For those who want to experience Poplar Bluff, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Poplar Bluff experience while glamping. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping for your Poplar Bluff adventure.
$11 - $65 / night
$70 - $80 / night
Bluff View Campground on Clearwater Lake greets visitors with excellent camping, fishing, swimming, boating and picnicking opportunities. Local wildlife includes wetland waterfowl, fox, deer, turkey, and geese. Bald eagles nest at Clearwater, and remain in the area year-round.
A trailhead for the Bluff View Nature Trail begins at the campground. This is a wonderful loop trail to look for wildlife among a mix of towering hardwood trees.
The lake, surrounded by the picturesque hills of the Ozarks, is fed by the Black River. Average temperatures range from 33 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit in March, and 65 to 92 degrees in summer.
In the area, campers enjoy visiting traditional drive-in movie theaters, the Sam A. Baker State Park, local golf courses, and the historic Civil War site at Fort Benton.
$14 - $50 / night
This 1200 acre property used to be the beautiful Cherokee Ridge Girl Scout camp until it was sold in 2019. We have went through extensive renovations and development to bring this property to the public so that it can be enjoyed by our guests. River access and our private gravel/sand bars are available exclusively to our guests and have provided some of the most peaceful weekends imaginable.
We have everything from glamping tents right on the river bluff to 16 fully equipped cabins with hot tubs overlooking the 23 acre lake with a beach and activities.
We have 4 Conestoga Wagons that are heated and air conditioned complete with picnic table and fire ring. A must see!
46 RV sites with picnic tables fire/grill pits with a variety of 30 and 50 amp pull-through and back-in sites. We offer float trips, rental boats/paddle boards for the lake, and rental golf carts to adventure around the park.
The park is going through endless development to continue to provide everyone with the most enjoyable and peaceful vacation possible.
$48 - $295 / night
Horses are allowed in the trailhead parking area, but not in the campground and picnic areas.
$10 - $20 / night
Welcome to Beaver Springs Campground. We are located just one mile from the Clearwater Lake dam. Our proximity to various activities makes us an ideal location for families looking for seasonal adventures, or folks just passing through for a couple of days. We strive to make every day special!!
$18 - $85 / night
Webb Creek Campground on Clearwater Lake greets visitors with excellent camping, fishing, swimming, boating and picnicking opportunities. Water sport enthusiasts love the lakes diverse offerings, from boating to jet skiing and canoeing to swimming. Clearwater is considered a "wilderness lake" because it lacks private boat docks and offers plenty of unspoiled shorelines to explore.
Wildlife viewing is popular with wetland waterfowl, fox, deer and geese. Picnicking is also a favorite pastime, as is lounging on the beach, boating and fishing.
The lake, surrounded by the picturesque hills of the Ozarks, is fed by the Black River. Average temperatures range from 33 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit in March, and 65 to 92 degrees in summer.
Part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, stop by a historic sawmill known as the Klepzig Mill, or visit Blue Spring, Reed Spring and Rocky Falls while in the area. Elk viewing is available at Peck Ranch Wildlife Reserve. For those looking for a fun outing, a drive-in movie theater is also nearby.
$14 - $20 / night
Scout
This 1200 acre property used to be the beautiful Cherokee Ridge Girl Scout camp until it was sold in 2019. We have went through extensive renovations and development to bring this property to the public so that it can be enjoyed by our guests. River access and our private gravel/sand bars are available exclusively to our guests and have provided some of the most peaceful weekends imaginable.
We have everything from glamping tents right on the river bluff (photos attached) to 12 fully equipped cabins with hot tubs overlooking the 22 acre lake with a beach and activities (photos attached)
We have 4 Conestoga Wagons that are heated and air conditioned (see photos attached). They are the definition of glamping.
50 RV sites with picnic tables fire/grill pits with a variety of 30 and 50 amp pull-through and back-in sites. We offer float trips, rental boats for the lake, and rental golf carts to adventure around the park.
The park is going through endless development to continue to provide everyone with the most enjoyable and peaceful vacation possible.
Please check out our website www.otahkilake.com
Guide
The state of missouri does an amazing job providing opportunities for families to enjoy the beauty of nature. Nature programs for kids and parents to learn. Well kept facilities. The ice cream is just a bonus. This is by far my favorite campsite for the kids.
TravelerState Park in Southeast Missouri along Big Creek. Well maintained campsites with electric hook ups. Water and dump stations, but no water hook up sites. Nice beach with easy access for swimming and kayaking. Very nice bike trail throughout park. Privately owned store and restaurant in park. Cabins also available for rent.
Scout
It is shaped by Marble Creek, from overhead it looks the piece to a puzzle, no matter where you are in the campground any direction takes you to the water. There is hiking, it is in a National Forest that allows Dispersed Camping outside designated areas and off roads. It is a pure delight natural water park, in the capital of natural water parks The St. Francois Mountains where creeks and rivers have "natural shut-ins" . The area around Black Mountain next door in the National Forest is a natural wilderness area, filled with geo features not marked on any maps and seldom ever photographed. Some of the largest gorges and canyons in Missouri are nearby, waterfalls (seasonal). Marble Creek flows into the St. Francois River a short distance away. 16 miles west of Fredericktown Missouri on Madison County Road E
LegendThe state park is located in southeastern Missouri was a disappointment to us on our visit. The campground, while large and spaced out, was a little bit on the trashy side. The facilities were dated and the park state were not the most pleasant. There are several trails in the park that look challenging but we chose to move on.
GuideWe absolutely loved this state park! It's easily our favorite Missouri state park to visit with our kiddos. There's just so much to do! The campsites are nicely spaced and clean. Expect plenty of sand at your site (my kids loved this, of course). There's a paved bike path that runs through the park. We took bike rides every day! We were pleasantly surprised that Big Creek was clear, cool and shallow (at least where we were). Swimming in the creek was one of our favorite activities each day... even having a 2 year old. The kids caught and released huge bull frogs and tons of minnows. We also enjoyed the evening presence of deer. Shower house and bathrooms were as clean as to be expected from a packed campground. This park also has a couple of on site stores in case you forget swim shoes or even swimsuits (like we did). You can even rent kayaks and canoes!
Ranger
Campground Review
Huzzah Valley Resort (HVR) is not a typical campground. It’s a place built for and specializing in float trips. If you are picturing serenely paddling down a pristine river in a canoe listening to the sounds of birds and insects, you are in the wrong place, at least on a Saturday during the summer. This is more like a float trip with frat parties floating on by you, complete with loud music, floating cooler, floating beer pong tables, loads of drunk people and of course the antics of these drunk people. Not really the best place to take your kids on those summertime Saturdays. I knew this going into the weekend. Really, with campsite prices from $12.79 (for the family camping area) to $16.00 (for the loud area with no quiet hours, nicknamed the Zoo) per person, per night most people not looking for this experience are weeded out by price alone. All that being said party-barge type float trips are pretty much a rite of passage in Missouri.
My Husband and I went on this trip with a group of friends that are not as experienced campers as we are and opted to stay in a cabin. This was about $90 per person for the weekend. Our cabin sleeps 8 people with 1 queen bed in a room, 2 queen beds in a loft, and a double sofa sleeper. It included a kitchenette, full bathroom, fire ring, BBQ grill, picnic table. Aside from a microwave and a full size fridge, the cabin didn’t really offer any other amenities. We brought our own sheets and campstove. It was nice to be able to set up a crockpot before we got on the river and have dinner ready when we got back though. The cabin was reasonably sized and not a bad experience.
It was nice on Sunday morning to just get to enjoy our coffee as we watched hundreds of hungover people in the campground try to take down tents.
We floated from Scotia to Ozark Outdoors, which is a very pretty 5 mile float in the Huzzah. This meant we had to be bussed from HVR to the put in and from the take out back to HVR. The river was packed!! There were people as far as the eye could see and the raft/canoe/kayak traffic never broke up during our whole time on the river. Since it was not a holiday weekend, we were a little surprised by how crowded it was. This didn't stop is from having a great time though! We floated in a raft and a kayak and both experiences were very good.
The campsite offered tent sites as well as sites with full hookups for RVs. Each campsite has a fire grate and picnic table. There is a camp store on site that sells everything you could possibly forget, from matches to fishing poles to beer.
Product Review
As a Ranger for the Dyrt I get to try out products from time to time. One this trip I tested out Nature’s Coffee Kettle, which is billed as top quality coffee that you can take anywhere. They give you a reusable kettle bag and a filter bag of coffee. You can purchase refill packs to use in the same kettle bag. Kettle bags get up to 4 uses. You place the filter pack at the top of the bag, pour some boiling water over it and let it sit for a few minutes, then you pour the remaining water over the filter and wait a few more minutes for it to brew through the filter bag and drip into the bottom portion of the bag. Once it is done, you can pour yourself a cup of hot joe.
The coffee is very good. Even though the brewing process is a little complex (adding 1 cup of water, waiting a few minutes, adding 3 more cups, waiting more), it isn’t that difficult. The closable pour spout is nice to keep your coffee hot while you drink your first cup. The bag is a little flimsy and I was afraid the kettle would fall over while brewing, but it held up. The kettle and bag are lightweight and can fold down pretty small. These are definitely much easier to use than an old school percolator, and take up less space. I feel like car camping is where these will shine. Although you do still have to pack a pot to boil the water.
They are even practical enough that I might try to take them backpacking at some point. I can’t imagine they will replace Starbucks Vias as my go-to coffee for backpacking though. It is still bigger, creates more trash, and you have to make 4 cups at once even though it is tastier.
Pros:
Cons:
ScoutA really nice smaller privately owned campground that still has all of the perks. Pool, clean bath house, ice, fire wood, etc. Bordered by a spring branch and just a mile from Clearwater lake access. Has several cabins and one RV for rent. Tall pines and cottonwood trees throughout. Owners are great people and work relentlessly keeping the place maintained.
Scout
Great place to stay. Clean and friendly people.
TravelerOwners are very friendly and accommodating. Save your money and buy firewood here at the hideaway, best value ($7) and a large amount, you can also purchase ice here as well in the office area. Bathrooms were very clean and well lit. We were the only tent in the park on laborday weekend and it was very nice, we slept great, everyone that pasted by our campsite waved or chatted very friendly. Such a wonderful, quiet and relaxing get away we had. Cant wait to return.
RangerWe went with the whole fam to Sam A Baker. Shower houses were conveniently located in camping area. Big River was just a small walk away from the campsite. I know they had been flooded, but I am still cleaning rocks and dirt from the camper. They had a nice camp store and were very friendly. Mostly electric sites. A few full hookups close to the front of the campground. Nice paved roads and larger than normal sites. It was during a pandemic, but bathrooms were pretty clean. Will definitely go again.
GuideJust spent the weekend with my family at Sam A Baker (SAB). We stayed at campground 2. Spot 145 and had plenty of shade and space. There are two traditional camps and one equestrian. The park is crowded but that’s because of how great it is. Lots of paved walk/bike trails around the park. If you forget your bike no problem you can rent one for $5 a day! The visitors center was neat. The general store has everything you need and a restaurant attached where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner. We spent some time on the gravel bar which was a short walk from our campsite. The water on Big Creek was clear, shallow, and not too cold. I would recommend this state park to any family looking to camp.
ScoutMy family camps at Sam A Baker every year. It is clean and everyone there is friendly. They have a nice gift shop and some great places to swim.
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
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.
ScoutSo many amenities and places to check out! My former partner and I and even friends checked this place out a few times. We enjoy the overall area and atmosphere of the shop m, visitor center and cafe offers some pretty good eats if you were up for making some yourself! Otherwise the hikes are pretty good and the views are also! Definitely worth checking out and scoping out if anything!
TravelerCampground 1 is beautiful. Keep your food stored safely as we saw 5 skunks, 4 raccoons, 1 weasel and a partridge in a pear tree. They're all pretty bold about stealing food.
GuideI’ve never been to a campground so finely manicured. The grass is short and the roads are in great shape. Campground 1 has a boat ramp and easy access to river sits. Some of the sites are a little crampy, but if all you’re doing is cooking and sleeping, you’re as good to go as a crunch wrap supreme. When night falls, be sure to lock your food up like Fort Knox. We saw a few stinks, a whizzle, and a fat racc. And boy, were they persistent. Next trip we’ll be hitting the backpacking trails. Can’t wait to come back. Thanks Sammy.
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).
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.
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!
ScoutGreat campground lots of things to do. Camp store was nice. Had a great area to roast s’mores and sit around the campfire at night
GuideWe enjoyed our 1.5 mile hike to get to the river access to float. We brought our own flotation devices and really enjoyed every aspect of the seclusion. They have equestrian trails as well and we got to see horses while floating too. The water was crystal clear and we even found quartz in some rocks in the water.
GuidePros:
--Tons of swimming in the rivers and"shut-ins" throughout the park(just remember to wear water shoes if you can; it's VERY gravely)
--Lots of trails
--Nice, mellow bike path connecting the two main campgrounds and the very fun camp store(look up on the ceiling!)
--Tall pines(I love tall pines, that's all)
Cons: DISCLAIMER-- We were here on a weekend in August, so I suspect our experience was very much shaped by that....
--Campground was PACKED and LOUD
--Campground was PACKED and LOUD
--Campground was PACKED and LOUD
Okay, I think you get the picture with the campground itself. It was one of those things that made me feel like a cranky old man, saying,"man, why can't these people stop trying to show-off their lame-ass stereos???" That said, the park itself was beautiful.
The main attraction is the water. The river twists and turns through the park. It's shallow, gently flowing, and VERY clear pretty much everywhere(except a few places where it was stagnant!). PRO TIP!!! Since the campground was PACKED and LOUD, most people seemed to not venture too far from the campground itself, so if you want your own private swimming spots, you can hike a relatively short distance and grab one. We did the short"shut-ins" trail and found a perfect one.
BOTTOM LINE: If you want any peace and quiet, don't stay here on the weekend. I suspect the weekdays would be better, and if you managed to schedule mid-week, I suspect it would be an incredible place to stay.
TravelerSuper park for great biking, hiking, river access, restaurant, great camp store. This park always has a lot of activties for the campers! We love Sam A. Baker!
GuideWill definitely be back here. Clear waters to swim in. Clean restrooms. Spacious tent spaces. Nice trails. We went and saw the park rangers showing us all kinds of different snakes in the area. Kids loved it.
TravelerWe absolutely love this campground! We have been camping there for over 9 years now. Very kid friendly. Our kids enjoy riding bikes, swimming, the nature programs, and kayaking. Highly recommend! We love the fact that river access is just a few steps away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Poplar Bluff, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Poplar Bluff, MO is Sam A. Baker State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Poplar Bluff, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 glamping camping locations near Poplar Bluff, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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