If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Nixa, look no further. Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Nixa, including sites, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Missouri camping adventure.
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round nonmotorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 20 miles of moderately used riding, hiking, and mountain bike trails available. Swan Creek itself offers swimming, fishing, and a non-potable water supply. For more detail of the trail visit Map of the Trail System. Trail System Map (printable) and Trail System Map GEO Referenced for use with Map Apps
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area is in southern Taney County, southeast of Branson, off of Route J. The area, located in the heart of the White River glade region, was the Conservation Department's first deer refuge. The area is named for early landowner Frank Drury and the settlement of Mincy. The Commission leased the land in 1939, then purchased it in 1987. At present, the area is comprised of 5,599 acres which includes a portion of Bull Shoals Lake managed lands. By the turn of the century, deer numbers had dwindled to the point that Missouri could claim only 14 herds. One of these lived in the Drury-Mincy area. The area was purchased by a private landowner in 1929, who worked with the Department to increase deer numbers. From 1939 through 1959, Drury-Mincy deer were successfully used to restore populations statewide. The Drury-Mincy area, one of three areas that supported flocks of native wild turkeys, provided 300 turkeys for statewide restoration projects during the 1960s. Bluestem glades and post oak woodlands dominated the rolling hills. Mincy, Fox, and Bee creeks meander through stands of wild cane on their way to Bull Shoals Lake. Purple beardtongue, fringetree, and Ashe juniper are among the unusual plants found on the area.
Primitive camping is permitted in designated camping area only. Campers are limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. Groups of more than 10 campers are required to obtain a special use permit.
$25 - $45 / night
Quite wooded campsites.
Tent cabins and tent camping only.
Canoe trips available from several local outfitters.
Close to historic Eureka Springs.
$35 - $55 / night
Masters is a shady campground located on Stockton Lake in the scenic Ozark Mountains of southwestern Missouri. The lake and surrounding landscape offer countless recreational opportunities along its nearly 300 miles of shoreline, providing visitors with many ways to explore one of the most sought-after natural areas in the state. Natural Features: The land surrounding the lake contains hundreds of acres of native prairie grasses, rolling hills and thick forests that turn crimson in autumn. An abundance of wildlife lives both in and around the water, including wild turkey, great blue heron, deer and bald eagles. Visitors can learn about the lakes bald eagles by attending an annual eagle-watching event during the winter. Recreation: Boating is always a popular pastime at the lake. Sail boating is especially popular and the lake hosts several races each year. Masters Campground provides a boat ramp for easy access to the water. The waters of Stockton Lake are home to several species of fish including small and largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, walleye, catfish and sunfish, making it an ideal area for anglers. Several trails wind around the lake shore and through the landscape. The Stockton Lake Equestrian Trail continues approximately 15 miles between Hawker Point and Orleans Trail Campgrounds. Facilities: Masters Park offers 66 campsites, each with a lantern hanging post, picnic table and campfire ring. Nearby Attractions: There are three full-service marinas located around the lake, which offer a wide range of services and supplies, including boat rentals, fuel, fishing tackle and restaurants.
Scout
Beautiful views from many of the sites. I noticed several of the tent sites do not have level areas for your tent. T01 site does not have close parking unless you are able to park in the handcap parking. It is a quite park in the evening. Camp host is polite and shower house is kept clean. Vault toilet by the boat ramp is sketchy (where tent camping is located). Will stay here again.
Guide
This is one of the largest KOAs I've stayed at and the kampground itself is very nice. The staff were great ands check in was super quick. Also, there's a rugged little trail that goes behind the kampground. It was a great little walk for the dog and I to stretch our legs after our long drive.
The tent sites are all located at the back of the kampground around a circular pavillion. Each tent site has its own water facet, electricity, and fair internet which are somewhat redeeming for the negatives below. It's nice to have a covered picnic table and the lattice provides some privacy from the picnic tables of the other campers. Other than the traffic is very quiet in by 7:30 or so. Everyone seems respectful of each other.
The tent sites are disappointing to me. They're small, close together, and nearer to the highway than makes for a good night's sleep in a tent. That makes them kind of pricey for what you get.
I'm tent camping because I want to be distanced from other people. I put mine up as far to the side as I can go, but I'm still literally only 10 feet from the next tent. Other users mentioned grass on the sites. I haven't seen any grass around and site 5 has only stones on the tent pad. This site also has probably the worst view. It faces out toward one of the kampground roads and is in full view of the street light. The back sites seem darker.
I'd highly recommend this KOA if you're visiting Branson in a trailer or RV. The kabins also look really cute (and there are lots of them!). If I visited here again in a tent, I'd pick one of the two sites that face the woods.
Legend
After reading from some this was not equipped for tent campers I would have to beg to differ. The campground is great for those camping in a tent!!
I spoke to someone before checking it out and they were more than welcoming but did mention that the grassy spaces were a bit limited. They did however openly welcome tents!!
The ground without grass does pose a bit more of a challenge should you get one of those spaces but with proper padding it is a great location to visit. The water front is great and they do have a dock to access the water for fishing and an area for launching kayaks which is very nice.
Traveler
Tent area is undeveloped, but the lawn is fairly level, bathrooms and showers are only a short walk away. Nicole showed me to the site and was a wonderful help. Great spot that most people might pass up because its right next to the highway, but honestly you can barely tell aside from the hum of trucks. Bathrooms are beautiful and clean, 2 toilets, 2 showers and a sauna in each. The place is quiet and seems like a lot of people here are long term residents. We are in a tent on the back lawn by a small fishing lake. Nice playground for younger kids and you cant beat the atmosphere and the birds. Free on-site laundry which I took advantage of when I needed to wash and dry my blanket on a cold night. Unfourtunately no campfire for tent camp sites, but bring a camp stove and you'll be fine. They are actively doing renovations and the office isnt open yet, so you have to call the park manager, Kim, for info and she is wonderful. All the staff is. Kim came by and took my son and 2 other kids on a golf cart ride on the trail behind the lake and they had a blast. We are loving it here and are sad to be leaving after the weekend. Update: I have just been informed they have a Willie Nelson impersonator doing a show here tonight, this place would get 6 stars if I could.
Traveler
Went tent camping with the family (6 of us ages 1-33) during the offseason. Just a beautiful place. Kids had a blast.
Scout
We stopped in at Baxter Campground for a few days on our way to Rogers. We were at site 18, right on the water. We camp in a tent, so the tent pad was really appreciated, just a little too close to the fire ring. There were plenty of trees with shade, we had plenty of room for a hammock to enjoy the breeze and lake view.
My only complaint is the shower /washrooms were HOT! There were fans there, but wow you take a shower and then sweat as you are getting dressed. Lol
Would stay again
Scout
The groundskeeper was pleasant. The bathrooms very clean and super cute! So many places to tent camp and the view is amazing! I loved all the art work around as well.
Traveler
Perfectly nice place, very friendly staff, and really not much to complain about. The wifi signal was very weak in the tent sites, but useable. There is a train that goes by occasionally, but didnt bother me. Nice little fenced dog runs, was a cute touch. But at the end of the day it is basically like all KOA’s an RV parking lot with trees. Close to Springfield which is nice, and there arent a lot of great options around this area so it was fine for a one night stay over. Bonus points for being able to get a pizza delivered to my tent site.
Ranger
Went here for a Jeep Jamboree and had a great time. There are several areas to tent camp and have great amenities as well. Toilets, showers, food, etc. The hosts are very hospitable and treat you great!
TravelerI went with my family to go tent camping here. Nice tent spots that are flat. Ground is somewhat hard to get spikes into and depending on the season, expect rain! The woods behind are non threatening, you don’t really have to worry about animals. Fire pits are great too.
Scout
Wonderful out of the way hidden gem! Owner is friendly and place is so very well kept! This was a last minute stay for us as our original campsite flooded. What a blessing in disguise! Ponds for fishing and swimming. On site kayaks. RV camping. Tent camping and monthly music festivals!
Guide
Camping was closed due to Covid, but we strolled thru the campgrounds. The tent camping area was spacious and close to the water. The handful of RV sites were very close together and up the hill from the water, without much view.
The lake is nice and quiet, allowing kayak, canoe, and SUP.
Traveler
Place was fine and well kept. Convenient store and pool and playground were nice. Went on a holiday weekend so I expected it to be crowded. Didnt expect such small tent sites so close together. If it isn't crowded not a big deal.
Guide
While this is mostly an RV campground there are some tent campsites that are out of the way and usually free. It is an off-roading park so be aware of the noise.
Traveler
We loved this campground. My parents brought their camper and we tent camped. The park was beautiful, the facilities were very clean, and the people were friendly! It was nice and quiet, close to the lake, and our children loved the pool! Just a short drive to Branson or to do some mountain biking in the state park! We will be back!
Guide
6 of us went down for a 3 night tent camping long weekend. Weather was for casted to be rainy all weekend, luckily it help off except for at night for 2 nights. Campground was great! Unfortunately due to recent flooding the swimming area wasn't as great as normal but still nice. Bathrooms and showers are decent and close to campsites. Lots of tent and rv camping spots. Campground is located right by a marina.
TravelerWe went in the off season and got a creek March snowstorm our group sampled a little of everything they had to offer. Some tent camping, some staying in the cabins and some in the new bike cabins. They were working on renovating the cabins and adding new tent pads when we were there. Overall was a good place showers were ok but showing their age. Direct access to trails and lake very nice. Had nice group bonfire. Good times overall.
TravelerWe had a electric site with a pop up. We arrived and realized it's mostly set up for tent camping. The employees weren't exactly the most welcoming, or informative. It's a neat area though, playground, pretty lake and trails. When we went it looked like they were making some major improvements on the sites, which is great. If you're in a tent or in the bike cabins, go for it. It's totally for you guys. For an rv? I wouldn't do it again. Showers and restrooms weren't awful.
Traveler
The campground is split by highway 86 with the east side being all paved sites for RVs. It also has the marina. The west side is more wooded and has several sites for tent camping. The sites down by the beach and boat launch are non electric. As mentioned in the other review, the traffic noise is noticeable as is the boat launch traffic, but if you can ignore that this is a great place to relax and enjoy the water.
RangerBusy little older park on a lovely lake near Eureka Springs, AR. Great birdwatching opportunities, nice hiking trails. Mostly tent camping, some with electric. Sites lower and closer to the lake subject to flooding and can get quite boggy after a lot of rain. Reservations must be made via Reserve America, and you'll need to look at the map to get the site number since only a few sites have identifiers. Drive into the park is very beautiful, hilly and curvy!
RangerI’ve camped here 2x for Jeepstock in September. Brandon, the owners closes the park for the event but it’s still maxes the facilities capacity. The tent camping is questionable, but lots of great electric sites. Generator camping is far away from everyone else so that’s nice.
There’s limited bathrooms and showers but I think that’s going to change soon with additions to the grounds. Nice new cabins are being added yearly. If you ha e a chance to visit SMORR, I would recommend it!
GuideI didn’t get to stay here, camping was closed due to COVID. However, we did get to see the campgrounds. Tent sites were nice and relatively spacious and close to the water. The hand full of RV sites were underwhelming and close together, and not near the water.
The lake is pretty and quiet, just canoes, kayaks and SUPs allowed.
Also bring your mtn bike, as the downhill park is just outside the park.
ScoutWe tent camped in Campground 3 at lot 168. We are more of the hiker, woodsy, adventure type people. If I would have known better I would have chosen Campground 1 for tent camping, as it seemed less groomed. Campground 1 was tucked up in an inlet that went back into the valley. It dead ends at a wonderful trailhead. The west side on CG#1 is lined by a beautiful creek that runs into the rotating river. Lots 54-77 are close to the bathrooms and well shaded, and I have them noted in my phone for our next trip. Reservations required and easy to make (1-877-422-6766)
Campground 3 was very open and didn’t feel very “woodsy”. However it was still a very nice spot with a short walk to some awesome fishing spots. It is also near the two longer trail heads, which we enjoyed. If you have ATT you won’t have any cell service here. BUT.. there’s WiFi. Yes. In 2021, you can get WiFi at your campsite. I don’t really like this, but it was helpful for my partner who is a businessman and needs to be able to send emails. (This was only from CG#3 in my experience)
Campground 2 seemed like a nice in between of 1 and 3. It was a little more shaded, but seemed to have more traffic.
Every campground offered basic, electric, or all the fancy stuff. We like to rough it, so that wasn’t for us. We will be back for sure!
Guide
I've went to Mutton Creek Marina to Times now to tent camp with friends and family. Our first group had five people and the second time we had four.. they're camping spots were right off the water so we could night fish or day fish, the kids could play in the lake all while hanging out at our campsite. The sites were shaded and whenever we were tired of eating camping food we could eat at the floating restaurant. The people at the marina were especially nice and informative. I love taking my family here and because of the cheap price, accessibility and closeness to other beaches we love such as Bona on Stockton Lake. We will be back and we highly recommend this place to others close to us. We don't want to tell everybody about it so it's not too commercialized ;)
GuideWe loved staying at Campbell Point campground. The whole place was very well maintained and clean. The camp host was very friendly and relaxed but clearly cared a lot about keeping the grounds free of trash and the bathrooms well stocked and clean. Our large family tent camped on site 51. There was a slight slope to pretty much all of the sites but it wasn't a big deal.
There was a nice playground and beach, swim area that the kids loved to visit though it was too cool to swim. The marina store was very nice and well stocked, though pricey.
The vibe was a lot of older folks and families so it was very relaxed and pretty quiet overall. Though the actual sites were fairly close together the tree coverage helped make it feel a little bit more private.
We are already planning our return trip.
LegendThe campground was closed to tent camping but open for RV’s when I was there(Covid-19 precautions), but I was able to check out the tent area. It’s down by the lake, with some sites at the back of a large meadow with a tree line(a few good hammock trees!) and some sites right next to the lake. I suspect that a lot of these sites next to the lake will flood as they are almost flush with the lake level. Some sites looked brand new with great tables, fire pits, and tent pads. Other sites were definitely older and a little worse for the wear. There is a great trail system in this park, so be sure to take a hike or three. Up in the RV area is a nice playground for the kids(when it is accessible again, after Covid passes), and down by the lake is a big boat launch with fun paddle boats and kayaks for rent(the rental cottage is right there at the boat house, very convenient).
Guide
I have been floating on the James River many times. Always a great experience on the river.
Campsite PROS- Very large grassy sites for tent camping with RV sites also available. On site general store for various floating items, alcohol, food etc
Campsite CONS- VERY STRICT camping rules when camping with minors... We were all well over the age of 21 ( 30 years old +) with the exception of my brother who was 20 at the time. He was DENIED an overnight site due to his age and the alcohol sold on the premises. Even with my father present . Also their shower/ bath room is poorly maintained and always dirty. They have one bath and toilet for men and one for women for the entire campground, which has well over 40 sites. They are unorganized when it comes to drop offs and pick ups and could use more staff to help get on and off the river for floating.
Nixa, Missouri, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nixa, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nixa, MO is Swan Creek with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Nixa, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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