124 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options in the Owensville area of Missouri include both established resorts and public access points along the region's rivers and lakes. Lost Valley Lake Resort, located in Owensville proper, offers full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations. The surrounding region features additional developed campgrounds like Meramec State Park, Onondaga Cave State Park, and RV Self-Park in Sullivan, providing a range of amenities from basic to full-service facilities with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities.
Road conditions throughout the area generally allow standard vehicle access to most established campgrounds, though some conservation areas may require higher clearance vehicles. The region experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters that can affect camping comfort. Most developed campgrounds operate year-round, but primitive sites may be more weather-dependent. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. Free camping can be found at some conservation areas like Helds Island Access, but these locations offer minimal amenities. "Clean, no fire pits, full service. Just what I needed. Sites are side by side with no privacy," noted one visitor about RV Self-Park.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Owensville area, with multiple campgrounds situated along the Meramec and Gasconade Rivers. Several visitors highlighted the appeal of swimming beaches and lake access at Lost Valley Lake Resort, which features both indoor and outdoor pools, swimming beaches, and boating options. Primitive camping at conservation areas provides a more secluded experience, though visitors should be prepared for basic conditions. One camper described Fredericksburg Ferry Access as having "beautiful river access and grassy grounds" with "grassy coverage with a mix of gravel or grass pull-ins." Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with highway-adjacent sites like RV Self-Park experiencing consistent traffic sounds, while conservation areas and state parks offer more peaceful surroundings for those seeking natural quiet.
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"Summer time swimming at 1 outdoor pool and 2 swimming beaches at the lake. You can rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and fishing boats."
"I spent years growing up enjoying lost Valley lake. Many enjoyable family fun."
"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."
"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 Availabilityfrom $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Nestled in Mid Missouri this place is a jam! Popular with locals there are trails, historic iron works and a fish hatchery…very cool place. Close to highway, good overnight spot!"
"Maramec Spring Park is a great place for camping and fishing in Missouri. The Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state."
from $16 - $36 / night
Check Availability"River access within walking distance. Canoe and raft rental available."
"We stayed in our pop-up camper that was close to the road at the front of the campground. Across the road was the river so we were close to the river which was very nice."
TravelerStaying 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
ScoutStopped here for a few hour nap, mostly empty and quiet off the interstate. Missouri Conservation land
ScoutIn 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.
ScoutWe 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
TravelerMy 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.
GuideNo 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
TravelerYou aren’t directly on the water at this location. It is in the same area, but not walkable. Several parks close by, looks like the city takes pride in the parks and the lake.
GuideThe 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.
GuideIt doesn’t look as though there is a level site in this campground. Great location spacious sites. We visited during a boil water advisory. No notice on website prior to arrival.
The Owensville area of Missouri sits at approximately 900 feet elevation in the northern Ozarks region, characterized by rolling hills, forests, and river valleys. Camping spots near Owensville offer accessibility to both the Gasconade and Meramec river systems, with most campgrounds remaining open year-round despite occasional flooding in spring. Tent sites typically range from $12-25 per night while RV sites with hookups average $30-45 depending on amenities.
Cave exploration: 30-90 minute tours: Meramec Caverns Natural Campground offers spectacular underground adventures with unique formations. "The cave tour is really cool although a little pricey. All in all its a fantastic little hideaway," notes one visitor. Tours typically cost $20-30 per adult.
Horseback riding: family-friendly trails: Lost Valley Lake Resort provides guided horseback riding suitable for beginners. "There is horseback riding, pony rides and the jump pillow are big favorites," according to a reviewer who frequents the resort.
Fishing: multiple species: Meramec State Park Campground offers fishing access along the Meramec River. "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," explains one camper who enjoyed the natural setting.
Ropes course: extended experiences: At Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort, adventurous campers can tackle aerial challenges. "My family also enjoy the Floating Trees ropes course. It was supposed to be about 2 hours but the instructors let them go an extra 45 minutes without anyone feeling rushed," shares a satisfied visitor.
Multiple swimming options: year-round access: Onondaga Cave State Park Campground provides water recreation opportunities. "Checkout my one minute video with Mike, the campground host, talking about Onondaga Cave State Park," shares one camper. Another notes, "We where able to do the walk with our whole family with NO melt downs from the kids, which is kind of special."
Riverside camping: direct water access: Campers at Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground appreciate the proximity to water. "Great folks working there, always very friendly and helpful. You have good options for a shady and grassy spot if you're tent camping too," says one repeat visitor who enjoys the river setting.
Wildlife viewing: daily sightings: Many camping areas support abundant wildlife. "We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," reports one Meramec State Park visitor. The diverse ecosystems around Owensville support numerous native species.
Level camping pads: concrete surfaces: Multiple campgrounds feature improved tent and RV sites. "Great concrete slab sights with River and hiking trails close by!" notes one Meramec State Park camper, highlighting the stable camping surfaces.
Cell service limitations: prepare accordingly: Many camping areas have spotty connectivity. "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short," reports one Meramec State Park visitor. Download maps and information before arrival.
Highway proximity considerations: RV Self-Park provides convenient access but with some noise trade-offs. "If you love the sound of freeways this is the place for you," notes one camper, while another mentions, "Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras."
Weekend crowds: book early: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "This is primarily a campground for people floating the Meramec River and other area streams. On summer weekends it is crowded and noisy," explains one visitor to Ozark Outdoors.
Flooding potential: check conditions: River campgrounds occasionally face closure due to rising water. "The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because sometimes the park closes or they have to evacuate due to the quick rise of the river. Easy fix though, just call ahead to see if they're open," advises one Meramec Caverns camper.
Indoor recreation options: rainy day alternatives: Lost Valley Lake Resort offers multiple weather-proof activities. "There is swimming year round with 2 indoor pools, hot tubs and sauna. You can play indoor mini golf, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, pool, ping pong, shuffleboard, arcade games and watch a movie," explains a regular visitor.
Educational cave tours: age-appropriate options: Onondaga Cave State Park provides family learning experiences. "The caves are stunning!! The tour guides are very knowledgeable and everyone seems to love their jobs," shares one visitor who enjoyed the educational aspects.
Budget constraints: conservation areas: Helds Island Access offers free camping with minimal facilities. "Nice spot bring boat. There's a boat launch here. Saw a decent amount of traffic for this. Grass sites. Road is well maintained. Quiet the one night I spent there," reports one camper who appreciated the no-cost option.
Playground availability: varies by campground: Garrison Canoe Rental mentions, "This campground had a good deal of trees for shade while still offering plenty of open spaces for kids to run around." Check specific campground amenities before booking with children.
Overnight convenience: highway accessibility: RV Self-Park provides easy access for travelers passing through. "I rolled in about 1030 with my daughter and dog. Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras. Also has a really nice dog area," notes one RV camper who appreciated the convenience.
Seasonal considerations: year-round options: Meramec Valley Campground & RV Park remains open throughout the seasons. "Great sites, pools, store and a 4 acre lake for fishing and kayaking. Laundry facilities available. Some rentals," shares a visitor who enjoyed the amenities during their stay.
Site selection: privacy differences: Onondaga Cave State Park offers varying levels of separation between sites. "The campground itself is very well taken care of. Spotless bathroom/shower, attentive campground hosts and plenty of amenities," according to one satisfied RVer.
Full-hookup availability: limited options: Meramec State Park offers comprehensive RV services. "The sites provided ample room to keep you from your neighbor. I recommend this site as a good stopover on I 44," suggests one RVer who found the park convenient for transit stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there affordable campgrounds near Owensville, Missouri?
Yes, several budget-friendly campgrounds are available near Owensville. Onondaga Cave State Park Campground offers excellent value with water and electric hookups, concrete pads, and access to cave tours for a reasonable fee. The campground is only about 10 minutes from I-44, making it easily accessible. Another affordable option is Scrivner Road Conservation Area, which provides first-come, first-served basic camping along the river with a fire ring in a gravel turnaround area. This conservation area is particularly budget-friendly and offers diverse recreational opportunities including rivers, lakes, a gun range, horseback riding trails, and hiking paths.
Can I rent an RV in Owensville, Missouri for camping?
While there aren't RV rental facilities directly in Owensville, you'll find options in the surrounding area. Once you've secured a rental, Hermann City RV Park provides a charming destination in a historic German village along the Missouri River. For a family-friendly option with amenities, St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA is conveniently located off I-44 about 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis. This KOA features level spots with good hookups, a store, and proximity to Six Flags. Consider checking with RV dealerships in nearby larger towns or online rental platforms that offer peer-to-peer RV rentals for the best selection.
What campgrounds near Owensville are convenient for visiting Springfield Cardinals games?
For Springfield Cardinals games, you'll want campgrounds that offer reasonable access to Springfield while being accessible from Owensville. Maramec Spring Park makes a good stopping point along the way, offering a convenient overnight spot close to the highway. The park features historic iron works and a fish hatchery along with trails. Another option is Meramec Caverns Natural Campground, which offers friendly staff, easy check-in, and reliable hookups. While these aren't in Springfield itself, they provide reasonable stopping points when traveling between Owensville and Springfield for Cardinals games.
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