grove Campground

    1 Review
    Jamesport, MO
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (480) 201-9626

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Had a big fire outside one of the cabins today! Great company, warm flames, and hot dogs makes for a wonderful night, but the stars and beautiful weather seriously enhanced it like none other!"

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Recent Reviews near Chula, MO

135 Reviews of 43 Chula Campgrounds


  • joel G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Grand Trace State Forest

    Much needed road trip brake

    Great spot to get some rest from a long road trip from Phoenix to Minnesota. We where the only ones there that night.

  • Kyle K.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Grand Trace State Forest

    An oasis in the midwest

    Good dispersed camping is hard to find in the midwest. This place feels like an oasis in  the middle of the desert. I only stayed one night while I was on my way back from the west coast. The location is easy to find even at night. The road is well maintained, the grass is mowed and spots are flat.  There are about 13 distinct spots, 8 tent spots, 4 small camper spots and one large parking lot area that could fit just about anything. No hook ups or anything but I wasn't expecting any from a wild camp spot. Each spot does have a fire ring. 

    This is truly a great spot if your passing through and the Missouri Conservation Dept. has done a great job!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Crowder State Park Campground

    Very Quite and clean!

    We really enjoyed our stay here. It was quiet and clean. Looks like it has many activities going on. We were only here for one night as a stop over. The stars were amazing.

  • Lady Phyre  ☆.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Pony Express Lake Conservation Area

    Pony Express is amazing!

    You can camp in one of several little inlets and nooks. It's a Fish & Game preserve with camping and fishing spots all around the lake. Many with picnic tables and most with vault toilets. It's on my top 10 list of best primitive/dispersed camping locations. Only con is the vault toilet at the inlet I camped in. It was unusable with fetus nearly to the top. I think some unscrupulous person put trash in it then other used it probably without knowing. Very bad etiquette! Be sure to bring your own camping toilet and/or check the vault toilet before setting up. I didn't see very many RVs but several vans, trucks, and cars were there. The wildlife is predominantly water fowl.

  • Noah P.
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Love's RV Hookup-Cameron MO 837

    Loves Rv Stop

    Great spot to post up for the night when traveling. Full hook up and you can't really hear the interstate

  • Wouter V.
    Jun. 7, 2025

    Bosworth City Park

    Primitive camping site

    Large field for primitive camping and simple toilet. No potable water and electricity. Fire place not available but possible in wet periods. Quite some activity at the boat ramp. In the nearby town Bosworth there is a nice shop and take away for breakfast and great sandwich/wrap/pizza.

  • Amy K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2025

    Pony Express Lake Conservation Area

    Nice spot for some fishing.

    The road in was dusty but very well maintained. There were 2 fire pits and several picnic tables in a grassy area and an outhouse. There was also a pole bar onsite, possibly for windmill maintenance.

  • Sayler O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Hamilton City Lake

    Peaceful, Shady, and Right on the Water – Great Free Spot!

    We stayed at Hamilton City Lake in early summer and really enjoyed the peaceful, low-key atmosphere. There are two known dispersed sites, and while they’re basic, they’re free and offer a great natural setting. We had plenty of room to spread out without worrying about noisy neighbors—it wasn’t crowded at all, and we were the only campers overnight.

    The site is shaded with lots of trees, which helped keep things cool, and it’s right next to the lake. We were able to fish right from our spot and caught some bluegill and a big crappie. Another visitor reeled in a bass. We also saw several turtles swimming around, which was a nice bonus.

    A few things to note: there’s only one picnic table, and the site is fairly close to Highway 36, so you can hear some road noise. Still, the tranquility of the spot overall and the lack of campground crowding more than made up for it.

    Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quiet, simple place to camp with great access to fishing.

  • K
    May. 18, 2025

    Wallace State Park Campground

    Lovely grounds and great campground host!

    We switched from site 46 to site 53 as it was far more level and fairly private since it abutted woods. Campground host was really friendly in greeting us and accommodating our request to change sites. Sparkling clean showers and lovely grounds.


Guide to Chula

Camping near Chula, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Hiking: Many campgrounds, like Crowder State Park Campground, provide great fishing spots and hiking trails. One visitor mentioned, "The park hosts are friendly and helpful. The bathrooms and showers are very very clean," making it a pleasant place to spend time outdoors.
  • Enjoying Nature: At Pershing State Park Campground, you can take in the beauty of the oak and hickory forest. A reviewer noted, "The pileated and red-headed woodpeckers are in abundance," highlighting the area's rich wildlife.
  • Exploring Local Attractions: If you're into quilting, A Country Charm RV Park is close to several quilting stores. One camper said, "Great spot to visit the quilting stores here," making it a unique stop for craft enthusiasts.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Crowder State Park Campground remarked, "Even the vault bathroom next to our site wasn’t that nasty," which speaks to the cleanliness of the facilities.
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. One reviewer at Pershing State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground hosts, Dan and his wife, have been nothing but helpful and kind."
  • Shaded Campsites: Campers enjoy shaded spots for a more comfortable experience. A review for A Country Charm RV Park noted, "Level sites. Good hook-up access," which adds to the overall comfort.

What you should know:

  • Size of Campgrounds: Some parks, like Wallace State Park Campground, are small but offer privacy. A camper shared, "Small park with some very private sites and some very exposed sites."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at A Country Charm RV Park advised, "Make reservation," to ensure you have a spot.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially raccoons. One camper at Pershing State Park Campground warned, "A raccoon ended up tearing through our trash but that was the only negative here!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Parks: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Van Meter State Park Campground has a nice playground, making it great for kids. A reviewer said, "The campground is right by a marsh and it is REALLY buggy," so bring bug spray!
  • Plan for Activities: Many parks offer trails and fishing spots. A camper at Thousand Hills State Park Campground mentioned, "There are several different trails you can hike or bike," which is perfect for family adventures.
  • Pack Essentials: Make sure to bring everything you need, as some parks may not have stores nearby. A visitor at Nine Eagles State Park Campground noted, "No store, no wood so get what you need before you get here."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Ensure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A reviewer at A Country Charm RV Park mentioned, "Very clean restrooms. Level on gravel sites."
  • Look for Quiet Spots: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. A camper at Crowder State Park Campground shared, "This worked great as an overnight stop on our way to MN," indicating it’s a good place for a peaceful night.
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some sites can be small, so check the dimensions before booking. A visitor at Thousand Hills State Park Campground noted, "The spots seemed more fitting for RVs vs tent but there were a couple of tents."

Camping near Chula, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Chula, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Chula, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 43 campgrounds and RV parks near Chula, MO and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Chula, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chula, MO is Crowder State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chula, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Chula, MO.