1 campground with availability this weekend
St. Joe State Park Campground accommodates campers with pets at both of its spacious campgrounds near Park Hills. Pets are allowed throughout the park's established sites with standard leash requirements enforced by park staff. The campground features large concrete pads at Campground #1 and gravel parking areas at Campground #2, both offering fire rings and picnic tables suitable for family camping with dogs. No dispersed camping options remain available as these sites have been dismantled. Nearby, Patt's Place LLC provides pet-friendly cabin accommodations along with tent and RV sites on well-graveled spaces. St. Francois State Park Campground, Hawn State Park, and Cherokee Landing also welcome pets with similar policies. Most sites feature drinking water access, established fire pits, and picnic tables where leashed pets can join their owners.
Bismark Lake Conservation Area offers a more primitive camping experience for those with pets, featuring just three sites with picnic tables and fire pits plus a vault toilet within walking distance. The conservation area has no cellular service at the campsites, though signal can be found down the road. Hiking trails throughout the region accommodate leashed dogs, with St. Joe State Park offering an 11-mile paved trail suitable for pets and their owners. The park primarily caters to off-road vehicle enthusiasts but Campground #2 provides a quieter experience away from ATV noise. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and Washington State Park also permit pets on their grounds while maintaining pet waste and noise policies. Most campgrounds in the region enforce a 10 pm quiet time that fellow campers help maintain, important for those camping with vocal dogs.
"This is a nice little campground located in the Mark Twain National Forest. The St."
"Our site was right next to the campground hosts who were very nice and very involved (they even found my parents who made the mistake of taking the first Silver Mines exit)."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $100 / night
"Also worth noting is that there is water faucet an a drinking fountain next to the restroom bldg, so you can get fresh water if needed."
"The sites are all walk in but it’s a short walk from your car to the site. Very rocky ground so be careful where you put your tent. Pit toilets are located at the entrance to the campground."
"Owners met us at the entrance and guided us in which was much appreciated. They were extremely nice and helped us get set up since we knew nothing and had just picked up the camper that morning."
Available this weekend
from $50 - $700 / night
"3 camp sites with picnic table and fire pit, vault bathroom within walking distance."
"Peacefull night of sleep near Shepherd Mountain."
"We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access. You can rent a cart to go running around the huge campground. Very friendly staff."
from $25 - $36 / night
from $40 - $80 / night
"There are walking paths all around and a beautiful lake /clubhouse area. Super people running the place and of course other campers were so helpful."
"Many walking/cart paths. Great shop and fishing!"
"There is hiking, it is in a National Forest that allows Dispersed Camping outside designated areas and off roads."
"We could hear cows and barking dogs from the surrounding homeowners, so bring ear plugs if those kind of sounds bother you."
from $10 - $20 / night
"The campground and lake are both beautiful. It has basic camping utilities. We ourselves like to rough it but unfortunately no fires were allowed...that kinda sucked."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $11 - $100 / night
"The drive to the site from highway 32 is just over 6 miles on a forest service road (2363). There is a beautiful view of the valley to the south west and we were treated to an incredible sunset."
"If you like beautiful scenery and being away from people while camping this is a perfect spot for you. It’s dispersed so bring your supplies."
TravelerIt’s fun to see the animals. I was happy they have an outdoor shower because I needed it when I got here. I’d say the only down side is the animals roam so there is a lot of poop. Wouldn’t want to wander at night.
TravelerWhat a magical surprise! Put in 4lo and cross the river and this place opens up to a magical paradise. Sandy beaches, swimming holes, easy to get beyond site of the hwy. I would have never looked here had it not been for this app, and this site is so good I almost don’t want to post up- but this site worth sharing- There was a little trash but all picked up now, I hope it’s still clean when I for sure come back. ;)
GuideIt appears to be a typical state park. There are lots of old trees. Sites are pretty close together but it is late October so it is not crowded. Each spot has a level gravel spot, electrical hook up (some are 50 and others 30 and ours had a 110 plug in which is what we needed, as well as a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are both pit toilets and a large building that has flush toilets and showers. Everything is old and would benefit from a refresh but it was all clean enough for camping.
TravelerTent to electric to full hookups available. multiple shower toilet facilities throughout campground. All sites with nice concrete parking pad.
RangerYes, the road was a bit bumpy, but worth navigating if you can claim a spot. I scored what I would argue is the second best spot - right on the creek just feet from the flowing water. The spot to the right appeared larger and had a rope for the kids (and cool adults) to utilize for launching into the water. The family occupying this space was in ear shot, but I had total privacy aside from a couple groups checking out the the water during the day. The creek had super cool rocks and the water was perfect for casual wading, but too low to swim in the area I was in. No amenities nearby, so pack in and pack out. I did not have any Verizon coverage, so it was two full days of off-the-grid bliss. I would’ve stayed here a a few more days if I had prepared.
GuideQuiet like the night. Clean well groomed spaces are about average size. Off season sure is nice.
GuideSuper clean campground. The host is really welcoming and answers any questions you have. Some amazing views of you pick the right spot.
TravelerStayed overnight, got a great site next to the pond, escorted to site by friendly staff…..
TravelerWhat a wonderful place to venture to with a young family. The people that run the campground are beyond generous and go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The farm animals were a huge hit with the kids and they loved petting and feeding them. We will surely be back!
St. Joe State Park Campground sits at about 900 feet elevation in the eastern Ozarks, approximately 70 miles south of St. Louis. The park encompasses 8,238 acres with two distinct campgrounds that accommodate different camping styles. Temperatures average 85°F in summer months with January lows typically around 25°F, creating a varied camping season from April through October when most facilities remain fully operational.
Off-road vehicle trails: St. Joe State Park offers extensive ORV riding areas spanning several thousand acres. "Good place to ride your off road vehicles. Lots of trails and plenty of different types of trails to try out," notes one visitor to St. Joe State Park Campground, though they also mention "some rules that didn't make much sense."
Paved trail access: The 11-mile paved trail through St. Joe is suitable for all skill levels. "There's even a nice 11 mile long paved trail that has some hills but will work for kids/strollers/etc," reports a camper who appreciates the separation between motorized and non-motorized recreation areas.
Waterfall exploration: Hike the Mina Sauk Falls trail near Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground for Missouri's highest waterfall. "Mina Sauk Falls trail is a little under 4 miles and rated moderate. Best to hike after a heavy rainfall to see the waterfall but don't let that stop you if it hasn't rained in awhile, still beautiful to see," advises one camper who recommends wearing proper footwear.
Whitewater kayaking: The St. Francis River provides whitewater opportunities at Silver Mines during high water periods. "Just a short walk down to the river and stunning views. Beautiful hiking trails as well," reports a visitor who enjoyed watching kayakers navigate the rapids during spring runoff.
Spacious sites: St. Joe State Park Campground offers large sites that accommodate multiple setups. "We had a spot with electric and no water, water is located close by the vault toilets. The site has a gravel parking area rather than the concrete one at CG#1. We had two tents, two cars, and five people, just as spacious."
Privacy options: For those seeking seclusion, Campground #2 at St. Joe provides a quieter atmosphere. "If you want more seclusion and don't really care about being right next to the showers, I would suggest CG#2," recommends a camper who also notes "there was a trail located right by our spot at CG#2, it's a good hike!"
Pine forest atmosphere: Hawn State Park Campground offers a unique pine-dominated environment. "Hawn State Park is a park like no other. Nowhere else in the state of Missouri have I been able to camp and feel like I'm in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The car camping area is nestled in the middle of a pine filled valley."
Access to water features: Most parks in the region provide swimming opportunities during summer months. At Johnson's Shut-Ins, campers appreciate the unique river formations. "Two clean and well kept swimming areas, great trails, good camp sites, and great bathrooms/showers!" notes a visitor comparing the main campgrounds in the area.
Tent pad restrictions: Some parks enforce strict tent placement rules. One camper at St. Joe mentioned, "They were very picky about every single thing we set up. They required the tent had to be set up on the gravel but we had 2 large tents and they did not fit. Plus who wants to sleep on gravel."
Seasonal waterfall flow: Mina Sauk Falls at Taum Sauk is highly dependent on recent rainfall. Plan your visit accordingly, as one camper suggests: "Best to hike after a heavy rainfall to see the waterfall but don't let that stop you if it hasn't rained in awhile."
Campground noise variations: Noise levels vary significantly between parks and campground loops. At Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, one camper noted, "Camp sites were somewhat close together so hope you like neighbors," while another praised the walk-in sites as being "spread apart from each other."
Cell service limitations: Mobile connectivity varies dramatically across the region. At Bismark Lake Conservation Area, a camper reported "No Verizon signal at camping area but signal down the road," which affects planning for those needing to stay connected.
Platform camping options: Johnson's Shut-Ins provides raised platforms at walk-in sites. "The cart provided was great to walk our gear down the trail to our site, and there was a flat deck for us to camp on (which was great on our rainy weekend)," notes a camper who appreciated this feature during wet weather.
Campground selection for children: Hawn State Park offers family-friendly accommodations. A camper shares, "Beautiful park and really comfortable with kids. Many different camp options with different prices and amenities. Clean shower and laundry room too."
Pet trail restrictions: Not all trails permit dogs, which affects family planning. "Very nice campground with nice showers and clean bathrooms... We didn't check the nearby trails to the shut-ins before coming. The shut-ins trail DOES NOT allow dogs so that's a bummer," cautions a visitor to Washington State Park Campground who had to find alternative hiking options for their pet-friendly family trip.
Proximity to attractions: Cherokee Landing provides good access to water activities. "We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access. You can rent a cart to go running around the huge campground," explains a family that enjoyed the amenities.
Site selection strategy: At St. Joe, RV site quality varies between campgrounds. "I've camped at both campgrounds offered at St. Joe. In the fall of 2018, we stayed at CG#1, the spot has a nice gravel tent pad with border, picnic table, and a fire pit. The spot also offered a concrete section for a camper and cars."
Electric hookup considerations: Some parks have limited electrical options. At St. Joe, a camper noted they "had a spot with electric and no water, water is located close by the vault toilets," which requires planning for water needs.
Pad material variations: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces. At Patt's Place, LLC, a first-time RVer reported, "Well graveled spaces, easy water and electric hook-up with both 30 and 50 amp. Owners met us at the entrance and guided us in which was much appreciated."
Weather impact awareness: Prepare for post-rain conditions at many area campgrounds. One RVer at Patt's Place mentioned, "It was a bit muddy but we had just had a bunch of rain but the gravel kept us from having to fight it," highlighting the importance of site materials during wet conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Park Hills, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Park Hills, MO is Silver Mines with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Park Hills, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 102 dog-friendly camping locations near Park Hills, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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