Best Campgrounds near Rolla, MO

We spent 3 week days camping here in our camper van. We snagged a spot with a river view. Campground was maintained by NPS, very clean. Nice restrooms with showers as well, potable water spigots. There is a herd of wild horses that frequents the area (as evidenced by mounds of horse poop in an adjacent field!) and you can easily walk over to the beautiful round spring. There is an on/off-loading area for canoes and kayaks. The RV and tent spots all looked mostly level. We saw a bald eagle and a very curious little otter down by the river. Close proximity to the ozark trail. We walked through the campground past the spring and caught a little trail that hooked up with the ozark trail and had a lovely day hike around a loop. It was perfect.

When we were there in April there were only a handful of other campers there and we tons of quiet and privacy, however, I imagine during the summer it fills up.

First of all this is way down Berryman Rd. Go look up Michael Berryman (RIP) and his movies, then come back to me.

Got that picture? Ok great.

First thing you see when you turn off the highway is a tiny Baptist (first red flag) church and graveyard to set the tone.

If that doesn't put you off, make sure your car can handle terrain and you can handle your car. This is barely a road. It's a trail of moguls for your tires. Fallen trees and branches that narrow the lane and threaten to scrape the sides of your vehicle. One tree overhead barely cleared my car. Puddles that could be who know how deep or what's in them (I may be the red flag here). You can not turn around anywhere on this road; you have to go to the end where there's a loop or worst case scenario reverse out while ideally not in a state of panic.

I however as a cultist who worships at the altar of my Subaru's cargo hatch forged ahead because gotta get that creekside spot.

Anyway I got to the site without popping any tires and half set up before going for a walk. There's not a lot of walkable ground out there, really just the flat ground around the campsites and the road. Road was barely even an option. Water-filled pits made the muddy road difficult to traverse and eventually prevented me from going any further. The brush and reedy grass were too thick to walk through safely to get around, and in places the roadside embankments were too steep and loose to climb up and around puddles.

I did see a big ol mudbug, which was cool, but it was terribly quiet out there during my short walk. I was glad to get back to my car, where up the low cliff on the opposite side of the creek was a nicer-looking house with the sounds of people hanging out on the deck.

As night fell and the animal sounds picked up, I decided to sleep in my car instead of the tent. If you're ever out and you hear the animals and insects go silent, and then the next thing you hear is dogs barking, you should also probably sleep in your car.

After a hot and filling foil wrap dinner, I enjoyed some of the good green, because who doesn't like a sleep aid that also activates the amygdala, especially in these particular conditions. I'm soaking up the stars and the moon and the sound of running water, when suddenly I heard a heavy-bodied splash in the creek right by me.

And when I tell you I bolted to the car so fast leaving behind a tangled trail of chair, blanket, charger cable, etc

Because the shore on my side of the creek is flat. Waltz right on up from the creek. Nope not here not me.

Anyway nothing ended up happening, I slept fine, woke up to a bright sun and beautiful view. I did still get out of there pretty fast.

⭐5/7 might go spook myself again