Camping

If the color bar on the campsite post is:

Green -- basic site
Yellow --  electric site
Blue -- electric/water site
Red --  sewer/electric/water site

If this symbol is on the post, the site is reservable. If this symbol is not on the post, the site is first-come, first-served only.

If a vacant card is in this space on the post, the site is reservable, but available for first-come, first-served users on a day-by-day basis or longer depending on the availability of nights.

Visit the Camping Directory to find out which state parks and historic sites offer each type of campsite.

Basic Campsite

Parking pad, table, grill and lantern post

30-amp Electric Campsite

Parking pad, table, grill, lantern post and 30-amp electric power supply

50-amp Electric Campsite*

Parking pad, table, grill, lantern post, and 30-amp and 50-amp electric power supply.

Electric/Water Campsite*

Parking pad, table, grill, lantern post, electric power supply and private water hookup (These campsites are unique to certain parks.) Water is only available during the park's on-season.

Sewer/Electric/Water Campsite*

Parking pad, table, grill, lantern post, electric power supply, private water supply and a sewer connection. Water is only available during the park's on-season.

Equestrian Campsite

Associated with an equestrian trail system; may be basic, electric or electric/water. Sites include hitching post. At Cuivre River State Park, use is limited to campers with horses. At all other parks with equestrian campsites – Sam A. Baker State Park, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park and St. Joe State Park – campers without horses may occupy equestrian sites.

Family Campsite

A campsite that comprises two camping pads as well as two tables, grills and lantern posts. Utilities, if available, also have two hookups. Family sites may be basic, electric, electric/water or sewer/electric/water.

Walk-In Campsites

A basic campsite located within walking distance of the parking area (50-500 feet), which includes, at a minimum, a fire ring, picnic table and lantern post. Walk-in campsites are available at Cuivre River State Park, Echo Bluff State Park, Hawn State Park, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Long Branch State Park, Stockton State Park, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Wakonda State Park and Wallace State Park.

Platform Tent Sites

Platform tent sites are basic campsites with a spacious deck and a large canvas tent that will accommodate four to six people. The canvas tent is only available during the on-season. Platform tent sites are available at Crowder State Park, Cuivre River State Park, Table Rock State Park and Washington State Park.

*50-Amp Electric

More than 1,200 campsites offer 50-amp electrical service. This 50-amp service is available at electric, electric/water and sewer/electric/water sites and is ideal for today's modern recreational vehicle.

Equestrian Campgrounds

Separate campgrounds for equestrian use can be found at Sam A. Baker State Park, Cuivre River State Park, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and St. Joe State Park. Regular camping fees apply.

Special-Use Camping Areas

Many state parks have special-use areas that are designated for group camping, with nonprofit organizations and youth groups having priority. These areas may be reserved by calling the individual parks. Visit the Campground Directory page to find out which state parks and historic sites offer these areas.

Organized Group Camps

There are 12 organized group camps in seven Missouri state parks: Crowder State Park, Cuivre River State Park, Knob Noster State Park, Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Roaring River State Park, Mark Twain State Park and Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park. At Babler State Park, the Jacob L. Babler Outdoor Education Center has facilities especially designed for campers with disabilities. Organizations must make reservations in advance directly with the park. Visit the Organized Group Camps page for additional information.

Comfort Camping

Create a camping experience without having to bring your own tent. Camper cabins at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Mark Twain State Park, Stockton State Park and Lake Wappapello State Park state parks; yurts at Pomme de Terrre State Park; yurts and Outpost cabins at Lake of the Ozarks State Park; premium yurts at Table Rock State Park offer the feel of an outdoor camping experience with some of the comforts of home. All units are smoke-free, and some allow pets.

Group Tent Areas

If you have a large group (15-50 people) that wants to camp together in a campground, group tent areas are available at Meramec State Park. The three group tent areas differ in size but offer similar amenities: 15-car parking lot, two grills and eight picnic tables.

Backpack Campsites

Many parks with backpacking trails offer primitive camping in designated areas along the trails. These remote areas are not accessible by vehicle. Backpackers must register or check in with park staff. Visit the Backpacking page to find out which state parks have backpacking trails.

Hawn State Park now has reservable backpack campsites in its backcountry camping area. This park also has a backpack group campsite that can accommodate up to 16 campers.