Kelsey S.
Guide
GuideJoplin KOA
Great spot!
We were just passing through and stayed for a night. We had sewer, water, and electric hookup. A nice dog park, and even found some 4 leaf clovers!
Dog-Friendly Camping near Sheldon, MO
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Prairie State Park Campground features four primitive tent and RV sites where pets are allowed, though pets are not permitted on trails due to free-roaming bison herds. Osage Prairie RV Park accepts pets at all 46 full-hookup sites, with both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical connections available. Lamar City Park permits pets at its seven RV spots, offering electric hookups and a dump station. Visitors note the park is located near train tracks with frequent traffic day and night. Gunn Park in nearby Fort Scott, Kansas provides pet-friendly camping with water and electric hookups for $10 per night for RVs and $5 for tents, allowing dogs throughout the park including along hiking trails and fishing areas.
Bison safety considerations affect pet policies at Prairie State Park, as dogs are prohibited on trails to prevent wildlife confrontations. Several campgrounds require pets to be leashed at all times, with Bourbon County Fairgrounds and Osage Prairie RV Park enforcing strict on-leash policies in all common areas. Campers at Osage Prairie have noted issues with other campers occasionally leaving dogs unattended in trailers, creating noise disturbances. The area provides multiple camping options within a 30-minute drive of Sheldon, ranging from primitive sites with vault toilets to full-service RV parks with electric, water, and sewer connections. Most sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, though campers should verify current fire restrictions before arrival.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Sheldon (58)
1. Osage Prairie RV Park
2. Lamar City Park
"Don't make our mistake and drive into the park and then try to turn right! It was an interesting drive through the narrow roads and skinny stone bridges but we made it unscathed."
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. Gunn Park
"It usually has few campers but alot of activities and so close to town it feels very safe day or night."
"This place is a small park that has lots of hiking trails it is five dollars for tents $10 for RVs with electric the bathrooms are Porta potty but for five dollars you can fish and you can have a campfire"
4. COE Stockton Lake Hawker Point
"This particular site was just up the hill from the lake and completely private."
"While Stockton Lake itself brings a lot to the table, with beautiful blue water, cliffs to jump from, and close proximity to town if you are craving some ice cream (I suggest Squeeze Inn), the State Park"
from $14 - $20 / night
Check Availability5. Oak Point Campground — Crawford State Park
"A handful of small campgrounds surround the lake. Almost every spot is on the water. Only drawback is restrooms are sometimes a short walk away."
"Great site next to river, across from bath, laundry and showers. Quiet and easy access. Highly recommend."
from $10 - $34 / night
Check Availability6. 54 Shooters Supply and RV Park
7. Crabtree Cove
from $14 - $40 / night
Check Availability8. Kimmys At Caplinger
"If the pond on site is not big enough Stockton Lake is just minutes away or maybe you enjoy kayaking the Sac River is very close as well. Shuttle service is right up the road if needed. "
"From walking the trails, kayaking, camp fires, swings & play sets for the kids to enjoying the beautiful scenery. They have just about everything you need in the little store/welcome center."
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability9. Orleans Trail
"Cheap full hook ups at a nice lakeside campground, they also have a hotel and cabins that are nice getaways. The food at the restaurant is pretty good as well."
"We had a view of the lake across the road. The bathroom was a several minute walk. Site D37 across from us had water access and looked really nice."
from $14 - $160 / night
Check Availability10. Bourbon County Fairgrounds Campground
"We were guided to a large grass area and backed in next to an electric panel with multiple outlets. The 30amp worked well and we only had one other camper while we were there."
from $20 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 46 min from Joplin, MO
- 1 hr 20 min from Springfield, MO
- 1 hr 30 min from Kansas City, MO
- 1 hr 58 min from Lawrence, KS
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Sheldon, MO
19 Photos of 58 Sheldon Campgrounds
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Sheldon, MO
174 Reviews of 58 Sheldon Campgrounds
- M
Manon S.GuideFour Oaks RV Park
Goof Transit camping with great staff
Super helpful staff for late check-ins. It is a good RV campsite when you are on the move and need a place to stay near the the high way (a bit noisy with traffic) and traveling with a pet. They have a place for dogs to play.
- GGregg L.
ScoutBig Red Barn RV Park
Very convenient, super clean and quiet
We overnighted here on the way to Hot Springs, AR. Convenient to Interstate 49, but virtually no traffic noise and none while inside the van. We arrived after the office had closed - there was a prominent note on the door as to which site to use. Electrical hookup was fine - we did not use water or cable. There were about a dozen other campers - most appeared to be long termers. The CG was VERY quiet - very peaceful. They have an off-leash dog park area which our dogs loved and used it 3-4 times the nite we were there. The bathrooms were toasty warm and VERY clean. Lavatory hot water got warm quickly, plenty of soap and towels. The office has various items for sale, from snacks to RV gear. Would not hesitate to stay again - in fact, may do so next week on our return trip.
- Carrie C.Guide
Zans Creekside RV Park
Joplin , MO
Nice campground close to Joplin, MO. Friendly host, clean campsites, pet friendly.
- Kim B.Scout
Big Red Barn RV Park
Quiet, country, friendly, pets welcome
This is a great, friendly campground, off the highway about a mile, so no highway noise. Very pet friendly. Long wide sites that have grass, patios and picnic tables. Open year round!
- Marcie C.
TravelerKimmys At Caplinger
Best Family Campground in Missouri
Kimmy’s is amazing! Always friendly and clean. Lots of activities for any outdoor adventures. Hiking kayaking swimming and lots of laughs come with Kimmy’s crew. They go out of their way to make your stay wonderful! If the pond on site is not big enough Stockton Lake is just minutes away or maybe you enjoy kayaking the Sac River is very close as well. Shuttle service is right up the road if needed. Keep your eyes peeled you may just find a message rock or two. We frequent Kimmy’s several times each summer and by far our absolute favorite campground in Missouri. And they are pet friendly too!
Carrie J.GuidePrairie State Park Campground
Prairie State Park
Campsites accommodate up to 20 people. There are toilet facilities as well as a place to get water. Unfortunately, no pets are allowed. =[
- Jim W.Guide
Downstream RV Park
Free with Free Club Membership
Pros: it's a free concrete parking lot with hookups. Clean, a little grass for pets. Did I mention the first night is free if you register at the Casino and get a players card. Then check in at the store/gas station.
Con: No shuttle to the casino.
MickandKarla W.
LegendOsage Prairie RV Park
At Best an Overnighter
We read raving campground (CG) reviews on Osage Prairie, especially how nice the owners were. Based on reviews, we decided to spend three nights here to break up our way south for our annual RV maintenance appointment. Check in was easy and the lady was very friendly with a sense of humor. We were then escorted to pull through site 14 with FHUs. The way the long pull throughs work is that another trailer can back up to you. It was nice that the utilities and picnic tables were on opposite sides. We were told we probably would not get anyone in behind us. About 30 minutes after arrival, a small trailer came in without reservations and was placed right up behind us. We concur that the lady owner who checked us in was very nice. The other owner who escorted us to our site was, in our opinion, a little on the sarcastic side, especially after we had cut our turn on their grass getting into our site. This CG is an A-Typical overnighter where they cram you in. The park filled up every night after our Thursday arrival but we do realize they are in the business of making money. Good news is there were grass areas between sites so you can get slides and awnings out. WiFi was below average for a CG this size. No cable or OTA but after moving our satellite dish around to avoid trees we got it to connect. We got three bars on Verizon. The park is convenient to get on/off I-49 (exits 203 and 202A are both fine) but you’re going to get highway noise day and night. The CG is about 1/2 short termers and 1/2 long timers, and several of the long timer rigs gave the CG that “trailer park” look. I picked up numerous cigar and cigarette butts off our site to include trash in the little grill. We did not enjoy the older Dodge diesel trucks starting up at 5:00 AM to head out to work or wherever they were going. On a more positive side, they have a nice stable with one horse, which you can pet but not feed or ride (guess someone tried to ride him once upon a time). Shower and laundry facility looked clean. They have a little gift shop in the office containing a few camping supplies and leather goods. Again, from previous camper reviews, we thought Nevada (Nee-vay-dah) would be worth touring around but we were not impressed. We grocery shopped at Woods and Walmart and both were on the low side of okay. Our final “not impressed” came when we saw long timers letting their dogs do #2 in the tent area and not pick it up. Then they locked their 3 dogs in their trailer and left early Saturday and had not returned by the time we left the following Monday morning. Their poor dogs barked on and off all day and night. We informed the owner and he said he had told them in the past to not do that anymore. This place is definitely about the frosting, not the cake. We should have just stayed one night and moved on, but we stayed too long and experienced too much. We won’t be back.
Guide to Sheldon
Prairie State Park spans 3,942 acres of native tallgrass prairie, the largest protected remnant of its kind in Missouri. Located within a 30-minute radius of Sheldon, campgrounds typically experience seasonal temperature fluctuations ranging from 90°F summer highs to below-freezing winter conditions. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in this area require prior reservations during summer months when sites fill quickly.
What to do
Bison viewing: 4 miles of trails offer wildlife observation opportunities at Prairie State Park Campground. The park maintains a free-roaming bison herd that visitors can observe. "Buffalo without fences...it is a surreal experience and worth the time to locate the herd in the park," notes Luke B. Viewing is best in morning or evening hours.
Fishing at multiple lakes: 5+ fishing spots within 25 miles of Sheldon provide various fishing experiences. "Stockton Lake is clear and has good fishing," shares Dean D. about COE Stockton Lake Hawker Point. Fishing licenses required, available online or at local sporting goods stores.
Kayaking: Multiple water access points available for paddlers. At Hawker Point, "the walk to the lake was about 50 yards and a little steep but we managed to carry two kayaks down and up without too much trouble, and it was totally worth the effort because it was as if we had our own private cove," writes Lea B.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Spacious campgrounds with natural separation at several locations. "There is plenty of room and the trees make your site feel much more private," says Charlotte B. about Hawker Point Stockton Lake. Many campers appreciate less crowded alternatives to busier parks.
Unique tent camping options: Various terrain types accommodate different camping preferences. At Prairie State Park, "This campsite is not for those who want amenities. There are 4 SPACIOUS sites and they are what I would call primitive. No hookups/no electricity/no running water. Good for star gazing," explains Wendy M.
Budget-friendly overnight options: $0-20 range for overnight stays at several locations. At Lamar City Park, "The first night is free and then it's $20/night up to 7 nights in a thirty day window," reports Cary P. Self-registration available at most locations.
What you should know
Weather and seasonal considerations: Extreme temperature shifts common throughout the year. Summer brings high humidity with occasional severe storms. "We concur that the lady owner who checked us in was very nice. The other owner who escorted us to our site was, in our opinion, a little on the sarcastic side," warns MickandKarla W. about their stay at Osage Prairie RV Park.
Wildlife hazards: Ticks prevalent in warmer months across multiple campgrounds. "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," reports Hanna T. about Prairie State Park, adding "Since it's pretty primitive you will likely have the place to yourself, but be prepared to have guests of the state park driving through all day to check it out. Lots of deer around, beautiful to see but this also means ticks!"
Noise considerations: Train and highway noise affects several campgrounds. "Next to busy highway and trains," cautions Kevin L. about Osage Prairie RV Park. Campers seeking quiet should carefully research locations before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple family-friendly features available at select locations. "The park is a 5 star park, but the camping area is not much to talk about. Camping is free the first night then it is $20 a night after that," explains Dexter I. about Lamar City Park, which includes recreational facilities beyond basic camping.
Swimming options: Several beaches and water access points for family recreation. Orleans Trail features "The sandy swim beach is clean and fun, even off-season. Lots of places to hike and fish. Great place for boating," according to Kenna P.
Dog-friendly trails and restrictions: Varying pet policies across dog-friendly campgrounds near Sheldon. "This place is a city park with a mile walking loop, playgrounds, bathrooms, a couple spots with RV power hookups, and a dump station," notes Cary P. about Lamar City Park, which welcomes pets throughout the park.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Various power options across campgrounds. Bourbon County Fairgrounds Campground offers "We were guided to a large grass area and backed in next to an electric panel with multiple outlets. The 30amp worked well and we only had one other camper while we were there," reports Rick G.
Dump station locations: Limited facilities require planning ahead. Rick G. also notes about Bourbon County that "The dump station has easy access and allowed for a good black tank flush," making it convenient for overnight stays.
Site leveling challenges: Varied terrain requires preparation. "Sites are not level and need either more gravel or concrete. Most of the sites are 30 amp and no dump station. Water and electric only," cautions Neil S. about Gunn Park, adding "Big rigs at some of the sites will have a problem. Remember this is an old campground."
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