Top-rated campgrounds
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
The best family-friendly glamping near Farmington guide
Where to go
St. Joe State Park
Some state parks offer serenity, while others offer a raucous outdoors playground. St. Joe State Park is the latter, thanks to its popularity for off-roading. Only two Missouri state parks allow this activity, and St. Joe is one, with several dedicated trails. The park also features trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Or hit the waters of the four lakes to enjoy paddling, fishing, boating, and swimming. Two campgrounds offer tent and RV sites, some with electric hookups, just 10 minutes away from Farmingthon.
Silver Mines Recreation Area
White-water rafting in Missouri? It’s true. Missouri’s most-action packed waters are found on the St. Francis River near Farmington. The Silver Mines Recreation Area is located along this river and Turkey Creek in the Mark Twain National Forest, around 30 minutes south of Farmington. Campers will find tent and RV sites, some offering electric hookups and water views. Hiking, fishing, and swimming can be enjoyed in the park, as well.
Hawn State Park
Notable for its scenery, Hawn State Park offers views of pine forests, sandstone canyons, rambling streams, and rocky cliffs. Hiking and backpacking trails allow visitors to experience the landscapes, found 20 minutes northeast of Farmington. The park campground features tent and RV sites, some with electric hookups. Backcountry camping is also available along a 10-mile backpacking trail.
St. Francois State Park
St. Francois State Park, located 20 minutes north of Farmington, offers similar scenery to Hawn State Park, with the added amenity of river access. The Big River runs through the park, providing scenic spots for swimming, fishing, and paddling. An onsite campground features basic and electric tent and RV sites.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Located 40 minutes southwest of Farmington, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park has been voted as one of the best state parks in the U.S. for camping and RVing, thanks to the intriguing geology, onsite recreation, and renovated campgrounds. Named for the hard rocks that “shut in” the East Fork Black River, creating chutes, pools, and rapids, this park is a popular spot in the summertime. The campground features basic, electric, and full hookup sites for tents and RVs.
When to go
Summertime is the most popular time to enjoy the region’s rivers and waterways, especially at Johnson’s Shut-Ins. Some areas may be crowded at this time, and the weather is generally hot and humid. Spring offers cooler weather and fresh leaves and wildflowers in the forests. Fall is especially scenic, as the Ozarks hills explode with color. Winter is generally cold and sometimes snowy or icy.