Looking for an adventure where you can explore Stockton Lake and then fall asleep in your tent? Finding a place to camp in Missouri with your tent has never been easier. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
This recreation area is part of Pomme De Terre Lake
Masters is a shady campground located on Stockton Lake in the scenic Ozark Mountains of southwestern Missouri. The lake and surrounding landscape offer countless recreational opportunities along its nearly 300 miles of shoreline, providing visitors with many ways to explore one of the most sought-after natural areas in the state. Natural Features: The land surrounding the lake contains hundreds of acres of native prairie grasses, rolling hills and thick forests that turn crimson in autumn. An abundance of wildlife lives both in and around the water, including wild turkey, great blue heron, deer and bald eagles. Visitors can learn about the lakes bald eagles by attending an annual eagle-watching event during the winter. Recreation: Boating is always a popular pastime at the lake. Sail boating is especially popular and the lake hosts several races each year. Masters Campground provides a boat ramp for easy access to the water. The waters of Stockton Lake are home to several species of fish including small and largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, walleye, catfish and sunfish, making it an ideal area for anglers. Several trails wind around the lake shore and through the landscape. The Stockton Lake Equestrian Trail continues approximately 15 miles between Hawker Point and Orleans Trail Campgrounds. Facilities: Masters Park offers 66 campsites, each with a lantern hanging post, picnic table and campfire ring. Nearby Attractions: There are three full-service marinas located around the lake, which offer a wide range of services and supplies, including boat rentals, fuel, fishing tackle and restaurants.
Bledsoe Ferry Park sits below Harry S. Truman Dam in the hills of western Missouri. Visitors enjoy fishing, hunting, swimming and boating. Click here for the Harry S. Truman Lake virtual tour.
Bledsoe Ferry is an excellent fishing location. Anglers find crappie, largemouth bass and blue and flathead catfish. Truman Lake is also a popular destination for tournament fishermen.The park also offers an excellent location to view the Harry S Truman Dam and one of the few Class A Visitor Centers.
This year-round day-use area contains four group picnic shelters. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, drinking water, an accessible boat ramp and fishing dock.
Harry S Truman Reservoir lies among the rolling hills and rocky bluffs of the Ozark Plateau. Mature hardwoods of Oak and Hickory with cedar trees mixed in cover the area.__ Wildlife such as whitetail deer, turkey, hawks, ospreys, eagles, and many different water birds can be found in and around the park.__ An abundance of fish such as crappie, bass, walleye, paddlefish, blue and channel catfish can also be found in Harry S Truman Reservoir. Approximately 8,800 acres of standing timber were left in the lake to provide quality aquatic habitat.__
The 950 miles of shoreline around Truman Lake provide plentiful opportunities for fun in the outdoors. Many parks surround the lake, including Harry S. Truman State Park. The Harry S. Truman Visitor Center sits atop Kaysinger Bluff and provides a spectacular view of the dam and reservoir. Exhibits provide information about the rich history of the Osage River Valley from pre-civilization to modern day. Waterfowl, bald eagles and turkey vultures are commonly seen from the observation deck.
$30 / night
This recreation area is part of Pomme De Terre Lake
Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area is in north-central Lawrence County, 12 miles northwest of Mt. Vernon. In 1980, the Conservation Department purchased 246 acres to maintain and protect riparian habitat along Spring River. Between 1980 and 1986, an additional 4,113 acres were purchased from six landowners, increasing the area to its present size. Originally named after Spring River, which flows unchannelized through the area's southern portion, the area was renamed in 1983 in honor of the late conservation commissioner, Robert E. Talbot from Joplin.
Talbot CA lands vary from the rich bottomland soil along Spring River to rocky, upland soils. Presently, the area is 69 percent open land and 31 percent wooded. Fishing opportunities can be found at the four acre or seven acre lake. Numerous smaller ponds can also be found on the area. The Conservation Department has sharecrop agreements with local farmers to provide food for wildlife. Harvested crops also benefit the local farm economy. Some of the timbered areas on Talbot CA have been thinned in recent years to restore the savanna and woodland natural communities that historically existed there. Periodic prescribed burning is used to maintain these restored natural communities. Prescribed burning is also an important management tool used on the area to benefit quail, rabbit, wild turkey, and a host of other wildlife species.Cattle grazing occurs from April - August on portions of the area. The grazing program is used to improve habitat for grassland obligate wildlife including Bobwhite quail.
Along with high quality upland habitat, visitors will find several miles of multiuse trails that are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Camping is allowed only in the spot designated on the area map. No facilities are provided at the campground. The campground is best suited for tents or small travel trailers/RVs.
Brochure: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/conservation-areas/8037.pdf
Camping is allowed only as designated in the "Things To Do When You Visit" section for this department area. If camping is not listed as an activity in this section, camping is prohibited on the area. Designated camping areas may or may not have defined campsites. Seasonal closures and restrictions may apply to all camping on department areas. On department areas where camping is allowed, camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period. Personal property must be removed at the end of the 14-day period. Unless a special use permit is obtained, total camping days on all department areas are limited to a total of 30 days within one calendar year. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section. Quiet hours are in effect in camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10 p.m. On camping areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
14 acres with approximately 10 large camping sites. By invitation only.
Shawnee Bend Park sits on the shores of Harry S. Truman Lake in the hills of western Missouri. Visitors enjoy fishing, hunting, swimming and boating. Click here for the Harry S. Truman Lake virtual tour. Natural Features: Truman Lake lies among rolling hills and rocky bluffs. Dense hardwood forests studded with mature pine trees cover the area. Wildlife is abundant in and around the park. Whitetail deer, turkey, hummingbirds, hawks and ospreys are commonly seen. Bald eagles can be viewed during the winter months. Recreation: Shawnee Bend is an excellent fishing location. Anglers find crappie, largemouth bass and blue and flathead catfish. Truman Lake is also a popular destination for tournament fishermen. A playground and sandy beach make the area perfect for families. Facilities: This year-round day-use area offers two large group picnic shelters. An additional shelter on the beach is available on a first come, first served basis. Amenities include flush and pit toilets and drinking water. Nearby Attractions: The 950 miles of shoreline around Truman Lake provide plentiful opportunities for fun in the outdoors. Many parks surround the lake, including Harry S. Truman State Park. The Harry S. Truman Visitor Center sits atop Kaysinger Bluff and provides a spectacular view of the dam and reservoir. Exhibits provide information about the rich history of the Osage River Valley from pre-civilization to modern day. Waterfowl, bald eagles and turkey vultures are commonly seen from the observation deck.
Delightful office staff. We did not make advance reservations, but called when we were about an hour away and insured they had sites available. Long pull-thrus with full hookups. For an overnight stay, this is a nice campground.
Stayed here here for one night in early September during our trip to Wyoming. Paid $10 with interagency senior discount. Stayed in the B Loop. We were one of 5 campers here; camped in a camper van. Our sie, B46, was close to a clean vault toilet (which has tp). Short walk to clean restroom/shower house; this building also has a laundry room. The sites have a level gravel driveway; most sites are back-in. Spacing between sites is okay; no privacy between sites. Even though the campground is along a lake, the sites at B Loop offer no lake views. Hosts seemed friendly. Did not see any hiking opportunities at this loop. There is a path to the lake at the back end of the loop. There is nothing special about this campground, but it is a good, clean, quiet location for an overnight stay. I had excellent T-Mobile 5G service. I would stay here again.
Large campsites. Quiet at the site. Restaurant on the campground
The campground was quiet and low key. No internet available so bring your own or purchase WiFi from their system. Shower house was ok, the smell made me dry heave, smelled like old meat. Small fenced area for dogs to play / go to the bathroom in. No playground for kids. Our site was level, it stormed during our stay but staff was quick to clean up downed trees and regrade the roads. The location was perfect for visiting Branson and its attractions. I got the vibe that it was more of an older generation camping campsite with more long time campers. We’d go back and stay if our focus was the attractions at Branson, not to hangout at the campsite.
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. Sites appear to be level. Each site has a metal fire ring, table and lamp pole. The loop road is paved and the sites were gravel. There were no hookups in Loop B. The water station was shut off, but the vault toilet, which wasn't very clean, was open. No camp host on duty during our stay. There is access to Stockton Lake from the loop road. There was nothing special about this campground, but has good lake access for boats. Otherwise this campgrund is suitable for an overnight stay.
Beautiful camp ground will definitely come back with my family!
I love everything about this campground from the open space, to the front manager to the friendly guests. Near enough to town to enjoy the museum and pop in for lunch, far enough away to feel detached. There's also an old Drive in movie next door! Makes you want to get an airstream and cruise down Route 66
One night stay. Nice COAE campground. Had trouble getting here from the south because of extensive flooding from the April storms. Amazing bird songs and calls. Busy but quiet.
Stayed here for 4 nights during a visit with family. Park is clean. Staff is friendly. They make fresh pizza at the convenience store/office and will deliver it to your site. We were there 3 weeks before the pool opens so we didn't get a chance to see that. Nice park that's close to 1-44, James River Parkway, and unfortunately a railroad crossing. So you will hear a train horn on occasion, but no highway noise. We will come back here and stay again.
Bathrooms were clean but dated. Water spigots were well spaced. Ticks were very bad. Family sites were spacious but laid out like 2 separate sites. Would have been nice to have both tables together. Tent pads were advertised but non-existent.
We came just at the start of season, so we took advantage of a family spot to relax and get some extra privacy. There were maybe 5 other campers in Wild Ridge, and it was a ridge coming in, narrow roads leading into the peninsula.
Vault toilets were well kept, and well light at night.
We hiked to check out the other campsites that were also well spaced for privacy.
There was a desire line down to the lake, with a rocky shore to walk, the beaches themselves a bit wider.
We had a nice clearing to set up at our location, likely used for a second tent that lended well to privacy.
It was quiet. We enjoyed our stay. I read about the black cat that was found there in the other review. It was still there when we camped in late December and quite hungry. Very friendly and needing love. We brought him home with us and he is the most amazing cat. Took a while to get litter trained but I’m glad we opened up our home to him before the bad weather got here. Thanks to this site, we found our new family member! Thanks to whoever posted.
PROS
Senior discount
Check-in via text was easy and fast
Beautifully maintained state park
Quiet during week
Pull-thru Site 102 level, concrete pad surrounded by grass
Site sufficient length for trailer and tow vehicle
Metal frame plastic plank picnic table metal fire ring with cooking grate
Dark sky friendly except for campsites 101-106
Trash dumpsters throughout campground 1
Firewood for sale $5 at entrance gate house
Huge park store!
CONS.
1 toilet and 1 shower for 48 campsites in Campground 1. Both door locks did not work. There were lines for the one toilet most of the time!!!
$6.50 Reservation Fee
Site 102 had a wonderful view of the entrance gatehouse that had blaring lights all night, the one lane dump station and a dumpster
Campground 101-106 sites slammed together; our campfire ring was 15 feet from neighbors sewer outlet
Site 102 campfire ring was 2 feet from site unmovable picnic table
No privacy from any other sites
No security overnight gate closures
Would not recommend Park restaurant
1st night free, $20 donation after. register with Holly, 30 & 50 amp at only 3 poles, free water and dump on site. The only problem was train traffic 200' away 24/7.
Friendly owners. Very clean park. Shower units are new and spacious.
We called on our way and the woman said they had plenty of space and since we were arriving after hours to just come in and pick any available spot and pay in the morning. It was near the highway but oh so quiet. Checkout in the morning was easy and Mike at the office was so friendly. Excellent place to stay!!
There is a super sweet local cat who befriended me here and made my visit so much better. I had some mechanical issues with my car and Kampground Kittah tried to help. 🤣
Bathrooms were fine. It’s free camping so it was great that there were bathrooms at all.
One of the locals stopped by my site to look for arrowheads. Apparently, she has found a lot in the area so that’s a good activity if the kids are bored.
If you’re looking for a good wine, you can find some at the local auto parts store. I am not kidding! I think it’s Rick’s Auto Parts and their liquor is priced very reasonably. 😄 If your car’s broken down and you can’t drive, I guess you might as well drink and Rick’s there to help you out with both. 🤣
They have everything you could want! Arcade, swimming pool, kids playground and a pond to fish. On top of those they have bathrooms & showers with a sauna in each and a laundry unit which are all very nice! I wouldn’t even call them owners because they definitely do not act like it, they’re the sweetest people you could meet along the way. They offer firewood to buy from them and propane as well if you run out on site and don’t want to drive anywhere. This is the best place we’ve stayed at yet!
Everything you would expect from KOA Holiday. Bathrooms appear to have been updated. Wifi test, 34 down, 25 up. Verizon spotty but ATT seemed good. Gravel site. Concrete pad with metal dinette. Firepit. Clean. Friendly staff. Premium sites had porch swings, grills and umbrellas
Stopped for the night and stayed two!
We stayed this past Memorial weekend. We had excellent wifi and T-mobile cell service with 5G while we stayed there, Very clean.They were pretty full with it being a holiday weekend.
Tent area is undeveloped, but the lawn is fairly level, bathrooms and showers are only a short walk away. Nicole showed me to the site and was a wonderful help. Great spot that most people might pass up because its right next to the highway, but honestly you can barely tell aside from the hum of trucks. Bathrooms are beautiful and clean, 2 toilets, 2 showers and a sauna in each. The place is quiet and seems like a lot of people here are long term residents. We are in a tent on the back lawn by a small fishing lake. Nice playground for younger kids and you cant beat the atmosphere and the birds. Free on-site laundry which I took advantage of when I needed to wash and dry my blanket on a cold night. Unfourtunately no campfire for tent camp sites, but bring a camp stove and you'll be fine. They are actively doing renovations and the office isnt open yet, so you have to call the park manager, Kim, for info and she is wonderful. All the staff is. Kim came by and took my son and 2 other kids on a golf cart ride on the trail behind the lake and they had a blast. We are loving it here and are sad to be leaving after the weekend. Update: I have just been informed they have a Willie Nelson impersonator doing a show here tonight, this place would get 6 stars if I could.
My boyfriend and I stayed here for one night at the beginning of may for our first camping trip together. It was at one of 2 basic tent sites. Ours was just a short walk on a (likely camper-made trail) down to the water. The water seemed clean enough to swim but there was a lot of floating moss and seaweed right along the shore. So we opted to just fish even though we were unsuccessful. There were plenty of trees to hang out hammock, a grill grate over the fire, and a decent amount of shade. There were two flat sites for a tent. We chose one that was slightly more on a slope because it was less rocky. Spotted a few poison ivy plants and 2-3 brown recluses but we’re in their habitat so that is to be expected. Not ideal but not unexpected lol we definitely plan to return!
If ticks bother you this may not be your best choice. We had them dropping onto us at the picnic table. Otherwise, it's a really nice state park with lots of sites, as cheap as $15 if you don't need hookups. There are 3 shower houses, all free, but I can imagine a lineup if the campground is busy. We had our pick of spots in early May. The bassholes start trying to prove they have the fastest boat around 5:30 am though, so no sleeping in.
Large grassy area with plenty of room to set up a tent or camper. Right off the road, so no dirt roads to traverse. Signs were confusing as to whether it is ok to camp, but they didn't explicitly say no camping. The lake is really just a mud bog, so not very appealing unless you came to duck hunt. No picnic tables or fire pits. The pit toilet was really gross, but there was toilet paper.
We booked a spot for a month. The place is well kept and nice. The people in the office are very nice and helpful. I would have rather been in one of the sites closer to the office. As they have nice trees and shade. This is the only reason for 4 stars.
When you get here be sure to know which site you are at, the Hermitage site is right on the water but no water hookups, we set up “The big Kahuna” our rig here on the 30amp hookup with water. Nice and spacious. Peaceful and two great hikes within 10 minutes of each other.
Camping near Stockton Lake, Missouri, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful scenery and plenty of campgrounds to choose from, it’s a perfect spot for families, friends, and solo adventurers alike.
Camping near Stockton Lake, Missouri, has something for everyone, whether you're fishing, swimming, or just enjoying the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Stockton Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stockton Lake is Hermitage State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Stockton Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Stockton Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
