Camping cabins near Rhineland, Missouri provide accommodations in the eastern Ozark foothills, where elevations range from 500 to 800 feet. The area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures of 85°F and mild winters, making spring through fall the primary seasons for cabin stays. Most cabin rentals require advance booking, with peak availability challenges from May through September when floating activities are most popular.
What to do
Explore cave systems: At Meramec State Park Campground, visitors can take guided tours of Fisher Cave, which maintains a constant 55°F temperature year-round regardless of outside weather. "There's a cave tour that is a lot of fun. Tons of great hikes with some that take you to caves," notes a visitor who appreciates the natural underground attractions.
Fish in stocked ponds: Daniel Boone Conservation Area offers fishing opportunities in maintained ponds with multiple species. "There's some stocked ponds to fish in and trails to explore. We rode the Katy Trail which is only 3.5 miles down the hill from here," reports one camper who enjoyed the accessible fishing amenities during their stay.
Tackle the ropes course: Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort features the Floating Trees ropes course for active visitors. According to one reviewer, "My family also enjoy the Floating Trees ropes course. It was supposed to be about 2 hours but the instructors let them go an extra 45 minutes without anyone feeling rushed."
What campers like
Tranquil weekday stays: Campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at Meramec Caverns Natural Campground during non-peak times. "Beautiful location friendly staff great facilities! Cell service is sketchy but it's perfect for getting off the grid," writes one visitor who enjoyed the fall camping experience away from summer crowds.
Fishing accessibility: Pin Oak RV Park receives positive feedback for its fishing pond. A reviewer mentioned, "Nice little lake to fish in and areas to walk around in," while another noted "A nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy."
Dark sky viewing: Cuivre River State Park Campground offers excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. "The best spot is over looking the lake and offers a clear view of the night sky," notes one camper who appreciated the astronomical viewing conditions at this location about an hour from Rhineland.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Expect to see various wildlife at cabin sites throughout the region. At Daniel Boone Conservation Area, one visitor reports, "Enjoy the sound of owls and silence. Plenty of dead/down trees for firewood. 2 bars w/Verizon."
Bathroom facilities vary: Bathhouse quality differs significantly between properties. At Hickory Ridge Campground, a camper noted, "The bathhouses still need just a little work. One we used was small and the other stated they were working to improve it. But they were clean and in working order. Just need a little tlc."
Limited cell service: Several cabin areas have restricted connectivity. A camper at Meramec State Park Campground stated, "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short."
Tips for camping with families
Book buddy sites: For family group trips, certain campgrounds offer special site arrangements. At Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort, "We enjoyed the buddy sites so that our front doors faced our friends and the hookups were on the outside of each campsite. They also had group buddy sites that allowed four rigs to all front doors to face each other."
Look for tent-friendly areas: Some campgrounds offer better tent camping experiences than others. A visitor to Cuivre River State Park Campground reports, "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! No electricity but water was conveniently located right across from our site."
Consider cabin alternatives: The Turner Katy Trail Shelter provides hostel-style accommodations specifically for trail users. "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."
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling: Some RV sites require significant leveling preparation. According to a camper at Jonesburg Gardens Campground, "Traveling in 38' Class A Motorhome... The RV spots were gravel, pull through, & full hookup."
Verify hookup types: Not all campgrounds offer the same hookup configurations. At Lost Valley Lake Resort, RVers appreciate the complete utility setup. A camper notes, "Lost valley happens to be one of our favorite camp grounds. They are extremely family friendly, they have an indoor pool, hot tubs, and sona, an outdoor pool and hot tubs, inflatable jump pillows, concerts almost every weekend, full hookups."
Consider site proximity: At Pin Oak RV Park, sites can be close together. A visitor observed, "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. (One advantage of being an older park.) But everything is just a little run down. The sites are gravel and close together do not much privacy. They come with water, sewer & electric."
