97% (635)
Top-rated campgrounds
97% (635)
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
C
Chris
November 2025
16 ft travel trailer
With pets
We love camping @ Heidi's place. They are very friendly and the property is very well taken care of.
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e
erica
October 2025
Tent
With pets
I had a fantastic stay! Amazing views, and a great place to explore
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J
Javon
October 2025
Tent
I loved camping here . Love the amenities but I would have to say the roads and lighting here are a downside. The potholes are crazy and the "solar lights" are so dim it's so hard to see anything
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M
Mike
October 2025
Tent
With kids
A great place for tent camping in a quiet setting within a short distance of town. Sites are clean and ours was layered with mulch. Will visit again.
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V
Victoria
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Arcadia Valley Outdoors was the best camping experience I’ve had! It was so easy to enter the campground and find our site, Old Country. Old Country was secluded from the other sites, which we LOVED! It was good to know we had neighbors nearby, but good we had our own space. Old Country was very clean and it was plenty of space for all our camping needs! It was so perfect :) We will be coming back!
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Chelsie
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Awesome as always. I've loved seeing this place evolve over the last few years, with extra amenities and many thoughtful touches that add to the experience. We'll be back!
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Madison
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Me and my girlfriends had an amazing trip at Arcadia Vally! We were worried about the campsites being too close but we were not interrupted by any of the other noise. To anyone staying, I highly recommend this campsite over the others in the area! Lots of room for a big tent and even trees very suitable for a hammock. One thing I would like to mention, the road is gravel on the way to the campsite. Be aware if your vehicle is not suitable on rougher terrain.
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F
Francesca
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Great tent camping spot! Being able to take the kayaks out was a fun addition and convenient proximity to lots of hiking trails. We’ll be back.
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Amanda
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Awesome spot! Well kept sites that are secluded from each other. So nice being able to get firewood on site all night. Only stayed 1 night but would’ve loved to try out the free kayaks. I’d recommend this place to family and friends for a great getaway!
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Curt
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
This place couldn’t have been better for our small group of campers. Highly recommend, hot tub, sauna and bathrooms were all very nice comforts while “roughing it”. There was ample space between campsites to make the place feel private. Great hiking trails on property with a beautiful lake to watch the sunset. Thank you AVO for a great setting for a weekend away from the city.
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J
Joe
September 2025
Tent
AVO was awesome. We stayed at the 1st Place campsite and loved the layout of area. The tent pad was fairly flat and located a nice distance from the fire pit. I also appreciated that the site had its own dedicated trail leading to the showers and restrooms. AVO offers free kayaks for use in the Shepherd Mountain reservoir, which are definitely worth a try. I didn't try the hot tub or sauna, but they looked like very neat amenities. We stayed during the off season, so there were very few fellow campers (none at all on Sunday night). Very nice.
I only have mild criticisms. I recommend bringing your own fold-up grill plate. One was located at the campsite, but it was pretty rusty. Restrooms are pretty primitive but are kept relatively clean. However, the water for the sink ran empty and was never refilled. This may be maintained more consistently in the busy season though.
In general, I would highly recommend this camp ground. I would love to stay here again.
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Karen
September 2025
Tent
We camped at Last Site on the Left and couldn’t be happier! Great site and felt very private. Peaceful and quiet and even had 3 deer run through our site in the morning. Will definitely be back!
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Jason
September 2025
Tent
Great location near Elephant Rocks and Pilot Knob Battle site/Fort Davidson. Firewood is available there for $5 a bundle (Honor System).
Quiet, well kept, and they have free kayaks and paddles you can use on the lake adjacent to the campsites. Compost toilettes available. Great place to see some stars. 10/10 would recommend Terrarium and the campgrounds as a whole
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t
trenna
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
This was our third consecutive year camping at Bill’s campground, and each time is as wonderful as before (if not more). Bill cares for the land so well and thoughtfully that it’s difficult not to be stunned everywhere you look. Key highlights (besides the joy of wilderness camping) include a variety of terrains, a cold and refreshing creek, a pond, generous wood bundles/refills, and great conversations with Bill. There are plenty of attractions nearby such as Elephant Rocks and Johnson’s Shut Ins, which I highly recommend checking out if you’re in the area. Thank you as always, Bill!
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T
Travis
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Pro: Great spacing of smaller sites, peaceful area away from other sites!!
Good size fire ring
Bathrooms well thought out
Places to park ok
Paths to sites ok
No poison ivy
Brush at sites cleared
Con: Road to get to sites REALLY bad. Huge ruts that scraped all vehicles on bottom and bad potholes. Trying to drive in the middle, the brush on the sides scratched cars.
Had to pack out trash, no clear trash area
No place to cook over fire, tiny house firepit next to large on, didn't seem safe to cook
Large place to set things in picture leans so that plates an stoves fell off without rocks to hold.
Overall; We would love to go back knowing now the cons to expect! Fixing the road should be a top priority. That's the only thing that would keep us from returning.
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Kyle
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Great first time staying here. Very beautiful property and good ol rustic camping. We loved it and will be back for sure.
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Delanie
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
Amazing site with extra amenities. We watered the fire for the tub but it never got hot enough. Oh well, next time! The kayaking was such a great way to start the day. The tables are pretty small and slanted so cooking was adventurous.
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J
Jessie
September 2025
Tent
Cute fun spot!! We have two big loud dogs and try to find spots where the noise won’t bother others and this was perfect. There was a cute community area and I would love to bring a small group of family and friends back to this site! Thank you for hosting us!
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Z
Zachary
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
Lovely little campsite situated near all the good hiking. Nice host too.
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Allison
August 2025
20 ft travel trailer
With pets
Very private and quiet place. Cleverly designed. It looks like perhaps that they don’t get a lot of visitors as there is some overgrowth and needed maintenance however the sites were unique and private. The shower worked nicely ( warm water ) they are expanding a nice walking trail. This is a spot that if they keep working and get enough folks to say good things would be a hidden gem. I’d definitely go back
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The best camping near Salem with climbing guide
Where to go
Montauk State Park
Located 30 minutes south of Salem, Montauk State Park is a scenic day trip or camping location. The waters of Pigeon Creek join with the bubbling Montauk Spring, creating the Current River, one of Missouri’s most popular spots for summertime float trips. In addition to paddling, the region is also popular for fishing, thanks to the trout which thrive in the chilly waters created by the park’s seven springs. Hiking and biking trails take visitors through scenic landscapes. Campers will find electric and basic RV and tent campsites, with some offering water views.
Echo Bluff State Park
One of Missouri’s newest state parks, Echo Bluff became an instant favorite, thanks to the abundance of beauty and recreation. Sinking Creek flows through the park, and rising bluffs create majestic views. The campground was built with modern amenities, such as free wifi and full hookups. Those wanting to rough it in a scenic locale can book the walk-in tent sites, which offer elevated, level platforms.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Approximately an hour east of Salem, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is not only a favorite among Missourians, it has received national attention for the unique scenery and well-equipped campgrounds. The East Fork Black River runs through a geologic wonder known as “shut-ins,” created when hard rocks do not erode in the rushing waters. The combination of rocks and waters create a unique playground in the river, with pools and water chutes. The campground offers basic, electric, and full hookup tent and RV sites, as well as special equestrian campsites.
When to go
While summer is humid and hot, it’s a popular time to play in the Missouri waterways near Salem. Spring is cooler, but the water temperatures are too chilly for swimming. While visitors can’t make a splash in fall, the changing of the leaves becomes the star of the show, as the nearby forests and hills erupt in color.