The best camping near Elephant Rocks State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Elephant Rocks State Park adventure.

Discover the geological marvels of Elephant Rocks State Park.

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Community favorites near Elephant Rocks State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Elephant Rocks State Park

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Arcadia Valley Outdoors Land

37 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents150 acres · Ironton, MO

A wooded, more private camping experience with unique site designs and natural elements. Wood-burning sauna and hot tub available for guest use. Primitive Camping Van/vehicle Camping Small Trailers Glamping Bike Trails, Hiking, creek sit-in' on site! Best of the midwest biking, hiking, Ozark Trail, rock climbing Elephant Rocks Park, Johnson Shut-ins and more swimming holes nearby! Wood for sale on site, $5 per bundle, Fire starters also available. Ask us about our "Really Good At Camping" merchandise. We have shirts, mugs & wine tumblers! *Cash Only* at this time. We Have free stickers! *For camp site locations please refer to our map in the campsite listing photos. We are located just west of the Ironton Water Works Plant and the Shepherd Mountain Lake dam. Turn right after the dam, drive through Shepherd Mountain Lake Park. If our "campground guests only" gate if it is closed, and please close gate behind you. Thank you! No Hook Ups No swimming in the lake and no outside boats, but we have boats for campers to use free of charge! General Store and restroom facilities/showers coming soon!

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Spring Lake Ranch

43 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents101 acres · Potosi, MO

Spring Lake Ranch boasts countless trails and lake activities. Formerly known as Sayersbrook Bison ranch, at one time it was one of the largest Bison ranches in the world. This property is filled with amazing things to see and explore. Nothing like it in Missouri. Lake is 60+ acres and is spring fed. Amazing fishing, swimming and kayaking. We are pet friendly. You will have amazing lake views and will be close to hiking trails, horseback riding, and wine tasting at Edge Cliff Wineries which is next door to us. The beautiful shower house is super clean, has restrooms and hot showers and it is within walking distance. Firewood and ice are available to purchase; kayaks and fishing poles are available for rent. If you forget something at home stop by our little country store, we might have it! :) The sites are about 20 ft from each other - if you are looking for more privacy please check out the secluded site or the peninsula.

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Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors

30 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents27 acres · Saint Clair, MO

Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors is a 501c3 not for profit Farm Animal Sanctuary. You will be able to camp with the horses, goats, potbellied pigs and more. We open up our farm so that people can enjoy the outdoors, animals and nature, and the animals can enjoy people! We are a sanctuary for all creatures on earth, including humans. You can even claim the cost of your stay on your taxes! All proceeds go to the care of the animals. "Today, whatever is good for your soul, do that."

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Hawks Bluff Campground

57 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents460 acres · Tiff, MO

Escape the city! We have a very special property that nourishes the soul and provides space to roam and breathe fresh air. We have 460 acres to explore. A beautiful creek running through our property. We have cows, mules, goats, dogs and cats. We are on a bluff so if you are rock hunters you have come to the right place. We offer rock hunting. and we have extra buckets. We have the best Drusy (lots of colors), Crazy Lace Agate, Calcite, Chalcedony, Quartz, Chert, Barite, Bladed Barite, Iron Ores and more. Check us out on Facebook Hawks Bluff Farm Rocks and Drusy. We have firewood, ice, eggs, ground beef, propane exchange and new propane tanks available. Ask us about our kayaking options!

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Four Creeks Campground

19 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · Ellington, MO

Three crystal clear creeks to swim, wade, hunt rocks, or just relax. We have several tent sites right on the creeks and RV sites close for just a short walk for swimming fun. Close to Mark Twain National Forest, for hiking Rocky Creek trail Head, Blue Springs trail to Rocky Falls, Black River and the Current for floating, Kayaking or fishing. Clearwater Lake for boat rentals or Jet skies. Sites to see, Blue Springs, Big Springs Johnson Shut Inns, Elephant Rock, Rocky Falls, and many state parks to explore. We are also only three miles from the town of Ellington, MO for your shopping needs, several restaurants and antiquing.

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Fredrock Waterfront Glampground

20 sites · RVs33 acres · Fredericktown, MO

Fredrock is a small privately owned glampground on crystal clear 12mile Creek. It is located about 15 minutes from the nearest town on 33 beautiful acres. Enjoy one of the 7 themed stays or bring your own RV and stay in one of only 5 RV spots. It is just a few minutes walk to 12 Mile Creek which runs through the property. Enjoy the beautiful bluffs, shut-ins, gravel river beds and crystal clear water. Swimming, hiking, stargazing, and horseshoes are all available at Fredrock!

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Cinco de Mayo Campground

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · MO

Every morning that I wake up at Cinco I think how fortunate I am to have a place on this earth where I am excited to be. Whether it is sweaty-hot summertime or deep-freeze, snow-covered wintertime I treasure the moments sipping a cup of tea on the riverbank listening to the birds competing over food and mates...or to the ice breaking up with the morning heat. Starting the day this way can sure alleviate a lot of stress! The tenants and guests that have stayed here make my favorite place on earth truly precious. Sharing with others magnifies the experience. Please give yourself the gift of staying here for a weekend.Learn more about this land:Sleep right on the banks of the river or in the clean level yard just a few feet away. Kayak or fish all day then enjoy a nice warm shower in our bathhouse. You can freshen your gear in our new mini-laundromat. Bring quarters or download an Iphone app to start the laundry machines.

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Crooked Creek Ranch

1 site · RV, Tent35 acres · Salem, MO

Once a portion of a hunting preserve, Crooked Creek Ranch is located deep in the Missouri Ozarks, within walking distance of Mark Twain National Forest. We've owned and managed Crooked Creek Ranch for many years now, building and maintaining trails, planting trees and working to make the place as beautiful as it can be for all who visit. We hope that you will be as refreshed and revitalized as we are when you set foot into this wonderful forest. It is a lot of very hard work, and totally worth it. If you enjoy it, it will make it that much more worth it! Thanks for reading! Learn more about this land: 100% PRIVACY. 35 private wooded acres all to yourself with a totally private one-mile intermediate level mountain biking-hiking loop trail! Hike peaceful trails, exploring the wooded hills until you find the perfect spot for your tent. If you select a spot near the clearing, you will have access to the picnic table and fire circle. Spend your days mountain biking, hiking, fishing and watching wildlife on a private ranch in the Ozark Mountains, less than a quarter mile from the Mark Twain National Forest. Less than five miles from Indian Trail State Forest (Indian Trail Conservation Area) with beautiful Blackwell Lake. Canoeing and kayaking are less than an hour away (Meramec River, Current River and Jacks Fork River), as well as trout fishing at scenic Meramec Spring Park or Montauk State Park. Peaceful wilderness will inspire artists, writers, musicians. Quiet, secluded, beautiful, and rugged. If you do not want to see anyone, you don't have to. You will have 35 private acres. You will be 100% secluded. If you want amenities, this is not the place. If you want complete privacy, this is the place! Bear and mountain lion have been seen in the area, so please keep this in mind.

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Monarch Hill Vineyard

18 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Ste. Genevieve, MO

Welcome to Monarch Hill! Tucked away in the hills of Ste. Genevieve County, we enjoy watching the sun rise and set over our secluded pastures and vineyards. Our hilltop sites offer an open area with fire rings and picnic tables, great for groups or social butterflies. These offer well water at the nearby barn for drinking and showering. The Seclusion sites are private escapes for those who want to immerse themselves in the sounds of nature. Take in the chirps of frogs, birds and crickets at these isolated sites. We offer a complimentary wood basket with every booking, and have additional fire-building supplies available. Be sure to check out our experiences to make the most of your stay, and don't forget to reserve a s'more kit! *** April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse *** We are excited to be located in the best viewing path for this year's total eclipse! We will be preparing additional sites as needed for this weekend, so if we are fully booked check back soon or message us to reserve a spot. More information to come as we approach the date.

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Arcadia Valley BaseCamp

2 sites · RVs, Tents68 acres · Arcadia, MO

BaseCamp is respite nestled into the Arcadia Valley just miles from Shepherd Mountain Bike Psrk. With nearly 70 acres surrounded by Mark Twain National Forest, there are many opportunities for hiking, botanical exploration, licensed fishing, mountain biking, equine accessible trails, and much more. There is a small pond on the property with a walking trail and a rock garden that doubles as a small creek when rains are heavy. With camping options ranging from backpacking and tent camping to van dwellers and Tiny House glamping, all are welcome. Adventure begins at Base Camp!

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Pine Valley at Dillard Mill

5 sites · Lodging43 acres · Davisville, MO

Pine Valley is located in the heart of the Mark Twain National Forest and sits just a short walk away from historic Dillard Mill. Book the entire Farm or stay in an Airstream or Cottage. Group rentals Welcome! Pine Valley is on 43 acres of beautiful green pasture and woodland. Take a hike on one of the trails around the property or go fishing or wading on the Huzzah Creek. Spend your evening roasting marshmallows around your private campfire. Guests will have access to the 40 acres of land surrounding them. There are two ponds on the premise. Enjoy the quarter-mile walk to the old Dillard Mill Store, displayed in museum fashion at the entrance of Dillard Mill State Historic Site. Tour the old grist mill in working form, fish for sunfish, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass at the Mill, and take memorable photos. Just across from our main entrance take the half-mile trail through Mark Twain National Forest and skip rocks on the Huzzah Creek! Ask us about access to our private gravel bar on the Huzzah. You will pass it, and the private parking, on Dillard Mill Rd on your drive into Pine Valley We may or may not be on the premise during individual rentals. If there are any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out. Other things to note While this space provides most utilities and amenities you'd find at your home, it is important to note it is still a camping-style getaway. We do our best to treat the area, but you will encounter insects. AT&T has limited cell phone reception in the area, Sprint is very spotty, and Verizon is pretty much unavailable for service. We provide the best free wifi available to help with communication back to the real world, but it is rather slow. The best wifi reception is near the General Store/Courtyard. We try and keep the area well maintained. You may see ATVs/tractors on our property and on the gravel road. Pets are welcome for an extra $50 per stay. Please note our dogs may be on the property. They are friendly and well-behaved, although sometimes curious. Other guests may have no-leash pets as well. Park right next to your glamper. Arrive anytime after 4pm, just give us an eta to know when to expect you. If your glamper is not ready upon your arrival, feel free to explore our farm, visit Dillard Mill or head down to the Huzzah while we make it ready for your stay. Self Check-In is always the norm for added privacy. We won't bother you except to wave or maybe say hello if you're out and about. Please feel free to approach us with questions, niceties, or needs.

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Swim/BBQ/Camp Such and Such Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents120 acres · De Soto, MO

Learn more about this land: Camp at our beautiful private swimming hole in the middle of a creek. It's fed by a 300,000 gallon/day fresh water spring that runs along the length of the campsite with a community picnic table, two Webber grills, and a huge fire pit. Bring your fishing poles and water shoes! There are fire ring's at each site but be sure to bring your own camp chairs.

The best camping near Elephant Rocks State Park guide

Overview

About

Embark on an adventure through the ancient granite boulders of Elephant Rocks State Park. Traverse the Braille Trail, designed for accessibility, and marvel at the elephantine rocks that have captivated visitors for generations. While camping isn't available, the park offers a plethora of activities including hiking, picnicking, and climbing, ensuring a memorable experience for all.

When to go

The best time to visit Elephant Rocks State Park is during the on-season from April 16 to August 31, when the park is open from 8am to 8pm. Shoulder seasons offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Winter offers a stark beauty, but be mindful of shorter hours and potential weather-related closures.

Know before you go

Check the park and site status map for temporary closures before your visit.
Accessibility is a priority; inquire about the electronic off-road track chair for an enhanced experience.
Remember to pack food and water, as dining options are limited within the park.
For safety, always stay on designated trails and be cautious when climbing the rocks.
Plan your visit according to park hours, which vary seasonally for optimal exploration time.