Best Campgrounds near Pittsburg, MO

Campgrounds around Pittsburg, Missouri are concentrated along Pomme de Terre Lake, offering a mix of developed and primitive sites for various camping styles. Pomme de Terre State Park spans both sides of the lake, with Pittsburg Area Campground on one side and Hermitage Area Campground on the other. These established campgrounds accommodate tent camping, RV setups with hookups, and cabin rentals. Additional camping areas include Corps of Engineers sites like Nemo Park and Pittsburg Park, which provide electric hookups and water access for both tent and RV campers.

Water levels and seasonal factors significantly impact campsite availability in the region. Several campgrounds operate from April through September or October, with limited year-round options. Many sites near the water require advance reservations, especially during summer months when lake activities peak. "The Pittsburg campground at Pomme de Terre State Park is awesome. The sites are all gorgeous, especially if you can get one right by the lake," noted one camper. During high water periods, campground hosts may need to relocate reservations as lakeside sites can flood. Most camping areas provide vault toilets throughout the loops with centralized shower facilities, though cleanliness and maintenance vary between locations.

Lakefront camping represents the most sought-after experience in the area, with several visitors highlighting the clear water and fishing opportunities. The Pittsburg side is described as more secluded than the Hermitage area, making it popular among campers seeking quieter experiences. Campers report that many sites in the 300 loop feature elevated gravel pads ideal for watching the water, though some terrain can be challenging for tent setup due to slopes and rocky ground. Loop 200 appears most accommodating for both tent and camper setups with well-spaced sites and lake access. Despite proximity to water activities being the main attraction, limited hiking options exist with only one primary trail in the Pittsburg area. Nearby amenities include marinas offering boat rentals, basic supplies, and food service, with additional provisions available in Hermitage.

Best Camping Sites Near Pittsburg, Missouri (168)

    1. Pittsburg Area Campground — Pomme de Terre State Park

    21 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 852-4291

    "W stayed here over the 4th of July holiday, at the Pittsburg campground at the state park. Loop 3 campsite 317. I loved the trail to the lake!"

    "This loop has been chosen due to its proximity to the bathrooms and the playground, these are key when having a 4-year-old. This loop is located in the woods with nice spacing between sites."

    2. Damsite

    10 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 745-2244

    $14 - $26 / night

    "Originally built for park volunteers, we enjoyed 50/30 amp service, water and sewer with amazing views of the lake. The rest of the sites have water and electric."

    "Sites near the dump station can be very aromatic. No swim beach but you can access the water straight from the rocky shore. A lot of people tie their boats to shore below their campsite."

    3. Pittsburg Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    2 miles
    Website

    "The Pittsburg campground at Pomme de Terre State Park is awesome. The host was super friendly and helpful. The sites are all gorgeous, especially if you can get one right by the lake."

    "This park is park of Pomme De Terre lake and 1 of 2 state parks on the lake, Pittsburgh and Hermitage."

    4. Hermitage Area Campground — Pomme de Terre State Park

    6 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 852-4291

    "Behind us was the old road which was perfect for the kids to play on and ride bikes. The lake was just past that, and the view was wonderful. The bathrooms were clean (but hot) and not too far."

    "Beautiful views form the campsite— tent camping on a peninsula in surrounded by Pomme de Terre lake. Check in was a little confusing, and we later found out the shop is closed for the season."

    5. COE Pomme de Terre Lake Nemo Park

    6 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 993-5529

    $14 - $200 / night

    "Clean, well kept, campsites are semi private but close to the water.  Not a long distance from bathrooms or the swimming beach."

    "We where located at spot 29 on the campsite. It was amazing only reason for not getting a 5 star was, we had a group that was not camping show up to do some night swimming at the beach (9:00-9:30)."

    6. Hermitage State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    3 miles
    Website

    "everyone is very pleasant and I felt comfortable letting the kids ride their bikes around, a great presence from the park rangers !"

    "Lots of fishing activities here on the lake. Would stay longer if we had the time."

    7. Bennett Spring State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Windyville, MO
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 532-4338

    "This state park is one worth a stop when near Springfield. I drove north toward this park to enjoy something a bit different and found it to be very peaceful during a weekday. "

    "A trout fisher dream, as one of Missouri’s 5 hacherys are here. Fun for this kids to see the amazing amount of fish."

    8. Lightfoot Landing

    2 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 282-6890

    $14 - $30 / night

    "Most sites have view of lake and well shaded. Very nice boat ramp and courtesy dock, but no place to keep boat in over night and no dedicated swim area. Good facilities, including a shower house."

    9. Outlet Park

    2 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (417) 745-2290

    $16 - $50 / night

    "There is a well maintained running/walking trail that is accessible from the campground and provides an easy way to walk through the adjacent woods. Very good ATT cell service."

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Recent Reviews near Pittsburg, MO

494 Reviews of 168 Pittsburg Campgrounds


  • Rebecca L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Crabtree Cove, Stockton Lake, MO

    Another beautiful USACE campground

    An absolutely wonderful campground with great low rates in the shoulder season($10 for electric during shoulder season ) Plus if you have the America the beautiful pass its 50% off. Regular season rates $14-$20 Warm showers with very little water pressure... but other than that a wonderful campground. Most of the campsites have shade but some of the non electric ones by the lake do not despite what Recreation.gov says.

  • Hayley G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Stockton State Park Campground

    Nicely maintained campground, great hiking trails, no privacy.

    This was a nice campground that was well maintained. The sites are quite close together with little privacy and minimal shade from the trees. We stayed in the East Loop which looked less popular than the West Loop. There was a short walk less than 5 minutes down a trail to the lake that was gorgeous. And a longer hike that went along the edge of the lake that was absolutely lovely and easy enough for the young kids in our group to do. If you don't mind being close to your neighbors it's a nice spot!

    We did check out the walk in sites here, but were not able to stay in them. They looked awesome and were a short 5 minute walk from the parking. A great beginner site for walk in camping and there were carts at the start of the trail for your gear. Both loops had decent playgrounds for the kids.

  • Hayley G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Orleans Trail

    Private, wooded campground near the lake!

    We stayed in the D loop at site D37. All of the sites in the D loop are more spaced out and wooded than in the other loops. They also don't have electric and the bathroom is a vault toilet. 

    Site D37 was able to fit our two tents comfortably but I don't think there was a flat space to fit a third. It was also pretty overgrown and unkept. So bring lots of bug spray. Site D39 is pretty close and it would work well for a group needing multiple spots. We had a view of the lake across the road. The bathroom was a several minute walk. 

    Site D37 across from us had water access and looked really nice. Other nearby spots D40 was also quite heavily wooded and didn't look like it had much more than one semi-flat spot for a tent. But it was definitely very private! 

    We used the shower houses(which we had to drive to get to) and they were okay. The water wouldn't get hot, but we didn't take ice cold showers. The swim beach was the highlight of this location and very nice!

  • 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

  • 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    RV Express 66

    One night stay

    Easy access, next to hwy and lots of eating establishments close by. Full water, electric and sewer connections. Level concrete pads.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Damsite

    Another great COE Campground

    Sites were nice and level. Most sites had water and electric. Five showers and five flushing toilets that were nicely kept. Beautiful view on the lake. Sites 25 through 45 have a little or no shade. FYI. Sites are fairly close together, but they are staggered so you’re not right next-door to your neighbor.

  • 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.


Guide to Pittsburg

Camping near Pittsburg, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to fish, hike, or just relax by the water, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Stockton State Park Campground stated, "The cleanest restrooms I’ve seen. Great trails."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A visitor at Hidden Valley Outfitters said, "Plenty of space at the campsites! We enjoyed 2 nights at the tent sites with electric hookups."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Riverfront Campground and Canoe noted, "The staff was friendly and helpful."

What you should know:

  • Reservation Fees: Some campgrounds, like Bennett Spring State Park Campground, charge a reservation fee. One camper mentioned, "$6.50 Reservation Fee."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at COE Harry S Truman Reservoir Long Shoal Park pointed out, "No showers, no toilets, but clean lots with fire ring."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A camper at Raccoon Ridge warned, "Keep food and bait inside as raccoons rule at night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One family at B Berry Farms & Co. enjoyed, "There is an abundance of wildflowers, walking trails, chill zones, a water park."
  • Spacious Sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites for family comfort. A reviewer at Stockton State Park Campground mentioned, "Family sites were spacious but laid out like 2 separate sites."
  • Safety Precautions: Be aware of ticks and other critters. A camper at Fiery Fork Conservation Area advised, "Ticks were very bad."

Tips from RVers:

  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Damsite shared, "Had the fortune to pick the only site available with full hookups."
  • Level Sites: Ensure your site is level for a comfortable stay. A reviewer at Hidden Valley Outfitters noted, "Full hookups concert pull thru pads."
  • Check for Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A camper at Pittsburg Area Campground mentioned, "There were lots of rocks under our tent."

Camping around Pittsburg, MO, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to check the specific campground details before you go!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pittsburg, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pittsburg, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 168 campgrounds and RV parks near Pittsburg, MO and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pittsburg, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pittsburg, MO is Pittsburg Area Campground — Pomme de Terre State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 21 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Pittsburg, MO.

What parks are near Pittsburg, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Pittsburg, MO that allow camping, notably Stockton Lake and Harry S. Truman Lake.