Best Campgrounds near Wappapello, MO

This review is based on a short stay rather than a destination campground (CG) experience. We found this CG while looking for options near Sikeston, MO, and decided to try it based on positive online reviews. Booking was easy with a same-day reservation, and we received an email with directions, the WiFi password, and instructions to pick any site between 8 and 13, designated for big rigs and short-term stays, as most of the other sites were occupied by longer-term residents. We chose pull-through site #11 with full hookups (FHU) due to its convenient angle. All of the sites, including the shorter back-ins, offer FHU. Our site accommodated our 40’ fifth wheel and F450 truck comfortably, with centrally located utilities and 40 psi water pressure. The WiFi was sufficient for checking emails and general browsing, while cell service was limited to 1 bar on Verizon and 3 bars on T-Mobile. With few trees, satellite reception wouldn’t be an issue. During our stay, we were the only short-term guests. Some sites had picnic tables and fire pits, and while ours did not, we could have moved them if desired. The CG has a nice shower house and laundry facility, but the real draw is the country store, which operates more like a restaurant. The owner and staff were exceptionally friendly, and the food was good. The sites are pretty much gravel and dirt. At $40 per night, the price felt a bit high for the amenities offered. We were there during dusty conditions, and friends came through a week later in the rain, and the CG was muddy. Along with the country store with a restaurant, there’s a dump station, plus they sell ice and propane. Being located along a frontage road off I-57, road noise was noticeable. Overall, we had a pleasant overnight stay and appreciated their hospitality.

What a cute hidden gem! Hosts were so attentive and helpful-the grounds were so green and view of the woods and pond was so relaxing- bathrooms were clean with hot water and flush toilets and the horse stalls were conveinent from our site- we brought our own stall bedding and buckets but they provided a tack room, pitch fork , whellbarrow and shovel to help us clean up after our horses- enjoyed their private trails that went around the big lake- town was only 8 min away to get a few things at the store- Happy Camper

If you’re floating at Jeff’s, you do not want to camp anywhere else! Less than two minutes down the road from Jeff’s Canoe Rental and the beautiful K Bridge Black River public access. This place has an in ground pool that’s lit up until 10pm (or later if the kids aren’t being too loud), a large lake with swings and fire pits around it, a bigger playground, and a REALLY wonderful little store with anything you’d need plus more! Every spot is very level. It’s also cheaper than most other private places who charge the “per person, per night” bullcrap on top of the site rental. We always look forward to our time here!

Beautiful small campground with large sites. Restroom was emaculate. Clean park with a boat launch. Electric only spots and dispersed. Water and dump are on site.

We opted for this site on our way west as a stopover because it was free and not a parking lot. There are a couple of loop trails and we walked one of them. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. The locals use the area for fishing and walking and it was somewhat busy in the afternoon. A couple of guys fished at night until about nine. There was only one other couple camping. Very quiet and peaceful. There was a portable toilet but we didn't investigate.

The cool thing was that the loop trail was forested by hundreds of paw paw trees. It must have been just past the season and we saw only a couple of decaying ones, but the entire trail smelled of apple cider vinegar and was quite pleasant.

If you consider this waypoint, two things:

1. The last mile is good, but very dusty, gravel road.

2. No cell coverage in the parking lot for T-Mobile, some coverage on loop trail.

Sam a Baker is a beautiful destination for any family. There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding. There are multi camp sites that can be easily reserved online. The Saint Francis River and the Big Creek meet in the park. The big creek is spring feed and ice cold. The Saint Francis is wild and is considered white water during the rainy season. There are plenty of amenities in the park for the novice camper. From the camp store to the shower house. SAM A BAKER has you covered

Log yard is a Backwoods camping area on the current river. 4 wheel drive is recommended. You have to cross a creek to get to this location. If the weather moves in. It would be wise to pack up and move out while you can. If the creek comes up, you may not be able to cross it again. There is one good established campsite at this location and 2 not so good ones. The area changes after a flood, and the campsites have to be reestablished. There is a boat ramp at this location that is a favorite hang out of the locals. They will drink, play loud music, and leave trash lay around. This stretch of the current is 25-hp boat territory. There will be boat traffic on the river on the weekends. Log yard is part of the Ozark scenic river ways, which is FEDERAL LAND. You may have an encounter with a forest ranger at this campsite. If you do, they will ask for your info and have you establish a Backwoods campsite. Be respectful and don't upset the Rangers. They don't play in the Ozark scenic river ways. This camp is beautiful and wild. NO CELL SERVICE. If you're lucky, you may see the local elk herd. They reintroduced elk in this area a few years ago. Get out and enjoy what Missouri has to offer

The scenery of this dispersed camping area is definitely a five star for the area. Nice view and access to the Current River. Plenty of stars out at night. There is an area of more traditional campground spaces you come across first but the dispersed style spots are further down the road. There’s still a $10/night fee. Even though there are fire rings all along the rocky beach, locals use this area as a boat launch and park their trucks and trailers in the camping areas. The campers who came in late on our last night destroyed the peaceful ambiance; loud kids running all over and pulling branches down from living trees, loud music past quiet hours and most running generators. That downgraded my rating from five stars overall. This would be a great place midweek or off season but definitely not going back during peak times due to the discourteous people.

Tent camped here during the week in June and the campground was only about 1/3 full. Quiet and the restrooms and showers were very clean.

Wonderful spacious sites, nicely groomed lawns, clean showrr houses, very helpful hosts- very relaxing place to be

My parents (from Mississippi) and I (from St. Charles, MO) found this place sort of between us and we sure do love it. The owner Kelly and his whole team were nothing but gracious and hospitable to us the entire weekend. You can tell there's some work to be done on this new venture for Kelly but his heart in it and I can't wait to see how he continues to grow the property. Thanks for having us and we can't wait to come back. 

The bath house was clean. The site was huge. There was plenty of firewood when we needed it. The nature was nature'in and the wild was wild'in. Good times.

We had so much fun playing in the creek learning about as Aztec and their gardening methods. Very adorable , baby goats and baby chicks that were just all over and loving living. ❤️ My family and friends found out that I was going there and she was more than happy to help us be accommodated for so many people. I kept adding and she was like no problem. Thank you so much for making it easy and affordable. We will definitely be back to visit. I feel that we have actually found some true lifelong friends. Thank you Ivy

Way to crowded tiny sites

We stopped here chasing the 2024 eclipse. Easy to find. No cost. About 20 parking spaces, a vault toilet, and a boat launch. Open for solar panels, but tree cover around the lot. Only about 5 parking spaces are not on a slant. Places in the trees for tents. Absolutely beautiful views up and down the river. A single fire pit on the river’s edge. No road noise to speak of because it is way in the distance and rare at night. Fireflies and owls into the night. Mist on the water in the morning: just beautiful. T mobile service has 3 of 4 bars. There is no apparent Verizon service.

There is not much here other than a place to camp for free. There is one two-path logging road suitable for hiking and mountain biking back into the woods. It leads to a T where additional two-path logging road.

Went to stay in a cabin for one night, then extended our stay.   The place was to nice to leave.   The lake and St. Francis river are crystal clear.  Watched the baby deer, and listen to thw owls at night.   The cabin had all the amenities included, towels, coffee, soaps, dinnerware and cookware.    check-in was easy. Front deck included a B-B-Q  grill, and hot tub that over looked the lake and camp fire.   Our family will be back.   Thank you!

This campground is a must visit. Obviously the main attraction is the amazing and magical spring. Flowing 226 million gallons a day! Campground is beautifully manicured and has spacious sites and many options. It's a self serve campground so pay at the front. The hot water in the showers was out but still giving it 5 stars because this place is just great. The cabins are super cute cottages that are being remodeled right now, and I can't wait! The trails are well kept and moderately challenging. I highly recommend camping here dont forget to bring in your own firewood.

Campground was nice and quiet, spots were all maintained. only a few spots farthest away from lake had sewer, the others have water and electric. none of the spots are very far from the lake however. No wi-fi. showers were out of order half of the time. No store as it states on site, only and office but mostly no one there but it was holiday weekend. broken down marina sitting in ruins and what was left of dock didn’t seem too sturdy. Remnants of old gas pump but no marina gas. terrible fishing off of dock, you have to go out on lake. Several high speed boats passing by. Fairly far from any decent sized town but that is not bothersome as that is the point of camping. we enjoyed our stay but we’re disappointed about the showers, restrooms out of repair. Overall a decent campground just dated. grass and sites were kept up well. picnic table and fire pit at all sites.

With a paid reservation made 3 months in advance, the Campground Host cancelled our reservation, refunded our money and then quadrupled the rate for that same period ($125 went to $750 for one night).  Your paid family vacation plans reservation is not firm with Otahki Lake Cabins and Campgrounds KOA. I hope this does not happen to you and your family’s dream camping trip!

We have been coming here for years, there is something for everyone here! The water is slow and shallow enough in tons of places for littles and deep and cold enough for the older kids and adults to cool off too. The store is adorable, the food is surprisingly really good (I’m craving those loaded nachos!), and when you’re absent-minded like me and forget the bikes you can rent them there 😁 We like Campground 2 on the gravel side (to the left when you pull in) because it’s nice and quiet and close to the nature center. You really can’t go wrong with any of the sites!