Best Tent Camping near West Plains, MO

Recent Tent Reviews near West Plains, MO

375 Reviews of 23 West Plains Campgrounds

• M

  Marty

  Guide

  

  May. 6, 2022

  Twin Bridges Canoe Campground

  Early season, limited services

  Tent camped here with a group of private boat paddlers from all over the country. Campground operations had not really started for the season. I arrived after dark and could not find the tent campsites. Nearly drove into deep mud on gravel road past RV sites. Fortunately had just enough cell signal to access their website. Found a campground map three layers deep on reservation page and located my group. 

  Tent sites were well-located along the river with basic tables and fire rings. I never found the store to be open so paid camping fee at bar and cafe at entrance. Great breakfast. $25/night for tents.  Grass had not been mowed and was deep in tent area. RV sites appear to be a work in progress with much erosion around the new pads and access road. What may have been a shower house had key code locks but there was never anyone to ask. Bathrooms near the entrance lacked tp in some stalls. All one afternoon and evening a group of kids with gas weed trimmers  noisely worked on a slope adjacent to the RV area. 

  This campground should improve over time a the management appears to be developing the grounds.

• B

  Barrett C.

  Traveler

  

  May. 19, 2020

  Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

  Wild Horses

  Was a great secluded tent camp site. Liked that they had wagons to help haul our gear to the site. Family of 7 so we have plenty of stuff to haul. Was a really fun time. Spent lots of it in the water and got to see some wild horses so that was exciting.

• A

  Alicia N.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 4, 2024

  Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

  Small sites with little privacy - campground fine, but not great

  I'd seen a lot of great reviews for this campground, so I had high expectations when we arrived for a night in early November. We reserved a spot in the 900 loop, just to be safe - a few of the camping loops allow reservations, and the rest are walk in. The loop was very open, spaces all fully visible to each other. The bathrooms were locked for the season after 10/15. 

  Since things were pretty empty, we moved to the 500 loop, which was more tree covered, near the river, and next to the shower house, which was the one park bath open for the winter. Bathrooms and showers were clean, though no camp host was present the night we stayed. 

  We were the only people on the 500 loop, so it was fine, but again - sites VERY close together. Some picnic tables were less than 20 feet apart. The 600 loop was the only heavily occupied loop when were there, filled with campers, presumably because of the electric access. 

  This is a NPS campground, so its amenities tend to be fewer than many MO state parks. I have other parks in this area that have more scenic and private tent camping. Just on the other side of the river is the Alley spring and mill, which are lovely - and ironically, some of the picnic sites are more spacious than these tent sites. I wish we could camp on that side!

• 

  JonMark

  Scout

  

  May. 30, 2024

  White River Campgrounds

  Wors Campgrounds.. the camp manager is the worst I have ever seen

  Even though their website says they have tent camping they DO NOT

• 

  Julia B.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 6, 2021

  Bull Shoals-White River State Park

  Angler’s Paradise

  Park is clean and well run. Along the beautiful White River, trout heaven. 3 “cabins” available, these are park model RVs in permanent spots along the River. Tent sites with no hookups available, but not at rivers edge. You can put a tent on an RV spot. Programs available from park rangers. Store in campgrounds has most of what you may have forgotten. Tent sites have trees for setting a hammock, some better than others.

• 

  Denni G.

  Traveler

  

  May. 9, 2024

  Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

  Great tent camping!

  Love tent camping! Secluded and shaded. I want a few years back and it was lovely can’t wait to see if there have been updates!

• 

  Marissa H.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 11, 2020

  Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

  Wonderful Swimming Hole

  This is a really nice spot for tent camping - even though it’s clearly geared towards RV camping. Make sure to book a walk-in campsite if you’re tent camping, otherwise you’ll be in the lot with the RVs (no trees, no privacy etc see first picture). You’ll have to carry your gear to your site, but not too far. Each walk in site is fairly isolated and separate from the other site by trees. Each site has a wood tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring with grate. If you want you could even go to the lodge (walking distance) for a meal and skip the cooking! Book your spot in advance as it seems like they fill up quickly.

• 

  Crystal E.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 29, 2021

  Montauk State Park Campground

  Beautiful

  Love the area. Tent sites are close to water, great fishing. Clean facilities and friendly staff!

• 

  Wes U.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 26, 2021

  Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

  Great!

  Quite tent sites with restrooms in each loop and new shower house. Spring, mill, and the trails around the spring are a must!

• 

  Travis G.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 13, 2020

  Cedar Ridge RV Park - Temporarily Closed

  Great campsite

  Have stayed here twice so far and love it. Price is cheap and they work off the trust system. They have electric and water camper hookups and tent camping. They also have a little bath house there too. Not 5 star lodging but the view over white river is breathtaking.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 23, 2021

  Bull Shoals-White River State Park

  Great view of the White River

  Mainly an RV campground with some tent sites. Camped with our camper van at site #35 along the White River. Long walk to the restroom from here. The RV sites have paved drives & offer views of the river. Most sites are small, feels crowded, although there were many unoccupied "Reserved" sites. No privacy between most sites; can easily hear conversations from neighboring sites. Table, firepit, water & electric hookups included. The restroom/shower house is clean & warm. Campground is popular with fishermen. Big Bluff hiking trail nearby; excellent trail. T-Mobile service is very good. Campground is clean & well maintained. To us, the layout of the RV sites along the river had a mobile home park feel to it. The 20 tent sites are in a wooded section away from the river. These sites appear to be spacious- more so than the RV sites.

• A

  Ashley W.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 1, 2019

  Greer Crossing

  Love love love this area!

  The eleven point river is a Hidden Gem. I love the campsite and the cleanliness of the bathrooms. I love the shaded tent campsites and easy access to firewood, boat dock and open area perfect for large family gatherings

• 

  Shannon M.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 10, 2019

  Bull Shoals-White River State Park

  My favorite place to camp!

  We had a great time camping Memorial Day Weekend. We tent camped. The campsite was really nice and everyone was very friendly. The visitor center is awesome and the park had several activities available. We went to an owl talk and a bear talk that was very informative. We also did the lake cruise. I would highly recommend this park.  This is my favorite camping spot.

• B

  Bill J.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 7, 2019

  Ozarks Mountain Springs RV Park

  Best campground on road trip!

  This campground was wonderful! We needed a tent site for one night and we ended up getting a whole grove of trees to ourselves! It was a Saturday night and there was an open mic night and bbq. The atmosphere was light and fun and the people rocked! Very clean bathrooms and showers. The rates were very very affordable too! 10/10!!!

• 

  Dave R.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 3, 2021

  Bull Shoals-White River State Park

  One of the Best Campgrounds

  We stay here 3 or 4 times a year, they have lots to offer. Bike/hiking trails, horse shoe pits, basketball court, a very large picnic area a store with thing's if you forget something, very nice bathrooms with showers. They offer tent camping area that's pretty nice, and rv camp site with Full hook ups and some with just water and electric. It's a must see, also, some site are available year round

• 

  J K.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 6, 2019

  Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

  Missouri’s newest state park has it all!

  This place literally has everything you can want from walk in tent sites to an entire lodge with all the amenities. Campsites are all well manicured and offer everything from basic sites to full RV hook ups. The only negative is that we have experienced are that you need to reserve your side months in advance because this campground is so popular. And the only other negative is that all of the campsites are out in the open with no shade. But other than that it’s easy to see why the state park is a perfect representation of how much pride Missouri takes in its conservation and park system.

• 

  Danielle Y.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 9, 2018

  Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

  Simple and spacious!

  This campground is very large thus always having availability for tent camping! They have ranger presentations on weekend evenings about the local wildlife and rivers and springs-Jacks Fork & Current River that are very informative! Great place to bring family and an equally reasonable price!! Offers group camping too! Harvey Kayak and Canoe rentals is right around the corner and will pick you up right at your campsite! I highly recommend this campground. They also have RV hookups and a private beach!

• 

  Aimee T.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 6, 2018

  Akers Group Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

  Awesome primitive site with river access

  We camp here every year. My ONLY complaint is that they never seem to cut the grass close to when we come. It's not terrible, just a weedy and a little longer than I'd like it to be for tent camping. We stay at group site three which is HUGE, and nice and level. There's a great big fire ring and lots of wood available for gathering. There's a very short path from the site to the current river, which is beautiful. There is a pretty basic outhouse up a short trail for camper use.

• 

  J K.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 6, 2019

  Alley Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

  Great campground close to eminence

  This is a great campground that is just outside of eminence and has just about everything that you need from spacious tree covered tent sites to full RV sites as well. Easy access to both the jacks for river and Alley spring Because flooding destroyed the old restroom a new one has been built in its place with a full shower house as well. If you want a nice peaceful campground that is in the heart of the Ozarks scenic River Ways you will definitely want to check this place out

• C

  Cindy P.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 16, 2023

  Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

  Absolutely perfect!

  First, the park hosts were so friendly, helpful and hard working. They kept everything spotless! Bathrooms and showers were a 10. Grounds were a 10. Location and surroundings were gorgeous. Sites were spacious and there’s not a “bad” site in the whole park. It was Peaceful and quiet at night. We walked through the walk in tent camping area and it was amazing. Sites were big, private and spread out through the woods with wooden platforms. Path through the area was gravel and very well maintained. The Betty Lea Lodge was close and had an awesome store and gift shop. We will definitely be back!

• 

  Sharon N.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 5, 2017

  Blue Heron Campground

  Right on the river bank!

  I grew up around here so I return often. The trout fishing can't be beat. This campground is right on the banks of the White River. I tent camped. There is a nice large pavilion with picnic tables as well as really clean shower and toilets.

  The owners were a delight to get to know and can rent canoes or even get you a fishing guide.

  It is near a bridge so the first night we could hear the traffic but by the next day it became like background noise.

  My highlight was the way the fog rolls in at night and disappears in the morning. It was so pretty over the river. Wish I had gotten a picture.

• 

  Marty C.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 10, 2021

  Round Spring Campground — Ozark National Scenic Riverway

  Amazing Campground

  This campground on the beautiful Current River is operated by the National Park Service and features 6 are so full electric sites and numerous tent camping sites. It is located at the very beautiful Round Spring and the Round Spring Cave. Tours of the cave are given daily June through August and cost $5. The lantern tours show an amazing cave with many beautiful formations. An outfitter for canoe rentals and shuttle service is located across the road and offers ice, beverages and firewood. Reservations are a must for the electric sites. While all sites in this campground are reservable it is rarely full. There are also about five group sites located at this area. The current river provides some of the best canoeing anywhere in America as well as good fishing for Smallmouth Bass.

• 

  Kira S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 22, 2021

  Twin Bridges Canoe Campground

  Great floating, campsites need work

  PROS- First the floating was excellent on the northfolk River. Great wildlife along the way including cranes, turtles, ducks, fish. Fantastic on site restaurant with bar and grill that has Saturday karaoke and Friday live bands. The best showers with privacy and cleanliness. Has extras on site like cornhole, basketball, Foosball, and a pool table. The campsites were large. The tent sites were shady and grassy with even ground and near the river. CONS- The RV sites have zero shade and very little grass so it's mostly clay mud on the ground, which would have been fine but since it rained it made a giant mud soup mess. The cost is higher than the recreation government sites online for camping.

• 

  Rhonda N.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 24, 2018

  Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

  Nature at it’s best. Unique and beautiful .

  This is the newest state park in MO. The campground is located at the bottom of a steep grade hill in an open area. New trees have been planted throughout the campground with established mature trees surrounding the outer boundaries. Basic and premium sites are available for RV’s and trailers along with a separate area for tent camping only. Pull type wagons are provided for tent campers to haul their belongings to their campsites. Restrooms and showers are conveniently located within the campground. A Clearwater creek is a short walk from the campground where swimming and floating may be enjoyed. The “Current River” is also less than a mile away and canoe rentals offer free pickup at the campground. One of the most unique aspects of the campground is the periodic presence of wild horses who roam freely throughout the campground and park. There are several well established hiking and biking trails.

• 

  B M.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 2, 2020

  Chipmunk Crossing RV Park

  Clean woodsy Rv Park

  We stopped for 1 night on the way to Wyoming it is way off the beaten path but what a nice campground. The owners were selling it when we were there they had it a long time. The Pool was so cool and refreshing and no one was there. There's nothing around there so come prepared. There are rolling hills, narrow road and paved. 

  We almost had the place to ourselves so quiet and well maintained. 

   FEATURES AND SERVICES: Large, Clean Sites Full Hookups Pull-thrus and Back-ins 20, 30, and 50 AMP Mostly Shaded Picnic Tables Tent Sites 17 Sites and a Library.

  Clean Restrooms Laundry Modem Hookup and Fax Service In Ground Pool Playground Shuffleboard and Horseshoes Catch and Release Pond Fishing Animal Friendly People Friendly Recreation Hall Recreation Room.

• 

  Felicity H.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 29, 2021

  Montauk State Park Campground

  Great unless you're handicapped

  We requested a handicapped tent site near the restroom. Large site but not marked and the other campers kept walking through our site to use the wheelchair ramp for the restrooms The toilets were basically not handicapped accessible but the showers were not at all. I have 1 arm and 1 leg there were no shower seats. No place for a family member to assist me.

  Gift shop was averagely priced but we found the food a tad expensive and bland.

  The people were friendly but could not help much (staff) with directions to handicapped accessible fishing areas.

  We enjoyed our trip but did not catch anything.

  Also the daily fishing passes were a bit pricy but ok. No choice but to purchase them because you can't fish without one.

• C

  Carrie S.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 9, 2022

  Timbuktu Campground — Echo Bluff State Park

  Could be better …

  We heard about this amazing park, great camping. We tried to find photos of the tent sites, found a few videos of people showing one, but not camping there. We liked the wood platform so reserved spot 7 for 3 nights. Luckily we brought our own wagon because they weren’t allowing their large wagons to help you carry your gear to the campsite, apparently a COVID protection rule. The campsite No. 7 was at the highest point on a rocky hill to walk up. We only heard about concrete to everything. No. The people catered to at Echo Bluff State Park are the people RVing. The huge concrete area for RVs looked so packed and crowded. It was over 100 degrees down there, 20 less at our campsite. We spent a lot of time down IN the sinking creek. We loved the creek. It was such a great way to cool off and get some Wi-Fi signal. NO wi fi at campsites other than No. 1, very close to the RVs and parking area. The space between campsites was good: although, one night we had problems with people being up late and being loud. The second night was problems with people shining their flashlights into our camp until 3 a.m. it was ridiculous. So we didn’t see any people come by that would enforce the rules at the camps. We will go back the end of July this year, but we know what to ask about and request when we get there this time. We can say the site itself was private feeling. We just didn’t anticipate our far neighbors being so bad.