Camping near Strafford, Missouri offers access to the northern edge of the Ozark highlands with rolling terrain at approximately 1,400 feet elevation. The region features a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, including hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters that can dip below freezing. Several campgrounds in the area maintain open status year-round to accommodate travelers in all seasons.
What to Do
Berry picking experiences: At B Berry Farms & Co., campers can harvest berries adjacent to their sites. "We enjoyed picking black berries right next to our campsite to have with breakfast in the morning," notes reviewer Nick S. The farm offers blackberry picking opportunities during summer months.
Axe throwing facilities: Some campgrounds provide recreational activities beyond standard camping. B Berry Farms features an axe throwing area on-site. As Joshua P. mentions, "This place has everything from axe throwing to free coffee and the property is engineered and planned very nicely."
Train spotting: The Springfield - Route 66 KOA campground sits near active train tracks. While some consider this a drawback, others enjoy the experience. "The only downside was a train track that was close to the campground. We would still stay here again," writes Courtney G. Train sightings occur multiple times daily.
What Campers Like
Private shower facilities: Cooks RV Motor Park receives consistent praise for its bathroom amenities. According to Tom H., "Showers/restrooms/laundry are all in one building, and very clean and well kept." The park maintains individual shower rooms rather than communal facilities.
Complimentary welcome items: Some campgrounds provide unexpected welcome gifts. B Berry Farms hosts present campers with thoughtful items upon arrival. Laura T. shares, "They had a small tiki torch burning and a s'mores starter package!" These welcome packages often include locally made products.
Fishing opportunities: Fishermans Paradise offers multiple fishing ponds stocked with game fish. "Ponds are full of bass and brim, a perfect spot to take the family," writes Jack T. The property maintains several small lakes throughout its grounds for angler access.
What You Should Know
Highway proximity considerations: Several campgrounds sit near major roadways, affecting noise levels. At RV Express 66, the convenience comes with highway sounds. Mike M. notes, "Although this is adjacent to the Interstate exit (and therefore more noisy for a Sportsmobile tent camper), it was excellent and we'd stay there again."
Varying pet policies: While most campgrounds allow pets, rules differ between locations. The Hook Up RV Park provides designated pet areas. Kandi R. mentions the park has "plenty of space for your pup to run!" Some campgrounds restrict pets to leashed areas only.
Access road limitations: Some properties have challenging approach roads. Fishermans Paradise has access constraints for larger vehicles. One reviewer cautions, "The RV park is about 1/4 down a 1 lane gravel road so if you're pulling a big rig you better hope you don't meet another vehicle."
Tips for Camping with Families
Bunkhouse accommodations: Springfield - Route 66 KOA offers cabin options beyond standard camping. The campground provides family-friendly amenities including a playground and pool. Steven N. mentions, "The pool is small, but just a short walk from any site on the grounds."
Kid-friendly food options: Several campgrounds offer special food services. Springfield - Route 66 KOA delivers fresh breakfast items. "You can also order fresh made mini donuts in the morning. A nice treat for the family or with coffee on your way out!" shares Steven N.
Play areas for children: B Berry Farms maintains designated activity zones for younger campers. Hannah B. describes, "There is so much to do and for all ages. Great family fun activities and very nice layout." The property includes open play spaces away from camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present difficulties for automatic leveling systems. B Berry Farms has terrain variations throughout. Angela M. warns, "The one site suitable for large RVs is not very level. We have a 40' Renegade Verona and it took 6 tries to find a place near the hookups where our auto-level would find a good position."
Hookup configurations: The Hook Up RV Park provides pull-through sites with full hookups. A reviewer notes, "Small but pull through sites are nice." The sites accommodate most recreational vehicle sizes with standard hookup placement.
Winterization facilities: For RVers traveling during colder months, Cooks RV Motor Park offers spaces with full hookups suitable for winterizing procedures. Tom H. explains, "I booked a single night the day before arrival, looking for a full hookup place to dump my tanks and winterize on my way home to northern IL, where the temps were below freezing."
