Best Cabin Camping near Portland, MO

Several campgrounds within driving distance of Portland, Missouri offer furnished cabin rentals with varying amenities. Meramec State Park Campground provides year-round cabin accommodations with clean, well-maintained facilities. According to visitor Staci R., "Lodge and cabin rentals are available with clean well-kept shower houses." Meramec Caverns Natural Campground features cabins with space-saving Murphy beds that maximize living areas when not in use. Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park includes cabin options on its 160-acre property with fishing ponds and hiking trails. Pin Oak RV Park also offers cabin rentals, though reviews note the facilities show some age with dated bathrooms and showers.

Rustic cabins and more modern options are available depending on the location and price point. The Turner Katy Trail Shelter provides basic hostel-style cabin accommodations with bunk beds for hikers and cyclists, featuring shared bathroom facilities and a communal kitchen with refrigerator and microwave. Visitors must bring their own bedding. Meramec Caverns cabins include clean units with Murphy beds that one visitor described as allowing "so much space when we weren't sleeping." Stanton-Meramec KOA offers cabin rentals from March through December with access to amenities like a pool, general store, and restaurant with limited delivery service. Most pet-friendly cabins have restrictions and may require additional fees, so checking policies before booking is essential.

Cabin amenities vary significantly between locations, with most providing beds but requiring guests to bring linens, pillows, and towels. Basic cabins typically include electricity and sometimes air conditioning but may lack private bathrooms or kitchens. More deluxe units might feature refrigerators, microwaves, and private bathrooms. St. Charles County Klondike Park offers "small cabins though pretty basic," according to reviewer Mike L., who advises storing food securely due to raccoons. On-site camp stores at locations like Meramec Caverns and Pin Oak RV Park provide essentials like firewood, ice, and basic groceries. For extended stays, bringing cooking supplies, food, and personal items is recommended as cabin kitchens are often minimally equipped.

Best Cabin Sites Near Portland, Missouri (18)

    1. Daniel Boone Conservation Area

    10 Reviews
    Hermann, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 441-4554

    "Only a couple have picnic tables, but all seemed to have at least a level spot for the tent and a fire ring."

    "The main pull-in parking area was completely empty. Has a ton of spots, most with their own fire ring. Some have some shade."

    2. Hickory Ridge Campground

    6 Reviews
    New Florence, MO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 564-7993

    $25 - $40 / night

    "He escorted us to our site which was tucked away under some nice trees. Though campground is close to interstate, noise was minimal (I think because of the trees)."

    "Showers and bathrooms."

    3. Turner Katy Trail Shelter

    1 Review
    Holts Summit, MO
    15 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "The Katy Trail Turner Shelter Hostel is located in Tebbetts, Missouri at mile 131.2. The shelter is open for individuals and groups, including youth groups, using the trail."

    4. Meramec State Park Campground

    57 Reviews
    Sullivan, MO
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 468-6072

    $12 - $48 / night

    "Huge park with tons of amenities and options. Although there is year round Camping, the host on site advised water to each individual site will be turned off end of October for winter."

    "From every to truck bed camping. We were in a secluded area and had rented almost all spot in loop. Nice campsites with water and electric. Bathroom and showers were a pretty good walk."

    5. Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 239-8340

    "The cabins are spectacular and right on the water! We just tooK 40+ family members and everyone fell in love with this campground."

    "Oh my as we drove in this place was amazing There were fishing ponds a retreat center and cabins Hiking trails Rv park w laundry Over 160 acres of land to explore on!!!"

    6. Lost Valley Lake Resort

    3 Reviews
    Owensville, MO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 764-3605

    "Summer time swimming at 1 outdoor pool and 2 swimming beaches at the lake. You can rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and fishing boats."

    "I spent years growing up enjoying lost Valley lake. Many enjoyable family fun."

    7. Cuivre River State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Troy, MO
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 528-7247

    $15 - $38 / night

    "Fire rings with attached rebar grills on a bricked square. Picnic table and lantern post. Small playground near the check in station/camp store. The store is small but will have what you need."

    "This park has plenty of trails for all lengths to keep you busy and the camping is spaced out nicely so you are not right on top of each-other."

    8. Jonesburg Gardens Campground

    4 Reviews
    New Florence, MO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 488-5630

    "Great place to go right off the highway"

    9. Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    23 Reviews
    Stanton, MO
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 468-3166

    $23 - $38 / night

    "This is a private campground run by Meramec Caverns. The campground is large and shaded, right on the river. There are hook up sites and tent sites."

    "Security patrols around the clock and doesn't put up with any ridiculousness. Campsites available on pavement, gravel for campers and RVs and grass for tents."

    10. Pin Oak RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Union, MO
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 962-1501

    "A nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy."

    "Mini golf, activity room with a pinball machine and pool table. A band played on Saturday night at the pavillion but unfortunately it was very cold and we didn't stay long."

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Cabin Reviews near Portland, MO

186 Reviews of 18 Portland Campgrounds


  • Staci R.
    Oct. 24, 2017

    Meramec State Park Campground

    Mera-culously huge

    Huge park with tons of amenities and options. Although there is year round Camping, the host on site advised water to each individual site will be turned off end of October for winter. Potable water is available near dump stations (hmmm....). Very well kept, and vacant this time of year, affords the opportunity for a more private camping and river experience. Clean well kept shower houses. Lodge & cabin rentals also available. Boat ramp in back of campground. Campsites with blue bands and parking stops are ADA compliant with concrete pads, elevated grills plus fire ring and picnic table.

  • Anne H.
    Jul. 23, 2018

    Cuivre River State Park Campground

    Natural, well maintained

    Nice campground with tent areas and RV area well separated. Fire rings with attached rebar grills on a bricked square. Picnic table and lantern post. Small playground near the check in station/camp store. The store is small but will have what you need. The showers were adequate with the requisite daddy long legs. There were a fair amount of ticks so spray your gear with permethrin. Many of the sites were pretty small - we had a hard time seeing where a tent would fit, usually the answer was on the side of the road. Also, many were close together with little privacy. We stayed on site 53. Which I definitely recommend. Plenty of space for the tent (on a bit of a slant with tree roots, but doable, especially with air mattresses), great privacy on one side, decentprivacy on the other, and a lovely view of the woods at the back.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2018

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    Jesse James hideout camping

    This is a private campground run by Meramec Caverns. The campground is large and shaded, right on the river. There are hook up sites and tent sites. My advice is to try and get a spot all the way to the left of the entrance. These sites seem quieter and more spread out. The down side is that they are pretty far from the shower house and bathrooms. Most of this sites (but not all) have picnic tables, grills and fire pits. There are a few really nice sites right on the river. There is a restaurant, general store, canoe rental, zip line (it goes across the Meramec River, not sure how you get back!), and of course the caverns. The cave tour is a bit hokey, but if you can look past the mannequins and silliness, the caves themselves are really spectacular. You can definitely see why Jesse and Frank James used this as a hideout.

  • Stacie E.
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    Great Place to camp and enjoy!

    This was our first trip in our camper and a first camp at Meramec Caverns.

    The staff is friendly and helpful. Security patrols around the clock and doesn't put up with any ridiculousness.

    Campsites available on pavement, gravel for campers and RVs and grass for tents. Our site had 30/50 amp service and water on a gravel site facing the Meramec River. It waa a beautiful view!

    Shower house and restroom facilities are clean and maintained.

    A dump station is located just outsIde the main gate of the campgrounds.

    Because of the location, there is no wifi and we had no cell service for the majority of our stay. Once in a while it would get a signal but it was very brief.

    Campsites are separated from the Meramec Caverns tourist attractions so there is not constant traffic coming through the campsite.

    Most campsites had a stone fire ring, bbq grill, and picnic table.

    The cave tour, zipline, boat ride, canoe and float trips and motel are all within short walking distance from the campgrounds.

    The campground store has ice, firewood and basics available. The gift shop at the cave has typical tourist items available. The restaurant is more of a snack bar and not a full service restaurant, so don't rely on it for your meals during your stay!

    The cave tour is interesting and informative and on a hot day the 60 degree temp of the cave is the perfect place to hang out for a while!

    Overall, a very nice place to camp and enjoy the outdoors without being too far from home.

    We will definitely be back for another stay!

  • Mike L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 10, 2024

    St. Charles County Klondike Park

    Fantastic Camping Just Off The Katy Trail

    I have bike-packed along the Katy and this is an excellent spot for an overnight(s) stay. It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail. You may have to walk up the hill - challenge made :-) . This is a St. Charles County Park and it is well maintained. They also have small cabins though pretty basic. Make sure to store your food securely overnight - the racoons are pretty thick and hungry at night. I have also done short bike-packing trips from Chesterfield and St. Charles for an overnight(s) stay. If you need it, grab food in Augusta or Defiance before arriving. There are no services in the park.

  • Alex M.
    Jul. 9, 2022

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    Cool destination with a great campground

    The real attraction here is the caverns themselves, plus the zip lining, river floating, and whatever other activities are on offer. But, the campground is not half bad! It's a large grassy area with plenty of trees (though no shrubbery or other privacy screens). There are no numbered campsites. Vehicles can be parked and tents pitched anywhere on the grass. My campsite, located in the far southwest corner, was one of a few with a fire pit, small paved picnic shelter, and picnic table. I was very happy to have the shelter, as there was a thunderstorm the morning of my visit.

    There is a centrally-located camp store here. Their prices were reasonable when I visited. The bathrooms are located nearby, but these were quite run down, crowded, and dirty. I recommend seeking out the bathrooms at the visitor center. These seemed to be open 24/7 and were much, much nicer (and empty in the morning and evening).

    Speaking of the visitor center, their food was surprisingly good. I had dinner and breakfast there, and was glad I did. They also had serviceable public WiFi that I used to catch up on Internet stuff while I waited for the rain to let up.

  • J
    Mar. 4, 2021

    Turner Katy Trail Shelter

    Hostel for Hikers and Bikers on the Katy Trail

    The Katy Trail Turner Shelter Hostel is located in Tebbetts, Missouri at mile 131.2. The shelter is open for individuals and groups, including youth groups, using the trail. It is run by the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust. The shelter is two stories with 40 bunk style beds. Guests must bring their own bedding. There are showers, restrooms and a kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave. The cost is$6 per night per person. For groups of 10 or more the cost is$25 plus $2 for each member.

    To make a reservation, please call the office at 573-634-2322. They will need your name and phone number for a reservation. For more information on the Katy Trail, visit bikekatytrail.com.

  • J
    May. 22, 2022

    Hickory Ridge Campground

    Nice Campground, Convenient Location

    We stayed only one night here while passing through. Campground’s new owner is very kind and friendly. He escorted us to our site which was tucked away under some nice trees.

    Though campground is close to interstate, noise was minimal (I think because of the trees).

    Pretty flowers throughout campground. Bathrooms with a shower and laundry room. Salt water pool, nice grassy area. Some sites had fire pits and picnic tables but not all.

    Would definitely stay here again.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2020

    Daniel Boone Conservation Area

    Quiet and out of the way

    There are 10 or so primitive tent sites and an area that will accommodate about a dozen RV’s. There are no services here and no hook ups, but it’s free. The primitive tent sites are spread out along the main road through the conservation area, which means that in the daytime you will get road noise and dust, but its pretty quiet at night. Only a couple have picnic tables, but all seemed to have at least a level spot for the tent and a fire ring. I noticed some sites had a bit of trash in the fire rings, probably from day use or partiers. There is no trash service, so plan to pack out your trash. The best site (already taken, too bad) was set on the edge of the woods next to a fishing pond. The campers that were there let me take some pics of their site since it was so pretty. The only downside to that site was its proximity to the RV lot and their generators. There are some nice hiking trails here to explore.


Guide to Portland

Cabins near Portland, Missouri offer a range of options for visitors traveling through this east-central region of the state. Located near the Missouri River and surrounded by rolling hills with oak and hickory forests, cabin accommodations in this area provide convenient access to waterways and wooded terrain. The region experiences humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, making spring and fall particularly popular for cabin stays.

What to do

Fishing at multiple stocked ponds: Daniel Boone Conservation Area provides access to fishing ponds with varied catch opportunities. According to visitor Jessica, "There is a pond with some decent sized fish in it," while another reviewer noted "the path around the pond was easily walkable" after recent mowing.

Hiking on established trails: Cuivre River State Park Campground features multiple hiking options through wooded areas. As visitor Tony M. explains, "This park has plenty of well groomed trails and facilities spread out nicely. You could camp here for a weekend and stay busy."

Cave exploration: Meramec Caverns Natural Campground offers guided tours of their famous cave system. One visitor recommends, "Do the cave tour it's really cool!" while another notes, "The cave tour is a bit hokey, but if you can look past the mannequins and silliness, the caves themselves are really spectacular."

Katy Trail access: Some cabins provide easy access to the Katy Trail for cycling. Erik R. from Daniel Boone Conservation Area mentions, "We rode the Katy Trail which is only 3.5 miles down the hill from here," making it a convenient base for cycling excursions.

What campers like

River access and swimming: Campers appreciate locations with water access for summer recreation. At Meramec Caverns Natural Campground, one visitor shared, "The river was amazing. We got down early to ensure we had a spot for our chairs and umbrella. Our kiddos played (with life vests) for 8 hours straight."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park and other locations offer chances to observe local wildlife. At Cuivre River State Park, Maria E. reported, "Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!"

Natural settings with adequate shade: Many cabin visitors appreciate the forested surroundings. At Pin Oak RV Park, one reviewer noted, "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. (One advantage of being an older park.)" This makes summer stays more comfortable.

Dark skies for stargazing: Some more remote cabin locations offer minimal light pollution. Art Z. at Daniel Boone Conservation Area highlighted "Peaceful dark skies" as a notable feature of their stay in the RV campsite area.

What you should know

Varying cellular service: Connectivity can be inconsistent throughout the region. At Daniel Boone Conservation Area, Jessica mentioned, "The service is okay I have ATT and had 1-2 bars most of the time," while Owen T. reported "2 bar LTE Verizon" during their stay.

Seasonal maintenance challenges: Some facilities show wear or seasonal issues. At Hickory Ridge Campground, a reviewer noted "Hot water heater at main showers is always out too," while another mentioned bathroom improvements in progress: "The bathhouses still need just a little work."

Wildlife considerations: Proper food storage is essential at many cabin locations. Maria E. from Cuivre River State Park warned, "Don't leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge, we accidentally left our trash bag hanging (ugh!) but that was our fault."

Gravel road access: Many cabin areas require driving on unpaved roads. At Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park, Amy E. cautioned, "The only thing I didn't love was the gravel road all the way in. Our truck and camper was covered with gravel dust. So if you had anything exposed, it'll get a bit dusty."

Tips for camping with families

Cabin rentals with water recreation: Lost Valley Lake Resort offers extensive family-friendly water amenities. According to Joshua R., "They have an indoor pool, hot tubs, and sauna, an outdoor pool and hot tubs, inflatable jump pillows, concerts almost every weekend."

Look for cabin locations with playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation facilities for children. Pin Oak RV Park includes "a playground, mini golf, a lake, game room" according to a recent visitor, providing multiple entertainment options.

Consider cabins with indoor activities for rainy days: Locations with indoor recreation help during inclement weather. Cyndi O. from Lost Valley Lake Resort shared that you can "play indoor mini golf, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, pool, ping pong, shuffleboard, arcade games and watch a movie."

Check for special weekend activities: Many cabin destinations offer scheduled events. At Pin Oak RV Park, a visitor mentioned, "We go every October for Halloween" and another noted, "The family atmosphere was incredible here, lots for the kiddos to do in this park."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for privacy: At many campgrounds with cabins, site location matters significantly. One RVer at Meramec Caverns Natural Campground advised, "My advice is to try and get a spot all the way to the left of the entrance. These sites seem quieter and more spread out."

Consider premium sites for more space: At Pin Oak RV Park, Tim K. recommended, "You need to reserve a premium spot for a little room," as standard sites can feel crowded during busy periods.

Check bathroom facilities before booking: Bathroom quality varies widely across locations. Joel R. observed at Pin Oak RV Park, "The bathroom and showers were clean, but dated. Not all facilities were in working order," which is important information for those relying on shared facilities.

Note highway noise levels: Some cabin locations experience traffic noise. A visitor to Pin Oak RV Park mentioned, "There is quite a bit of traffic noise from I-44 and there are a lot of excess lights kept on all night long," which might affect light sleepers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Portland, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Portland, MO is Daniel Boone Conservation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Portland, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 cabin camping locations near Portland, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.