The best forest glamping near Spanish Lake, Missouri

Matt is a wonderful host. We stayed in his cabin and had a great evening in front of the fire listening to the sounds of the river. Matt can provide extras to enhance your stay - we had coffee and toast and jam in the morning. Everything was perfect- Matt is very responsive, thoughtful and kind. I loved the new outhouse!

Donna

September 2025

With pets

6 nights at McCully Heritage Project

We had a great time staying at Watkin's Place. The home and location were exactly what we were looking for. The home is isolated and feels remote even though it is only a short drive to Hardin. Plenty of hot water and full kitchen made our stay comfortable and a step up from tent camping but we still had the "out in nature" experience. Our dogs loved it as well. Hiking took us through open fields and forest sheltered paths. Watkins Place was clean and stocked with the necessities, including linens and basic cooking supplies. If you are looking for a cross between roughing it and glamping, Watkins Place is exactly the right fit.

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Stephanie

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Hidden Ridge - at Otter Lake

My husband and I have stayed here twice, and everything has been perfect both times. The property is beautiful and private, and the host provides so many thoughtful elements. It’s a perfect way to get out in nature without having to deal with all of the packing and preparation required for a typical camping trip.

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Kevin

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Hidden Ridge - at Otter Lake

Had a great time. Excellent communication, spacious tent, plenty of wood and everything we needed. Close to 2 small towns for food and ice cream. Fire pit was ready when we got there, all we had to do was toss in a match and start cooking!

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Ren

July 2025

5 nights at The Magic Land Homestead

What a wonderful homebase for a beautiful retreat away from the hussle and bussle of city life! I went in most excited for the indoor swing, which was as spectacular as expected, but everything else on the site was so comforting and it was so easy to feel at home. Hearing the roosters every morning was such a fun way to feel connected to nature as soon as the sun came up. If you're looking for true rest and relaxation, while being in the middle of tons of trails, river spots, and natural oasis' - this is your place! Laura was so helpful and accommodating of our needs, and easy to contact even with the low cell service (which was a wonderful way to 100% disconnect from it all). We can't wait to come back again someday, any spot on the Magic Land seems to be recipe for a great time. :)

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Andrew

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Hidden Ridge - at Otter Lake

My wife and I made our second trip to Hidden Ridge to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The last time we stayed it was cold and raining the entire time and we still had such a great time that we knew we needed to come back. This place is genuinely a great find! We are normally tent campers so this setup almost feels like cheating and we compare it to renting out a cabin for the weekend. Probably the best part though is the responsiveness of the hosts. We did have a few hiccups with the water system while we were there but were always able to get ahold of the hosts and they got us back up and running quickly. It really does come across that they want you to enjoy your time at this location.

Jordan

May 2025

4 nights at The Magic Land Homestead

It had all the sights and sounds of a homestead. Roosters, chickens, ducks and dogs greeted us in the mornings. The A-Frame was very comfortable, cozy, and eclectic. We had everything we needed for a long weekend. Laura Lynne is a very thoughtful host, and everything we could have needed was present, clearly labeled, and had instructions on how to use it in case you're unfamiliar. Though we did not need any of these items, the A-Frame had a good first aid kit, supplies in case of a power outage, and a box full of commonly forgotten item. As someone who does education on substance abuse, I want to give Laura Lynne two big thumbs up on including Narcan with the first aid kit. Stocked shelves of books and games were an unexpected and fun bonus! You can do as much or as little as you want to here. While we heard other people, the sight lines from the A-Frame were very carefully guarded and we were able to feel like we were alone on our little bit of creation. It was very restful. Make sure you walk down and check out the beautiful creek.

Brett

May 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hidden Ridge - at Otter Lake

We stayed at Hidden Ridge for the weekend and had an amazing experience. The campsite is secluded, yet still very easy to find. You can tell Terri put a lot of thought and care into every detail. The outdoor kitchen station was fully stocked with everything we needed—silverware, plates, cups, cooking utensils, and more. The bathroom and shower area was clean and super convenient. The glamping tent was spotless, and the bed was comfortable. One of my favorite moments was waking up in the morning and enjoying the peaceful view from the tent’s back porch. Terri also had plenty of firewood ready to go. It had rained just two hours before we arrived, but the fire pit and logs were all covered and dry—such a thoughtful touch. And to top it all off, the place is pet-friendly! My cattle dog had the time of his life exploring the area. I truly can’t wait to come back and stay here again. Highly recommend!

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Gabriel

May 2025

Weekend Trip to The Magic Land Homestead

We had a wonderful visit to The Magic Land! What a cool little homestead. Laura Lynn is an absolute joy and a top notch host.

Michael

May 2025

2 nights at The Magic Land Homestead

Laura Lynne stocks her A Frame with all the essentials so you don't have to worry about them and she even sends you a comprehensive guide ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect. However, the true standout of the Magic Land is of course the land itself. Want an entire charming, tiny lake to yourself with a provided kayak for a peaceful experience? Want to soak under the stars in a tub heated by your own campfire? These are just a few parts of what make the Magic Land so magical. It's rare to get this much nature completely to yourself, but you can get it. Will absolutely be recommending to others.

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staci

May 2025

With pets

4 nights at Hidden Ridge - at Otter Lake

I don't know what I was expecting when I reserved this little camping spot, but it surpassed any and all expectations! This place is ADORABLE ... and cozy and homey and relaxing ... it was just perfect. And Teresa was a great host who checked in to make sure we had everything we needed. We travel to this part of Illinois on a regular basis to visit family/friends, and I have no doubt that we'll be staying here again in the future.

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Kareem

March 2025

With kids

4 nights at The Magic Land Homestead

We had an incredible time! The treehouse is truly remarkable and unique. Laura Lynne was an incredible host and we truly enjoyed every aspect. We look forward to a return visit

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Nicholas

November 2024

Weekend Trip to Hidden Ridge - at Otter Lake

We had a great time staying at Hidden Ridge. Teresa had everything ready to go when we arrived and all we really had to bring was clothes, food, and water. We also brought a cast iron skillet so we could cook over the fire, but there is a charcoal grill there also. There’s no electricity on the property so you’ll also want to bring a headlamp or lantern in the event it’s raining and you can’t use the tiki torches. The property itself is really unique and situated up on a ridge overlooking the lake. We loved sitting out by the fire overlooking the lake. The tent itself is super welcoming and my wife definitely appreciated the actual bed in it. On one of the rainy afternoons we played a board game in the tent and still had a great time. The shower and bathroom were great to have and hot running water was definitely a camping luxury. We would highly recommend staying here and have already told several friends about it!