Camping Gems - Places to Go in Missouri

Branson
This historic town has 49 live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, ten championship golf courses, an international award-winning theme park, and dozens of museums.  You can spend the day shopping in the boutiques and antique shops, enjoy a tasty family meal, or take in one of the many fairs and festivals in the area.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways
The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers make their way through some of the most amazing countryside in Missouri, with massive bluffs and hills spreading on either side of the riverbanks. Canoeing and floating in tubes are the most popular recreation activities at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The rivers are considered to be Class 1 streams, so they're perfect for paddlers and floaters of all experience levels.

Berryman Trail   
This National Recreation Trail winds through 24 miles of scenic Ozark countryside.  Hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders can enjoy the solitude and beauty of this trail as it crosses oak and pine forests, climbs to scenic ridges, and crosses brooks and streams.

St. Joseph
From Jesse James and the Pony Express to the explorers of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the charming town of St. Joseph Missouri boasts a colorful and varied past. Set on the peaceful Missouri River, this town has served as an expedition camp, a trading post, and is known as the birthplace of the Pony Express. Once considered the Old West, St. Joseph now offers many museums, a junior college and university, symphony, theater, chorus, festivals, and a performing arts association.

Mark Twain National Forest
The Mark Twain National Forest has 1.5 million acres of wilderness to explore. Fourteen streams and 16 lakes await you -- you'll find trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or ATV/motorcycle riding. You can watch for wildlife like black bears, bald eagles, whitetail deer, rainbow trout, and even roadrunners!

Table Rock Lake
With thousands of acres of open water for fishing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, swimming, and boating, Table Rock Lake is a watery oasis.  Located near Branson, Missouri, the lake has a gorgeous setting in the Ozark Mountains.  There are several marinas on the lake, 800 miles of shoreline, and excellent fishing for Bass, Crappie, White Bass, Bluegill, and Catfish. 

Hermann
If you love exploring small towns with character, you'll enjoy spending time in Hermann. Just 60 miles from St. Louis, Hermann -- set in the heart of Missouri's wine country-- was built in 1836 as "New Fatherland" for German settlers. Visit the Pommer-Gentner House and the Strehly House with its authentic German interior colors, exhibits of 19th century peasant arts and crafts, and the only remaining carved wine cask in the Midwest.

Bridal Cave, Camdenton
Formed 42-46 million years ago, this oldest cave in the Lake area is ready to amaze you with its massive columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, and beautiful Spirit Lake. Do people actually get married there? You bet! Come see why it's known as one of America's most scenic caves. (off Hwy. 5 on Lake Road 588, 573-346-2676)

Bell Mountain Wilderness Area Trail   
Climb to the top Bell Mountain, one of Missouri’s highest peak, and enjoy an outstanding view of the countryside.  Set in the St. Francois Mountains, one of the oldest landforms in North America, Bell Mountain is a great hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching trail.

Silver Dollar City
When you visit this unique living-history park, you can see old-fashioned craftsmen demonstrating their skills, have your family picture taken in Victorian outfits, or catch a live show with a historic twist.  The park also has modern amusement-park rides like the Giant Swing, the Wildfire roller coaster, the FireKeg, and the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train.  In addition, there are more than sixty craft shops that sell handcrafted goods with an antique flare.