19 Great Places to Camp in the Ozarks

There is, perhaps, no better time than fall in the Ozarks to pack up your car or camper and head toward undiscovered adventures in the great outdoors. Crisp air, rustling leaves and chirping birds greet you as you pull up to your campsite and set up your temporary home. As dusk turns to darkness, the day’s heat breaks, replaced by a cool night breeze. Crackling fires pop up around you as the stars above begin to twinkle, and the chorus of crickets grows louder. When you turn in for the night—relaxed and without a single unanswered notification on your phone—the constant melody lulls you to sleep. This is what you came for, and we can help you get there. Whether you’re a nature novice, experienced explorer or cabin camper, this guide shares the very best of Ozarks camping, including where to go, what to eat and how to make the most of your night under the stars.

Bull Shoals–White River State Park

Wake up by the water—and then keep playing in it!

Our region’s lakes are some of the best natural gems around. Combine lake life with a camping trip and you’ve got a perfect pair. There are many places to achieve this level of outdoor perfection, but Bull Shoals–White River State Park in Bull Shoals, Arkansas, tops our list. It has plenty of amenities and a bounty of activities and is quite beautiful.

Construction is nearly complete on the renovation and expansion of the park’s campground, which will soon have 112 sites. We recommend making reservations due to the White River’s national acclaim as a top trout-fishing destination. Many campsites sit right along the river, and if you’re lucky enough to book one, you can watch boats zip past as the morning fog breaks. That is, if you’re not joining in on the fishing fun. Stock up on bait at the park’s marina, which also has boat rentals, before hitting the water. Those less inclined to reeling in a catch can float the river in a kayak or canoe, also available for rent at the marina, or reserve a seat on a park interpreter–led river or lake cruise.

The minimally developed shorelines on Bull Shoals Lake afford breathtaking landscapes and habitats for many animals, including approximately 100 bald eagles each winter. You might be able to spot America’s bird on a cruise or at the overlook on the 1.75-mile Big Bluff Trail. Take a dip in the lake at nearby Brown’s Beach or Lakeview Public Use Area, where there is a daily use fee.

In the park, hike or mountain bike and don’t forget to stop at the James A. Gaston Visitor Center for a view of the Bull Shoals Dam, which was the fifth largest dam in the world when it was completed in 1951. The park also hosts a handful of annual events. Each January, there’s Eagle Awareness Weekend, during which you can learn more about and observe these birds of prey up close. Trout Days, held in June, combines camaraderie and competition for a fun-filled weekend. And women can connect with nature and build their outdoor skills at the Women’s Outdoor Weekend every October.

Echo Bluff State Park

While away the days among wild horses and historic sites.

The widely known secret about Eminence’s Echo Bluff State Park is out: This park is awesome. So awesome, in fact, that it has been tough to reserve a campsite since Echo Bluff opened in July 2016. The former youth summer camp now boasts 72 basic and premium sites at Timbuktu Campground, a lodge, cabins, duplexes and several activities.

Southeast Missouri has long been home to wild horses, which are typically hard to find. But at Echo Bluff State Park, spotting these creatures is easy as they frequent the campground regularly. Be sure to visit Sinking Creek, which winds throughout the park. The water is perfect for families with young children, and you can marvel at the park’s namesake, Echo Bluff. More adventurous types can head to the Current River for a day of floating fun. Travel back in time on a 90-minute, lantern-lit tour of nearby Round Spring Cave (closed Labor Day through Memorial Day) or to the former corporate retreat of the Alton Box Board Co., built in the ’30s and ’40s, at Current River State Park. Both attractions are a quick drive away on state highway 19. Spend your evenings at Echo Bluff’s Betty Lea Lodge, where you can play board games, enjoy a view of the bluff from the patio’s rocking chairs or cozy up by one of the fire pits.

Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area

Get a backcountry experience without the hassle of backpacking.

True solitude is hard to find these days, but not at Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area, where the closest cell reception and internet access is miles away. This serene Arkansas retreat is tucked deep in the Ozark–St. Francis National Forests, about halfway between Hagarville and Sand Gap. 

Consider this campground, managed by the U.S. Forest Service and closed from late December to late March and during high water, a training ground for your first backpacking trip. Aside from trash cans, vault toilets and nine basic campsites, you’re on your own. That means doing your research beforehand and bringing enough food and water for your stay. Don’t forget your swimsuit and water shoes so you can lounge around in Haw Creek and enjoy the falls.

Find more waterfalls by taking the Pack Rat Falls Trail that begins behind site 6 or the Pam’s Grotto Waterfall Trail, across Highway 123. Hop on the Ozark Highlands Trail, spanning more than 197 miles and growing, at the campground or as you head north on Highway 123 just before you reach Sugar Creek. About half an hour away, rock formations, bluffs and another waterfall await at Pedestal Rock Scenic Area.

Hawn State Park

Head east for a centrally located adventurer’s playground.

Rarely can you find a place in the great outdoors that makes beginners and more ambitious explorers feel equally at home. Hawn State Park in Ste. Genevieve achieves this feat and, put simply, is camping at its finest.

The 51-site campground is family-friendly and wonderfully versatile, including electric, basic and walk-in spots; a playground; a frost-free water spigot for winter excursions; and an unparalleled bathhouse with large bathrooms, unisex shower stalls and a coin-operated laundry facility. Shortleaf pine trees and hardwoods such as white oak and red maple tower overhead, as they do throughout the park, and tent campers enjoy soft ground here. The sites are mostly exposed, but that makes it all the easier to strike up a conversation with your neighbors. The park’s five backpack camps provide an added challenge for those who seek it.

Once you’ve settled in, there’s plenty to see and do. Take the short, paved Overlook Trail to get a bird’s-eye view of rolling hills and the Pickle Creek valley. Speaking of Pickle Creek, getting up close and personal with this pristine water is a must. (You can see it from select campsites.) Eat lunch at the picnic tables near the Pickle Creek Trailhead before hitting the 1.4-mile round-trip rugged trail or enjoy your meal creek-side. The park’s other trails are also worth exploring as long as you are comfortable with moderate to rugged hiking. 

If you need a break from nature, visit one of the many wineries in the area or head to nearby Farmington for a meal at 12 West Bar & Grill. Within an hour’s drive, you’ll also find three other state parks worth visiting for a quick day trip on your way home. Climb on gigantic boulders at Elephant Rocks, swim at Johnson’s Shut-Ins or visit Missouri’s highest point at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.

Mount Magazine State Park

Hike to the highest point in Arkansas and revel in breathtaking vistas.

Compared to the rest of the park, Mount Magazine’s Cameron Bluff Campground is nothing special. Don’t misunderstand us: A trip to this park—about 20 miles south of Paris, Arkansas, and packed with activities and unbeatable views that stretch for dozens of miles on a clear day—is well worth it.

With three access points, hiking the quick and easy (albeit rather uninteresting) Signal Hill Trail to the state’s high point is practically required. The other must? Taking in the Petit Jean Valley and Blue Mountain Lake from The Lodge at Mount Magazine. Experienced hikers will appreciate Bear Hollow Trail, a 5.6-mile round-trip path with several noteworthy sights. Visitors can also rock climb (bring your gear!), watch hang gliders and see the sunset on the Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive. Enjoy the undisturbed shoreline at nearby Cove Lake Recreation Area and dine at The Lodge’s Skycrest Restaurant one evening. Expect to see several deer and, if you’re lucky, a black bear.

The shady campsites—all 18 of which are equipped with water, electric and sewer hook-ups—offer moderate privacy and excellent hammock spots. However, we recommend bringing an RV or air mattress, as the sites are very rocky. 

Prairie State Park

Sleep where the bison roam and venture into Missouri’s largest tallgrass prairie.

If you’re a regular Ozarks explorer, you’re used to the rocky trails, dense woods and frequent creek crossings that come with our region’s karst topography. Prairie State Park, just east of the Kansas border in Mindenmines, is a lovely departure from this norm.

As the name implies, this is prairie land. Fields of wildflowers and billowing grasses abound in the nearly 4,000-acre park. And that’s not all—Prairie State Park is home to about 100 free-roaming bison and more than 150 bird species, among other animals. Spot the bison herd on a guided hike, held the first Saturday of each month, or stop by the park office to find its whereabouts that day. At the office, you can also find bird and wildflower checklists; use them as you explore one or more of the park’s six trails, which are all less than 5 miles and rated easy. For even more birding, head to nearby Shawnee Trail Conservation Area. You can also hunt, fish and trap on this land, managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Be sure to check season dates and regulations at mdc.mo.gov.

Camping at Prairie State Park is on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground, unlike the rest of the park, is in a small thicket outside of the fence line, meaning no bison will stampede through your camp. There are four drive-in sites and one backpacking site on the Coyote Trail. Sites 2 and 4 even comply with ADA access guidelines and can fit smaller campers, but, beware, there are no hookups. A clean single-stall vault toilet, water spigot, dumpster and large picnic area are all short walks from the campground. At night, you’ll likely hear owls hooting, coyotes howling and a distant train horn. Best of all, the park’s relatively low traffic might just mean you have the place all to yourself.

Tyler Bend Campground

Rest your head near awe-inspiring bluffs and the gorgeous Buffalo National River.

If you haven’t experienced the splendor of the Buffalo National River, it’s high time. This natural playground is practically in 417-land’s backyard and is replete with crystal clear water ideal for floating, hiking trails, plus incredible views of bluffs and the stars above. Take it all in at Tyler Bend Campground in the river’s middle district south of St. Joe, Arkansas. Easily accessible, this is a great spot for casual car or RV camping. There are 28 regular, 10 walk-in and five group sites, which are the only spots you can reserve. You won’t find hookups here, but restrooms with showers, water spigots and a dump station make for a pleasant stay. (During winter, only primitive camping is available and fees aren’t collected.) From the campground, walk to the river or head down one of the easy-to-moderately–rated Tyler Bend Campground Trails. Be sure to watch the sunset from the Riverview Trail’s overlook deck. On your way home, eat breakfast at Ferguson’s Country Store and Restaurant near St. Joe. It’s kitschy in all the right ways.

Camping in Comfort

For many 417-landers, trailers, pop-up campers and RVs provide access to the outdoors without the hassle and pains of tent camping.