The best camping in Central Missouri with swimming

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Central Missouri’s swimming spots draw campers who want quick access to rivers, lakes, and spring-fed creeks. You’ll find over 580 campsites where you can cool off, cast a line, or paddle out—all with swimming in mind. Nightly rates average $35, with some sites dipping as low as $15. Campers rave about Riverbend RV Park and Campground (148 reviews), Retreat to the Country (129 reviews), and D'Ranch at Clearwater (77 reviews). Dogs are welcome at most sites, and you’ll find toilets and fire rings at the majority of campgrounds. Bring a fishing rod or saddle up—angling and horseback riding are big here, too. Expect easy river access, shady groves for your tent, and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to stay all weekend.

90% (612)

Top-rated campgrounds near Central Missouri

3. Spring Lake Ranch

93%
(1983)
43 sites · Tents, RVs · Potosi, MO
Spring Lake Ranch boasts countless trails and lake activities. Formerly known as Sayersbrook Bison ranch, at one time it was one of the largest Bison ranches in the world. This property is filled with amazing things to see and explore. Nothing like it in Missouri. Lake is 60+ acres and is spring fed. Amazing fishing, swimming and kayaking. We are pet friendly. You will have amazing lake views and will be close to hiking trails, horseback riding, and wine tasting at Edge Cliff Wineries which is next door to us. The beautiful shower house is super clean, has restrooms and hot showers and it is within walking distance. Firewood and ice are available to purchase; kayaks and fishing poles are available for rent. If you forget something at home stop by our little country store, we might have it! :) The sites are about 20 ft from each other - if you are looking for more privacy please check out the secluded site or the peninsula. **The pool on property is reserved for the lodge guests only, it is not open to the public.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$17
 / night

6. Nalas Spring Lake Resort

1 site · Tent · Bagnell, MO
Spring Lake is a private, 27 acre lake subdivision nestled into the heart of the Ozarks. YOU WILL HAVE ACCES TO 0.25 ACRES OR 10,890 SQUARE FEET MORE THAN ENOUGH TO HAVE FUN!. It is conveniently located between Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks, six miles from Eldon and ten miles from Osage Beach. The private lake within is only 1/4 mile off of Highway 54, yet it is not visible from the road. The lake is spring fed by an Artesian well that was built in the 1960's. There is a boat launch area on the southwest side of the lake. There is also a public located on the north section of Spring Lake that allows access to the lake. The water is deep, clear, and clean which offers record size fish and peaceful relaxation. The subdivision park is three acres and sits on the northwest side of the lake. A shelter sits close to the lake that would make a great place for a picnic or family outings! Although there is no hunting in the subdivision, the ducks, swans, and deer are frequent visitors. Whether your preference is relaxing lakeside, fishing the nooks and crannies of the lake, or a place for a weekend getaway, you will find it here. You are also close to shopping, entertainment, and restaurants if your heart desires those things. Spring Lake offers all of this and a whole lot more!
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
$36
 / night

7. Crooked Creek Ranch

99%
(83)
1 site · Tent, RV · Salem, MO
Once a portion of a hunting preserve, Crooked Creek Ranch is located deep in the Missouri Ozarks, within walking distance of Mark Twain National Forest. We've owned and managed Crooked Creek Ranch for many years now, building and maintaining trails, planting trees and working to make the place as beautiful as it can be for all who visit. We hope that you will be as refreshed and revitalized as we are when you set foot into this wonderful forest. It is a lot of very hard work, and totally worth it. If you enjoy it, it will make it that much more worth it! Thanks for reading! Learn more about this land: 100% PRIVACY. 35 private wooded acres all to yourself with a totally private one-mile intermediate level mountain biking-hiking loop trail! Hike peaceful trails, exploring the wooded hills until you find the perfect spot for your tent. If you select a spot near the clearing, you will have access to the picnic table and fire circle. Spend your days mountain biking, hiking, fishing and watching wildlife on a private ranch in the Ozark Mountains, less than a quarter mile from the Mark Twain National Forest. Less than five miles from Indian Trail State Forest (Indian Trail Conservation Area) with beautiful Blackwell Lake. Canoeing and kayaking are less than an hour away (Meramec River, Current River and Jacks Fork River), as well as trout fishing at scenic Meramec Spring Park or Montauk State Park. Peaceful wilderness will inspire artists, writers, musicians. Quiet, secluded, beautiful, and rugged. If you do not want to see anyone, you don't have to. You will have 35 private acres. You will be 100% secluded. If you want amenities, this is not the place. If you want complete privacy, this is the place! Bear and mountain lion have been seen in the area, so please keep this in mind.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
$27
 / night

14. D'Ranch at Clearwater

100%
(149)
10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Stover, MO
D'Ranch at Clearwater is a small, 40 acre hobby farm located on the north side of the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri. What started as a simple love of backyard chickens has now become a dream farm for Tracey Durant and her husband Theodore. Nestled in the valley between two forest covered hillsides, and running adjacent to Clearwater Creek on the east and the lake on the south, D'Ranch could not have been a more perfect location for the Durants to plant their roots and get their feet wet. While they continue their love of backyard chickens with their small egg and hatchery operation know as HeebyJeeby Chickens, they have expanded their interests to an array of friendly farm animals including horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, and an occasional turkey or two. 
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$15
 / night

Central Missouri’s swimming spots draw campers who want quick access to rivers, lakes, and spring-fed creeks. You’ll find over 580 campsites where you can cool off, cast a line, or paddle out—all with swimming in mind. Nightly rates average $35, with some sites dipping as low as $15. Campers rave about Riverbend RV Park and Campground (148 reviews), Retreat to the Country (129 reviews), and D'Ranch at Clearwater (77 reviews). Dogs are welcome at most sites, and you’ll find toilets and fire rings at the majority of campgrounds. Bring a fishing rod or saddle up—angling and horseback riding are big here, too. Expect easy river access, shady groves for your tent, and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to stay all weekend.

90% (612)

Top-rated campgrounds near Central Missouri

3. Spring Lake Ranch

93%
(1983)
43 sites · Tents, RVs · Potosi, MO
Spring Lake Ranch boasts countless trails and lake activities. Formerly known as Sayersbrook Bison ranch, at one time it was one of the largest Bison ranches in the world. This property is filled with amazing things to see and explore. Nothing like it in Missouri. Lake is 60+ acres and is spring fed. Amazing fishing, swimming and kayaking. We are pet friendly. You will have amazing lake views and will be close to hiking trails, horseback riding, and wine tasting at Edge Cliff Wineries which is next door to us. The beautiful shower house is super clean, has restrooms and hot showers and it is within walking distance. Firewood and ice are available to purchase; kayaks and fishing poles are available for rent. If you forget something at home stop by our little country store, we might have it! :) The sites are about 20 ft from each other - if you are looking for more privacy please check out the secluded site or the peninsula. **The pool on property is reserved for the lodge guests only, it is not open to the public.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$17
 / night

6. Nalas Spring Lake Resort

1 site · Tent · Bagnell, MO
Spring Lake is a private, 27 acre lake subdivision nestled into the heart of the Ozarks. YOU WILL HAVE ACCES TO 0.25 ACRES OR 10,890 SQUARE FEET MORE THAN ENOUGH TO HAVE FUN!. It is conveniently located between Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks, six miles from Eldon and ten miles from Osage Beach. The private lake within is only 1/4 mile off of Highway 54, yet it is not visible from the road. The lake is spring fed by an Artesian well that was built in the 1960's. There is a boat launch area on the southwest side of the lake. There is also a public located on the north section of Spring Lake that allows access to the lake. The water is deep, clear, and clean which offers record size fish and peaceful relaxation. The subdivision park is three acres and sits on the northwest side of the lake. A shelter sits close to the lake that would make a great place for a picnic or family outings! Although there is no hunting in the subdivision, the ducks, swans, and deer are frequent visitors. Whether your preference is relaxing lakeside, fishing the nooks and crannies of the lake, or a place for a weekend getaway, you will find it here. You are also close to shopping, entertainment, and restaurants if your heart desires those things. Spring Lake offers all of this and a whole lot more!
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
$36
 / night

7. Crooked Creek Ranch

99%
(83)
1 site · Tent, RV · Salem, MO
Once a portion of a hunting preserve, Crooked Creek Ranch is located deep in the Missouri Ozarks, within walking distance of Mark Twain National Forest. We've owned and managed Crooked Creek Ranch for many years now, building and maintaining trails, planting trees and working to make the place as beautiful as it can be for all who visit. We hope that you will be as refreshed and revitalized as we are when you set foot into this wonderful forest. It is a lot of very hard work, and totally worth it. If you enjoy it, it will make it that much more worth it! Thanks for reading! Learn more about this land: 100% PRIVACY. 35 private wooded acres all to yourself with a totally private one-mile intermediate level mountain biking-hiking loop trail! Hike peaceful trails, exploring the wooded hills until you find the perfect spot for your tent. If you select a spot near the clearing, you will have access to the picnic table and fire circle. Spend your days mountain biking, hiking, fishing and watching wildlife on a private ranch in the Ozark Mountains, less than a quarter mile from the Mark Twain National Forest. Less than five miles from Indian Trail State Forest (Indian Trail Conservation Area) with beautiful Blackwell Lake. Canoeing and kayaking are less than an hour away (Meramec River, Current River and Jacks Fork River), as well as trout fishing at scenic Meramec Spring Park or Montauk State Park. Peaceful wilderness will inspire artists, writers, musicians. Quiet, secluded, beautiful, and rugged. If you do not want to see anyone, you don't have to. You will have 35 private acres. You will be 100% secluded. If you want amenities, this is not the place. If you want complete privacy, this is the place! Bear and mountain lion have been seen in the area, so please keep this in mind.
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
$27
 / night

14. D'Ranch at Clearwater

100%
(149)
10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Stover, MO
D'Ranch at Clearwater is a small, 40 acre hobby farm located on the north side of the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri. What started as a simple love of backyard chickens has now become a dream farm for Tracey Durant and her husband Theodore. Nestled in the valley between two forest covered hillsides, and running adjacent to Clearwater Creek on the east and the lake on the south, D'Ranch could not have been a more perfect location for the Durants to plant their roots and get their feet wet. While they continue their love of backyard chickens with their small egg and hatchery operation know as HeebyJeeby Chickens, they have expanded their interests to an array of friendly farm animals including horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, and an occasional turkey or two. 
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$15
 / night

Camper favorites in and near Central Missouri

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in and near Central Missouri

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