The southeastern Missouri region surrounding Zalma features numerous camping spots across Mark Twain National Forest and along the St. Francois River system. Located in the foothills between the Ozarks and Mississippi floodplain, this area sits at elevations between 400-800 feet, creating varied topography and diverse ecosystems. Campers should prepare for limited cell service at most locations, with many campgrounds offering only vault toilets and basic amenities outside the larger state parks.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Lake Wappapello State Park offers extensive equestrian trails near both camping areas. "The park as usual was yet maintained in almost perfect conditions, staff was very nice. We spent time walking around the park, relaxing and just talking," notes one visitor to Sam A. Baker State Park Campground.
Historic exploration: Visit the former town site at Greenville Recreation Area. "There are still old foundations of the court house and various homes. There are also markers telling the history of the area. Truly a neat place to visit!" shares a camper at Greenville.
Guided tours: Take advantage of educational programs at Ridge Campground. "They had some sort of eagle program they put on for kids/families twice during our stay - didn't attend, but nice that they offer it," mentions a camper who visited Ridge Campground.
Biking: Explore paved and forest trails that connect the region. "There are walking and biking trails. Boating, swimming & fishing access is available at nearby Lake Wappapello," notes a camper from Greenville Recreation Area, while another states, "Great park for great biking, hiking, river access, restaurant, great camp store."
What campers like
Lake views: Several campgrounds offer direct waterfront sites. "My group and I camped in two of the basic sites in Asher Creek campground and we couldn't get enough of the front-row lake view!" reports a camper at Asher Creek Campground. Another camper observed, "All sites at Asher Creek loop have water views."
Spacious campsites: Sites at many of the campgrounds provide ample room. "The sites are large and have a big concrete pad attached to the drive," notes a reviewer at Greenville - Lake Wappapello, while another mentions that "Sites are paved easy to get into and very level."
Swimming areas: Natural water access points are plentiful and often clear. "You can sit in the cool clear water and relax. Great place for kids," notes a camper at Sam A. Baker State Park. At Whippoorwill Lake, a visitor mentioned, "Lake has sandy beaches. Small playset in the water for kids."
Wildlife viewing: The area's diverse habitat supports various wildlife species. "A friend and I even spotted a baby eastern spiny softshell turtle while crossing Big Creek!" shares one camper, while another observed numerous birds nesting across the lake at Holliday Landing Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "Redman Creek West opens from mid-March through October," explains a reviewer, and Greenville Recreation Area operates "Apr 1 - Nov 18" according to official information.
Variable campground quality: Even within the same park, loops can differ dramatically. "When we drove through the Asher loop it was like a different campground! I couldn't believe the difference and was quite upset," noted a disappointed camper at Peoples Creek - Lake Wappapello.
Weekend popularity: Some areas become very crowded during summer weekends. "The campgrounds were full! They do allow advanced reservations and I would definitely recommend them in the summer," warns a camper from Sam A. Baker State Park.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies widely between locations. "The shower house was clean, used, but clean," notes a camper at Redman Creek, while another visitor to Ridge Campground complained, "The bathrooms in this loop are large, but they are much older. They were dirty - constant trash on the floors."
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Look for natural swimming areas with gradual entry. "The lake is great to swim in - very clean bottom and not slimy at all," reports an Asher Creek visitor. For small children, Whippoorwill Lake offers "sandy beaches" and "small playset in the water."
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Redman Creek Recreation Area, the playground is conveniently located "in the middle by the shower house," making it easy for parents to supervise children while handling campsite duties.
Seasonal events: Visit during special holidays for extra activities. "They do a Trick or Treating event at Halloween. Campers decorate campsites and the kids walk through. They also hold the Festival of Lights around Christmas time," shares a visitor to Redman Creek Recreation Area.
Site selection for shade: Summer heat requires strategic planning. "We spent four days at the park with friends during the higher rain and very high river," notes a Sam A. Baker visitor, while an Asher Creek camper advises, "If you're like me and are just doing basic tent camping, I'd recommend a pop-up canopy for the table area since there is not a lot of tree cover in those sites."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. "Not many real level sites. Bring plenty of blocks," advises a Redman Creek visitor, though they note "roads were easy to navigate & several big rigs had no issues."
Hookup variability: Check specifics before booking. "Only a few spots farthest away from lake had sewer, the others have water and electric," reports a camper at Holliday Landing Campground & Marina, while another notes that at some parks, "you must fill your water tank at the different hydrants scattered around the campground."
Navigation challenges: Larger rigs face difficulties at certain campgrounds. "The twisty turns will grab your stabilizers and bumper if you're not very careful," cautions a People's Creek camper, adding that "Our original site was extremely unlevel but thankfully we were able to get into a level one last minute."
Senior discounts: Several Corps of Engineers parks offer significant savings. "Very nice smallish park. Mostly level sites with electric & water for $10 with geezer pass," mentions a People's Creek visitor, while another camper reported paying "$12.00 a night" with the senior pass at Greenville Recreation Area.
