Best Tent Camping in Missouri

A hefty sum of forty-one state parks with more than 3,600 campsites makes camping in Missouri a breeze to plan and enjoy. Long known as “The Cave State,” Missouri has nearly 6,400 historic caves to offer the archeologists at heart. And with abundant shoreline space, water activities are surprisingly easy to find at Missouri campsites. So round up the crew and grab your gear – it’s time to make memories camping in Missouri!

Thanks to the Lake of the Ozarks, the state has over 1,150 miles of shoreline, making camping in Missouri a must for water lovers. Experience the Ozarks’ breathtaking outdoors in the beautiful Ozark Mountains at one of Elk River’s three campgrounds, which offer rafting, canoeing, camping and angling.

Looking for a little history lesson along with your camping adventure? Look no further than Missouri’s intricate cave scene. Meramec Caverns located in the Ozarks is a 4.5-mile cave system that has existed for the past 400 million years. Meramec Caverns is just one hour from the heart of St. Louis, and offers lodging, camping, and canoeing in addition to guided tours of the cave.

The quaint and historic Graham Cave State Park is just over an hour west of St. Louis, and offers a walk through ancient history along with year-round camping availability, five hiking trails, and over 386 scenic acres to explore. Take a trip down literature lane and visit the famous Mark Twain Cave near Hannibal, MO. Mark Twain, a Hannibal native himself, incorporates the maze-like cave in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Cave-lovers can also descend into the Onondaga Cave State Park to view towering stalagmites, stalactites, and active flowstones.

Get away and explore Missouri’s scenic shoreline spots and cave wonders. With The Dyrt, you can be sure to find the best camping in Missouri along the way.

Best Tent Sites in Missouri (111)

    1. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Wildwood, MO
    Website
    +1 (636) 458-3813

    "We loved our stay at Babler, aside from the snow & wind - the park is great! Review below ⬇️

    ⛺️ S I T E R E V I E W ⛺️

    📍 Dr. Edmund A."

    "Nice state park close to St Louis. Good, if short, trails. The campground is used a lot by RV and campers, not so much by tenters. Lots of campsites had electric."

    2. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Ironton, MO
    Website
    +1 (573) 546-2450

    "It only has about 12 basic tent campsites, no water or electrical at the sites. The campsites were nicely spaced, most have a lot of shade, each has a picnic table and a place to make a fire."

    "It is only tent sites, no RV's, campers or pop ups. I prefer setting up my tent and sleeping under the stars so I loved camping here."

    3. Klondike Park

    13 Reviews
    Augusta, MO
    Website

    $10 - $65 / night

    "There is hiking trails which was wonderful. There is a winery nearby. My campsite was amazing, it was clean and wasn't too far from the restrooms. There is picnic tables and fire rings."

    "A few drive up sites and lots of hike in spots around a quarry turned lake. Beautiful and clean setting. We stayed in site 24. There were picnic tables and a fire pit at our site."

    4. Prairie State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Liberal, MO
    Website
    +1 (417) 843-6711

    "The tiny campground is located in a wooded hollow at the edge of the prairie and has 4 primitive sites, no electric or water at sites, no showers and one vault toilet only."

    "There are 4 SPACIOUS sites and they are what I would call primitive. No hookups/ no electricity/ no running water. Good for star gazing."

    5. Fiery Fork Conservation Area

    9 Reviews
    Roach, MO
    Website

    "It was during deer hunting season and we only had one neighbor that looked to be there for quite a while hunting."

    "Other than that the restrooms were well kept up and it was free. I just pulled right up to an established fire pit and pitched my tent."

    6. Drury-Mincy Conservation Area

    8 Reviews
    Kirbyville, MO
    Website
    +1 (417) 746-0291

    "Lovely spot in Missouri. Passing through to Tennessee and found this gem of a spot with 2 vault toilets, trash and it’s free! Arrived at sunset in a Wednesday and only 2 other campers."

    "This one had all the necessary items, picnic tables and fire rings along with pit toilets which were not in bad shape.  "

    7. Boze Mill Float Camp

    6 Reviews
    Alton, MO
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "Several dedicated camp sites that each have fire ring, shepherds hook, picnic table. There is one pit toilet building."

    "Great place to go primitive if the weather is right and no matter the weather, the water is beautiful. Our favorite time to go is in the fall when the leaves begin to change."

    8. St. Charles County Klondike Park

    5 Reviews
    Augusta, MO
    Website
    +1 (636) 949-7535

    "The campground is located in a gym of a park located along the Missouri River. Reservations are required and the sites are in high demand. Tent camping only. There is water available in the park."

    "Stayed at a walk-in site for a night and enjoyed it. Some sites are closer to the highway and cars flying down the road can make it hard to sleep but after midnight, they stopped."

    9. Hermitage State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Pittsburg, MO
    Website

    "everyone is very pleasant and I felt comfortable letting the kids ride their bikes around, a great presence from the park rangers !"

    "Lots of fishing activities here on the lake. Would stay longer if we had the time."

    10. Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area

    5 Reviews
    Monroe City, MO
    Website

    "Grass sites, fire pit and picnic tables. Lake with free paddle boats(do need life preservers) and fish hatchery across the street. Free potable water and dump station behind ranger station."

    "Another cool find in Missouri. Lake in Conservation Area. Doesn't offer much but it was a bit out of the way. Campground was free. Sites are close together. Some spots more shaded than others."

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Showing results 1-10 of 111 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Missouri

2954 Reviews of 111 Missouri Campgrounds



Guide to Missouri

Missouri offers a variety of tent camping experiences, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. From serene landscapes to exciting outdoor activities, there's something for every camping enthusiast.

Tips for tent camping near scenic spots

  • For a peaceful retreat, consider the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park Campground, where you can enjoy secluded sites and easy access to hiking trails.
  • If you're looking for a free option, the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area provides basic amenities like picnic tables and fire pits, making it a great spot for budget-friendly camping.
  • The Brazil Creek campground is ideal for those who enjoy fishing and cooling off in a refreshing creek, perfect for a hot summer day.

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