The best ranch camping in Southwest Missouri

·

In Southwest Missouri, ranch camping means waking up to rolling pastures, big skies, and the sound of horses in the distance. With over 70 ranch sites, you’ll find spots where horseback riding trails cut through oak forests, and hiking routes cross wildflower meadows. Prices average $26 a night, and you can snag a site for as little as $19. Most ranches welcome pets, allow campfires, and offer showers—practical comforts after a day on the trail. Top picks include Explore the Ozarks - Dockley Ranch (88 reviews), where you can watch the sun set over the Ozark foothills, Warriors o' Rainbow Horse Sanctuary (58 reviews), a haven for rescued horses and wildlife, and Hipcamp Bossmareranch and horse par (52 reviews), where you’ll meet friendly ranch hosts and maybe even join a cattle drive. Southwest Missouri’s ranch sites offer a practical blend of wild spaces and real working farms—bring your boots and get ready for a hands-on experience.

98% (136)

Top-rated campgrounds near Southwest Missouri

2. Warriors o' Rainbow Horse Sanctuary

91%
(84)
3 sites · Tents, RVs · Reeds, MO
The pasture is quite visible from Old Route 66, nearly adjoining it. Therefore people traveling “the Mother Road” find it convenient to stay with us. Grass is the best forage for horses, especially older ones, so we take care of our pastures, making for beautiful scenery for campers, too. Plus the entire back mile is bordered by old forest. And there is a swimming hole not a half mile away. This is a quiet and private site, bordered by a neighbor's old forest on back, other neighbor's cattle pasture on side, and you're in one of the pastures used by the Horse Sanctuary. (You are camping about 1/4 mile, more or less, from our house.) We regularly see coyote, wild turkeys, deer, fireflies, and the like.   We are just 1/2 mile off Old Route 66, therefore there are quirky little museums and great restaurants (for such a rural area!).   Plus we are only about an hour's drive from Branson. MO. which is a known tourist attraction.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night

4. Whetstone Boys Ranch

5 sites · RVs · Mountain View, MO
Whetstone Boys Ranch & Therapeutic Boarding School has a rich and winding history. Our journey has taken us from Texas to Wyoming, Michigan, New York, Colorado, and finally to the peaceful Ozarks of Missouri. It was here, on October 9, 2011, that Whetstone became more than an idea — it became a home. In October 2021, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary and reflected on the more than 100 families we’ve had the privilege to serve. As a therapeutic Christian school for boys ages 12–16, our mission centers on helping young men and their families find reconciliation, confidence, and hope. We support struggles such as anger, depression, low self-esteem, and trauma through a compassionate, systems-based approach. Here, boys live, learn, work, and grow. Their days include individual, group, and family therapy; solid academics; outdoor exploration; and practical, hands-on experiences. Through meaningful relationships with staff and the structure of daily life, our students discover success where there was once frustration, courage where there was fear, and life where there was discouragement. We’re incredibly grateful to all who have helped us along the way. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to building a place of purpose, growth, and restoration for many years to come.
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$60
 / night

5. Natural Farms - Campground

100%
(18)
52 sites · Tents, RVs · Niangua, MO
Your Tent, RV, or Camper Trailer camping experience at Natural Farms could be one of your life's ten most-memorable events. Your host is a world renown preparedness expert, and widely popular nationally syndicated radio broadcaster - You will most likely meet him. We are so confident that you will be delighted with your camping experience we back it with a money-back Guarantee (If you leave before noon of the first day). Situated on 241 Acres, Natural Farms is UNIQUE in the world of camping - Serenity, Tranquility, Fun, and Educationally focused. Almost 1,000,000 square feet are dedicated to camping - A private campground on an all-natural cattle farm. Settled six years before the Civil War, the farm has remained natural - No pesticides, insecticides, nor commercial fertilizer. This is a Closed-Herd farm where all cattle are born and raised on this farm. Each campsite is in a pasture along a wooded creek and is approximately 100' wide with it's own fire pit. Drive right up to your campsite. Hiking trails, fish-feeding pond, Children's playhouse with swings and slide, tire-runs, and horseshoes for the adults are included. Guests may also enjoy the Scavenger Hunt list and a take-home rock of their choosing (up to a softball size) to remember their visit. Guests may purchase Natural Farms USDA inspected beef patties, steaks, beef sticks, and beef jerky – And grill over the wood-fire at your campsite – free grills grates are available for your use. Free tree-limb pickup wood is available or buckets of clean and dry oak is available for purchase. Our pasture-raised and free-range chickens lay the finest brown and blue eggs for our Guests. Have you ever eaten a blue egg? Nature in it's full glory is always on display at the farm. The sounds of nature are soft and omnipresent. And, just in case, Natural Farms has a Full - Service Automotive Repair and Tire Shop - We can service you vehicle while you camp - Jump-starts are free.
Toilets
Campfires
Water hookup
from 
$17
 / night

7. Lakeview by Sue Honeymoon Cabin

100%
(1)
1 site · Lodging · Appleton City, MO
The Couple's Cabin is a part of the rustic Cabins of Lakeview by Sue Barn Venue. With its own lake-view porch too, it holds a maximum of 3 guests (including the ladder-accessible loft for one). When not being rented along with a wedding/event, it is offered here for a quiet stay. All the kitchen accessories you may need, comfy bedding, and plush towels, for the full bathroom with shower, have been provided. The little lake is steps from your front door where you can enjoy a little fishing too. The space Along with a well-appointed inside, we have chairs on the front porch for lake viewing and a grill for outdoor cooking too. There is also the Rustic Duck, a wonderful restaurant and art gallery, just a short walk away. Enjoy our little lake! This peaceful countryside cabin has a nice little lake just right for fishing just steps from the front door from which folks have caught catfish, bluegill, crappie, and bass. The Appleton City Lake does not allow swimming. It does not allow boats with motors. However, you could bring a kayak if you wanted. We have a community fire pit and picnic tables too. The grill is electric with pellets. We provide firewood for the pit and pellets for the grill. Guest access We are a little over one mile down a level gravel road and just 3.5 miles total from the small town of Appleton City where we have a little restaurant, Caseys, a very nice little grocery store (closes 7 pm), coffee house (mon-sat 8 am-11 am), and Dollar General (closes 9 pm). I live nearby on the property and am available to greet you when you arrive. Other things to note Appleton City is a small town. If you are coming in late, you may want to stop on the way to pick up food. We have a few stores in town, but some folks are caught off guard to find out the stores close early. But Caseys has sandwiches and assorted quick items and is open until 11 pm.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from 
$130
 / night

In Southwest Missouri, ranch camping means waking up to rolling pastures, big skies, and the sound of horses in the distance. With over 70 ranch sites, you’ll find spots where horseback riding trails cut through oak forests, and hiking routes cross wildflower meadows. Prices average $26 a night, and you can snag a site for as little as $19. Most ranches welcome pets, allow campfires, and offer showers—practical comforts after a day on the trail. Top picks include Explore the Ozarks - Dockley Ranch (88 reviews), where you can watch the sun set over the Ozark foothills, Warriors o' Rainbow Horse Sanctuary (58 reviews), a haven for rescued horses and wildlife, and Hipcamp Bossmareranch and horse par (52 reviews), where you’ll meet friendly ranch hosts and maybe even join a cattle drive. Southwest Missouri’s ranch sites offer a practical blend of wild spaces and real working farms—bring your boots and get ready for a hands-on experience.

98% (136)

Top-rated campgrounds near Southwest Missouri

2. Warriors o' Rainbow Horse Sanctuary

91%
(84)
3 sites · Tents, RVs · Reeds, MO
The pasture is quite visible from Old Route 66, nearly adjoining it. Therefore people traveling “the Mother Road” find it convenient to stay with us. Grass is the best forage for horses, especially older ones, so we take care of our pastures, making for beautiful scenery for campers, too. Plus the entire back mile is bordered by old forest. And there is a swimming hole not a half mile away. This is a quiet and private site, bordered by a neighbor's old forest on back, other neighbor's cattle pasture on side, and you're in one of the pastures used by the Horse Sanctuary. (You are camping about 1/4 mile, more or less, from our house.) We regularly see coyote, wild turkeys, deer, fireflies, and the like.   We are just 1/2 mile off Old Route 66, therefore there are quirky little museums and great restaurants (for such a rural area!).   Plus we are only about an hour's drive from Branson. MO. which is a known tourist attraction.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night

4. Whetstone Boys Ranch

5 sites · RVs · Mountain View, MO
Whetstone Boys Ranch & Therapeutic Boarding School has a rich and winding history. Our journey has taken us from Texas to Wyoming, Michigan, New York, Colorado, and finally to the peaceful Ozarks of Missouri. It was here, on October 9, 2011, that Whetstone became more than an idea — it became a home. In October 2021, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary and reflected on the more than 100 families we’ve had the privilege to serve. As a therapeutic Christian school for boys ages 12–16, our mission centers on helping young men and their families find reconciliation, confidence, and hope. We support struggles such as anger, depression, low self-esteem, and trauma through a compassionate, systems-based approach. Here, boys live, learn, work, and grow. Their days include individual, group, and family therapy; solid academics; outdoor exploration; and practical, hands-on experiences. Through meaningful relationships with staff and the structure of daily life, our students discover success where there was once frustration, courage where there was fear, and life where there was discouragement. We’re incredibly grateful to all who have helped us along the way. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to building a place of purpose, growth, and restoration for many years to come.
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$60
 / night

5. Natural Farms - Campground

100%
(18)
52 sites · Tents, RVs · Niangua, MO
Your Tent, RV, or Camper Trailer camping experience at Natural Farms could be one of your life's ten most-memorable events. Your host is a world renown preparedness expert, and widely popular nationally syndicated radio broadcaster - You will most likely meet him. We are so confident that you will be delighted with your camping experience we back it with a money-back Guarantee (If you leave before noon of the first day). Situated on 241 Acres, Natural Farms is UNIQUE in the world of camping - Serenity, Tranquility, Fun, and Educationally focused. Almost 1,000,000 square feet are dedicated to camping - A private campground on an all-natural cattle farm. Settled six years before the Civil War, the farm has remained natural - No pesticides, insecticides, nor commercial fertilizer. This is a Closed-Herd farm where all cattle are born and raised on this farm. Each campsite is in a pasture along a wooded creek and is approximately 100' wide with it's own fire pit. Drive right up to your campsite. Hiking trails, fish-feeding pond, Children's playhouse with swings and slide, tire-runs, and horseshoes for the adults are included. Guests may also enjoy the Scavenger Hunt list and a take-home rock of their choosing (up to a softball size) to remember their visit. Guests may purchase Natural Farms USDA inspected beef patties, steaks, beef sticks, and beef jerky – And grill over the wood-fire at your campsite – free grills grates are available for your use. Free tree-limb pickup wood is available or buckets of clean and dry oak is available for purchase. Our pasture-raised and free-range chickens lay the finest brown and blue eggs for our Guests. Have you ever eaten a blue egg? Nature in it's full glory is always on display at the farm. The sounds of nature are soft and omnipresent. And, just in case, Natural Farms has a Full - Service Automotive Repair and Tire Shop - We can service you vehicle while you camp - Jump-starts are free.
Toilets
Campfires
Water hookup
from 
$17
 / night

7. Lakeview by Sue Honeymoon Cabin

100%
(1)
1 site · Lodging · Appleton City, MO
The Couple's Cabin is a part of the rustic Cabins of Lakeview by Sue Barn Venue. With its own lake-view porch too, it holds a maximum of 3 guests (including the ladder-accessible loft for one). When not being rented along with a wedding/event, it is offered here for a quiet stay. All the kitchen accessories you may need, comfy bedding, and plush towels, for the full bathroom with shower, have been provided. The little lake is steps from your front door where you can enjoy a little fishing too. The space Along with a well-appointed inside, we have chairs on the front porch for lake viewing and a grill for outdoor cooking too. There is also the Rustic Duck, a wonderful restaurant and art gallery, just a short walk away. Enjoy our little lake! This peaceful countryside cabin has a nice little lake just right for fishing just steps from the front door from which folks have caught catfish, bluegill, crappie, and bass. The Appleton City Lake does not allow swimming. It does not allow boats with motors. However, you could bring a kayak if you wanted. We have a community fire pit and picnic tables too. The grill is electric with pellets. We provide firewood for the pit and pellets for the grill. Guest access We are a little over one mile down a level gravel road and just 3.5 miles total from the small town of Appleton City where we have a little restaurant, Caseys, a very nice little grocery store (closes 7 pm), coffee house (mon-sat 8 am-11 am), and Dollar General (closes 9 pm). I live nearby on the property and am available to greet you when you arrive. Other things to note Appleton City is a small town. If you are coming in late, you may want to stop on the way to pick up food. We have a few stores in town, but some folks are caught off guard to find out the stores close early. But Caseys has sandwiches and assorted quick items and is open until 11 pm.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from 
$130
 / night

Camper favorites in and near Southwest Missouri

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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