Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Whitewater, MO

Lake Girardeau Conservation Area provides primitive campsites with basic amenities for pet owners. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground area and owners are responsible for waste cleanup. The small primitive campground offers about 8 spots, each equipped with a table and fire pit. Vault toilets are available on-site with no running water. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, though the area is better suited for smaller camping setups. The campground's secluded setting makes it ideal for those seeking a quiet getaway with their dogs, though campsites are positioned close together with limited privacy between them. The lake is a no-wake body of water, making it particularly suited for peaceful fishing, kayaking, or canoeing with pets.

Trails around the lake offer excellent walking paths for exercising dogs, with the adjacent natural areas providing ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. General Watkins Conservation Area, located nearby, features additional pet-friendly camping options with multiple ponds and walking trails suitable for pets. The fishing is particularly good in these conservation areas when using a boat or kayak. Most visitors find the campgrounds rarely crowded except during Missouri firearm deer season in mid-November. The primitive nature of these campsites means pet owners should pack sufficient water for themselves and their animals. The gravel roads accessing these conservation areas can get rough depending on the season, requiring cautious driving when arriving with pets and camping gear.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Whitewater, Missouri (76)

    1. Lake Girardeau Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Whitewater, MO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5730

    "Has a nice sized lake good fishing if you are using a boat, or kayak. Spots have a table and a fire pit. Vault toilets, and a pavilion on site."

    2. Trail of Tears State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    McClure, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5268

    "Due to the pandemic, only one host has volunteered for Trail of Tears."

    "PRO 

    Senior discount saving $6 

    Able to reserve on-line 365 days prior to arriving 

    Very friendly and helpful camp host 

    Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River 

    Great dark sky viewing 

    No highway"

    3. General Watkins Conservation Area

    6 Reviews
    Oran, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5730

    "Sites are only a few miles from our house, we use it to test out new gear (hammocks)

    General Watkins has a good amount of ponds (great fishing) and has a few good walking/ small hiking trails."

    "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."

    4. The Landing Point RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Cape Girardeau, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 334-7878

    "Water park close by (5 minute drive) that was great for the kids on a hot day. Camping spots was all nice and level. looked like all the spots was full hook ups."

    "There is a big grassy area in the middle of the loop of wanting to play games and run around."

    5. Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort

    1 Review
    Zalma, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 238-3995

    "Small lake. Has tent camping or cabins. All roads are gravel. We have stayed in the cabins. It was a double bed and also had a set of bunks. So plenty of room. Lake has sandy beaches."

    6. Cape Camping & RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Cape Girardeau, MO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 332-8888

    "There was a public paved walking trail along the back of the CG, which was very nice to walk the dogs. There was also a 2 acre fishing pond for CG residents to use."

    7. Little Ole Opry Campground

    1 Review
    Jackson, MO
    10 miles
    +1 (573) 243-4555

    $15 / night

    8. The Landing Point RV Park

    1 Review
    Cape Girardeau, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 803-9343

    $45 / night

    "They also have a dog park area."

    9. Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Patterson, MO
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 856-4411

    "Pet friendly."

    "While this location was right next to dumpsters it was also adjacent to a gravel bar access for the entire park.  Our trip was amazing."

    10. Castor River Ranch Campground

    4 Reviews
    Fredericktown, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 783-4061

    $50 / night

    "The castor river ranch campground in Marquand Missouri is a nice lil campground."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Whitewater, MO

416 Reviews of 76 Whitewater Campgrounds


  • G
    Oct. 23, 2020

    The Landing Point RV Park

    Real nice RV Park with easy access

    Real nice RV park orientated toward rigs of all sizes. Easy to navigate the roads, with every site level concrete. ATT & Verizon both worked fine. Wifi & cable included in the price. 10% discount for Good Sam, military & seniors. Right off a hiway (W) and a bit noisey, but all in all a nice park, especially for a night over. Sites are reasonably spaced, many with large trees. Not real far off 55. Would stay here again for a nioght ofer and even an extra night. They also have a dog park area.

  • Lucy M.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Hinton RV Park

    Shower, Sleep, and Power

    The older man in the office was kind and helpful. The facility allotted pets, sewer, water, and electric hook up. If had a few mature trees but mainly a place to catch-up before heading off again.

  • Anne H.
    May. 30, 2019

    Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    Perfect for family camping

    We love it here. Sites that can accommodate tents and/or RVs. Its clean and well maintained. Multiple access points to the water. Educational programs and entertainment of some sort most every weekend. Pet friendly.

  • Chrissy W.
    Jul. 18, 2018

    Castor River Ranch Campground

    Awesome place

    Really nice place on the castor river. The owner was a nice guy and very helpful with whatever we needed. I love the castor river. The water feels good and is clear. The castor river ranch campground in Marquand Missouri is a nice lil campground. There aren’t many people that knows about it so there isn’t hardly any campers there so we had a whole Big area to ourselves. The river is right next to the camps. The bathroom is a single person bathroom but it was really nice and air conditioned and has a stand up shower with wood walls and tile floor. There was never a wait for the bathroom it was always open. There’s also showers on the outside of the bathroom for spraying off after you get out of the river. Each camp has its own water spicket for dishes or whatever. They are very pet friendly there. The owner guy was super nice. The only complaint I have is that there is no trash service there so you have to take your trash with you but there is a winery down the road that lets you use their dumpster for $5. I also recommend eating at the winery. They have the best food, amazing people and great service. All around awesome experience with the campground and winery. The castor river shut ins is only 27 minutes from the camp so I definitely recommend going there too. It’s beautiful to see and the water is amazing. The owner of the camp will also give you a ride up river to float back down to your camp for free just bring your own tube or whatever. There is electric sites. Rv or tent camping.

  • W
    Aug. 8, 2020

    Marble Creek Rec Area

    Unusual Campground for Missouri

    It is shaped by Marble Creek, from overhead it looks the piece to a puzzle, no matter where you are in the campground any direction takes you to the water. There is hiking, it is in a National Forest that allows Dispersed Camping outside designated areas and off roads. It is a pure delight natural water park, in the capital of natural water parks The St. Francois Mountains where creeks and rivers have "natural shut-ins" . The area around Black Mountain next door in the National Forest is a natural wilderness area, filled with geo features not marked on any maps and seldom ever photographed. Some of the largest gorges and canyons in Missouri are nearby, waterfalls (seasonal). Marble Creek flows into the St. Francois River a short distance away. 16 miles west of Fredericktown Missouri on Madison County Road E

  • James D.
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Devils Backbone Park

    Cool to see the Devil's Bake Oven and Tower Rock but otherwise blah

    Maybe it's because I am from WI and we tend to rip on IL a lot, but I really found this park sub-par. I am also spoiled from getting to see some of the larger parks in the country. Would probably be nice for a long weekend with the kids. But I don't have kids. It's more of a touristy place than a real campground in my opinion. If you are in the area check out the view of Tower Rock. There are a lot of campsites available for both tent and RV, and they do offer grills, tables, camp fire pits, toilets, and a playground. Pets are welcome. Part of a foundation of an old house built on a rock is still around and is a neat part of history.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2022

    Little Ole Opry Campground

    Little Ole Opry is a Little Okay

    Reading the reviews on several review websites, we decided to give Little Ole Opry a try as our last overnighter on our way back to our home base near St. Louis. We arrived about 3:00 PM. We used our RV GPS that took us through Jackson, MO(that has many stop lights) right to the address that turns directly into the campground(CG) off Hwy 34. We had talked to the camp host earlier and she told us to go on in and pick a spot and she would be by later to collect our$15. We pulled into one of the better defined gravel sites(#3) closer to the entrance. However, when we tried to put down our MoRryde steps they sat wonky on the wood site trim plus recent rain made us nervous about putting our levelers down and sinking. About that time the camp host(assume owner) pulled in and suggested we move farther down to site 8 that was pretty much grass and dirt but firmer. Even though we were overnighting, we wanted to back up to the little lake and have a picnic table. There is a tree line that runs behind the lake view sites and the other sites across their gravel road and so, at least in a tall 5th wheel, you cannot get very close to utilities, which are all at the back of the site, due to branches from the trees. Our electric cord reel is mid-rig so I knew I was going to need my extension cord to get to the electric box that has two 30 AMP plugs. I also needed 20’ of sewer hose and 35’ of water hose. The water pressure was very good at around 60 psi but you share a spigot with an adjacent site. The sites are fairly level but in need of gravel and grooming. In general, the CG needed grooming but we’d give them a pass as it had been raining and was late April. They were mowing the morning we departed. We got quite a few OTA channels and usable 2 bars on Verizon. The views, especially sunset and sunrise, were very nice. And there was a path around the lake to walk the dogs. We didn’t use their small shower house/restroom, but it did look clean. There’s also a pavilion and small dock for viewing or fishing. We imagine the place gets busy with campers during the summer. Overall, we had a positive experience, but even at $15 a night, we would not spend the time and hassle traveling in from I55 for an overnighter.

  • Grant M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2021

    Asher Creek Campground — Lake Wappapello State Park

    Above average Missouri lake state park

    Worth the trip up from US 60 if you’re driving E/W, standard MSP rates and setup. There’s a campground on the lake and and a campground up on the ridge. We’ve stayed on the ridge twice, and on a weeknight or any night in the off season, you can nearly have the place to yourself. On a Monday in July, I counted 2 other campers in the ridge campground.

    Close to several trails, and obviously the lake, for my Bootheel and Bootheel adjacent friends, this is a great spot close at hand.

    For folks from away, look, from April to September, you’re gonna want electric so you can run AC (or at least a fan), Missouri humidity is not a joke.

  • Josh S.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Sam A. Baker State Park Campground

    A true diamond in the Ozarks. Cold water and Shady days

    We Stayed in site  174. While this location was right next to dumpsters it was also adjacent to a gravel bar access for the entire park.  Our trip was amazing. Site 174 and most around it had quite a bit of shade and plenty of room for kids, dogs, and our 4 hammocks.

    Our campground hosts were knowledgeable and on top of things with seeming overbearing. Campground is obviously hit and miss as far as neighbors but here you have enough room to make your own oasis. 

    Clean Shower houses and historic visitor centers. We cant say enough about how much we love this campground. Do yourself a favor and book it early they fill fast.


Guide to Whitewater

Explore the great outdoors with your furry friends at some of the best pet-friendly camping spots near Whitewater, Missouri. These campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and activities that cater to both you and your pets.

Tips for camping with dogs near Whitewater

  • Ensure your pet is comfortable by bringing their favorite bedding and toys to the Trail of Tears State Park Campground, which allows pets and provides ample space for them to roam.
  • Keep your dog hydrated and cool during hot days; the General Watkins Conservation Area features nearby trails and fishing spots for a refreshing day out.
  • Always clean up after your pet to maintain the beauty of the campgrounds, like at the Castor River Ranch Campground, where pets are welcome and the environment is well-kept.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Whitewater

Pet-friendly campgrounds include

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Whitewater, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Whitewater, MO is Lake Girardeau Conservation Area with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Whitewater, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 76 dog-friendly camping locations near Whitewater, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.