Leave a Comment
Finding affordable campsites with real water views is getting harder each year, but Missouri still delivers. And they deliver quite well!
From Table Rock Lake to Bull Shoals and Clearwater, this state is filled with waterfront sites that include electric and water hookups without crossing the $26 mark.
These parks are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, meaning the quality is almost always great and the prices are low. And with an America the Beautiful Senior Pass, those nightly rates can drop to around $10 a night!
So if you’ve been thinking about a lakeside getaway where you can park your RV near the water and still have power and running water at the site, these are ten of the best places to start.
1. Indian Point
Location: Table Rock Lake, near Branson, Missouri
Price: $25
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232610
Indian Point sits close to Branson while offering a quieter setting along the edge of Table Rock Lake. Campsites come with water and electric hookups, and many are tucked into shaded areas close to the shoreline. The combination of lake access, tree cover, and space between sites gives the campground a relaxed feel even during the busier months.
A swimming beach, marina, and boat ramp are there for visitors who want to get out on the water. Table Rock Lake is well known for bass and crappie fishing, and the coves near the campground provide good spots for anglers who prefer calmer water. Indian Point works well for anyone who wants affordable camping and easy access to Branson’s restaurants and shows.
2. Aunts Creek
Location: Table Rock Lake, near Reeds Spring, Missouri
Price: $25
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232516
Aunts Creek Campground sits along the James River arm of Table Rock Lake, giving campers quick access to a well-known fishing area. The highly productive waters here draw anglers who target a variety of game fish, and the boat ramp at the campground makes it easy to get on the water.
The park offers 55 reservable campsites with electric hookups, plus hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station for a comfortable stay. A large reservable group picnic shelter adds space for gatherings. Next to the swimming area, you will find a playground and grassy picnic area, which makes it simple to spend an entire day outside without ever leaving the campground.
Related: Waterfront RV Camping in Arkansas for $28 or Less (As Low as $9/night)
3. Baxter
Location: Table Rock Lake, near Lampe, Missouri
Price: $25
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232520
Baxter Campground sits along the White River arm of Table Rock Lake in an open, sunny setting. Anglers are drawn to this section of the lake because of its productive fishing, and boaters appreciate having a full-service marina nearby.
The campground has 54 reservable sites with electric hookups, along with hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station. A designated swim area, boat ramp, playground, and access to the marina make Baxter a convenient base for families who want to split their time between the campsite and the water.
4. Beaver Creek
Location: Bull Shoals Lake, near Kissee Mills, Missouri
Price: $24
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232521
Beaver Creek is a small, quieter campground set between a forested hillside and the lower shoreline of Bull Shoals Lake. The setting in the Ozark Mountains means changing scenery through the seasons, from bright spring foliage to fall color along the water.
The campground offers 33 campsites with electrical hookups and access to hot showers. A group shelter, playground, and marina sit on-site, giving visitors services and recreation without a long drive. For campers who want a slower pace and easier access to clear water, Beaver Creek is a straightforward, budget-friendly choice.
5. Damsite
Location: Pomme De Terre Lake, near Hermitage, Missouri
Price: $26
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233485
Damsite Campground rests just above the dam on Pomme de Terre Lake, at the meeting point of Lindley Creek and the Pomme de Terre River. Visitors come here for boating, fishing, and swimming in the clear water that gives the lake its “Gem of the Ozarks” nickname.
The lake takes its name from the Pomme de Terre River, a French phrase often translated as “apple of the earth,” a nod to potato-like plants early French trappers and traders noticed along the banks. Today, campers find 80 sites with electric and water hookups, along with 7 non-electric sites and a tent site. Amenities include a dump station, two shower houses, horseshoe pits, and a playground, keeping both comfort and recreation within easy walking distance of camp.
6. Big M
Location: Table Rock Lake, near Cassville, Missouri
Price: $25
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232526
Big M Campground sits along the White River arm of Table Rock Lake in a wide, open setting surrounded by low Ozark foothills. Many of the campsites offer panoramic views of the lake, and the spacious layout gives campers room to spread out.
The campground provides 61 reservable sites with electric hookups, along with hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station. A swim area, marina, playground, volleyball court, and boat ramp give visitors a full range of activities, which makes Big M a practical choice for longer stays or family trips.
7. Bluff View
Location: Clearwater Lake, near Piedmont, Missouri
Price: $20
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232530
Bluff View Campground rests along Clearwater Lake and offers opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and picnicking. Wildlife in the area includes wetland waterfowl, foxes, deer, turkey, and geese, and bald eagles remain near the lake throughout the year.
The campground has 60 sites, many of which include water and electric hookups. Visitors have access to hot showers, a dump station, a playground, a boat ramp, a swimming area, public phones, and an interpretive trail. The mix of wooded areas and open shoreline gives the campground a calm, natural feel.
8. Campbell Point
Location: Table Rock Lake, near Shell Knob, Missouri
Price: $25
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232540
Campbell Point is a shaded lakeside campground on the White River arm of Table Rock Lake. The area includes grassy spaces for picnicking and a large sandy beach where visitors can relax or cool off in the water.
The campground offers 76 reservable campsites with electric hookups, along with hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station. Additional amenities include a swim area, full-service marina, playground, volleyball court, and boat ramp. Campbell Point’s combination of shade, lake access, and recreation has made it a favorite for families returning year after year.
9. Cape Fair
Location: Table Rock Lake, near Cape Fair, Missouri
Price: $25
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232542
Cape Fair sits on the James River arm of Table Rock Lake and blends shaded campsites with wide lake views. Many of the waterfront and upper-loop sites overlook the water, offering a scenic place to settle in for a few days.
The campground has 45 reservable campsites, all with electric hookups, along with hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station. A swim area, boat ramp, playground, marina, and group picnic shelter round out the facilities, giving visitors a variety of ways to enjoy the lake.
10. Lightfoot Landing
Location: Pomme De Terre Lake, near Flemington, Missouri
Price: $26
Link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233538
Lightfoot Landing is one of the smaller campgrounds on Pomme de Terre Lake, creating a quieter atmosphere along the water. The lake is known for steady fishing and calm coves, which makes this area especially appealing to boaters wanting a slower pace.
The campground includes 35 sites with electric and water hookups, including one accessible site. Amenities include hot showers, a boat ramp with a courtesy dock, a dump station, a playground, a horseshoe pit, and a picnic shelter. With its smaller size and easy water access, Lightfoot Landing works well for campers seeking a peaceful stay without giving up the conveniences of hookups.
Write a comment