The Owensville area of Missouri sits at approximately 900 feet elevation in the northern Ozarks region, characterized by rolling hills, forests, and river valleys. Camping spots near Owensville offer accessibility to both the Gasconade and Meramec river systems, with most campgrounds remaining open year-round despite occasional flooding in spring. Tent sites typically range from $12-25 per night while RV sites with hookups average $30-45 depending on amenities.
What to do
Cave exploration: 30-90 minute tours: Meramec Caverns Natural Campground offers spectacular underground adventures with unique formations. "The cave tour is really cool although a little pricey. All in all its a fantastic little hideaway," notes one visitor. Tours typically cost $20-30 per adult.
Horseback riding: family-friendly trails: Lost Valley Lake Resort provides guided horseback riding suitable for beginners. "There is horseback riding, pony rides and the jump pillow are big favorites," according to a reviewer who frequents the resort.
Fishing: multiple species: Meramec State Park Campground offers fishing access along the Meramec River. "The State Park has a great canopy of trees located next to a stream as a setting for the campground that bounds with wildlife. We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," explains one camper who enjoyed the natural setting.
Ropes course: extended experiences: At Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort, adventurous campers can tackle aerial challenges. "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," shares a satisfied visitor.
What campers like
Multiple swimming options: year-round access: Onondaga Cave State Park Campground provides water recreation opportunities. "Checkout my one minute video with Mike, the campground host, talking about Onondaga Cave State Park," shares one camper. Another notes, "We where able to do the walk with our whole family with NO melt downs from the kids, which is kind of special."
Riverside camping: direct water access: Campers at Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground appreciate the proximity to water. "Great folks working there, always very friendly and helpful. You have good options for a shady and grassy spot if you're tent camping too," says one repeat visitor who enjoys the river setting.
Wildlife viewing: daily sightings: Many camping areas support abundant wildlife. "We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," reports one Meramec State Park visitor. The diverse ecosystems around Owensville support numerous native species.
Level camping pads: concrete surfaces: Multiple campgrounds feature improved tent and RV sites. "Great concrete slab sights with River and hiking trails close by!" notes one Meramec State Park camper, highlighting the stable camping surfaces.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: prepare accordingly: Many camping areas have spotty connectivity. "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short," reports one Meramec State Park visitor. Download maps and information before arrival.
Highway proximity considerations: RV Self-Park provides convenient access but with some noise trade-offs. "If you love the sound of freeways this is the place for you," notes one camper, while another mentions, "Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras."
Weekend crowds: book early: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "This is primarily a campground for people floating the Meramec River and other area streams. On summer weekends it is crowded and noisy," explains one visitor to Ozark Outdoors.
Flooding potential: check conditions: River campgrounds occasionally face closure due to rising water. "The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because sometimes the park closes or they have to evacuate due to the quick rise of the river. Easy fix though, just call ahead to see if they're open," advises one Meramec Caverns camper.
Tips for camping with families
Indoor recreation options: rainy day alternatives: Lost Valley Lake Resort offers multiple weather-proof activities. "There is swimming year round with 2 indoor pools, hot tubs and sauna. You can play indoor mini golf, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, pool, ping pong, shuffleboard, arcade games and watch a movie," explains a regular visitor.
Educational cave tours: age-appropriate options: Onondaga Cave State Park provides family learning experiences. "The caves are stunning!! The tour guides are very knowledgeable and everyone seems to love their jobs," shares one visitor who enjoyed the educational aspects.
Budget constraints: conservation areas: Helds Island Access offers free camping with minimal facilities. "Nice spot bring boat. There's a boat launch here. Saw a decent amount of traffic for this. Grass sites. Road is well maintained. Quiet the one night I spent there," reports one camper who appreciated the no-cost option.
Playground availability: varies by campground: Garrison Canoe Rental mentions, "This campground had a good deal of trees for shade while still offering plenty of open spaces for kids to run around." Check specific campground amenities before booking with children.
Tips from RVers
Overnight convenience: highway accessibility: RV Self-Park provides easy access for travelers passing through. "I rolled in about 1030 with my daughter and dog. Very well lit, very clean and very easy to get in and very secure with a ton of cameras. Also has a really nice dog area," notes one RV camper who appreciated the convenience.
Seasonal considerations: year-round options: Meramec Valley Campground & RV Park remains open throughout the seasons. "Great sites, pools, store and a 4 acre lake for fishing and kayaking. Laundry facilities available. Some rentals," shares a visitor who enjoyed the amenities during their stay.
Site selection: privacy differences: Onondaga Cave State Park offers varying levels of separation between sites. "The campground itself is very well taken care of. Spotless bathroom/shower, attentive campground hosts and plenty of amenities," according to one satisfied RVer.
Full-hookup availability: limited options: Meramec State Park offers comprehensive RV services. "The sites provided ample room to keep you from your neighbor. I recommend this site as a good stopover on I 44," suggests one RVer who found the park convenient for transit stays.
