Camping near Cape Girardeau

See how the Mississippi River shaped the landscapes and culture of this Missouri city.

97% (977 reviews)
  1. Cape Girardeau
97% (977 reviews)

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12 top campgrounds near Cape Girardeau

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Wine Trail Wilderness

16 sites · RVs, Tents37 acres · Pomona, IL
The Shawnee National Forest surrounds us, accessible only by wandering roads, passing over creeks and alongside wineries. The trip is worth the beautiful drive, eventually arriving at "The Villa". Our home looks like an Italian villa, appropriately placed between two wineries in the middle of the Shawnee Forest. It is actually a straw-bale home with supplemental solar energy. Originally built as a Holistic Healing Center, we have converted it into a comfortable home with great vibes. We have converted an old grain bin into a "GrainZebo" just outside our home as a fun place to hang out with friends and family. We hope you enjoy the same relaxed feel we get while living out here in the woods, when you come visit. We will be happy to help you feel at home out here. We love sharing the Shawnee experience.
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$24
 / night
83%
(6)

Lake Perry Campground

29 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Perryville, MO
Lake Perry Campground was established in July, 2024. We are located just outside the main gates of Lake Perry. Lake Perry is a private, gated, lake community that is only accessible by lot owners and their guests. Lake Perry Campground offers 16 full hookup (water, 70 amp electric, and sewer) camping/RV sites that include 8 pull through lots that are 25'wide x 40' long, and 8 back-in lots ranging from 25-30' wide and 30-70' long. Two buddy lots (camper & tent) are available as well. We also have 2 tent lots with 20amp electric and water. We have an ice vending machine on-site 24/7. Starting fall of 2024, we will start construction of a 30'x50' covered pavilion with restrooms and shower houses along with a full bar serving canned beer, craft draft beer, mixed drinks, premium wines, and adult slushy drinks such as the nearly famous Perrywacker (8 liquors). Also available late fall/early winter 2024 is a 400 square foot studio cabin featuring a 12x12 deck, bedroom, full kitchen, full bath, and a kitchenette/bar. (Sleeps 4) We are 5 miles from Mark Twain national Forest, as well as multiple conservation areas with creek access. Several wineries are nearby through scenic backroads. (Charleville, Chaumette, Twin Oaks, Sand Creek). Bring your SXS's for days of backroad riding that spans 4 counties (Perry, Ste Genevieve, Madison, and Bollinger). Check out the featured post on our Facebook page for an extensive list of nearby attractions.
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$12
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100%
(2)

The Hickory Chicken

2 sites · RVs, Tents200 acres · Bardwell, KY
Welcome to The Hickory Chicken — Hard to find, worth the search! Tucked away in the peaceful countryside, The Hickory Chicken is your ideal escape for outdoor fun, family bonding, and Southern charm. Named after the beloved "hickory chicken" — a local nickname for the elusive and tasty wild morel mushroom — our campsite captures that same spirit of hidden treasure and down-home discovery. At The Hickory Chicken, you'll find full access RV sites perfect for weekend warriors or long-haul adventurers, plus cozy cabin rentals if you're looking to rough it just a little less. Spend your days casting a line at our well-stocked fishing spots, cooling off with a stroll through the creek, or cooking up something special in our outdoor kitchen space. Whether you're into s'mores or smoked brisket, we’ve got you covered. Outdoor lovers will find plenty to enjoy — and hunters especially will appreciate the area's abundant wildlife and public hunting grounds. We're also just minutes from both the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, offering scenic views and endless recreational opportunities. History buffs and trail enthusiasts will love being a stone’s throw from Columbus-Belmont State Park and Wright’s Area 252 Ride Park. Working nearby? The Hickory Chicken is a short, easy drive from the Four Rivers Nuclear Plant, Phoenix Paper Mill and James Marine Wickliffe division — making it the perfect home base whether you’re here for business or pleasure. So pack your boots, your bike, or just a cooler full of snacks. However you like to camp, The Hickory Chicken is ready to welcome you with open arms.
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from 
$24
 / night
99%
(90)

Monarch Hill Vineyard

18 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ste. Genevieve, MO
Welcome to Monarch Hill! Tucked away in the hills of Ste. Genevieve County, we enjoy watching the sun rise and set over our secluded pastures and vineyards.  Our hilltop sites offer an open area with fire rings and picnic tables, great for groups or social butterflies. These offer well water at the nearby barn for drinking and showering.  The Seclusion sites are private escapes for those who want to immerse themselves in the sounds of nature. Take in the chirps of frogs, birds and crickets at these isolated sites.  We offer a complimentary wood basket with every booking, and have additional fire-building supplies available. Be sure to check out our experiences to make the most of your stay, and don't forget to reserve a s'more kit! *** April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse *** We are excited to be located in the best viewing path for this year's total eclipse! We will be preparing additional sites as needed for this weekend, so if we are fully booked check back soon or message us to reserve a spot. More information to come as we approach the date.
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$50
 / night
97%
(18)

Saco Valley Farm, LLC

4 sites · Tents28 acres · Fredericktown, MO
Camp, Swim, BBQ, wade the creek, enjoy the campfire! Primitive Camping. Very Private. Water is cool and clear. Open to the stars. A great place to commune with nature, or enjoy some peace and quiet! 12 mile creek runs directly through our property. Shallow and deep all throughout. Great for wading, swimming, floating, kayaking. Great small mouth fishing! We are approximately one mile by water from the St. Francois River. We have kayaked down the creek to the river for many years. The farm is very rural. We are 16 miles to the closest gas station, and 25 miles to town. There is no internet. Cell phone service is spotty at best. Currently a working farm, we have 2 high tunnels on the property behind the house, and our original market garden. Across the creek we are finishing up our 5 acre agroforestry planting. 3 acres of elderberries and 2 acres of blackberries. 28 acres, 3 on one side, and 25 on the other. The farm is located approximately 2 hours south of St. Louis. Fredericktown is 30 mins away. Food, Drinks, Golf, and Lalo's Mexican Restaurant! There are a ton of local antique shops, and outdoor activities. Local places of interest: Amidon Arcadia Valley Black River Bonne Terre Mine Elephant Rocks Johnson Shut Ins Mill Stream Gardens One Nation Paintball Park Sam A. Baker State Park Saco Valley Farmstand Sherpher Mountain Bike Park Silvermines Taum Sauk Mountain
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from 
$25
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Cape Girardeau guide

Overview

As the Mississippi River makes a slow roll from St. Louis to the Missouri Bootheel, it crosses through the historic town of Cape Girardeau. Once a trading post on the frontier, Cape, as locals call it, offers a relaxed travel experience. Take a stroll through Old Town Cape to find restaurants and shops in historic buildings, some covered with colorful murals, or ponder the grandness of the Mississippi at Riverfront Park. Campers will find private RV parks in Cape and the nearby town of Jackson. Full hookups, free wifi, and other amenities are available. Public campgrounds offer sites for both tents and RVs, with scenic views and varied hookups.

Where to go

Trail of Tears State Park

Trail of Tears State Park commemorates the solemn history of the forced relocation of the Cherokee tribe in the mid-1800s. The visitor center shares details of this piece of the park’s story, as well as the unique geology and geography. Prominent lookouts offer prime views of the Mississippi River. Hike trails through the woodlands and along the waters. Fish, boat, or paddle in “The Big Muddy” or the clearer waters of Lake Boutin. Or, camp alongside the lake or river. Basic, electric, and full hookup sites are available, some with water views.

Shawnee National Forest

West of Cape Girardeau, Shawnee National Forest offers outdoor recreation and camping in Illinois’s only national forest, which offers a 250,000-acre natural playground with woodlands, prairies, waterways, and waterfalls to explore. Nine campgrounds are found across Southern Illinois. Pine Hills Campground is the closest to Cape and has primitive sites for both tents and RVs.

Giant City State Park

Deep in Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park is just under an hour northeast of Cape Girardeau. Named for the massive sandstone bluffs that rise like skyscrapers over the woodlands, this state park is a recreational haven, offering hiking trails, horseback riding, archery, rock climbing, and more. The Giant City Campground has tent and RV sites nestled in the trees, offering partial hookups. Other accommodations include an onsite lodge and cabins, including rustic, historic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

When to go

As the spring weather warms, the great outdoors begin to beckon, with peeping leaves and wildflowers, making this a pleasant time for camping in Cape Girardeau. The temperatures reach their peaks, sometimes in the 90s or above, in summer, as humidity seeps into the region. Fall is a scenic time to visit, with colorful leaves and pleasant temperatures. Missouri winters are generally cold, with bursts of freezing temps and snow and ice, meaning campers should be weather aware.