Stockton Lake forms the geographical centerpiece of camping options near Morrisville, Missouri. Located in the western Ozarks at approximately 867 feet elevation, the lake has several campgrounds situated along its 300 miles of shoreline. Winter camping remains available at certain campgrounds like Bennett Spring State Park, where Campground One stays open year-round despite seasonal closures elsewhere.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bennett Spring State Park offers dedicated trout fishing with a hatchery and release sites. "This is one of Missouri's 'trout parks' with a hatchery and release sites so fishing (which actually becomes catching) is a big draw. Bennett Spring is so serious about their fishing they even have a trout cam so you can watch other anglers testing their skills," according to Nancy W., who rated Bennett Spring State Park Campground 5 stars.
Lake activities: Stockton Lake provides clear water for swimming, kayaking and boat access. "The lake is to die for. Water was clear clean and like glass. We have kayaks so our morning trips were accidentally long, peaceful and awesome," says Carman S. about COE Stockton Lake Hawker Point.
Hiking trails: Multiple campgrounds feature walking paths with varying difficulty levels. "The park has over twenty miles of hiking trails meandering through its 3,216 acres. Trails range from a leisurely walk along the stream to that of rigorous mountain trails that reward hikers with picturesque views of the Ozark Mountains," notes a review for Bennett Spring State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more separation than others. "Tons of unique shaded spots with many on the water. Hilly terrain and dense woods make some spots feel very isolated and peaceful," writes Jake N. about COE Stockton Lake Hawker Point, giving it 5 stars.
Fresh berry picking: B Berry Farms combines camping with agriculture. "We enjoyed picking black berries right next to our campsite to have with breakfast in the morning. I highly recommend staying here with your family or significant other!" says Nick S. in his 5-star review of B Berry Farms & Co..
Quality amenities: Full hookup sites with good maintenance are available at certain campgrounds. "Springfield - Route 66 KOA accommodates pets at all camping options including tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping units," states a review, noting the broad range of accommodation types available in the area.
What you should know
Tent site challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult terrain for tent setup. Laura H. mentions about Cedar Ridge Campground—Stockton Lake: "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 handicap parking."
Water access variations: Lake access differs significantly between sites. "Each site in the electric loop has a private path to the waters edge. Sites viewable by map next to water," notes Josh S. about Pittsburgh Loop at Pomme de Terre State Park.
Seasonal limitations: Off-season camping offers different experiences. "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 water station was shut off, but the vault toilet, which wasn't very clean, was open. No camp host on duty during our stay," reports Fred S. about Crabtree Cove.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: The Pittsburgh campground provides recreation options for children. "The swimming beach was amazing and the bathrooms well-kept," mentions Rebecca R. about Pittsburg Area Campground — Pomme de Terre State Park.
Activities for all ages: Certain campgrounds offer structured recreational options. "This place has everything from axe throwing to free coffee and the property is engineered and planned very nicely," states Joshua P. about B Berry Farms & Co.
Biking-friendly areas: Paved roads in some campgrounds accommodate young cyclists. "The roads are all paved so it made biking for our kids easy and enjoyable. The campsite was spacious and shaded. The kids loved playing in the creek and hiking the trails," says Amanda R. about Bennett Spring State Park.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Look for campgrounds with minimal setup requirements. "The lot was well cared for and my spot was incredibly flat/level. It's always a nice feeling to pull in and set up with minimal effort," writes Steven N. about his stay at Springfield - Route 66 KOA.
Size considerations: Some campgrounds better accommodate smaller RVs. "The drawback for us is that... 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," explains Angela M. from her experience at B Berry Farms & Co.
Hookup variations: Water and electric setups vary across campgrounds. "The sites are power only, water and dump separate. Campground has private boat ramp and parking away from public use so things stay secure overnight," notes cody in his 5-star review of Cedar Ridge Campground at Stockton Lake.
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