- Pickle Springs Natural Area
The best camping in Pickle Springs Natural Area, MO
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Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.Top-rated campgrounds near Pickle Springs Natural Area
Monarch Hill Vineyard
Monarch Hill Vineyard
99%
(93)
7mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 19 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$50
/ night
Cinco de Mayo Campground
Cinco de Mayo Campground
98%
(191)
10mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 16 sites · Tents, RVs
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.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
$15
/ night
Sycamore Springs Campground
Sycamore Springs Campground
95%
(98)
18mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 21 sites · Tents, RVs
The campsite sits alongside the Castor River, offering electric hookups at 5 sites as well as 5 primitive tent sites. Enjoy outdoor adventures just minutes away, at the Amidon Memorial Conservation Area, a 1,630-acre area located on the upper reaches of the Castor River, located south of Route J, eight miles east of Fredericktown.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$25
/ night
Big River Outdoors Campground
Big River Outdoors Campground
96%
(106)
20mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 99 sites · Tents, RVs
80+ acres with over a mile of river frontage. Walking trails,Swimming, fishing, kayaking, and live music on some weekends. Tent camping or RV/camper . Campers who need electric are allowed to bring a generator. We have limited electric as of now. We are located just 2-3 miles from 3 different gas stations but are also very secluded.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$50
/ night
Such and Such Farm Swimming Hole
Such and Such Farm Swimming Hole
99%
(162)
20mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
Camp at our beautiful private swimming hole at the edge of Joachim Creek. Our campsite includes a community picnic table, hammocks along the tree line and a huge communal fire pit. We have four individual camp sites in total, each with their own fire ring. Bring your fishing poles, water shoes and camp chairs!
We are a working farm that grows produce, raises dairy goats, pasture raised pigs, peacocks, chickens and more! And while you may hear a rooster crow in the morning, you'll be tucked away from the hustle and bustle of farm life.
COMING IN SUMMER 2025: Access to our new farm store where you'll be able to purchase firewood, eggs, produce, pork and more to enhance your stay!
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from
$30
/ night
Arcadia Valley BaseCamp
Arcadia Valley BaseCamp
97%
(45)
21mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
BaseCamp is s respite nestled into the Arcadia Valley, just miles from Elephant Rocks and Johnsons Shut-Ins State Parks and several conservation areas. 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 without ever leaving BaseCamp. 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!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$25
/ night
Hawks Bluff Farm Campground
Hawks Bluff Farm Campground
97%
(232)
24mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 57 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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!
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
$20
/ night
Arcadia Valley Outdoors Land
Arcadia Valley Outdoors Land
98%
(841)
24mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 37 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$30
/ night
Fredrock Waterfront Glampground
Fredrock Waterfront Glampground
99%
(63)
30mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 20 sites · RVs
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!
Pets
Full hookups
from
$50
/ night
Saco Valley Farm, LLC
Saco Valley Farm, LLC
98%
(26)
31mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 4 sites · Tents
Camp, Swim, BBQ, wade the creek, enjoy the campfire!
Primitive Camping. Very Private. Water is cool and clear.
Open to the stars. A great place to commune with nature, or enjoy some peace and quiet!
12 mile creek runs directly through our property.
Shallow and deep all throughout. Great for wading, swimming, floating, kayaking. Great small mouth fishing! We are approximately one mile by water from the St. Francois River. We have kayaked down the creek to the river for many years.
The farm is very rural. We are 16 miles to the closest gas station, and 25 miles to town. There is no internet. Cell phone service is spotty at best.
Currently a working farm, we have 2 high tunnels on the property behind the house, and our original market garden.
Across the creek we are finishing up our 5 acre agroforestry planting. 3 acres of elderberries and 2 acres of blackberries.
28 acres, 3 on one side, and 25 on the other.
The farm is located approximately 2 hours south of St. Louis.
Fredericktown is 30 mins away. Food, Drinks, Golf, and Lalo's Mexican Restaurant! There are a ton of local antique shops, and outdoor activities.
Local places of interest:
Amidon
Arcadia Valley
Black River
Bonne Terre Mine
Elephant Rocks
Johnson Shut Ins
Mill Stream Gardens
One Nation Paintball Park
Sam A. Baker State Park
Saco Valley Farmstand
Sherpher Mountain Bike Park
Silvermines
Taum Sauk Mountain
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from
$25
/ night
Spring Lake Ranch
Spring Lake Ranch
93%
(1983)
36mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 43 sites · Tents, RVs
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.
**The pool on property is reserved for the lodge guests only, it is not open to the public.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
$17
/ night
BEAUTIFUL SECLUDED CAMPSITE
BEAUTIFUL SECLUDED CAMPSITE
92%
(45)
37mi from Pickle Springs Natural Area · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
Easy access to hundreds of miles of trails and gravel roads in Mark Twain National Forest for hiking, biking, ATV / SXS. Multiple fishing ponds less than a mile away. Come and explore Missouri's best kept secret!
The campground has 8 campsites, great for RV or tent campers, nestled under old-growth oak trees for shade & protection during the hot months.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$26
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
E
Emily
6 days ago
Tent
We loved our stay at R & T Farms. Not only were the hosts very gracious and hands off but we met some animal friends as well. Would highly recommend this stay for anyone passing through St. Louis or just looking for a relaxing getaway on a quaint family farm!
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S
Sarah
December 2025
30 ft travel trailer
We had a lovely 3 night stay on Ryan and Tanya’s beautiful property. The site was large, level and easy to maneuver around with a west facing view. Every sunset was stunning. It was very private with 30amp and sewer. We filled our fresh water tank when we arrived. There are hoses long enough to reach the site if you need to refill. The hosts were easy to communicate with and quick to respond to any questions. St Louis is an easy 30 minute drive if you want to explore. There are also a couple small towns that are closer with provisions, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
Ryan and Tanya were wonderful, kind hosts.
We will definitely stay again next time we’re in the area.
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M
Michael
November 2025
18 ft campervan
Darrell and Jeanna were excellent hosts; they were friendly and helpful while also being mindful of the importance of the solitude needed to thoroughly enjoy their beautiful property. We will definitely go back for another visit (or more).
This visit was towards the end of November, so the shower and privy were welcome comforts in the brisk weather, though also invigorating. Fireside relaxation was the primary activity as we watched an impressive variety of birds by the pond. With the lack of light pollution, the stargazing opportunities were a treat. We hope to be back for the wine harvest next year!
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K.A.
November 2025
Tent
My second time visiting this camp site. I’m a novice at camping. Each time that I visited, I was impressed: friendly staff, helpful fellow campers, and aesthetically pleasing environment, e.g, lakefront view, farm animals, swimming pool, hot tubs available in select rentals and renovated bath houses. Very safe setting for solo campers, couples and families.
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B
Brett
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Great spot. Close to the mountain, beautiful site.
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N
Nakia
November 2025
Tent
Private and right on River. No host hassling anyone. The river is great and beautiful. Large campsites, small campground non-state or DNR OR CORP OF ENGINNER. Late d back.
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V
Vicki
November 2025
26 ft travel trailer
With pets
Ryan was an excellent host! He was flexible with our arrival, kind and helpful during the entire stay. It is unusual to find electric and sewer hookups. It was quiet and peaceful, just what we were needing.
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R
Robert
November 2025
Tent
With kids
Me & my son spent 2 days tent camping here. It sits right along the creek & very well kept. Harley is a good guy & friendly host.
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D
Drew
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Monarch Hill Vineyard
A beautiful glamping setup that walks the line between luxurious and peaceful. Kind folks running the place, friendly dogs running around, and beautiful open skies. What more could you ask for?
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Courtney
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Such a great spot for a getaway! The campground was peaceful, well-kept, and had everything we could’ve needed for a perfect tent camping weekend. The lake views were absolutely stunning—especially with all the fall colors reflecting on the water. The bathhouse felt luxurious for camping! We loved every minute of our stay and can’t wait to come back next time to stay in one of the cabins!
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Courtney
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
We absolutely loved our stay here! The campground was beautiful—tucked right by a gorgeous lake surrounded by stunning fall colors. It felt like an adult summer camp in the best way possible! Everything we needed was right on site, from fire pits to picnic areas. The bath and shower house was impressively clean, warm, and one of the nicest we’ve seen at a campground. You can tell the owners put a lot of care into maintaining the place. We had such a peaceful, cozy stay and can’t wait to come back again next season!
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J
Justin
November 2025
With kids
The farm and staff are absolutely fantastic! We had an issue with charges, which they resolved with some investment of time on their part. They all I’ve and beyond in service. Helping us find our site in the dark, making sure we had enough supplies and even throwing a pair of jeans in the dryer for our teenager 😁
Truly kind people!
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M
Matthew
November 2025
16 ft car
The site was very quiet and we were the only campers in the area. It was secluded and a great spot for a getaway. The firewood on-site was a big plus for us. We were also grateful for the extremely clean porta potty on site. Hosts were not on site that we could tell, but it was not needed anyway for our stay.
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C
Chelsea
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Arcadia Valley Outdoors Land
We camped in the safari tent and had a cozy lovely time. Although it was in a loop with other campsites it felt plenty private, set back from the road and separated from the other sites by plenty of trees. Didn't end up trying the tub, but it looked nice. The wood stove kept us warm throughout the night, and the solar power bank and water pump were a nice touch.
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Zoe
November 2025
Tent
Always a great time at hawks bluff! This land is truly a blessing and I am grateful Elizabeth shares it with us ! Much comfortability in knowing I’m safe and if I need anything I can always ask :) also, awesome rocks!!
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A
Alberta
November 2025
18 ft campervan
With pets
Easy access, great hospitality! The peaceful abundance in a natural environment makes it a refreshing spot to take a break.
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A
Andros
November 2025
Tent
The owners are amazing, the property is very cool, and close enough to town to get supplies. Breathtaking views and a welcoming community at this location!
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B
Brian
November 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With kids
Great place! Tons of stuff to do. Owners are very sweet and hospitable. I plan to go back and would recommend everyone to stay. Camping or RV. I pulled a 35’er and had zero issues.
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G
Garrett
November 2025
15 ft pop-up camper
it is probably a great site to camp on.
i never got the chance, i called left message that i had broken down along the way and needed to cancel. i think i tried to email them as well, but my cell service was intermittent from where i was at. i requested a refund as i couldn’t make the stay. left my info, and number/site.
never heard back from them. so i ended up wasting $175 (three nights-weekend). i still haven’t heard much from them.
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N
Nathan
November 2025
25 ft Class C
Secluded location. Several options are available for sites depending on services. Rock hunting is fantastic.
See moreThe best camping in Pickle Springs Natural Area, MO guide
Overview
About
Embark on an adventure through Pickle Springs Natural Area, a landscape brimming with geological marvels. Traverse scenic trails that reveal waterfalls, box canyons, and a diverse array of flora and fauna. Hikers can revel in the springtime blossoms of rose azalea and uncover glacial relicts, while bird watchers might catch a glimpse of the rare four-toed salamander or the vibrant pickerel frog.
When to go
The best time to visit Pickle Springs Natural Area is during spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer brings lush greenery, but also higher temperatures and more visitors. Winter offers a quiet, stark landscape, though some trails may be less accessible.
Know before you go
- Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the season, as conditions can change rapidly.
- Be aware of park hours, open from 4am to 10pm, to plan your visit within this timeframe.
- Remember, pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times.
- While exploring, stay on designated trails to protect the natural habitat and your own safety.
- There are no trash facilities, so be prepared to pack out what you bring in.
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