The Dyrt can help you find the perfect horse camping site near Perryville. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. With our help, you'll find the best Missouri equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Located on a northwest finger of beautiful Kinkaid Lake, Johnson Creek Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities. Here you will find something for everyone in the family, from camping and kayaking to hiking along the lake, biking the scenic roads and horseback riding. Recreation Area Brochure/Map
$11 - $65 / night
Scout
This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toliets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping.
Scout
I stayed from 9/4/24-9/8/24. I stayed in the primitive campground. It was very quiet and peaceful. My site was close to the camp host and the shower house. Shower house was nice with 4 separate showers with locking doors. Water pressure was great and they were clean. There is a handicap shower unit as well that had a bench and hooks and a shelf to keep your things dry. The bathrooms were separate from the showers with 4 locking stalls. These too were kept clean and toilet paper was always full. Four sinks and mirrors and one outlet close to the sinks for hairdryer etc. The grounds were clean and grass was nicely cut. My campsite had a picnic table a campfire with grill grate and a light post to hang a lantern. The camp host were very friendly and drove around often on golf carts to make sure ppl were ok or needed anything. There was a place to fill your bottled water containers. The checkin office sold ice, campfire wood and a variety of ice creams, stickers and t shirts and sweatshirts. The park has trailheads to hike and an equestrian area. River access for swimming and fishing. There is a separate area with electrical sites and also handicap sites in the electrical and primitive campgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and will be returning often.
Traveler
Sam a Baker is a beautiful destination for any family. There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding. There are multi camp sites that can be easily reserved online. The Saint Francis River and the Big Creek meet in the park. The big creek is spring feed and ice cold. The Saint Francis is wild and is considered white water during the rainy season. There are plenty of amenities in the park for the novice camper. From the camp store to the shower house. SAM A BAKER has you covered
TravelerAwesome place to camp. Bummed the sites didn’t have their own water hookups. Staff is super kind. Quiet time is at 10pm and fellow campers are certain to enforce that rule but that’s unfortunate for those of us who still want to listen to music and sit by the fire. Overall great camping spot!
ScoutVery clean and well kept!
Guide
We stayed at Giant City in February on a very cold weekend. It was still a fantastic trip! The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel. Definitely visit the Lodge!!
Guide
We stayed at the campground on the north end of Pyramid. The campsites were close together but we visited in February so we were the only campers. The fire pits were a little run down but the sites were nice and level with a table. No lantern posts. Pit toilets that were decent. The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer. Overall pretty nice stay
Traveler
My girlfriend and I were going to backpack camp at St Joe. We learned that the dispersed campsites had been dismantled. That's a real bummer.
ScoutWe have been coming here for years, there is something for everyone here! The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles and deep and cold enough for the older kids and adults to cool off too. The store is adorable, the food is surprisingly really good (I’m craving those loaded nachos!), and when you’re absent-minded like me and forget the bikes you can rent them there 😁 We like Campground 2 on the gravel side (to the left when you pull in) because it’s nice and quiet and close to the nature center. You really can’t go wrong with any of the sites!
GuideIt's a level spot with gravel, so it's a "clean" place in damp weather. No much right there, but Apple Creek is a very short distance north on the gravel road. The creek is a good place to fish and you can launch a kayak the boat ramp. A picnic table and trash can were also on the site.
Traveler
We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week. The 2 nearest to us we saw on Sunday (Easter) and the only 1 more time during the 5 days. Someone in one of the sites by the late (A9, A11 or A13 I think) said they saw snakes but we never saw any and our dogs would have noticed.
Showers and restrooms are nice. Ones in Loop A are no new (Loop Bs are new) but still nice. Lots of hot water.
Lots of trails (within 10-30 minute drive). Fishing was good (especially catfish and crappie). Went into Carbondale a few times. Also went South to Alto Pass but wineries all closed on Tuesday; locals told us they are open more hours during summer.
Guide
Best sites are first come first serve other half are reservable. 50amp water fill available with frost free. And dump station at front. $18 a night. Tight spots and harsh back up angles. Only 3 paved spots
GuideThe campsites were very clean and sewer the other facilities there are two great trails in the park and there was staff on site doing educational programs that my kids really loved
ScoutCamp host was nice and river was also very nice but campground was really tight. We had camper 5 feet off back window and tents on are side not much space
TravelerSt. Francis is a beautiful Missouri state park, not to mention campground. It features many access points to its anchor, the BIg River, picnic areas, multiple pavilions and some fantastic trails. I grew up here, and I am biased toward it, but we camped many places, and it remains one of my favorites then, and now. The campground has more of a communal vibe, for better or worse, depending on your perspective. If privacy is your main concern, you may be better served looking elsewhere, but I have always enjoyed the friends I have made there, both young and old due to the proximity of the campsites and the many programs offered there by the Conservation Department.
GuideCheap campground that is clean and quiet. The back in site we had overlooked the lake. For the price, you can’t beat the view. If I return to the area, I would stay here again
GuideStayed here for three nights over Halloween weekend, and it was wonderful. There were very few people there to begin with, but Sunday night there was no one else there but us. We even had a deer run through our campsite while we sat fireside! Bathrooms were clean, roads were well maintained, and the signs were very clear.
GuideCame here for a weekend getaway, to camp, hike and visit wineries, and was not disappointed. The campground is good, and camp hosts very friendly and helpful. Lots of trees for shade. Narrow roads with tight curves, along with the trees, made for a bit of a challenge. The hiking trails are beautiful, and not too crowded. There are many wineries within a short drive of the camp, which made for a fun afternoon. Really enjoyed our weekend here, and plan to return.
Guide
Multiple weekends spent at this campsite, both with and without family. RV sites are clean, mostly level, and well spaced out, with quiet hours rules to accommodate families. The "Zoo" is for the younger and rowdier crowd, and is located north of HWY 8, away from the family-friendly sites, and has later quiet hours and is known for its party-like atmosphere. Campers in this area are effectively "locked in" after a certain time, to prevent the rowdiness from spilling over after hours. Amenities are plentiful, and the camp store is larger than most convenience stores you'd find on the highway. Floating options are plentiful, with multiple routes and raft/canoe/tube options available. Either float away from your campsite, with a shuttled return, or take the shuttle to the put-in, upstream, and float back to your campsite. An annual tradition!
RangerLevel sites throughout, but close together. Our power pole had an open ground on the 30 amp and no water at the site. No ATT or Verizon cell. The trees boosted the rating and were the highlight of the place,
It was decent for a night over, but not for a destination. Did not use the facilities nor try OTA tv. It is a nice park, but just had seen better days.
GuideWe stayed one night on our way to Arkansas in site 199. Our site was level and spacious. The camp host was friendly and helpful. We had a nice time riding our bikes in the morning. The only reason for a 4 rather than a 5 was that lack of cell signal at our site (it was fine in other parts of the park).
ScoutNice Hiking on trails. Close access to river for fishing and kayaking. Not setup for biking except on roads. Large open field for kids to play. Crank brakes up when you get off the highway prior to starting down the hill. Dump station backs up for up to an hour on Sundays.
Traveler
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.
ScoutPlenty of tent camping sites. There are primitive also. Great Lake to fish and plenty of trails to hike. Looks like the rv site can get booked up on weekends.
ScoutCampsites were large and well set up. Some sites were not as level as others.
GuideVery nice and well kept campground. Excellent place if you dirtbike, or ride atv’s with over 2000 acres of land to ride on.
ScoutOther than not having water at my current campsite, this place rocks. Campground number two has very large and relatively private sites. It feels like you’re definitely in the woods. Good Verizon service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Perryville, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Perryville, MO is Sam A. Baker State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Perryville, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Perryville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
