Sullivan, Missouri serves as a gateway to several well-established campgrounds along the Meramec River, with options ranging from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups and cabin rentals. Meramec State Park Campground provides year-round camping with both primitive and electric sites in a forested setting, while nearby private facilities like Meramec Caverns Natural Campground and Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort offer additional amenities including cabin rentals and glamping options. The campgrounds in this region typically feature riverside access, making them popular destinations for fishing, floating, and other water activities.
Most campgrounds in the Sullivan area maintain availability throughout the year, though services may be limited during winter months. "The host on site advised water to each individual site will be turned off end of October for winter. Potable water is available near dump stations," noted one camper describing Meramec State Park's seasonal adjustments. Access to most sites is straightforward via paved roads, with many campgrounds located close to Interstate 44 for convenient travel. RV Self-Park offers a unique self-service option with automated check-in for travelers needing a quick overnight stop, while the state park and river resorts cater to those seeking longer stays with more amenities.
The campgrounds near Sullivan receive consistently positive reviews for their proximity to natural attractions, particularly caves and riverside recreation. A reviewer highlighted the diversity of activities at Meramec State Park: "Miles upon miles of trails, spacious campground, caves to explore, old time blast furnace to explore, fresh Missouri spring with exceptional fishing." Several campgrounds provide access to cave tours, which remain popular year-round but especially during summer months when water activities are also at their peak. While highway noise can be noticeable at some locations closer to I-44, the riverside campgrounds generally offer a more secluded experience with abundant shade from mature trees. Most developed sites include standard amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to shower facilities, creating comfortable base camps for exploring the region's Ozark foothills and waterways.
$14 - $65 / night
"Miles upon miles of trails. Spacious campground, caves to explore, old time blast furnace to explore, fresh Missouri spring with exceptional fishing. Then theres a general store with a restaurant"
"Growing up near here, this was the state park that my family always went to. Forty some years later, it is still my favorite park in Missouri. I enjoy camping here with my family and friends."
$14 - $47 / night
"Other than the water, Onondaga Cave SP has been one of my favorite places to camp in Missouri for more than 20 years."
"We stayed one night on our way through Missouri. It’s only about ten minutes south of I-44. The campground was only about half full, so it was nice and quiet."
$23 - $38 / night
"We had arrived a little too early in the camping season and we happened to pick days where Missouri had a cold front (previous weekend was warm)."
"Security patrols around the clock and doesn't put up with any ridiculousness. Campsites available on pavement, gravel for campers and RVs and grass for tents."
"Positives: quiet time starting at 11:00 pm, we didn’t hear cursing, loud music, or anything else that disturbs little ones once they go to sleep, close to the river, clean restroom and shower house, shaded"
"They have a family section if you prefer to be away from the louder bunch."
$20 - $39 / night
"You will hear some highway noise, but honestly, after years in trucking, it just felt like home. No restrooms or extras, but for a quick, no-hassle stop right off I-44, this place nailed it."
"We park close to the creek, we drive to the Meramec River and sometimes enjoy petting a horse or goat. Last year we zip lined. It’s close to the caverns and other awesome sites."
"It's up by the cabins/cottages and you definitely need to drive there. Get there early in the morning to set up your chairs in the river to get a good spot."
"Relaxing to walk around the park."
"Dinner was delivered with a smile after driving through a spring storm. Pool looked nice. The sites were kind of tight."
$11 - $16 / night
"This go around we pulled our popup down and chose a site with out hookups. (545) only negative things to say about the site was that it was very densely populated with trees."
"My campsite, located in the far southwest corner, was one of a few with a fire pit, small paved picnic shelter, and picnic table."
GuideAs the pictures on the Dyrt show, it’s a large area of white gravel. It’s clean, has very wide spaces for rv’s which are very level and has water and electricity. The Dyrt definitely doesn’t have the location correct, it’s about 4-5 miles north of 70 and your drive through some narrow winding roads to get here. Overall quiet though I heard some loud truck at night.
Scout⭐ 0 stars if I could. TRAVELERS& TOURISTS, BEWARE– AVOID THIS ESTABLISHMENT. The lack of communication and respect is unacceptable. Before booking, read the reviews on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor—you’ll see we are not the first to experience this. Three weeks ago, my son-in-law called and spoke directly with Michele Broxton, the owner, regarding full-time opportunities while moving from California to Missouri. She was friendly and helpful, guaranteed him a spot when ready at a monthly rate of$595 or three months in advance at a discounted rate of$1,500, and then completely ghosted him. For the next two weeks, he tried calling, texting, and emailing repeatedly to confirm the deposit for placement. Meanwhile, trusting her guarantee and the availability of openings, he secured employment starting in March and arranged RV transport, paying over$2,500 for delivery to Ozark Farms on February 24, 2026. Being from Missouri and familiar with the area, I got involved because I know it’s a great state to raise a family—but based on Ozark Farms’ website, this experience was anything but welcoming. I called to check if there had been a communication error and found two additional numbers still routing to Michele Broxton. I called, texted, and emailed every single one, hoping someone would respond—no one ever did. Finally, after numerous attempts, someone answered at 5:30 PM California time/ 7:30 PM Missouri time. I believe it was Michele Broxton. When I asked if this was Ozark Farms, the response was,“How can I help you?” I explained the urgency and asked if I was speaking with Michele Broxton—she refused to answer and stated she needed to speak only with the person signing the agreement. When I requested to merge the call with my son-in-law, she refused. Throughout the call, she acknowledged the urgency in a somewhat caring tone—but gave no apologies, no explanation, and would not confirm her identity. She stated she would review communications to“ensure nothing was lost in translation.” It doesn’t matter who I spoke with—this person is a representative of Ozark Farms and the face of the company to customers. Despite being polite and professional, the lack of respect and transparency was shocking. Only after persistent follow-ups did she finally contact my son-in-law—and not by phone or text, but via an email at 9:30 PM PST/ 11:30 PM Missouri time, declining his reservation four hours after our call. We will never recommend or patronize Ozark Farms. They advertise as a“caring, family-run business,” but offer zero communication or transparency. Relocating to a new state is a huge financial and personal commitment. Prospective tenants deserve honest communication, clarity, and follow-through—things Ozark Farms failed to provide.
GuidePlenty of space between spots. Not a lot of flat spots, though. Off-season pit toilet was available. Campground has shower house in-season. Nice and quiet. There was no host but a ranger came around.
LegendVery well maintained. Everything looks new, works well, is clean and organized. Nicest thing is the park is quiet. No road noise which is wonderful. Winter stop for me so I have only seen the shower house from the outside but I would expect it to also be well maintained.
GuideStayed for a night and I think there were only like 4 campsites filled in the whole campground? Pit toilets in pretty bad shape but did we expect any different😂 loved our visit, went down to the lake to swim and found a walking trail by the water just down from our campsite. Bugs were bad but that’s to be expected, can’t really get away from it in Missouri in June.
TravelerHad a wonderful weekend camping trip in the basic loop. Grass well-trimmed, campground pretty clean and full of families. Definitely a lot of kid noise, but I much prefer that to adults drinking into the night. Staff always cheerful and eager to provide a good experience; they do ride around every so often to check in on things. Camp host on site. Some sites certainly better than others; the biggest ones are near the entrance to the basic loop.
Bathrooms older and not spotless, but they stay on top of stocking them. Very well lit at night. Check-in station has patches, t-shirts, and firewood for sale in big bundles for $5. They do cover them when it rains.
There is definitely a friendly community atmosphere, but you can keep to yourself if that's your preference.
There is a nice 3-mile hike that begins at the campground.
ScoutIt's a nice lil place to camp but the camp sites r not that big
TravelerPeacefull night of sleep near Shepherd Mountain.
RangerIt's a free place to park and stand the night. The campground does not have any water, grey dump, or garbage. So it is primitive camping.
There are lots of insects that will attack you on your walk, too...
Camping spots near Sullivan, Missouri offer convenient river access with varying privacy levels depending on site selection. Sullivan sits within the Ozark highlands at around 950 feet elevation, featuring deciduous forest, limestone bluffs, and spring-fed waters that maintain 54-58°F temperatures year-round. RV sites in the area typically range from $30-50 per night, while tent sites can be found for $15-25 depending on amenities and season.
Cave exploration: 1-2 hour guided tours. Onondaga Cave State Park Campground offers one of the most impressive cave systems in Missouri. "The Onondaga Cave is a bit pricey to see but it's well worth it, one of the larger caves you can do a walking tour with well maintained and careful paths, lighting etc. Takes about 1.5hrs, our guide was very knowledgeable and humorous," notes one visitor. The cave maintains a constant temperature around 57°F, making it a perfect summer refuge.
Float trips: 4-10 mile options available. Bass' River Resort provides multiple float trip options with shuttle service. "We tent camped and floated the 6 mile float. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Showers needed quarters to operate. Nice restaurant for breakfast and a great store," reports one camper. Most outfitters charge $30-45 per person for full-day trips including equipment and transportation.
Zip lining: 1-2 hour adventures. Blue Spring Ranch features a zip line across the Meramec River as part of their recreation options. "There are many activities to choose from. We even scheduled a float trip. The general store has most everything you need, it's quiet, family friendly and well maintained," according to a recent visitor. Some campgrounds require advance reservations for zip line adventures, especially during summer months.
River access for swimming: Clear, cool water. Campers appreciate the natural swimming areas at camping spots near Sullivan. "Good swimming! Clear water. Camp store. Firewood available," mentions a visitor at Meramec Caverns Natural Campground. The Meramec River maintains a moderate flow rate throughout summer, with several designated swimming areas featuring gradual entry points and gravel bars.
Shaded campsites: Mature tree canopy. The natural forest setting provides welcome relief during hot Missouri summers. "The State Park has a great canopy of trees located next to a stream as a setting for the campground that bounds with wildlife. We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," shares a visitor to Meramec State Park Campground. Most campgrounds maintain their natural tree cover rather than clearing sites completely.
Weekend activities: Themed events. Several campgrounds organize special weekend events throughout the camping season. "We average 3-4 trips a year here! We love it and the 5 mile float is the perfect amount of time on the river! They have fun themed weekends! 4th of July and Halloween are our favorites," writes a regular at Blue Spring Ranch. These events typically include activities like campsite decorating contests, group games, and evening entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sullivan, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sullivan, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Sullivan, MO and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sullivan, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sullivan, MO is Meramec State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 57 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sullivan, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Sullivan, MO.
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