Are you planning a tent camping trip to Rolla? We've got you covered. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Rolla, Missouri's most popular destinations.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
The Brazil Creek Recreation Area serves as a trail camp for the 24-mile Berryman Trail and the 40 mile Courtois Section of the Ozark Trail. The Berryman Trail traverses 24 miles of scenic Ozark countryside starting at the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp of 1937 and winding through timbered stands and fields. This section of the Ozark Trail is part of the over 200 mile through-trail. For more information about these sections of trail, visit www.ozarktrail.com . Camping, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding here offer the recreationist a pleasant measure of solitude and quiet.
$20 - $40 / night
This section is the gateway to the Ozarks--starting at Onondaga Cave State Park and winding through the Huzzah State Forest/Conservation Area, opening into the lead district of Missouri and the Mark Twain National Forest, view variegated wildlife, flora, and scenery and end up at Hazel Creek on the south. This 45-mile long section includes 7.5 miles of state land north of the Narrows Trailhead, crosses private land at the Bass Resort, follows the Berryman Trail from about mile 22 through mile 32, and connects to the Trace Creek Section on the south at the Hazel Creek Trailhead. It is part of the over 220 mile continuous through-trail. Use caution after periods of rain as the creek crossings can be hazardous. This section of trail includes springs, creeks and other water locations, as well as some popular places for trailside camping. Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you! Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources. Treat any water found in the area before consuming it. Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered. Pack out all of your garbage.
Anutty Farm is a 68 + acre sheep, goat and poultry farm. We have 5 small farm ponds on the property. The property is fenced so you know the boundaries of the farm. We have 68 acres of mostly wooded area we have decided to open for primitive tent and Boondocking type camping. This area is farm country so you won't see a lot of traffic. Hear a lot of noise. or deal with a lot of people. Our camp ground is for those who want peace and quite, maybe a walk in the woods or have sheep and goats or other critters as entertainment. Girl scouts and boy scouts welcome to learn the primitive way of camping. There is water on the property and trash cans.
$10 - $20 / night
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
Two of Americas clearest spring-fed rivers combine to create the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in the rolling, forested landscape of Akers. Visitors to the campground enjoy various water activities, as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Natural Features: Known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways have over 300 identified caves within its boundaries. The caves range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features. The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouris only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamores, Cottonwoods, River birch and maples are common. Redbud and dogwood are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months. Recreation: The crystal-clear Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail. Facilities: This group campground is open year round with limited facilities in the off season. Nearby Attractions: Scenic Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months. Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and Alley Spring are nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and ranger-offered tours are available upon request. ACTIVITIES Boating: Kayaking Historic & Cultural Site: Historic Sites Fishing Hiking Hunting Visitor Center: Ranger Station
$50 / night
Legend
Round Springs is a National Park campground. It’s about 12 miles north if Eminence MO on the Current River. There are only 50 sites, some have electricity. Most of the campsites are scattered along the road with lots of trees and privacy. The electric sites are in the center of the campground on the road with no shade. There are few walk in sites near the river. There is a shower and dump station.
Traveler
We found this place after hours and Shirley still answered the phone and had a spot for us. Both Shirley and Kevin were super nice. The campground is unique and adorable. Very cute and clean bathrooms, plenty of toilets and shower space. It seems like they are doing some updating of things so that's why the 4 stars, once they finish their updates I'm positive it will be 5 star worthy.
Scout
We stayed one night on our way through Missouri. It’s only about ten minutes south of I-44. The campground was only about half full, so it was nice and quiet. All sites have a concrete pad for the RV and for the picnic table. Includes water and electric. Playground, laundry room, and dump station. Hiking trails available from the campground and cave tours on weekends. We stayed at site #65 which is close to the entrance/restrooms and has no campsite on either side.
Legend
I’ve been coming to the Current River area for over 60 years, before the National Scenic Riverways, when Round Springs, Alley Springs, Big Springs, and Montauk were all state parks. They were great places for camping, swimming in the Current River, and canoeing. This new State Park at Echo Bluff is everything I would eliminate from a campground. Sites are packed close together, everything is concrete. No privacy, no shade , no natural beauty. A big modern lodge, cabins and townhouses. I made reservations for two weeks expecting a state park experience. Sorely disappointed! We left early. The staff mostly didn’t bother us. But we watched the cop that sat along the road partway down a steep hill almost every day and gave out tickets for exceeding the 20 mph limit. Showers/bathrooms were new, but not centrally located. Probably would not go back.
Traveler
Well kept state park and trout hatchery. Recently upgraded electric in campground 4, which was nice. Each campground has its own host, which is great when you need it. I hung out with friends in a basic group site, too, and there was plenty of room and a nice setting (site 116). Food at the lodge was better than anticipated and friends in the cabins had no major complaints either.
Scout
Great place for the price. The staff is very helpful and welcoming! We will be visiting again in the future!
Scout
Asked for a lake view cabin. We were the only ones here since it was a weekday after labor day so all cabins were open. I go to check in and it's a long sidewalk between narrow rails. Not at all easy if you are disabled and with my COPD, I had to stop several times.
I get cabin 6. If you go here DO NOT GET CABIN 6. It's the only one you can't park in front of as it's down the side of a hill. You must traverse several levels of steps down a steep grade. The office hours are over by now so I hauled what we needed down.
The lake view was somewhere past the forest so I'll take their word on that.
The refrigerator was filthy and we had no hot water. Since it was after hours all we could do is clean the fridge, make supper and wait till 9 in the morning to call maintenance.
Maintenance arrives and determine the elements are bad. At about 10:30am they started working. Spent most of our only full day watching them fix the water heater. The maintenance guys were very nice but I'm not leaving my stuff with strangers.
So basically, I spent $200 to sit on a deck with acorns falling on us or on the world's most uncomfortable couch as they worked on getting me hot water. Early morning fishing was shot.
They did say we could now switch cabins but I would need to move our stuff back up Mt Fk-That just to move it again into the new cabin, then back out again tomorrow.
It is a lovely area and the people are friendly but they need to do better. Also, warn people that cabin 6 is more cliff side than lake side.
GuideWe stayed one night in campsite 65. Onondaga Cave is amazing with the new lighting; it just reopened July 4, 2024. The river is still fantastic fun, especially for our grandkids ages 9 and 12.
Avoid campsite 65 when it rains. We had over an inch of standing water on the concrete pad when we arrived. 18 hours after it stopped raining, we still had some water on the concrete pad.
Other than the water, Onondaga Cave SP has been one of my favorite places to camp in Missouri for more than 20 years.
Scout
I like that quite surroundings. But as a July 1 2024 they started cutting the timber. An they are going to a paid camping area. They have fire rings, tables and blacktop parking spots.
It's a shame it's going to cost to be here.
Traveler
If it's your birthday or a bachelor/Bachelorette party, this is your place. They have a family side and a party side (the zoo). Don't expect to get much rest in the zoo. There are plenty of campsites to enjoy. Reserve yours early they fill up fast in the summer. Huzzah Valley is the know party camp ground if you live in the Saint Louis metropolitan area
GuideWe took a couples float during the week to get away from our busy lives and relax. The huzzah resort is always top notch. Very clean(except the port-potties), great amenities and if you forget something you can always get it at the shop! The river was perfect and we practically had the place to ourselves with only one other tent in view! Not to bad for a Week day camp trip!
Guide
This camp ground is a little hidden gem and so pretty! It has running water bathroom and showers! They are so kind and aware. They make shuttling your personal watercraft SO easy! This camp are is very clean and family friendly! The river was pretty!
Guide
We typically prefer more dispersed-style camping, but this has actually become one of our favorite established sites in the Ozarks. It's VERY family-oriented (probably not for you if you want to party), with tons of games like volleyball and horseshoes, plus onsite programs and activities including scavenger hunts, movie nights, pancake breakfasts, etc.
A little of everything when it comes to sites - there are pull-thru sites, full hookups, basic tent sites, you name it. We tent camped in sites 61-64 (now one huge site, but at one time they were three individual), which directly overlooks the river and sits on a very private corner. The sites on this end are a bit of a walk to the bathrooms/showers and camp store, but also extremely spacious and private.
Great camp store and a large sandy beach with natural swimming holes, plus a seasonal pool. There's even so-so wifi at the store.
Float trips are a big deal here, and Indian Springs offers both boat rentals and shuttle services. We used their shuttling one day, then the second day, I drove my husband up to the put-in (less than 10 mins) and he floated back and took out here. The owners are really friendly and accommodating. Our top choice for float/camp trips, especially when we have our kiddos.
Guide
Fun trails and fishing from a fresh spring. Great and clean shower house. Well taken care of.
Guide
We spent a one night get-away at Hazel Creek with our 30 foot travel trailer. The gravel road into the campground was no problem for a pickup with a trailer. It would be fine for a passenger car, too.
The campsites are large. Several back up to the creek, which is shallow and pretty. The rest are scattered through the wooded campground. Come for the scenery and the hiking. You won't be disappointed.
There are no amenities other than fire rings, picnic tables, and food posts. There is no cell phone coverage. Follow the USFS directions, not Google Maps. That will put you on good paved roads.
Guide
Good: It was clean and tidy, had ice and firewood for sale, was close to the boat ramp for the Osage River, and the bathrooms looked to be newly remodeled. Good shaded and flat spot for our tent.
Bad: No one on-site, no TP, no paper towels, no internet (Other campers said it had been working until the power went out during a storm a few days before; when the power was restored, the internet didn't come back)
Conclusion: For $44.29/night, I would keep going next time.
ScoutEnjoyed the peaceful stay with nature. Enjoyed listening to the wind in the pine trees. It was a relaxing week. Will do again.
Scout
Campground was nice, pretty buggy, but bathrooms were in shambles, showers were full of mud and dirt
GuideWe stayed for 1 night, great trails to walk around, don’t forget bug spray! Good lookouts you can walk to as well. We didn’t do any fishing but saw plenty of people out enjoying the day!
GuideSuch a pretty camping sesh. Love this campground and its aminities it’s always cleaner and organized.
Guide
If you’ve been coming to this campground for decades as my family has, prepare yourself. They’ve taken this hidden gem abounding with rustic, quiet character and turned it into a busy RV park. Most spots are not ideal for tent camping. The beaches are too small to accommodate the number of people now coming in. It’s just heartbreaking. It’s our ancestral home and we just don’t know if we can handle going back. The whole vibe is drastically different. It’s looks like every other RV park out there. It used to be a short walk to get to the water. Not anymore. They also got rid of the picnic area close to the water. It was extremely inconvenient getting my elderly mother down to the water (and then finding a beach spot on our side of the creek was impossible).
GuidePositives: Tranquil little campground with beautiful spring and cave. Quiet, shady, has two points of river access, group sites, and steaming hot showers. Close to Echo Bluff State Park, Current River State Park, and Eminence, MO.
Negatives: Test sites are hit or miss. Sites 1-18 are fairly small and not very level. Sites 19-29 have larger, more level areas. 30-39 are kind of mixed. Many sites have steps up of down to the site from the road. There is no cell service available, so make sure you have made reservations before you get here. Closest cell service is up the road at Echo Bluff State Park.
Other info: You may get lucky and see otters on your way to the spring, or some of the wild horses in the area. Go in the early morning to the spring trail to watch the mist roll off the water and enjoy the wildlife - so otherworldly.
Cave tours are available June - Oct., but even if you visit is outside of this window, the walk to the cave is kind of magical.
If you walk to the spring overlook, you'll also encounter a portion of the Ozark Trail. About a half a mile down the Ozark Trail you can cross the Current River on a pedestrian bridge which is a pretty cool experience.
Bathrooms available on the upper camping loop, but the showers are located on the bottom loop (three family style showers). Fantastic water pressure.
Host was friendly even when he had to tell us we couldn't hang hammocks in National Park campgrounds.
While you're there drive down to Alley Spring for a nice hike, another beautiful spring and historic mill, and at the camp store you can get a National Parks Passport stamp (located in the screened in porch) for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
We stayed in site 13 which is located directly behind the bathrooms. Good if you have to go all the time, bad if you don't like to hear loud toilet flushes. Very shady site.
ScoutMy family used to stay here every year. Owners are just not very friendly. You get told 2 different prices over the phone compared to when you get there. Overall is a nice camp ground pretty quiet. Pretty river.
Scout
My family and I come here every year the owners are great. Camp ground is quiet and family friendly.
TravelerLove tent camping! Secluded and shaded. I want a few years back and it was lovely can’t wait to see if there have been updates!
TravelerVery beautiful and relaxing. Would recommend to anyone. Clean and accommodating, this is one of the best campgrounds I've been to. I ❤️ it and will Def be going back!
Guide
Very small park but easily navigable. We had a great spot, for our 42’ motorhome and truck. It was a pull through and easy to get into. It’s close to US 44 so a bit of road noise. The owner was very friendly and gave us a map with perfect directions. Told us about the amenities and said if we needed anything to just yell. ☺️ We didn’t leave once we rolled in til morning due to pouring down rain. Would recommend!!
Camping near Rolla, Missouri, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin.
Camping around Rolla, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or an action-packed weekend, you'll find it here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rolla, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rolla, MO is Paydown Access with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Rolla, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
