Lake Of the Ozarks Campground

Finding campgrounds, lakefront beaches, swimming areas, and other recreation spots in Missouri is perhaps the easiest part of the trip. At any given place in the state, there are dozens of state or county parks and recreation hubs to enjoy. Lake of the Ozarks Campground is within the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the state’s most popular park, drawing over two and a half million visitors annually. Here you can camp near the shore, party with boat owners at the infamous “Party Cove,” hike or bike on interpretive trails, or gaze at the stars at night.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park and Bennett Springs State Park are both right down the road from Lake of the Ozarks, close to Springfield, Missouri. Ha Ha Tonka State Park’s most notable feature is the ruins of a massive castle once serving as a summer home for a wealthy Kansas City family. After a fire decimated the estate, the state purchased the land. Now visitors can walk through the ruins, explore caves, see natural bridges carved from rock, and hike on nature trails. Bennett Springs is a few miles down the road, with gorgeous springs full of refreshing water. Nearly 100 million gallons of water flow through the springs each day, where guests can go fly fishing, swimming, or canoeing. There are hiking trails, historic structures, a visitor center, a swimming pool, and a campground for you to check out too when you rent an RV near Lake of the Ozarks Campground and head to this nearby park.

The state’s largest natural area can be found in southeastern Missouri, near the Ozark Mountains. Mark Twain National Forest is named for one of the state’s most famous sons, a notable author and humorist who penned numerous American classics. This three-million-acre forest is full of extraordinary animals, lush plant life, camping areas, interpretive trails, swimming lakes, and a whole lot more, so don’t miss out on the federally protected area.

When you book an RV in Miller County, Eldon is the largest town within a few miles of Lake of the Ozarks Campground, but you can always take a ride into Jefferson City with your campervan rental to do some sightseeing for the day. The magnificent Missouri State Capitol Building, styled after the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. This beautiful building sports ancient Greek architecture, with a massive dome on top and an ornate front facade featuring columns. A tour of the capitol building will yield a treasure trove of historical facts, amazing murals, and statues of notable politicians from the past.

The Missouri State Museum is perhaps the best place to learn all about the Show-Me State. The museum features a large collection of important artifacts from the state’s history, with old uniforms, weapons, flags, tools, wagons, and other items. The Cole County Historical Museum is a small museum that also tells part of the story of Cole County, housed in an intimate space.

Art lovers are encouraged to visit the Jefferson City Museum of Modern Art, also known as JCMOMA. Knowledgeable docents provide tours for people visiting the art space, focusing on both the works of art displayed in the museum, as well as the stories of the masters who produced them.