Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Zalma, MO has a lot to offer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Zalma, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"State Park in Southeast Missouri along Big Creek. Well maintained campsites with electric hook ups. Water and dump stations, but no water hook up sites."
"Shower houses were conveniently located in camping area. Big River was just a small walk away from the campsite. I know they had been flooded, but I am still cleaning rocks and dirt from the camper."
$16 - $50 / night
"Walk to the swimming beach and boat ramp. The showers are huge. But it's dark don't go out at night without a flashlight. I got lost looking for my rv, walked around and around."
"Lower Peoples Creek is on beautiful Wappapello Lake, MO. It has nicely spaced sites and well maintained facilities. There is a public swimming beach and boat ramps located at the entrance."
$10 - $50 / night
"Paved roads for bike riding & close to the lake for swimming, kayaking, etc. Playground for the kids nearby as well."
"Campers decorate campsites and the kids walk through. They also hold the Festival of Lights around Christmas time."
"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."
"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."
"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!"
$16 - $50 / night
"Power and water both worked very well and the dump station had easy access. 3 playground areas and a neat old civil war cemetery are located in the camping area."
"The town is close by if you need anything from Dollar General and there is a nice little walk up food joint across from it."
$30 - $35 / night
"He had a bonfire waiting for us right outside our cabin! The cabin was great! Anything we needed was supplied. And the birds nesting across the lake were an added bonus!"
"The Holliday Landing is your fishing paradise, crappie & catfish everywhere on this side of the lake. "
"Love this park, lakeside or ridge top. Only 4 spots without electricity, use that how you will. The lake side is dope for water views and stag gazing."
"Lake Wappapello SP is a refreshing little get away. We took a girls weekend in the fall and enjoyed the trails and fall foliage...which was mostly already on the ground."
$11 - $65 / night
"The "Zoo" is for the younger and rowdier crowd, and is located north of HWY 8, away from the family-friendly sites, and has later quiet hours and is known for its party-like atmosphere. "
"Full hook up, shade and near river. Plenty of room on the gravel bar to have fun.
We floated. They picked us up and dropped us off at our camp sites since we had a large group."
Scout🌳 Highlights
Welcome & Hospitality Newly opened in October 2020 and family-run by Rick & Glenda Wilson, guests often highlight their warm, friendly service . One reviewer said:
> “Owners and staff all super friendly, engaging and kind.”
Campground Quality Features include full hookups (30/50 amp, water, sewer), gravel pull-through sites for big rigs (up to ~43 ft), free WiFi, dump station, propane fill, fire pits, picnic tables, laundry, and a shower house .
On‑site Country Store & Deli A notable perk is the store with fresh deli items and daily lunch specials—particularly Friday catfish dinners—plus occasional breakfast on Saturdays .
⭐ Guest Reviews Snapshot
Mick & Karla (30 Mar 2025)
Booked same-day, chose pull-through site, enjoyed 40 psi water, decent WiFi/cell service.
Friendly staff and solid amenities, though gravel/dirt sites got dusty or muddy depending on weather.
Road noise from nearby I‑57 noted. Felt $40/night was a bit high.
CatTrailzz (24 Jul 2024)
Quiet despite being near the freeway. Loves the deli (noting salads and pulled pork).
Clean facilities, new shower room.
Plans to stay again.
QueenMartell (16 Mar 2024)
Friendly check-in, excellent service.
Accommodated a 43 ft fifth wheel with ease.
Highly recommends, loves the Friday catfish.
Other reviewers (Kitty, Kyla D, Tergeo)
Consistently mention friendly owners, clean/gravel sites, good common areas, and a strong likelihood to return .
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
Warm, personal service Sites are gravel/dirt—can be dusty or muddy Full hookups and big‑rig friendly Road noise from I‑57 On-site deli with fresh food & catfish dinners Wi-Fi and cell coverage are serviceable but not exceptional Clean shower/laundry facilities Price (~$39–40/night) might be a bit high for basic amenities
Summary
Magnolia Campground is a great overnight or short-term stop if you’re looking for friendly hospitality, solid basic RV hookups, and the novelty of a country store with good food in southeast Missouri. It’s particularly suited for large RVs, travelers who enjoy a welcoming vibe, and those who appreciate a Friday catfish dinner. It’s not a destination resort, so if you're seeking plush amenities or a quiet nature getaway, plan accordingly.
Bottom Line
If you're rolling through with an RV and want a hassle-free, friendly, quick stay with full hookups and good food, Magnolia is a solid choice. For longer stays, be prepared for gravel underfoot and some road noise—but clean facilities and warm hosts might still make it worth it.
If you'd like help booking, directions, or comparisons to nearby campgrounds, just let me know!
TravelerMy husband and I loved this place. It was easy to find just off the interstate. Nice level sites, friendly staff. We had some issues and needed an extra day last minute and we're able to stay on until things got fixed. Plenty of things close in the area.
ScoutLaura and Dave are very friendly and helpful. The campground is clean and inviting. Nice trees and roomy campsites. The creek is nice for cooling down on a hot day, but there is a pool if you’d rather do that. Saturday is fun with different campground activities and an evening hayride.
GuideBeautiful park and really comfortable with kids. Many different camp options with different prices and amenities.
Clean shower and laundry room too.
GuideWe came on Memorial Day weekend, almost backed out due to rain but very glad we didn’t. We stayed in the basic campground, spot 50. There was hardly anyone else here. Spot was secluded and quiet. There’s a short hiking trail down to the lake, fun walk through nature in the area. Beautiful look out over the Mississippi River. Park ranger drove through the campsite around 9:30pm, I really liked that, made it feel safer. Had a cute furry friend make a visit a few times during the night. Didn’t catch any fish in the lake but we probably didn’t bring the right bait. Very enjoyable experience, bathrooms were extremely clean. Only downside was the shower house being closed. Really recommend this spot!
LegendThis 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.
GuideNot a large state park, but the campgrounds, small lake with swimming area, and the views of the Mississippi River valley are good. There are a few larger towns within about 10 miles where you can get all the supplies you need for camping.
GuideHawn is a one of the best fall campgrounds close to the St. Louis area. There are a number of hiking options around the campground in the park and nearby nature reserve.
It is a smaller campground with a good mix of electric and non-electric sites. The restrooms were clean and they also have some vault toilets in the park for convenience.
TravelerHawn is a lovely park just south of the city a few clicks. It's tucked away into the trees with ample shade and options for backpacking, backcountry hiking. The park is nice and sites are spaced out enough. Not sure about cell service but had a site in the 2nd campground in the middle where there's a break in the trees. I was able to use Starlink. People were friendly and overall lovely park and experience.
Camping near Zalma, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are great campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Zalma, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to enjoy the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Zalma, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 90 campgrounds and RV parks near Zalma, MO and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Zalma, MO is Sam A. Baker State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 48 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Zalma, MO.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Zalma, MO that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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