Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Plato, MO

Great place for a place to stay near the lake of the ozarks attractions. Super close to big surf and not a bad drive from all the lake has to offer. But not a favorite for a trip focused more on hanging out at the camp site. Very hilly (though grade on the site wasn’t bad at all), pull through sites make getting in easy with larger rigs but all roads through are gravel and rutted so not the easiest. Sites close together without much in between. Nice large trees would offer some summer shade but still not much separation between sites. Water and electric at site. Small “dog park” (fenced in area) great for smaller dogs to run off leash and pretty large kid okay ground too. Overall we will stay here again but think of it more as bringing our own hotel to the lake rather than coming to enjoy the campground.

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. It is approximately 3 hours from St.Louis and Kansas City Missouri .

Lake of the Ozarks State Park includes two different areas which are both located on Lake of the Ozarks.

The one reviewed here is located in Kaiser and includes Public Beach #1 , a marina/gas dock , horse stables/trails, hiking trails,beach,fishing dock,shore fishing and campground.

The other is located in Osage Beach about 20 minutes away and includes Public Beach #2, grand glaze marina/gas dock,shore fishing and hiking trails. No camping is available at the Osage Beach location aka PB 2 or grand glaze.

Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground is a wonderful place to set up camp for the weekend and is one of my all time favorites. The State Park is clean and well maintained with plenty to do for everyone.

The camp sites range from primitive to full hook up 50amp and you will see a range of camping types from tents to class A's . The sites are well spaced out despite how the reservation map appears on the State Park website. I would however suggest staying at the campsites on the outer edges as the interior sites are a bit more cramped.

This area includes bath and shower houses that are of average cleanliness for a State park (typically worn but clean). As well as 3 playgrounds for the kids. Also on site is a Beach so bring a Towel and swimming suit.

A few things to note . If you come in the winter or spring the lake will be low and your lake side campsite will be Lake view instead. You are located about 15 minutes from a grocery store however a camp store is available also bring bug spray.

Your ideal sites are lakeside 160's I stayed at #163 and it was wonderful open with not a lot of tress for the dogs to get tangled in.

This is a true gem at the lake and even though I only live 15 miles away we visit many times throughout the year.

This was a pretty campsite with lots of trees and simple deer trails throughout. Sites are well spread out. The lake itself was filthy and smelly. Lots of trash and rotting fish on the shorelines. The campground website said they had WiFi throughout the campsite, however it was only available at the front office. No cell service. We had planned to stay for a week to school and work remotely, but had to cut our time here short because of no connectivity. If we hadn’t had the need for WiFi, this would have been a fine campground to stay at, as it is centrally located to many sightseeing locations.

Sties were level, kid and pet friendly, quiet campground, 30/50 amp electricity, no water hookups, firewood avail for fire pits, also had nice picnic tables. Inexpensive.

Echo Bluff State Park in Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Eminence, MO is a brand new “old camp”. 

Opened in 2016 the history is rather interesting. From 1929 until the 1980s, Camp Zoe was a children’s summer camp, founded by Russell S. and Margaret McMahan Louis County teachers. There is one of the structures still on site with plaques and information. More recently, it was home to music festivals — and an open-air drug market. I didn’t find any plaques in relation to that. However when the government gained control of the land in a court proceeding it was decided to bring more business into Shannon County by opening a very nice campground for people not wanting to rough it. 

And “BAM” you have very pricey accommodations from lodge rooms, to cabins and two story condos. The campground is pretty nice too but lacking in shade and privacy. There are walk-in (uphill) sites and nice wagons provided to transport your gear. Not my favorite style of camping. Completely full and busy, which is why it got a 4 instead of 5 star. This may be your type of camping and you would say a 5 star. Reserve ahead, I mean way ahead.

There is a huge pavilion that can be reserved that overlooks the area. It has a large fire pit and mega size grill, one of the trails meanders below the pavilion. This would be a nice venue for an extended family get together.

This is a very nice, new, recreation creation. The playground was given two thumbs up by my granddaughter. Then the river, which you can see from the lodge and playground was given 12 paws and 2 thumbs by dogs and grandkids alike. Crystal clear ice cold water that you can walk across to the sheer wall of rock. Bring your water shoes, the rocks aren’t fun to walk on.

A very cool feature , if you are lucky , you will see the wild horses that roam the area. They are not for petting, so use caution. 

Aside from the abundance of people we enjoyed Echo Bluff SP.

We had whole the campground basically to ourselves, another couple came the second night. When we arrived Angie helped us get in and met up with us to check in after we got all unpacked and everything. She even went out of her way to give extra details and help us with entry. There is running (hot and cold) water as well as wood and a few other little things for sale at the entry. It was very well kept and we could hear the river while we were sleeping in our tents (which was super relaxing). This little camp ground has float across and is so close to some super awesome trails! We took a 10.5 mile hike about 15 mins away from her site! Not to mention the cute little town surrounding it. I absolutely recommend this little hidden gem. Just watch your dogs, there are some owners in the homes around the campground that let their (big) dogs wonder. We have every intention of returning again!!