If you want to camp in the Ozarks near the Buffalo River, I highly recommend staying at JB Trading Co. for a great and comfortable stay. Jeff is such a great host and his staff is very kind. He was extremely accessible to contact and made sure we found his campground; when we arrived, he showed us which trails, waterfalls, and hikes were nearby. In addition to the safari tents, JB Trading Co. has a gas station and an outdoor gear store to purchase food, all types of fuel, and supplies. The gear shop carries a variety of premium brands and even has a little deli inside with tables and outlets.

The campground bathroom is next level! It’s kept very clean, and you can pay for a nice hot shower with quarters. You almost feel like you’re walking into the bathroom of a hotel instead of a campground! There’s also a utility sink available to do your dishes and refill your water bottles.

The tents are sturdy, spacious shelters set on platforms to provide you a deck. You also have your own grill and fire pit (firewood is available for guests). On top of all that, Jeff lent us camp chairs, a mini fridge to preserve our food, a foldable table, and comfy cots to sleep on (All these add-ons are available to rent upon request). Best of all, the location is prime because you aren’t far from kayak rentals, hikes, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch climbing, the Buffalo River, and the Ozark forest.

Dockley Ranch is a great place to detox and relax in Missouri. This property is absolutely beautiful and serene; every inch of it is a lush green, with no trace of urban lights or sounds. Claire and her husband are very friendly hosts and cooked us a delicious meal of vegetarian tacos, with ingredients that they grew themselves in their garden! Guests stay in their hilltop cabin, an extremely cute little shelter that has a sink system outside with running water. It’s sturdy, comfortable, warm, and clean. You can either sleep in the main bed, or climb up into the loft area to sleep on mattresses. My friends and I spent an evening walking around the property and just soaking in how overwhelmingly green and quiet the area is. Unfortunately our stay landed on a stormy night, but I'm sure that on a clear night it would have been the perfect place to kick back, crack open a beer, and gaze at the stars.

Last but not least, if you love animals—this is the place for you. Claire and her family raise a ton of chickens, dogs, cats, goats and….alpacas!

One note: The roads in the area are pretty brutal on tires so make sure to drive painstakingly slow or with all-wheel drive up to the cabin. Either way, be mindful of your tires!

This site was an absolute dream and Rob and Elsa were the most charming hosts. My friends and I arrived pretty late in the night, but the water tower loft was pristinely set up for our arrival. A warm furnace was turned on and tranquil, relaxation music was already playing inside when we opened the door. Everything was so thoughtfully decorated and outfitted down to the last detail. Elsa had even made us homemade chocolates and zucchini bread, and had customized a welcome brochure that gave us information on hikes, restaurants, and places to go in the area. It was pretty rainy and wet outside during our stay, but everything felt so cozy and peaceful because of the atmosphere that Rob and Elsa had created inside the loft. The upper loft area is a bedroom and was so fun to stay in. A staircase lined with old books leads you up where a comfy bed awaited us. There were plenty of soft blankets, fresh towels, and toiletries for us to use, as well as a complete set of kitchen amenities for cooking and making coffee. It truly felt like a spa retreat in the middle of the forest with classy, minimalist boho decor. Rob and Elsa’s home was right next door as well, and they were extremely kind and hospitable. Elsa made sure that we had everything we needed and went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Unfortunately there is no wifi but Mendocino isn’t too far away and there is wifi available there.