98% (778)
Top-rated campgrounds near Salem
98% (778)
Top-rated campgrounds near Salem
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
B
Brett
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Great spot. Close to the mountain, beautiful site.
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Dylan
November 2025
20 ft campervan
we love this place!! what crooked creek lacks in amenities it makes up for in peace, solitude and outdoor fun!! my pack of dogs love the freedom to be wild while their parents sit by the fire. the trail around the property is lovely too. thank you to ross for sharing this slice of heaven!!
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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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D
Dena
November 2025
24 ft Class B
This was our second time back and it was just as wonderful as the first. Ross's place is so peaceful and secluded, you will not be disappointed. Ross is a wonderful host and great at communication. We will be coming back again and again.
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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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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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C
Christy
October 2025
Tent
2nd time camping! Always hospitable, and a great place to peacefully relax.
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Kelli
October 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Loved the privacy and star gazing! Definitely going back!
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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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Brianna
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Aaron and Heidi were incredibly accommodating and kind. We felt safe, and had a wonderful time. There is tons to do on the property, and in the area, as well. They have adorable farm animals, and a beautiful piece of land.
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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
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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The best mountainous camping near Salem 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.