There are many ways to enjoy the “Best Lake for Water Sports” and “Best Recreational Lake” in the Nation, but one of the most memorable is sleeping under the stars and enjoying the splendor of nature while sitting around the warm glow of a campfire.
Camping and RVing are fantastic ways to experience the natural beauty of Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks.
Over 20 RV parks and campgrounds dot the Lake of the Ozarks area and offer all the amenities campers and RVers appreciate, especially Lake views and cool, shady comfort from the local hardwood forests.
“Camping has been a staple at the Lake of the Ozarks since it’s beginnings in the early 1930s,” says Lagina Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association. “We still have many traditional campgrounds that offer tent camping but our selection has expanded quite a bit over the past decade to include several higher-end RV parks, comfortable cabins and impressive glamping setups that even those that typically don’t enjoy camping would appreciate.”
With more than 1,400 RV sites, over 100 tent camping sites and numerous cabins scattered around the Lake of the Ozarks, there are options at the Lake to suit everyone’s style. It doesn’t matter if a visitor’s ideal camping trip consists of pitching a tent, “glamping” (glamour camping), pulling a pop-up camper or fully-equipped fifth wheel, or even resting in a comfortable campground cabin complete with air conditioning and pre-made beds, the Lake of the Ozarks has it all. And, regardless of where visitors set up camp, they will be close to a wide variety of family-friendly attractions and activities. Highlighted below are just a few of the campgrounds that can be enjoyed around the Lake area, all offering a unique experience:
Bear Bottom Resort, RV Park and Campgrounds, located in Sunrise Beach, offers 24 roomy RV sites to complement its primitive camping options. There are mature shade trees, campfire pits and a picnic table at every site and visitors with an RV can choose from full hook-up sites to electric-only sites. The entire park is within easy walking distance of the cool waters of the Lake and available boat slips. All Bear Bottom guests can enjoy the resort pool and boat ramp as well as the endless hiking possibilities of the walking trails spread across 58 acres of woodlands. Bear Bottom also features comfortable cottages, a full-service restaurant and bar overlooking the Lake. And, during the warmer months, guests can enjoy live music on the weekends, boat rentals and two of the largest open flume body water slides in the state. For more information, visit www.BearBottomResort.com.
Coconuts RV Resort in Gravois Mills is one of the newest and largest RV parks at the Lake of the Ozarks featuring over 200 RV spots. This luxury RV park, located on the westside of the Lake, offers guests a wide array of amenities including a gated entrance, family-friendly swimming pool, adults-only swimming pool with a swim-up bar, dog park, commercial fitness center and easy access to Coconuts Carribean Beach Bar and Grill and Bananas Water Park. Camp site rentals are available on a yearly, monthly, weekly and/or daily basis. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.CoconutsRVPark.com.
Cross Creek RV Park and Campground, located between Eldon and Lake Ozark, has twice been recognized as the mid-size park of the year by the Missouri Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. It’s also one of the most memorable camping experiences in Missouri featuring several tree house cabins; “Survivor Island,” a secluded, private island for primitive camping; private eight-acre fishing lake; nine-hole miniature golf course; swimming pool; camp store and playground for the kids. In addition, other on-site activities include nature trails, hay rides, karaoke, sand volleyball and a Sunday morning worship service. For RVers, there are lakefront sites available and all sites offer full hook-ups and most feature 30- and 50-amp options. Cross Creek is situated on 70 pristine acres surrounded by hundreds of wooded acres, so it’s a quiet and secluded escape offering a true back-to-nature camping experience. “Survivor Island” and the tree house cabins are very popular so it’s recommended campers call ahead to check on availability and to make reservations. For more details, visit www.CrossCreekRVPark.com.
Deer Valley RV Park & Campground at Franky and Louie’s Beachfront Bar & Grill in Sunrise Beach features over 300 RV campsites, including some that are available on a yearly, monthly, weekly or daily basis. Located on the westside of the Lake of the Ozarks just a short walk from Franky & Louie’s restaurant, Deer Valley also offers multiple one-room cabins as well as two “bunkhouses,” with bunkhouse unit sleeping up to eight people. Situated in a quiet cove on the 10 mile marker of the Lake, guests at Deer Valley have easy access to Franky & Louie’s for food and live musical entertainment, sandy swimming beach as well as Super Dave’s Paddle Craft Adventures for an afternoon of peacefully paddling around the Lake on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. For rates, options and reservations, visit www.FrankyAndLouies.com/rv-park.
Majestic Oaks RV Park and Campground is set on 47 wooded acres just outside Lake Ozark. This park boasts some of the biggest RV sites at the Lake, with large “Buddy Sites” that are popular with those traveling together in two RVs. For those who do not have an RV but have always wanted to stay in one, Majestic Oaks has a large, fully-equipped Jay Flight camper that guests can rent. The Jay Flight is a popular option, so guests are encouraged to call ahead to check on availability. Aside from the the RV spots, there also are rustic cabins and multiple primitive tent sites situated in a secluded hardwood forest complete with picnic tables and fire rings. Majestic Oak’s latest additions are three unique glamping tents. These fully-furnished spacious safari-style tents are built on wooden decks and feature comfortable beds with linens and bedding, electrical outlets, heat and A/C and a covered front porch. The onsite amenities include nature trails, a swimming pool, camp store, bath houses, playground, game room, volleyball and basketball courts and a pavilion perfect for groups and reunions. Majestic Oaks also hosts special events throughout the year. For rates, services and more information, visit
www.MajesticOaksCampground.com.
Osage Beach RV Park, located in the heart of the Lake area, has been named one of the top Good Sam RV parks in the US by Trailer Life magazine. This clean and quiet park offers a variety of RV camping sites: long pull-through sites with 50-amp service as well as shaded back-in sites with 50- or 30-amp service. All sites are full service with water, electric, sewer, cable TV and free WiFi. In addition to RV sites, Osage Beach RV Park also features five rental cabins, a swimming pool, playground, pavilion with tables and games, and horseshoe and shuffleboard courts. Throughout the summer season, Osage Beach RV Park also offers a non-denominational church service on Sundays for their guests. The park is walking distance from Bear Creek Valley Golf Club, several shopping centers and restaurants. For complete details, visit
Riviera RV Resort is one of the Lake of the Ozarks’ most luxurious options for RVers. The Riviera grounds are situated just off the main channel of the Lake of the Ozarks in a quiet, no-wake cove in Sunrise Beach. Riviera RV Resort welcomes big rigs with sites up to 55 feet long by 30 feet wide. The spacious sites have concrete pads, fire pits, picnic tables and all have full hook-ups with water, sewer and 20-, 30-, 50-amp service. Amenities onsite include a zero-entry saltwater swimming pool, hot tub, fireplace, free WiFi, laundry, showers, sand volleyball, fishing docks, walking trails and more. For complete details on Riviera RV Resort, visit
www.RivieraVillasRVResort.com.
Plan Your Lake of the Ozarks Camping Getaway
Regardless of which campground a visitor chooses, they will be guaranteed the classic Midwestern hospitality that guests at the Lake of the Ozarks have come to enjoy and expect. Each campground owner and/or host is set on making sure that every visitor has a wonderful time at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Although all of the campgrounds and RV parks feature many amenities and activities, visitors would be doing themselves a great disservice if they didn’t get out and explore all the Lake area has to offer. The Lake is home to some of the best fishing in the nation, two very popular and distinct state parks, four impressive show caves, 13 championship golf courses, 10 wineries and microbreweries, over 200 restaurants, two waterparks, lots of live music and plenty of special events throughout the year.
The nation’s “Best Recreational Lake” and “Best Lake for Water Sports” has activities and events for every age and interest. To learn more about these, plus dining and accommodation options, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) at 1-800-FUN-LAKE, or visit the CVB’s award-winning website at
