Evelyn M.
Scout
Scouthermitage area campground, pomme de terre state park
Lovely spot, sites are fairly well separated. Beautiful panoramic lake views and very quiet. Camp actually has 2 RV dump stations near the entrance
Tent Camping near Schell City, MO
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Tent campgrounds around Schell City, Missouri offer primarily primitive experiences with limited amenities. Prairie State Park Campground, located approximately 25 miles southwest near Liberal, provides one of the few established tent camping areas in the region. This park features basic facilities including vault toilets, trash collection, and potable water access, though amenities remain minimal compared to larger state parks.
Campers should prepare for self-sufficient camping experiences at most sites. Prairie State Park has only about four primitive tent sites, with some offering paved pads while others are gravel or dirt surfaces. The sites accommodate up to 20 people per site but lack hookups, showers, or electrical connections. Water is available at a central location near the maintenance area, not at individual campsites. Most tent areas feature picnic tables and fire rings, with fires permitted in designated areas only. Vault toilets serve the campground, but no shower facilities exist.
The camping experience in this region centers around natural immersion rather than conveniences. At Prairie State Park, tent campers can observe free-roaming bison herds across the preserved prairie landscape, creating a unique camping backdrop. The campground sits in a wooded hollow at the edge of the prairie, offering both shaded sites and more open areas. Sites backing up to a curved stream provide additional privacy but may have more insects. A camper noted, "The land is stunning and open and takes you back to a bygone era of this country. The sunrises here over the prairie are gorgeous." Visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including ticks, which multiple reviewers mention as prevalent throughout the park, especially during warmer months.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Schell City (12)
1. Prospect City Park
2. Prairie State Park Campground
"The tiny campground is located in a wooded hollow at the edge of the prairie and has 4 primitive sites, no electric or water at sites, no showers and one vault toilet only."
"There are 4 SPACIOUS sites and they are what I would call primitive. No hookups/ no electricity/ no running water. Good for star gazing."
3. Caplinger Mills Park
4. Bledsoe Ferry
from $30 / night
Check Availability5. Farrington City Park
"The camping area is near a road, so there was some light traffic overnight, but it was not distracting to sleep. There were a number of horse-drawn buggies that came through in the early evening."
6. Masters Park
7. Windsor Crossing Park
8. Shawnee Bend
9. Quarry Point Park
10. Sterett Creek Marina
Drive Time
- 1 hr 21 min from Joplin, MO
- 1 hr 23 min from Kansas City, MO
- 1 hr 31 min from Springfield, MO
- 1 hr 52 min from Lawrence, KS
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Schell City, MO
2 Photos of 12 Schell City Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Schell City, MO
271 Reviews of 12 Schell City Campgrounds
- K
Kathy B.
TravelerThibaut Point - Harry S. Truman Lake
Quiet, beautiful, spacious
Large lots with woods between, roomy. Metal picnic tables. Fireplace with attached grill. Lake is gorgeous, lots of wildfowl. Very quiet, even with kids around.
Ali O.ScoutCedar Ridge Campground—Stockton Lake
This campground is OUTSTANDING
We stayed for a week in campground A. It was the cleanest campground I have ever been to. Dorothy takes great pride in that place and it shows. The restrooms were VERY clean and the showers were great! The area was so quiet and peaceful like camping should be. I will definitely be coming back. Keep up the great work Dorothy! If it weren't for you and taking care of that place I wouldn't want to come back. See you again!
Michael C.ScoutB&S CREEKSIDE RETREAT LLC
Very Private
Even though there was no signage to let me know I was at the right place, as soon as they were able Brian & Shannon came to greet me and show me to my site. Unlike many other campgrounds, the sites are separated and very private. The guest house has wonderful amenities (hot shower, TV, coffee, wifi) that make for a calming end to a day on the trail. It's a bit off the path if you're riding the KATY, but a great place to rest your legs before continuing on.
- CCindy C.
GuideRiverSounds RV Park
Peaceful and Tranquil
We loved this quiet, beautiful, relaxing campground. Set on the banks of the Sac River in the trees, it is the perfect get-away from city life.
- DDana S.Traveler
Wheatland Park
Quiet Cove Camping
Hubby and I just got a new camper and wanted to test it out close to home. This campground was one of the few that had 50 amp electric and water hookups with a dump station near a lake on short notice. Camp sites are close together but don't feel crowded. Nice level sites with lots of added patio areas on most. Very close to the lake. The cove is all a no wake area with a beach and plenty of space to kayak or paddle board. Definitely adding this to our lists of favorites!
Shaye D.GuideCrossroads RVs and Cabins
Deceitful
The website pictures have definitely been AI generated or edited. It looks nothing like the pics. The place is in disrepair. Bathroom/shower house was filthy. No office exist, pool is not usable, half the park is flooded from a “water break” that appears to have been ongoing for quite sometime. I can see attempts at “upgrades” but it looks like it was started quite some time ago and they ran out of fund. Sites ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO LEVEL. Camp host did greet us and was kind. Laundry facilities did work with credit card. Booking online is not accurate. You will not get the lot you choose because I was told “yeah the app ain’t right”. You will have to hunt down door codes for bathroom and laundry. I didn’t bother trying to get WiFi but no check in our out instructions were given. We slept well and it was quiet.
- LLori M.Guide
Oak Point Campground — Crawford State Park
Lots of sites!!!!
I got here on a Sunday in July and there are lots of open sites around me, which makes it a great place to camp. There are lots of folks enjoying the water and the deer and lightning bugs are out. Yay. Campground hosts are nice, bathhouses are clean, and there is ice and wood - of course I cannot understand why folks are sitting by a fire when it is 92 degrees and humid as hell, but whatever!
- MMaggie C.
LegendBerry Bend
Nice COE campground
Had booked for over a Thursday-Sun stopover when heading out west. Had site C14 which has a beautiful view of the water but no direct access due to the brush between the campground and lakeshore. Hosts are super friendly and accommodating. Had to extend my stay for a few days due to truck issues and it was no problem booking the same site. No issue with mosquitos, but some days the flies were prolific. Showers are just okay, no bench in the handicap stall. All of the washers were out of order and I was told that they were not going to be replaced.
Guide to Schell City
Tent camping near Schell City, Missouri tends toward primitive experiences with limited facilities. The region sits at approximately 850 feet elevation within the Osage Plains, characterized by rolling grasslands interspersed with woodlands and small waterways. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures between 60-75°F.
What to do
Bison viewing trails: Prairie State Park Campground offers multiple hiking trails ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 miles where visitors can observe free-roaming bison. "If you are interested in bison sightings, this is the park for you," notes Deborah C. "My parents visited once and ended up on the road for about an hour while an entire herd of bison meandered across the road around their vehicle!"
Fishing access: Bledsoe Ferry provides shoreline fishing opportunities along Truman Lake. This small camping area is drive-in accessible and allows pets, making it convenient for fishing-focused camping trips. According to Sarra W., it's "a great place for the family."
Prairie hiking: Hermitage State Park Campground features open grassland trails and lake shore paths. "Great state park and campground," says Jason C., who appreciated the "peaceful and easy lake access." The park's wide-open spaces provide excellent opportunities for nature observation and photography.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Prairie State Park's four primitive sites are well-spaced for privacy. "The 2 outer gravel sites back up to a curved stream that runs along the perimeter of the campground," writes one camper. "They are all relatively private and well distanced."
Wildlife encounters: Prairie State Park Campground offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities beyond bison. "Lots of deer around, beautiful to see," notes one reviewer, while another mentions "coyote calls, birding, and wide open spaces make this a memorable place to visit."
Stargazing conditions: The minimal light pollution in the region creates excellent stargazing opportunities. "Good for star gazing," says Wendy M. about Prairie State Park. The campsite's primitive nature means fewer artificial lights to interfere with night sky viewing.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds near Schell City offer only basic amenities. At Prairie State Park, "The tiny campground is located in a wooded hollow at the edge of the prairie and has 4 primitive sites, no electric or water at sites, no showers and one vault toilet only."
Insects present: Farrington City Park and other area campgrounds require insect preparation. "Lots of ticks. Good clean campground," reports one Prairie State Park camper. Another notes, "We also got some ticks, so be careful!" Tick repellent is essential during warm months.
Water access considerations: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. At Prairie State Park, "You can drive up the hill to the maintenance area to get water and there is a sign for this." Pack water containers for sites without direct water access.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly options: Hermitage State Park offers excellent cycling opportunities for children. "This campground is very wide open and great for family camping," says Bryan C., adding it's "perfect for bike riding as well."
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Schell City, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Schell City, MO is Prospect City Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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