2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Pheasant Acres RV Park accepts pets with multiple walking trails nearby where owners can exercise their four-legged companions. The small, quiet campground features 24 sites available year-round with picnic tables and fire rings at each location. RV sites offer full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near St. James, Missouri. The clean shower facilities and bathrooms remain well-maintained, though they were temporarily closed during COVID restrictions. Both Maramec Spring Park and Ozark Farms Family Campground also welcome pets, providing grassy areas where dogs can stretch their legs. Tent campers and RV owners alike appreciate the pet-friendly atmosphere, with many sites offering shade from mature trees.
Nearby trails through wooded areas provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, with many campers reporting ample space for pets to explore. The campground host at Pheasant Acres assists with backing into sites and provides maps for nearby hiking trails suitable for dog walking. During summer months, streams and springs near the campgrounds offer cooling opportunities for pets, though owners should watch for wildlife. Local attractions like Meramec Springs feature crystal clear water and interesting historical sites that can be enjoyed while walking pets on leash. Campground rules generally require pets to be supervised at all times, picked up after, and kept from disturbing other campers, especially during quiet hours. The family-friendly atmosphere extends to four-legged family members, with multiple reviewers noting how welcome their dogs felt at these established campgrounds.
"Maramec Spring Park is a great place for camping and fishing in Missouri. The Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state."
"Nestled in Mid Missouri this place is a jam! Popular with locals there are trails, historic iron works and a fish hatchery…very cool place. Close to highway, good overnight spot!"
from $16 - $36 / night
"If you have the time and are going through or near St. James Missouri its off of I-44, Mile Marker 195 towards St. James. "
"It is right off of 8 highway. About 5 miles from I-44 (easy access east or west bound). The sites were kind of tight. But there was shade and picnic tables at the site. The owner helps backing in."
Available this weekend
from $25 - $43 / night
"Dog park."
"Grounds sit next to a state numbered highway, so access is easy. Don't expect a remote setting. The highway traffic can be distracting if you're used to camping in the woods."
from $40 / night
"River access within walking distance. Canoe and raft rental available."
"We stayed in our pop-up camper that was close to the road at the front of the campground. Across the road was the river so we were close to the river which was very nice."
"Positives: quiet time starting at 11:00 pm, we didn’t hear cursing, loud music, or anything else that disturbs little ones once they go to sleep, close to the river, clean restroom and shower house, shaded"
"They have a family section if you prefer to be away from the louder bunch."
"Close to the river. Area isn't very big which is nice."
"The sites on this end are a bit of a walk to the bathrooms/showers and camp store, but also extremely spacious and private. "
"Very well maintained & marked grass walking trails throughout the property. Easy to find. Not too far interstate. Easy to back in site."
"Supplies close by in Rolla. WiFi wasn't very good and cell was spotty even with the booster.
No showers or toilets on site so you need to be self-contained."
from $30 / night
"The camp area looks new, cute playground, small fenced dog park type area, showers, laundry, fire pits and picnic tables. Very little trees or grass."
"Good area only a mile off the highway so it made a great night stopping point. Had great access for our starlink. They have a little dog park, kids park, and it was all clean and well maintained."
from $25 - $55 / night
"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."
"A dump station is available on the outer entry/exit road. The owners is a sweet man named Bill, who is living his dream of owning and operating a campground."
TravelerIt’s fun to see the animals. I was happy they have an outdoor shower because I needed it when I got here. I’d say the only down side is the animals roam so there is a lot of poop. Wouldn’t want to wander at night.
TravelerOctober 2026 - only a drive by to ck things out. Nine sites for tent or RV with fire rings. No water, electric, or picnic tabes. No shade. Lack of shade is why we gave it only 3 stars. Toilet. Camping area well mowed. Area clean. Nice if looking for a more secluded area. No cell signal or 1 bar (T-Mobile) in camping area itself.
TravelerPretty area. Tent camping late Oct '26. Fire rings, trash bins, toilet. RV and tent but No water or electric. No picnic tables. About 24 sites with fire rings, a few more without. Best to avoid using Old St. Thomas Rd, esp if pulling RV. 10+ miles narrow gravel road. Best to come through St Elizabeth. Sites a little close but still plenty of privacy this time of year. Most sites have some shade. Quiet for the most part. Farm road passes behind one side of camping area but wasn't that active. Small amt of noise from farm equip. Some noise from boat traffic but not bad. Not sure how it will be in the summer. Had 4-5 bars with T-Mobile. Plan to use often.
GuideIt appears to be a typical state park. There are lots of old trees. Sites are pretty close together but it is late October so it is not crowded. Each spot has a level gravel spot, electrical hook up (some are 50 and others 30 and ours had a 110 plug in which is what we needed, as well as a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are both pit toilets and a large building that has flush toilets and showers. Everything is old and would benefit from a refresh but it was all clean enough for camping.
Ranger1000% beats out a store parking lot, but this is not “dispersed” car camping. You drive in and there’s a large roundabout with rocks creating a border so cars can’t get through. I travel solo, so I like a place where I can at least tuck myself away. This offered no privacy, but luckily when I arrived there was nobody else there. however, my luck ran out when 2 motorcyclists rolled in about 11pm. They were obviously there to camp and not murder me, but it was still not ideal for a female solo traveler, especially when there is zero Verizon cell service. I had a lazy morning and a few day visitors during that time who were there to enjoy the water, which was out of site from the actual campground but just a short walk away. Clean, pretty place.
RangerYes, the road was a bit bumpy, but worth navigating if you can claim a spot. I scored what I would argue is the second best spot - right on the creek just feet from the flowing water. The spot to the right appeared larger and had a rope for the kids (and cool adults) to utilize for launching into the water. The family occupying this space was in ear shot, but I had total privacy aside from a couple groups checking out the the water during the day. The creek had super cool rocks and the water was perfect for casual wading, but too low to swim in the area I was in. No amenities nearby, so pack in and pack out. I did not have any Verizon coverage, so it was two full days of off-the-grid bliss. I would’ve stayed here a a few more days if I had prepared.
LegendHosts were private, left us alone, the dirt road running past the homestead was not busy, and the roads were superb. Spot was grassy with lots of trees. We stayed a few nights. They have two puppies that were very friendly. Chickens, but no rooster, rabbits, a garden. They are pretty well set up here. The river was like 3 miles away, we fish alot.
GuideQuiet like the night. Clean well groomed spaces are about average size. Off season sure is nice.
GuideSuper clean campground. The host is really welcoming and answers any questions you have. Some amazing views of you pick the right spot.
Camping near St. James, Missouri offers accessible outdoor recreation in the northern Ozarks foothills, where elevations range between 900-1,100 feet. The area features hardwood forests surrounding the Meramec River watershed, with numerous springs feeding crystal-clear streams. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F, while spring and fall camping seasons provide more moderate 60-75°F daytime temperatures.
Cave exploration: 90-minute guided tours. At Onondaga Cave State Park Campground, visitors can experience one of North America's most distinctive cave systems. "The Onondaga caves are the third most visited in North America. The staff at the visitors center was also friendly," notes camper Matt S. Guided tours last about 90 minutes and include elevated walkways over underground pools.
Fishing: Stocked trout waters year-round. Maramec Spring Park offers exceptional trout fishing in clear spring-fed waters. "The Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state. An average of 100 million gallons of water flows from the Spring daily," according to Joel R. The park maintains a trout hatchery with regular stocking throughout fishing season.
Hiking: Trails for all skill levels. Meramec State Park offers numerous hiking options through wooded terrain. "There was tons of shade and trails for hiking, biking, and exploring. The river was fun to play in and we floated one day while we were there too," shares Amanda R. Most trails range from 0.5 to 3 miles in length, with some connecting to create longer routes.
Riverfront sites: Direct water access. Indian Springs Resort and Campground offers prime camping directly beside the Meramec River. "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," reports Taryn S. These riverside sites provide both privacy and convenient water access.
Amenities beyond camping: Swimming options. Many campers appreciate the variety of water activities available at local campgrounds. "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," mentions Taryn S. about Indian Springs Resort. These additional features make extended stays more comfortable.
Wildlife viewing: Regular deer and bird sightings. The wooded settings around St. James provide ample wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw deer and raccoons here that entered our campsite," reports Tom K. about his stay at Meramec State Park. Early mornings and evenings offer the best opportunities for spotting wildlife along campground edges.
Flooding risk: Check weather forecasts. Several campgrounds in low-lying areas near rivers can experience rapid flooding. "The campground is subject to flash flooding," warns Joel R. about Maramec Spring Park. "Campsites 49 and 50 will be covered in water even with a little rain," adds Chuck H.
Limited cell service: Prepare for disconnection. Many camping areas have poor connectivity due to terrain. "The cell phone service is virtually non-existent. We had planned to work from here and had to cut our visit short," reports Mats about Meramec State Park Campground.
Highway proximity: Road noise considerations. Some campgrounds are located near major roadways. "Since it's close the highway it was a little loud with traffic," notes Kelsey S. about Doolittle Acres RV Park. When reserving, request sites furthest from highways if noise is a concern.
Kid-friendly activities: Organized events. Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort offers numerous family-oriented activities. "In the summer they have a restaurant with campsite delivery and sometimes live music. Last I saw the playground was not huge but my kids still enjoyed it," shares Jennifer G. These scheduled events help keep children entertained.
Pet exercise areas: Dedicated spaces. For families camping with pets near St. James, many campgrounds provide dedicated areas for dogs. "They have a little dog park, kids park, and it was all clean and well maintained," reports Kelsey S. about Doolittle Acres RV Park and Campground.
Water safety: Supervised swimming areas. When camping with children along the Meramec River, look for designated swimming areas. "Rock beach for wading and swimming," notes Jennifer G. about Ozark Outdoors. Always supervise children as river currents can vary seasonally.
Site selection: Ask about length restrictions. RV campers should verify site dimensions before booking. At Haven Hollow RV Park, "The sites support about a 40' rig with some able to support up to 42' max. When you make your reservation they will confirm the length of your rig and put you in the appropriate site," advises MickandKarla W.
Access roads: Prepare for narrow approaches. Some campgrounds have challenging access routes. "The last 1.5 miles is gravel and it was a little dusty coming in," notes MickandKarla W. about Haven Hollow RV Park. "Road going in is narrow and steep but any rig should make it," adds Deborah C.
Leveling requirements: Bring blocks. RV sites vary significantly in how level they are. "Our campsite was so unlevel my 1 year old couldnt even stand outside the camper without falling," reports Megan L. about her experience at Ozark Outdoors. Prepare with leveling blocks even at improved sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. James, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near St. James, MO is Maramec Spring Park with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near St. James, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 109 dog-friendly camping locations near St. James, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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