Tammy S.
Guide
GuideLake of the Ozarks State Park Campground
Nice new section
Full hook up! Level concrete site. Lots of deer. Great trail along the river and cliffside.
Camping near Roby, MO
126 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The Ozark region surrounding Roby, Missouri features a diverse mix of camping options within Mark Twain National Forest and nearby state parks. Paddy Creek Recreation Area, just minutes from Roby, offers spacious, shaded tent and small RV sites with good privacy between campsites. According to visitors, "most sites are well shaded and spacious" with "good privacy between sites," though parking pads are "short and lined with huge boulders," making them better suited for smaller trailers than large RVs. Within an hour's drive, campers can access more developed facilities at Montauk State Park, Bennett Spring State Park, and Lake of the Ozarks State Park, which provide full hookup options for RVs alongside primitive tent camping areas. Private campgrounds and river resorts in the region round out the options with cabin rentals and glamping accommodations.
Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with most Forest Service sites open from April through October or December. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with Paddy Creek having virtually no coverage. As one camper noted, there's "no cell service at the campground; had to drive up the hill to get a signal." Basic amenities like drinking water and restrooms are available at most established sites, though primitive areas may only offer vault toilets. The Dollar General and gas station in Roby provide convenient resupply options for campers. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers and occasional severe storms, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. Winter camping is limited to a few year-round facilities that maintain water systems during freezing temperatures.
Trout fishing stands out as a primary attraction at many campgrounds in the region. Montauk State Park, described by one visitor as "another great trout park in Missouri," is located at the headwaters of the Current River and features four camping loops with varying levels of amenities. Several campgrounds provide direct river access, with visitors noting the "blue green crystal clear water" of the Jacks Fork River. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers reporting deer that are "super friendly and didn't move at all as we walked right past them." Weekday camping typically offers a quieter experience, as one visitor advised: "Come on an off day of the week for maximum enjoyment!" The region's natural springs, hiking trails, and scenic river corridors make it particularly appealing for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a blend of recreation and relaxation.
Best Campgrounds near Roby (126)
1. Paddy Creek Recreation Area
"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."
"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."
2. Montauk State Park Campground
"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."
from $15 - $52 / night
Check Availability3. Mark Twain National Forest Paddy Creek Recreation Area
"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. Froggys River Resort
"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."
from $5 - $100 / night
Check Availability5. Jesse And James Properties
from $18 - $20 / night
Check Availability6. Lamplight RV Park
"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."
7. Boiling Springs Campground
"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."
from $12 - $89 / night
Check Availability8. Gasconade Hills Resort
from $38 - $48 / night
Check Availability9. Lake of the Ozarks State Park 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."
"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. "
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability10. Bennett Spring State Park Campground
"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."
from $15 - $48 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 26 min from Springfield, MO
- 1 hr 51 min from Jefferson City, MO
- 2 hrs 16 min from Columbia, MO
- 2 hrs 26 min from St. Louis, MO
Recent Camping Photos near Roby, MO
150 Photos of 126 Roby Campgrounds
Bourbon Barrel H.
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
Kelley
Ruby's Landing River Resort
Joel R.
Montauk State Park Campground
Josiah P.
Boiling Springs Campground
Roger F.
Big Rock Candy Mountain Campground and Big Chill Bar & Grill
MickandKarla W.
Haven Hollow RV Park
Aimee T.
Akers Group Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway
Recent Reviews near Roby, MO
515 Reviews of 126 Roby Campgrounds
Janet K.
ScoutThe Hitching Post RV Park & Tiny Home Village
Has potential but needs owner attention
You can tell this property had potential; the owners have put a lot of $$ into installing sites w/electricity/gravel & a new bathhouse. But checking in was sketchy when “the office” is an unidentified building with a handwritten poster board, “Knock before entering.” I had to text before a young lady came out to show us to our site. The listing says all sites have water & trash. Not accurate. None in our site & water pumps at top of the hill were turned off. The only water avail was at the bathhouse….100 yards from our site. NO TRASH RECEPTACLES OF ANY KIND any where except a dumpster at the top of the hill at the office entrance. Individual toilet rooms w/showers were nice enough, but only 1 had toilet paper! Plus, the campground has long-term campers. We had no problems with that, but this is not a polished property; fairly primitive in overall experience … but with potential. Rather than post a public review which WOULD affect future customers, I sent a detailed text to the owner (?) with feedback & details that are easily fixable. I said I did not want to post a public negative review. It’s been almost 2 weeks now, & I received no response or acknowledgment. Perhaps the young lady who was on-site never gave the feedback to the owners who were “out of state”..???… I don’t know. But when customers attempt to provide actual info privately rather than on public blast, that’s a good thing. Oh well; I tried. Overall, this is “a place to stay.” And $35/nite w/elec is equitable. But don’t go to Hitching Post & expect what it’s not. I’m actually only disappointed the “owners”(?)may not have seen actual feedback that would help the campground.
- SSteff H.Scout
Maramec Spring Park
Beautiful and quiet
We stayed one night on the 4th of July weekend. The campground was accordingly busy. The primitive area is all the way in the back, so besides the foot traffic of people walking past to get to the spring, it was nice and quiet. The spring was beautiful with a nice walkway next to it. The bathroom building was a little older, but the toilets and sink were clean. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. Side note: If you want to fish for trout, you will need a permit for the day.
- SSean J.Guide
Paddy Creek Recreation Area
Backwoods Tent Camping
This is a USFS campground that is perfect if you want a secluded spot to disconnect for awhile. No water, electricity, or cell service, but the views are amazing and Paddy Creek is beautiful. Campground requires a six mile drive on somewhat rough gravel roads and and a paved creek crossing if you are are coming from the Licking, MO side of the forest.
There are about two dozen campsites, each with a narrow and short concrete pad to back a vehicle into. A small popup camper or travel trailer may fit, but anything medium or larger is not going to work. All sites have good shade from tall trees and include a picnic table and fire ring. The single vault toilet was clean and stocked.
Cost is $15 a night and is paid for in the iron ranger nearby. The campground appears to close in late fall and open again in the spring at different dates each year, so be sure to check the USFS website before planning a trip.
Kari W.ScoutLane Spring Recreation Area
Beautiful and peaceful
We were there on a Friday of 4th of July weekend. We used the day-use area but drove though the campground loops to check it out first. Campground was not full, even on a holiday weekend, sites are spread out, and we will definitely come back for camping. Very peaceful.
Day use area was well maintained, easy path to spring, and river access just past the spring. Plenty of tables and grills. Lovely in the evening with the fog creeping up the river!
Rufus W.
TravelerCedar Gap Conservation Area
Quiet
A nice place to park your car for the night
Joel R.
LegendAlley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway
Camping, canoeing and fishing
Alley Springs is one of several campgrounds within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.. Open year-round. Flush toilets and shower facilities available from April till Mud October. Fire rings, picnic tables. There are Ranger-led campfire programs during the summer months. The Jacks Fork River, a clear cool spring fed river is nearby with canoeing, swimming, rafting, and fishing. The historic and scenic Alley Spring and mill Mill is a short walk from the campground.
Tori M.GuideMaramec Spring Park
Amazingly Blue Spring
I had an amazing time using Maramec Spring Park Campgrounds. I’m very familiar with the area which made it easy for me to solo camp. The campgrounds are well maintained and the bathrooms are so open and clean, which is a big plus for me when I camp at established sites. I wore bug spray but I didn’t have any issues with ticks and/or chiggers.
Shawn B.GuideRiverfront Campground and Canoe
Great site
Campground was very nice. good river access and pool area. the store is nice to get a coffee or a smoothie. atv rentals make getting around a breeze. canoe raft and kayak rentals.
Guide to Roby
Camping in the Mark Twain National Forest near Roby, Missouri provides diverse options at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 feet above sea level. The region transitions from dense oak-hickory forests to pine-dominant stands, creating varied campsite environments. Most campgrounds close for winter between December and April, though several maintain primitive camping options year-round with unplowed roads.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing at Paddy Creek: Explore the spring-fed waters where "Creek is spring fed so water is always cooler then most creeks" according to Aaron T. at Paddy Creek Recreation Area. The area offers swimming, fishing, and hiking with good river access from multiple campsites.
Explore hiking trails: Many campsites provide direct trail access. One visitor at Montauk State Park Campground noted they "spent many summers as a child camping at Montauk State Park" and recommends the "quarter mile trial to the springs" where you can search "for the water bubbling out of the ground."
River floating: Arrange river trips that end at your campsite. At Boiling Springs Campground, one camper reported they "completed the 5 mile float down the Big Piney into the Gasconade" and "got out of our boat and walked up the bank to our camp site."
What campers like
Natural springs: The region features unique geological water features. At Boiling Springs Campground, visitors mention "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!"
Diverse camping setups: Options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups. At Montauk State Park, the "campground is broken down into 4 separate loops, with loop 1 being the only basic section, all the others have electricity."
Wildlife viewing: Animal encounters are common throughout the area. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground, visitors report seeing "about 20 deer each day" and the park offers "plenty of trails, fishing, and swimming."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Paddy Creek Recreation Area, one camper mentioned there's "No cell service at cg. Had to drive up the hill to get a signal."
Off-season advantages: Spring and fall offer quieter experiences with more site availability. One camper at Lake of the Ozarks State Park noted: "I was just there during spring break. I was the only tent camper. Maybe 8 RVs or so out of nearly 150 campsites."
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Know what facilities are available before arriving. At Froggys River Resort, a visitor warned: "NO PLUMBIN, PORT O JOHNS ONLY" despite the otherwise "perfect" experience.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly activities: Some parks offer structured programs. Montauk State Park provides "a lot of activities aimed at kids" and families can "feed the fish at the hatchery, or take in one of the nature programs at the amphitheater."
Consider cabins for easier trips: For families wanting a camping experience with fewer logistics, rental options exist. Bennett Spring State Park Campground offers "65 other lodging units which are cabins, duplex/fourplexes, and motel rooms" in addition to traditional campsites.
Select sites for space and shade: Look for roomier areas when camping with children. At Paddy Creek, sites are "spacious" with "good privacy between sites," making them suitable for families needing extra room.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. At Paddy Creek Recreation Area, "parking pads are short and lined with huge boulders" which makes them "worked fine for our 16ft TT big rigs probably not so much."
Check seasonal water availability: Some campgrounds shut off water systems during colder months. At Lake of the Ozarks, "the water was off until the end of March but luckily the pump near the registration kiosk was on."
Reserve early for peak seasons: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer. At Bennett Spring State Park, visitors advise to "reserve early as it fills up fast!" particularly for the more desirable sites with full hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Roby, MO?
What camping is available near Roby, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Roby, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Roby, MO and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Roby, MO?
Which is the most popular campground near Roby, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Roby, MO is Paddy Creek Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 10 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Roby, MO?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Roby, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Roby, MO.
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