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Guide
GuideToronto Springs Dispersed
Awesome and easy place!
Unfortunately we did not get to stay as our batteries were dead and we had to abort. However, this is an excellent spot and we would happily go back!
Best Campgrounds near Plato, MO
Camping options near Plato, Missouri include established campgrounds and recreational areas primarily along the Gasconade River and surrounding forested areas. Paddy Creek Recreation Area in the Mark Twain National Forest offers primitive tent and RV camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Additional options include Froggys River Resort with cabin rentals and full hookup sites, and Jesse and James Properties which provides riverside camping with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. These campgrounds are situated within the Ozark highlands region, providing access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and water recreation.
Road conditions vary significantly when accessing campgrounds in the Plato area, with some requiring travel on gravel or unimproved forest roads. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. "Quiet and secluded with no service, which forces us to escape from electronics," noted one camper about Paddy Creek. Water levels on the Gasconade River fluctuate seasonally, affecting floating and fishing opportunities. Paddy Creek operates on a donation basis ($5 recommended) while established resorts like Froggys require reservations and charge standard camping fees. Cell service is limited or non-existent at more remote forest locations, with visitors needing to "drive up the hill to get a signal" at certain campgrounds.
The Gasconade River serves as a central feature for camping in the Plato region, with multiple campgrounds offering direct river access. Campers frequently highlight the peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings in their reviews. Several visitors mentioned the spring-fed creeks providing consistently cool water temperatures even during summer heat. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bald eagles, as one camper reported seeing one fly up the river in the morning. Primitive sites at Paddy Creek receive particularly high ratings for privacy between campsites and access to hiking trails, including the Big Piney Trail loop. Vault toilets are commonly available at forest service campgrounds, while private resorts like Froggys River Resort offer shower facilities and camp stores for supplies. Most campgrounds feature designated fire rings with firewood available for purchase at nearby locations.
Best Camping Sites Near Plato, Missouri (108)
1. Paddy Creek Recreation Area
8 ReviewsRoby, MO10 milesWebsite+1 (573) 438-5427"Access to swimming, fishing, and hiking trails. We were surprised with how many sites were taken up, but there were still quite a few available."
"Dollar General and a gas station located in nearby Roby. No cell service at cg. Had to drive up the hill to get a signal."
2. Froggys River Resort
10 ReviewsFalcon, MO17 milesWebsite+1 (573) 765-2930$5 - $100 / night
"Nothing but icadas, crickets and quiet laughter from the camp next to us."
"I was right next to the river, and the sounds of the water made everything tranquil. There is a ton of space for tents and RVs, and the road in is well paved."
3. Mark Twain National Forest Paddy Creek Recreation Area
2 ReviewsRoby, MO10 milesWebsite+1 (417) 967-4194"Stayed there twice, it is a voluntary pay campground, the sites are nicer close to the creek, the only drawback is you gotta go a ways for supplies"
4. Montauk State Park Campground
35 ReviewsJadwin, MO30 milesWebsite+1 (573) 548-2201$15 - $52 / night
"Another great trout park on Missouri"
"Montauk State Park is one of the Missouri Conservations four trout parks, and is located at the headwaters of the beautiful Current River."
6. Lamplight Lane RV Resort at Glen Oaks
4 ReviewsRichland, MO19 miles+1 (573) 774-2727"The location is perfect, just minutes away from Fort Leonard Wood or St. Robert, MO, off exit 153 on I44! Also only a little over an hour from Springfield, MO..."
"Right off I-44 in Missouri and only 10 minutes from Fort Leonard Wood. Convenient to Waynesville and St. Robert. Owners are very helpful and informative."
8. Bennett Spring State Park Campground
40 ReviewsBennett Springs, MO38 milesWebsite+1 (417) 532-4338$15 - $48 / night
"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."
9. Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground
47 ReviewsKaiser, MO44 milesWebsite+1 (573) 348-2694$14 - $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. "
10. Boiling Springs Campground
11 ReviewsNewburg, MO28 milesWebsite+1 (573) 759-7294$12 - $89 / night
"Bus picked us up there and dropped us at a location on the gasconade. Float ended right back at camp! We got out of our boat and walked up the bank to our camp site."
"Located on the Gasconade beauty abounds. Full service hookups. Some shaded spots right on river. Bathroom is very small. No showers. One toilet spot not very nice."
Recent Camping Photos near Plato, MO
121 Photos of 108 Plato Campgrounds
Nomadic E.
Mark Twain National Forest Paddy Creek Recreation Area
Kura O.
Paddy Creek Recreation Area
James L.
Jesse And James Properties
Boilingsprings C.
The Resort at Boiling Springs
Delanie J.
Froggys River Resort
Sheila C.
Gasconade Hills Resort
Aaron T.
Ruby's Landing River Resort
Cathy S.
Boiling Springs Campground
Kyle H.
Montauk State Park Campground
Robert C.
Rustic Trails RV Park
Roger F.
Big Rock Candy Mountain Campground and Big Chill Bar & Grill
MickandKarla W.
Haven Hollow RV Park
Recent Reviews near Plato, MO
490 Reviews of 108 Plato Campgrounds
Michelle W.
ScoutOzark Farms Family Campground
Ghosted
⭐ 0 stars if I could. TRAVELERS& TOURISTS, BEWARE– AVOID THIS ESTABLISHMENT. The lack of communication and respect is unacceptable. Before booking, read the reviews on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor—you’ll see we are not the first to experience this. Three weeks ago, my son-in-law called and spoke directly with Michele Broxton, the owner, regarding full-time opportunities while moving from California to Missouri. She was friendly and helpful, guaranteed him a spot when ready at a monthly rate of$595 or three months in advance at a discounted rate of$1,500, and then completely ghosted him. For the next two weeks, he tried calling, texting, and emailing repeatedly to confirm the deposit for placement. Meanwhile, trusting her guarantee and the availability of openings, he secured employment starting in March and arranged RV transport, paying over$2,500 for delivery to Ozark Farms on February 24, 2026. Being from Missouri and familiar with the area, I got involved because I know it’s a great state to raise a family—but based on Ozark Farms’ website, this experience was anything but welcoming. I called to check if there had been a communication error and found two additional numbers still routing to Michele Broxton. I called, texted, and emailed every single one, hoping someone would respond—no one ever did. Finally, after numerous attempts, someone answered at 5:30 PM California time/ 7:30 PM Missouri time. I believe it was Michele Broxton. When I asked if this was Ozark Farms, the response was,“How can I help you?” I explained the urgency and asked if I was speaking with Michele Broxton—she refused to answer and stated she needed to speak only with the person signing the agreement. When I requested to merge the call with my son-in-law, she refused. Throughout the call, she acknowledged the urgency in a somewhat caring tone—but gave no apologies, no explanation, and would not confirm her identity. She stated she would review communications to“ensure nothing was lost in translation.” It doesn’t matter who I spoke with—this person is a representative of Ozark Farms and the face of the company to customers. Despite being polite and professional, the lack of respect and transparency was shocking. Only after persistent follow-ups did she finally contact my son-in-law—and not by phone or text, but via an email at 9:30 PM PST/ 11:30 PM Missouri time, declining his reservation four hours after our call. We will never recommend or patronize Ozark Farms. They advertise as a“caring, family-run business,” but offer zero communication or transparency. Relocating to a new state is a huge financial and personal commitment. Prospective tenants deserve honest communication, clarity, and follow-through—things Ozark Farms failed to provide.
Nomadic E.
LegendMark Twain National Forest Paddy Creek Recreation Area
Quiet, cozy, nook
Its a free place to chill for up to 2 weeks. Donations only, I have stayed here 2 times, both times it was quiet, clean, empty and well taken care of, there are bathrooms and its on the creek.
Barber G.ScoutRoubidoux Springs Campground
Off the Beaten Path
Clean spot, electric and water. Not bad. I'm in my car travelling. It's super cold tonight ❄️
Ken and Sheryl C.
RangerRustic Trails RV Park
Quiet and friendly
We stayed here several times in our 42’ 5th wheel. Full hookups. Nice pond. Walking trails.
- RRussell P.Guide
RV Express 66
Easy to find
verry clean showers ok your right nexted to the hwy. so alittle loud but other than that verry nice place
Haley L.RangerBlue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway
Blue Spring Fall Camping
Did a quick overnight here. Very quiet and peaceful. Campsites itself were very clean and nice, however quite small. The bathrooms were VERY clean, some of the cleanest I’ve been to in a NF. Had the entire campsite to myself. There were some nice campsites closer to the water, but i pulled in at night and couldn’t see too well. most of them had fire rings. Majority of these sites were walk-in tent sites.
Remember to pack out what you pack in at this site, no trash facilities!
Fred S.LegendBlue Spring Backcountry Camping — Ozark National Scenic Riverway
Free during winter season; otherwise, $10
Camped for one night at site #7 on Oct 23, 2025. It turned out that this was the first night that camping fees were suspended for the winter season. This National Park Service campground has mostly walk-in tent sites - a few near the river were difficult to find. I parked my van in a small parking lot which serves sites 6 & 7 - just up the hill from the campground loop and vault toilet. The campsites include a table, metal fire ring and lantern pole. Sites 6 & 7 are close together, actually just one site with 2 tables and fire rings, good for a group campout. Except for a few fishermen who fished for a little while, I had the campground all to myself. Very quiet, peaceful night. I enjoyed fishing for smallmouth bass here. There is no potable water, and no hookups. Hammock camping and limited Starlink connectivity may be possible depending on the site. There is a his/hers vault toilet located in the center of the loop; it was clean and supplied with tp. Except for a small trash container in the vault toilet, there is no trash service at this campground; I took out the trash that I created as well as trash left by previous users. The gravel roads accessing this campground were in good condition during my visit. This is a beautiful location. There was some AT&T and T-Mobile service.
- Fred S.Legend
Noblett Lake
No Camping - Day Use Only
Camping is still not allowed here. The campground itself is overgrown. Did not see any dispersed campsites. This recreation area, however, is a beautiful day use area. Appears to be maintained. Vault toilets in the picnic area were open during my visit. Did not find any potable water. Fishing is permitted at the lake, but I had no luck.
Guide to Plato
Camping near Plato, Missouri centers around the Ozark highlands with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers reaching into the 90s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Fall camping is particularly popular when humidity drops and daytime temperatures average 65-75°F, making outdoor activities more comfortable.
What to Do
Hiking trails accessibility: The Big Piney Trail loop near Paddy Creek Recreation Area offers primitive hiking opportunities through dense forest. "We stayed at this campground as a halfway point hiking the Big Piney Trail loop. Typical primitive campground with toilets, bear-proof trash cans, and camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables," notes Josh C.
Spring exploration: The region features numerous spring-fed waterways with consistent temperatures. At Boiling Springs Campground, visitors can swim across to a natural spring. "There is a spring on the opposite side of the river that is fairly easy to swim to that is a thrill to swim through. It's ice cold!" reports Elisha P.
Trout fishing options: The streams near Montauk State Park provide regulated fishing areas with daily catch limits. "The stretch of river from spring to the falls are some of my favorite fishing anywhere. I have a group of guys that get together every spring and fall for a trout fishing trip," says Kyle H.
What Campers Like
River access points: Many campsites offer direct paths to waterways. "We stayed in spot 20 which had its own path to the river," mentions Kura O. about their experience at Paddy Creek. The recreation area features multiple access trails from individual campsites down to the water.
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention the spacing between spots at Jesse And James Properties, which maintains only five total campsites along the riverside. The limited number of sites provides substantial buffer zones between camping areas.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife spotting times. "We saw about 20 deer each day," reports Anthony C. from his stay at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The forested areas surrounding campgrounds provide natural habitat for deer, wild turkeys, and occasional eagles.
What You Should Know
Limited supplies nearby: The remote location means planning ahead for essentials. "There isn't much in the 20 miles before you get to the campgrounds, but there is firewood for sale (self-serve) 10-15 minutes before," advises Kura O. about traveling to Paddy Creek Recreation Area.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely throughout the region. At Lamplight Lane RV Resort, visitors find better connectivity as it's closer to Fort Leonard Wood. However, most forest and riverside locations report minimal to no service.
Seasonal river conditions: Water levels fluctuate dramatically throughout the year. "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," warns James A. about his experience at Froggys River Resort.
Tips for Camping with Families
Beginner-friendly fishing spots: Bennett Spring State Park offers accessible fishing for children with stocked areas. "If you're trout fishing, you'll need your MO state fishing license, as well as a daily trout tag within the park," explains Jesse C., noting the regulatory requirements even for young anglers.
Educational programs availability: Some parks offer ranger-led activities during peak season. "We didn't take advantage of it, but there were a lot of activities aimed at kids," mentions Dan N. from his visit to Bennett Spring State Park Campground.
Swimming areas safety: Look for designated swimming zones with consistent water depths. "Access to swimming, fishing, and hiking trails," reports Kura O. about the recreation options at Paddy Creek, though parents should note the absence of lifeguards and variable current strength.
Tips from RVers
Site length limitations: Many campgrounds have physical constraints for larger vehicles. "Parking pads are short and lined with huge boulders. Worked fine for our 16ft TT big rigs probably not so much," advises Cheryl M. about Paddy Creek's accommodations.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain throughout the region. "Our site was kinda tricky to get into, especially if you have a longer trailer. Seemed like quite a few were that way, so do your research," warns Jenny H. from her experience at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
Hookup availability mapping: Research utility access before arriving as options vary widely. "Great free campground near the river. Volt toilets, trash cans, and picnic tables. All spots have paved pull-in spots. I'd say max length for rigs are 30 feet," reports Brooke A. about the amenities at Paddy Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Plato, MO?
What camping is available near Plato, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Plato, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Plato, MO and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Plato, MO?
Which is the most popular campground near Plato, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Plato, MO is Paddy Creek Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Plato, MO?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Plato, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Plato, MO.
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