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Best Campgrounds near Eldon, MO

425 Reviews

Camping areas around Eldon, Missouri center on the Lake of the Ozarks region, with several developed campgrounds offering a mix of tent and RV sites. Cross Creek RV Park provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations within Eldon city limits, while Majestic Oaks RV Park & Campground offers 80 sites with full hookups. The Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles south in Kaiser, features primitive to full-hookup sites along the lakeshore, attracting both tent campers and large RVs.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with several closing between November and April. Cross Creek RV Park typically operates from April 15 to November 1, while some facilities like Majestic Oaks remain open year-round. Summer brings higher temperatures and increased humidity, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent camping. Water levels at Lake of the Ozarks fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline access at lakeside campsites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may vary in more remote areas. One camper noted, "If you come in the winter or spring the lake will be low and your lakeside campsite will be lake view instead."

Lakefront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Campers appreciate the well-spaced sites despite how crowded they appear on reservation maps. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer that frequent camping areas, especially in the primitive sections. The region provides good access to water recreation, with several campgrounds offering boat ramps or docks. Fishing is popular, with bass, crappie, and catfish commonly caught in the lake. According to one visitor, "Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground is a wonderful place to set up camp for the weekend and is one of my all time favorites. The State Park is clean and well maintained with plenty to do for everyone." Most developed campgrounds feature modern amenities including showers, restrooms, and electric hookups, though primitive camping options are also available for those seeking a more rustic experience.

Map showing campgrounds near Eldon, MissouriExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Eldon, Missouri (159)

    1. Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground

    49 Reviews
    Kaiser, MO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 348-2694

    $13 - $50 / night

    "Lake of the Ozarks State Park campground is located in Kaiser Missouri about 5 miles down highway 134 off of highway 42. This campground is about 1.5 hour from Columbia and Springfield Missouri."

    "We stayed close to the river in the primitive area and the deer were all over.  These deer were super friendly and didn't move at all as we walked right past them. "

    2. Majestic Oaks RV Park & Campground

    6 Reviews
    Lake Ozark, MO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 365-1890

    $24 - $42 / night

    "Clean bathroom, laundry, pool, playground, dog run, hiking trails and firewood that you can actually burn. It's off the beaten path but still close to everything."

    "Nice park, hiking trails on site, spots are well maintained. Good amenities on site and very close to everything the Lake has to offer."

    3. Osage Beach RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Kaiser, MO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 348-3445

    "We stayed overnight here because our dog was sick and this was close to the animal hospital we visited. We wish would have stayed here originally (we stayed the. first night at the state park)."

    "Minutes away from great food and the water."

    4. Cross Creek RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Lake Ozark, MO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 365-1211

    $40 - $199 / night

    "Access to camping ground was little difficult. It was gravel road but it was very steep hill (very common in this area). Campground had private lake with boat rentals, mini golf pool."

    "It’s my favorite place to stay at the lake of the ozarks! I love the atmosphere and friendly staff and other campers. Stayed here with other friends and families several times."

    5. Meramec Valley Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lake Ozark, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 885-2541

    "Excellent camping conditions close to the river that we float down in a canoe each year. I'll continue to do this every year until I absolutely can't anymore!"

    6. Water's Edge Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lake Ozark, MO
    11 miles
    +1 (417) 623-5441

    7. Camp Bagnell

    2 Reviews
    Lake Ozark, MO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 365-1000

    8. Riverview RV Park

    1 Review
    Lake Ozark, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 365-1122

    9. LOTO Off Road

    1 Review
    Eldon, MO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 378-8333

    $30 / night

    "Bring your side by side or ATV and explore this vast location. I love that you can creekside camp in the warm summer months. Enjoy your experience with them and leave a review!"

    10. Military Park Fort Leonard Wood Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Kaiser, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 346-5640

    "Sites with electric and water only are in nice oak woods overlooking Lake of the Ozarks. (Our site # J has a concrete stairway with 150 steps down to the water.)"

    "Absolutely hidden gem on the lake available for military (active/retired/DAV)."

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Recent Camping Photos near Eldon, MO

90 Photos of 159 Eldon Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Eldon, MO

425 Reviews of 159 Eldon Campgrounds

  • Dakota Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Coastal Country Resorts LLC

    Wonderful sights, friendly staff, beautiful cabins

    Absolutely gorgeous place, Wonderful mordernized cabins, friendliest staff around. An absolute must on your trip if your in the area. If you time it right you might spot a sasquatch

  • J
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Froggys River Resort

    Not as nice as the other options

    This "resort" is just a basic campground.  There's no place to dump your camper's tank, which you'd expect at the prices they charge.  The owner is in some sort of a feud with the residents that live around the campground, so now one of them fires a shotgun off every half hour, and another one blasts revelry early in the morning.  Nothing scary, but I didn't like knowing that we were right next to residents...certainly wouldn't want a campground in my back yard.

    Otherwise, it's mediocre.  Depending on the time of year, the river can be quite low, so be sure to check the forecast before planning a stay.  It was only about 6 inches deep when I was there.  The Gasconade Hills campground is just down the road and was a much better experience.

  • Jonathan D.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Gasconade Hills Resort

    Bad wifi and even worse owners

    Drove 4 hours and spent 300 dollars on a cabin. We placed a small Bluetooth speaker in front of our cabin and relaxed with a drink. After playing music for 20 mins the owner storms over and screams at me to turn it down. Its 8 pm and the music isn't turned up I tell him he said it's his place and his prerogative if it's too loud. I asked him to show me where it said I can't play music. He said quiet time is 10 pm. I said it's 8. He told me not to argue with him as if im his kid or his employee or something.  He told me he was going to eject me if I continued to argue. I would never recommend this place to anyone. Save your money and go somewhere the owners respect you. Lots of places who appreciate your business to give this place any business.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Osage Beach RV Park

    Great place, friendly people and beautiful grounds

    We stayed overnight here because our dog was sick and this was close to the animal hospital we visited. We wish would have stayed here originally (we stayed the. first night at the state park). While the State Park was nice this campground offered so much more and was closer to town so we could walk to restaurants. 

    I would definitely stay here again.

  • Delanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Froggys River Resort

    Friendly CG on the gasconade - PORT O POTTYS ONLY

    NO PLUMBIN, PORT O JOHNS ONLY

    PRIMITIVE CAMPSITE 10 IS BEST FOLLOWED BY 7

    Froggys has one flaw, see first sentence.  Other than that its perfect.  The crew is so friendly and you can tell they love running the CG and caring for guests.  They had a fire pit in the middle of the river which was so cool and did a pork steak dinner one of the nights.  The sites along the river are great for primitive camping.  And the six mile float on the gasconade was lovely.  The river moves slow, so if you're used to floating 16 miles on the spring fed Jacks Fork or Current, halfing that will be plenty.  Shower house was clean and efficient.

  • J
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    Perfect for me

    The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    This is not campsite- this overnight sleep parking situation

    It was a great camping spot until. At least 10-15 cars drove in out of the area to see if available and then at around 9:30 pm pitch black someone decided to camped. It’s not very quiet at all. You will wake up from cars driving almost evreytime. There’s people that live in that area that were driving and screaming at each other driving 4x4 little cars. I hate camping in the Midwest

  • E
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Riverfront Campground and Canoe

    The cabins are nothing like website

    Terrible decision to rent a cabin , turns out not a cabin but a room and bath. Nothing at all like site. Ask for explanation and extra coats. Ask for another correct cabin , they said it was cabin? I ask for Someone to come by and explain the situation. No other cabins and no refunds… the bait and switch ! bewared awful service, photos of cabins, we stayed in a room with a bathroom that was in the garage of a cabin? Heard baby crying the 1night when down and agian said this is not the cabin we reserved and also extra charges on my credit card. I ask for someone to explain why the add was nothing at all like payed for and we requested another correct cabin or refund. nothing from anyone , no one came to room , or called me . We went to fish at Bennett spring with grandson 14 birthday. He felt and I felt uncomfortable with baby crying knew we been scammed by internet false photos and prepaid. We left early to stay in lodge just down road from riverfront. We never got refund and excuses that they fixed web page and grandson posted negative review, I said why would we give a good review? was a room not a cabin, payed the mortgage on the cabin that the campground family lived in!! This was the worst experience with renting a cabin. Not one photo online or description was correct. Then overcharged on credit card? I hope this helps someone else who’s thinking of cabin at Riverfront Campground.

  • E
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Riverfront Campground and Canoe

    Was nothing at all like advertised

    Rented a cabin on line but when get there no cabin , photos did not Mach add. Ask for refund but they I gave a bad review so no refund. When trying to find what happened, they said  they fixed photos on line but will not refund money for false advertising. Terrible stay baby crying it was awful

Guide to Eldon

Camping near Eldon, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Beautiful campgrounds. Hiking trails. Super showers & toilets. Clean. Friendly staff."
  • Fishing: Head to Bennett Spring State Park Campground for some great fishing opportunities. A visitor shared, "The Niangua River was gorgeous and so fun to swim in (clear all the way to the bottom)."
  • Water Activities: Enjoy the Missouri River at Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina. One happy camper said, "Cooper’s has spectacular sunsets, a boat ramp, dock, trails, bonfires, live music, and a very friendly atmosphere."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Knob Noster State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "The bathrooms are nice, fully functioning toilet, sink, and shower."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the helpfulness of the staff at Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground. One camper mentioned, "The camp host was helpful in providing firewood and was very attentive of the sites."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground appreciate the spaciousness. A visitor said, "The sites here are very close together, but long-term guests kept their sites nice and well organized."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Finger Lakes State Park Campground, may have fewer amenities. A camper noted, "Basic tent site, potable water was right near our site. Bathrooms were clean."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters, especially at Pittsburg Area Campground. One camper warned, "Keep food and bait inside as raccoons rule at night."
  • Ticks and Bugs: Campers should be cautious of ticks, especially in the spring and summer. A visitor at Pine Ridge Recreation Area mentioned, "Only bummer was lots of ticks and there must be a gun range nearby, which set off our dog's anxiety."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking, especially at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground. One RV traveler mentioned, "The utilities were in the middle of the pad and water pressure was decent."
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, so make reservations in advance. A camper at Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground said, "They have both showers and running water restrooms."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina noted, "When we got to the campground, the one lane gravel road was packed on both sides with cars parked for an event."

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Eldon, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Eldon, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 159 campgrounds and RV parks near Eldon, MO and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Eldon, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Eldon, MO is Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 49 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Eldon, MO.

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