Best Campgrounds near Steelville, MO

Steelville, Missouri serves as a gateway to numerous camping opportunities along the Meramec River and its tributaries. The area features several established campgrounds including Bass' River Resort, Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground, and Huzzah Valley Resort, all offering a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Many campgrounds in this region cater specifically to float trip enthusiasts with river access points for canoes and kayaks. Within a 20-mile radius, campers can also find state park facilities at Onondaga Cave State Park and Meramec State Park, which provide more developed camping areas with electric hookups, shower facilities, and nearby cave tours.

Camping facilities in the Steelville area typically operate seasonally with peak availability from April through October. Most established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when river activities are most popular. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for camping. Water levels on the Meramec, Huzzah, and Courtois rivers fluctuate seasonally, affecting both river access and campsite availability along shorelines. Cell service can be limited in the river valleys, especially at more remote camping areas. A visitor noted, "We stayed at CG#2 about a week ago. Very similar in design to the sites at CG#1, it also offers amenities for those with horses. If you want more seclusion and don't really care about being right next to the showers, I would suggest CG#2."

Riverfront camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors due to their proximity to swimming, fishing, and floating opportunities. Many campgrounds in the area feature concrete pads for RVs alongside more primitive tent sites, accommodating various camping preferences. Several visitors mentioned the quality of shower facilities and bathrooms as important factors in their camping experience. Campgrounds closer to Steelville tend to be more developed and family-oriented, while those farther from town may offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers particularly appreciate sites that offer both shade and river views. During summer months, campgrounds with swimming access to the clear, cool river waters are especially popular as natural alternatives to swimming pools.

Best Camping Sites Near Steelville, Missouri (131)

    1. Onondaga Cave State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Leasburg, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 245-6576

    $12 - $52 / night

    "Other than the water, Onondaga Cave SP has been one of my favorite places to camp in Missouri for more than 20 years."

    "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."

    2. Ozark Outdoors-Riverfront Resort

    21 Reviews
    Leasburg, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 245-6837

    "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."

    3. Garrison Canoe Rental and Campground

    12 Reviews
    Steelville, MO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 775-2410

    "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."

    4. Meramec State Park Campground

    57 Reviews
    Sullivan, MO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 468-6072

    $12 - $48 / night

    "Miles upon miles of trails. Spacious campground, caves to explore, old time blast furnace to explore, fresh Missouri spring with exceptional fishing. Then theres a general store with a restaurant"

    "Growing up near here, this was the state park that my family always went to. Forty some years later, it is still my favorite park in Missouri. I enjoy camping here with my family and friends."

    5. Maramec Spring Park

    14 Reviews
    St. James, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 265-7801

    $16 - $36 / night

    "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!"

    "Maramec Spring Park is a great place for camping and fishing in Missouri. The Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state."

    6. Bass' River Resort

    12 Reviews
    Leasburg, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 786-8517

    $11 - $16 / night

    "This go around we pulled our popup down and chose a site with out hookups. (545) only negative things to say about the site was that it was very densely populated with trees."

    7. Huzzah Valley Resort

    9 Reviews
    Steelville, MO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 786-8412

    "One we used, and many other we saw, had small trees outlining the edges of the sites. 
    We had a group of people next to use who were very loud on Friday evening until past midnight ."

    "We took a couples float during the week to get away from our busy lives and relax. The huzzah resort is always top notch."

    8. Red Bluff Campground

    14 Reviews
    Davisville, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 743-6042

    $15 - $50 / night

    "For our annual cousin campout in our ancestral home of Davisville we reserved site 24 and the group site (2) directly behind it."

    "Shaded, grassy, and very private except for the occasional visitors who drive up the road to see the overlook near these two campsites."

    9. Berryman Trail & Campgrounds - Mark Twain National Forest

    16 Reviews
    Davisville, MO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 438-5427

    "There is a pavilion near the access points to the Berryman and Ozark trails."

    "Pretty creek right behind campsite. Enjoyable walking trails."

    10. Pheasant Acres RV Park

    7 Reviews
    St. James, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (314) 303-5504

    $25 - $43 / night

    "This is a small campground but right next to it there is a lot of land to walk through. Sheri/Sharon the owner is right up there with one of the coolest women I've ever met."

    "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. "

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Recent Reviews near Steelville, MO

726 Reviews of 131 Steelville Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Brazil Creek Camping Area

    Free to stay, no water, no gray dump, no garbage

    It's a free place to park and stand the night. The campground does not have any water, grey dump, or garbage. So it is primitive camping.

    There are lots of insects that will attack you on your walk, too...

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    A Few Key Points Missing

    Stayed here overnight en route to New Mexico. We arrived just after dark in Oct at 7p. The person manning the entrance thought we couldn't be campers because we had just a pickup truck. RTTs must be new here. They didn't offer a map and there is zero signage to help you find your site in the dark. The bathrooms have no mirrors, no hot water and were not the cleanest, we passed on showers.

  • Jeff P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Meramec Valley Campground & RV Park

    Peaceful and quiet

    My cousin invited us to this particular campground and my wife fell in love with it. It truly felt like a campground regardless of the amenities they have to offer.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    Great stay

    Quiet RV park area very quaint very nice along the river, gorgeous by the caverns shower house and bathrooms provided couldn’t be happier

  • L
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area

    Its Nice

    Ben Branch is a Nice Place. It is nothing special. The camping Spots DO fill up quickly as there are only like 5-7 spots. On a weekend, Its gonna be loud! Lots of ATVs up and down the Gravel Road. The bathrooms just say if you know You Know. 🫩

  • P
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Ozark Farms Family Campground

    Ozark Camp in Rolla, MO

    Easy to reserve online. Confirm reservation through email. Showers/RR/laundry facility. Clean and shady. Dog park.

  • Michelle S.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    Quiet and Friendly

    From the person on the phone, to the one you see at the check-in gate, everyone is incredibly friendly :)

    We were amongst the only campers during our stay, so it was pretty quiet. This campground has a great set-up for family reunions, celebrations, group camping, etc.

  • Maddie L.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Twin Eagle Lake Estates & Hideout

    Owners get drunk so they can fight with customers!

    Went to go have a peaceful birthday dinner tonight with my family, and the lovely owners Tyler and Jennifer Juliette were so intoxicated that they kicked us off the property for being in a open public space without camping passes. My fiancé and some of the other guys were all hanging around the dumpster area(no sign saying you can’t be there), when a manager came over and was very rudely asking if they had day passes. When my fiancé calmly tried to explained we were there under a reservation, and we were only hanging around the public general store, the manager proceeded to get visibly angry and said she was informing the owner of our behaviour. After my fiancé came and told me of the situation, I went outside to see what the chaos was. Tyler and Jennifer proceed to come up to my fiancé and say“are you the one who was mouthy with my manger”. Mind you, they both were clearly intoxicated and had alcohol in hand and the manager had a cigarette hanging out of her mouth most of the interaction. After they came up I looked at Tyler and said“Sir we are here under reservation if I could just explain” and Tyler replied“I don’t care about a reservation and you’re going to let me talk.” They proceeded to say we needed to leave or they would call the cops. I told them obviously they had too much to drink and that we would leave. As we turned around to go inside and grab our belongings, they followed us the entire time. Tyler followed me so closely I was so scared he was going to grab me! Literally he was half an inch away from being chest to back with me, and I told him aggressively to back Up, get away from me and that I am a young woman. When we got inside, the owners told my family we were the most“disrespectful children” they’d ever met, mind you we are both legal adults. I grab my belongings, we left, and we surely will never ever be back! My family was left embarrassed, shocked, and disturbed by how poorly the owners handled the situation. If they had kindly asked us to see our passes or that we couldn’t hang by the dumpsters, there would have been 0 issue. If anyone there witnessed the interaction, I am highly sorry for the scene. However this was 100% poor business management and could’ve been handled 1000x better. So unfortunate that the owners are to entitled and money hungry to hear out the people who give them business.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Meramec State Park Campground

    Great Campground!

    Stopped for one night, but could have stayed more. Great campground with tons of trees and shade. Each site has a table and fire pit. Big, clean bathrooms and showers. Playgrounds for kids. Caves to explore. I’m


Guide to Steelville

Camping near Steelville, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. A visitor at Meramec State Park Campground said, "This was such a clean campground. From the restrooms to the campsite and the river, everything was amazing."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers rave about the helpful staff. At Echo Bluff State Park, one camper remarked, "First, the park hosts were so friendly, helpful and hard working."
  • Secluded Spots: Campers enjoy the privacy offered at various sites. A review for Montauk State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites themselves are very clean and well kept."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Onondaga Cave State Park Campground noted, "No cell service from Verizon or T-Mobile."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Alley Spring Campground advised, "Reservations recommended, especially on weekends."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at Meramec State Park Campground shared, "Our site had skunks and raccoons each night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for parks with activities for kids. A parent at Washington State Park Campground said, "There is even a swimming pool if the river isn’t your thing."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to keep the peace. A camper at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA mentioned, "Quiet time is at 10pm and fellow campers are certain to enforce that rule."
  • Pack Entertainment: Bring games or books for downtime. A visitor at Montauk State Park Campground suggested, "If you want to have any entertainment, BRING DVDs."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure your site is level before setting up. A reviewer at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA noted, "The site was not level front to back and we had to build a sizable pyramid with our blocks."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Opt for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A camper at Onondaga Cave State Park Campground appreciated, "All the sites are paved with long pads sufficient for just about any RV."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A visitor at Montauk State Park Campground mentioned, "The dump station backs up for up to an hour on Sundays."

Camping near Steelville, Missouri, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Steelville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Steelville, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Steelville, MO and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Steelville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Steelville, MO is Onondaga Cave State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 39 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Steelville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Steelville, MO.