Discover the best family-friendly beach campgrounds near Farmington, Missouri

If you were to just look at a map, Farmington might look like it’s in the middle of nowhere, but this small town is actually located within an hour’s drive of some of Missouri’s most interesting state parks. Imagine looking out on the Ozarks hills from Missouri’s highest point at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park or pondering gigantic pink boulders at Elephant Rocks State Park. While these parks do not offer onsite camping for RVs, Taum Sauk offers basic and walk-in tent sites. Many state parks, national forest campgrounds, and private RV parks can be found across the Farmington region offering a variety of amenities, including free wifi and full hookups.

Where to go

St. Joe State Park

Some state parks offer serenity, while others offer a raucous outdoors playground. St. Joe State Park is the latter, thanks to its popularity for off-roading. Only two Missouri state parks allow this activity, and St. Joe is one, with several dedicated trails. The park also features trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Or hit the waters of the four lakes to enjoy paddling, fishing, boating, and swimming. Two campgrounds offer tent and RV sites, some with electric hookups, just 10 minutes away from Farmingthon.

Silver Mines Recreation Area

White-water rafting in Missouri? It’s true. Missouri’s most-action packed waters are found on the St. Francis River near Farmington. The Silver Mines Recreation Area is located along this river and Turkey Creek in the Mark Twain National Forest, around 30 minutes south of Farmington. Campers will find tent and RV sites, some offering electric hookups and water views. Hiking, fishing, and swimming can be enjoyed in the park, as well.

Hawn State Park

Notable for its scenery, Hawn State Park offers views of pine forests, sandstone canyons, rambling streams, and rocky cliffs. Hiking and backpacking trails allow visitors to experience the landscapes, found 20 minutes northeast of Farmington. The park campground features tent and RV sites, some with electric hookups. Backcountry camping is also available along a 10-mile backpacking trail.

St. Francois State Park

St. Francois State Park, located 20 minutes north of Farmington, offers similar scenery to Hawn State Park, with the added amenity of river access. The Big River runs through the park, providing scenic spots for swimming, fishing, and paddling. An onsite campground features basic and electric tent and RV sites.

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park

Located 40 minutes southwest of Farmington, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park has been voted as one of the best state parks in the U.S. for camping and RVing, thanks to the intriguing geology, onsite recreation, and renovated campgrounds. Named for the hard rocks that “shut in” the East Fork Black River, creating chutes, pools, and rapids, this park is a popular spot in the summertime. The campground features basic, electric, and full hookup sites for tents and RVs.

When to go

Summertime is the most popular time to enjoy the region’s rivers and waterways, especially at Johnson’s Shut-Ins. Some areas may be crowded at this time, and the weather is generally hot and humid. Spring offers cooler weather and fresh leaves and wildflowers in the forests. Fall is especially scenic, as the Ozarks hills explode with color. Winter is generally cold and sometimes snowy or icy.