joe E.
Scout
ScoutMaramec Spring Park
Camping and trout fishing
Found the bathrooms are clean. The staff is super nice. All the campgrounds are gravel makes it hard to level the camper. But love the wooded area around the campgrounds.
Camping near Sullivan, MO
118 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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.
Best Campgrounds near Sullivan (118)
1. Meramec State Park Campground
"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."
from $15 - $65 / night
Check Availability2. Onondaga Cave State Park Campground
"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."
from $15 - $57 / night
Check Availability3. Meramec Caverns Natural Campground
"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."
from $23 - $38 / night
Check Availability4. Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort
"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."
5. RV Self-Park
"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."
from $20 - $39 / night
Check Availability6. Blue Spring Ranch
"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."
7. Stanton-Meramec KOA
"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."
8. Bass' River Resort
"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."
from $11 - $16 / night
Check Availability9. Meramec Caverns Natural Campground
"My campsite, located in the far southwest corner, was one of a few with a fire pit, small paved picnic shelter, and picnic table."
10. Arapaho Campground, Canoe, Raft Rental
Drive Time
- 56 min from St. Louis, MO
- 1 hr 26 min from Jefferson City, MO
- 1 hr 53 min from Columbia, MO
- 2 hrs 2 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
Recent Camping Photos near Sullivan, MO
191 Photos of 118 Sullivan Campgrounds
Shae E.
Meramec State Park Campground
Kelly M.
Meramec Caverns Natural Campground
Leslie G.
Blue Spring Ranch
Susan D.
Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors Farm Sanctuary
Gwenn W.
Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort
Kelsie L.
Onondaga Cave State Park Campground
John S.
Bass' River Resort
Allie A.
Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground
Allie A.
Huzzah Valley Resort
Hannah W.
Berryman Trail & Campgrounds - Mark Twain National Forest
Tim K.
Pin Oak RV Park
Robert M.
Indian Springs Resort and Campground
Recent Reviews near Sullivan, MO
728 Reviews of 118 Sullivan Campgrounds
- LLesley W.
TravelerHaven Hollow RV Park
Very nice campground
Staying here for five or six months while working very nice place quiet lots of wildlife pond to fish in, but it is catching release good Wi-Fi and has a creek and walking trails
Jamal S.Scoutlittle lost creek
Quiet Spot
Stopped here for a few hour nap, mostly empty and quiet off the interstate. Missouri Conservation land
Jerry V.ScoutMeramec State Park Campground
Many memories and making more
In the past my cousins and I would camp here every year at least once with Grandparents and my aunt and uncle. Always had a great time swimming, fishing and hiking. The park is beautiful and the camp sites are very nice. It does get pretty packed at times. Everyone seems to get along and its always nice to meet people from other cities or even some locals. I'm planning on setting at least two dates per year to take my kids and grandkids camping here so they can have the great experiences I had as a kid. Alot of spots to chose from if available.
- Kathy G.Scout
Courtois Creek Dispersed
F350 with slide in camper
We got our F350 with a slide in camper down to the creek. About a mile off the main road but it was super tight. Would recommend having a saw in case tree is down: def scraped some branches but it was nice at the end with the creek there. Very peaceful
Kalo O.TravelerKlondike Park
Outdoor Family Fun
My family and I really enjoyed being at Klondike Park Camping. I can't really find anything I didn't like about this place. The camp sites were clean and well maintained, there are bathrooms not to far to get to and a camp kitchen where you can do dishes and cook if needed. I love the off grid feeling of being in the outdoors but when you have children it is nice knowing you have these luxurious not far from your camp site. I also love how easy it is to navigate around Klondike. I never got lost once I figured out the layout. My family and I can't wait until our next adventure at Klondike and we stayed at site 25 if anyone is wondering about the perfect site to camp.
Kindra W.
GuideRV Self-Park
Safe, clean, efficient
No frills, high tech self park facilty w paved lots and full hookups-ups.
Pros: 1. Door Dash delivers to site 2. Can purchase 12 hours for a quick stop or full 24 hous no matter time you arrive. Cons: its a bit pricey. It was listed as 30 for 24 its 50 for 24
Andrew S.GuideDr. Edmond Babler State Park
Great location, no privacy.
The location to St. Louis is great, and the utility hookups for RV were convenient, but there was ZERO privacy at the sites and hiking trail were extremely limited. Great coverage for Verizon and Starlink.
- SSarah S.Traveler
Danville Conservation Area
Stayed in wrong place
We went all the way to the end of the gravel road and found a wide open gravel area. Maybe like a parking lot? Surrounded by a field and with the conservation signs. We slept there. No one else was there. But it didn’t look like these pictures, no trees. Not sure where we were supposed to go. We got there late, cross country drive along I-70
Guide to Sullivan
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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?
What camping is available near Sullivan, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sullivan, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 campgrounds and RV parks near Sullivan, MO and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sullivan, MO?
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 60 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sullivan, MO?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sullivan, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Sullivan, MO.
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