Stockton Lake forms the centerpiece of camping near Stockton, Missouri, with its clear blue water spanning 24,900 acres. The lake's water clarity makes it a popular sailing and fishing destination, with the Corps of Engineers managing multiple campgrounds around its 298 miles of shoreline. Water temperatures reach the mid-80s during summer months, creating ideal swimming conditions at designated beaches and coves throughout the area.
What to do
Kayaking marked trails: Stockton State Park Campground offers dedicated kayak trails on the lake with clear markers. "Great state park. Cleanest restrooms I've seen. Great trails. Bring the kayaks. They have some pretty cool kayak marked trails on the lake," notes Katie R. from Stockton State Park Campground.
Jumping from "Chicken Rock": Cedar Ridge Campground provides access to a popular swimming spot with a natural feature for adventurous swimmers. "Nice little campground with good facilities. The swim beach is a little far from the camp, but if you walk down the trails there are great places to swim near camp including 'Chicken Rock' a large island out in the lake the kids love to swim to and jump off," reports Bryan C. from Cedar Ridge Campground—Stockton Lake.
Off-season fishing and hiking: Many campgrounds remain open year-round for those seeking quieter experiences. "My family has been camping here in October- after winterization, thus no water- for decades. In season, there are nearby showers and running water. Sites are large and heavily shaded. The sandy swim beach is clean and fun, even off-season. Lots of places to hike and fish," says Kenna P. about Orleans Trail.
What campers like
Private lake access: Hawker Point offers secluded spots with direct water entry. "Just got home from a weekend stay at site C19 at Hawker Point COE Park. This particular site was just up the hill from the lake and completely private. 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," explains Lea B. from Hawker Point.
Wooded campsites with shade: Many campers appreciate the tree cover at certain campgrounds. "We stayed in the D loop at site D37. All of the sites in the D loop are more spaced out and wooded than in the other loops. They also don't have electric and the bathroom is a vault toilet. Site D37 was able to fit our two tents comfortably but I don't think there was a flat space to fit a third," shares Hayley G. about Orleans Trail.
Affordable rates: Several campgrounds offer reasonable pricing, especially during off-season periods. "Real nice park Especially for what we paid. $8.00 for electric only per night. Senior rate off season, $2.00 discount. Two loops East & West. We stayed in the east on a fairly level site, all nicely spaced. Most sites are pretty level, except some that back to the woods," reports Gary P. about Stockton State Park.
What you should know
Uneven tent sites: Many campgrounds have limited flat areas for tents. "I noticed several of the tent sites do not have level areas for your tent. T01 site does not have close parking unless you are able to park in the handcap parking. It is a quite park in the evening. Camp host is polite and shower house is kept clean. Vault toilet by the boat ramp is sketchy (where tent camping is located)," warns Laura H. about Cedar Ridge.
Varying shower quality: Bathroom and shower facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "We used the shower houses (which we had to drive to get to) and they were okay. The water wouldn't get hot, but we didn't take ice cold showers. The swim beach was the highlight of this location and very nice!" notes Hayley G. about Orleans Trail.
Afternoon winds: The lake frequently experiences strong afternoon winds that affect boating conditions. "Windy lake for sure in the afternoon and had trouble docking and loading. If you get back in a cove it was great for swimming and calm. Best time is in the early morning before the lake gets rough," advises Phillip G. from Crabtree Cove.
Tips for camping with families
Carts for walk-in sites: Stockton State Park provides equipment to help transport gear. "We did check out the walk in sites here, but were not able to stay in them. They looked awesome and were a short 5 minute walk from the parking. A great beginner site for walk in camping and there were carts at the start of the trail for your gear. Both loops had decent playgrounds for the kids," recommends Hayley G.
Private vs. public shorelines: Site selection impacts swimming privacy. "We camped in campsite 13 gravel lot site and a little uneven where the picnic table and sitting area had a good view of the lake and the plus was we faced away from other campers so it was like you were the only ones there at times. Nice path down to the lake with some seating area to put your feet in the water," shares Phillip G. about Crabtree Cove.
Playground access: Certain loops have better playground access for children. "We camped in campground 1 right next to the play ground. Super clean, had a view of the lake. Within walking distance of the marina. Everyone was very friendly," mentions Katie R. about Stockton State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Water fill before arrival: Many sites lack individual water hookups. "Also, fill your rig with water before you go. There are no water hookups," advises Carman S. about Hawker Point.
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds offer more breathing room between sites. "The Rv sites are very crowded and no extra space to park your car or boat. Bathroom and bathhouse is nice. It's a nice place to camp if you don't mind having close neighbors," notes Dean D. about Ruark Bluff West.
Off-season availability: During shoulder seasons, camping can be free at some locations. "Camped in Loop B on Oct 4, 2023. Camping was free at this Corp of Engineer campground since off season began on Oct 1st. The Loop B campground has several RV/tent sites arranged in sub-loops in an open field; some trees for shade. Sites are close to each other; no privacy between sites," reports Fred S. about Crabtree Cove.
