Discover the best campgrounds near Salem, Missouri with climbing

United States
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Missouri
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Salem

97% (544 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Salem

Under $50

3 top campgrounds near Salem with climbing

98%

(703)

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!

Mountains, feilds, and wooded areas

18 sites · RVs, Tents163 acres · Sullivan, MO

We have owned the property since the early eighties. We have been a working farm for the last 6 years. We have hosted rrail rides and atv rides for several years and are planning on adding Historically correct Old log cabins as well as a wedding venue in the near furture.Learn more about this land:We are locted between two state parks Mermac and Washington state park. There is ATV and off road trails 2 miles down the road. We have trails throught thw property where you can hike, ride horses or take ATVs. There is lots of wildlife as well as farm animals. We have a waterfalls and streams you can walk in or just sit by and enjoy.

1855 Campground

7 sites · Tents45 acres · Black, MO

LATEST NEWS: The 2024 camping season has come to a close. A big thanks for all those campers, 1st and 2nd time campers, who made this a banner year. So good to see all of you. Though are campground is close but this site and my office remain open for all your bookings and questions. The campground opens the 2025 season March 1st. And will run through Sept 30. Hope everyone enjoys the fall and upcoming holiday season. See ya here next year. TIRED OF NOISEY OVER CROWDED CAMP GROUNDS, we’ll give us a try! 1855 Campground is a 45 acres of private property, my natural preserve, dedicated to fostering the natural Ozark experience. We border the Mark Twain National Forest!! Come enjoy the outdoors at its bests! This nature space offers seven large campsites generously spaced to provide privacy and the ability to become one with nature. JUST OPEN. A hiking trail that takes you around the property. It’s a one mile, clearly mark trail that requires a level 4, strenuous, skill. It’s free to all campers. A reminder we are 15 minutes from the Ozark Trail head located on highway A. Make 1855 Campground you base camp! I offer a wide range of campsite and locations.Site 1, boarders Little Brushy Creek and you can park there. Site 2, Nancy’s Landing, it’s a smaller site close to the creek and you can park close by. Site 3, Bills Hill, located high up in the woods. Site 4 n 5, large flat grassy area in a meadow, Walnut Grove. Site 6, Hidden Hollow, and site 7, Roberts Mountain another campsite high up in the woods. Campsites 3,4,5,6, and 7 are remote wooded campsites. No vehicles are allowed to those sites so free shuttle is available upon request. When booking those sites please arrive before 8pm on the day of arrival. FYI for campsites 1 and 2 you may park at those sites so long as you don’t block the road. This land borders the Mark Twain National Forest, so hiking is abundant and encouraged and being far away from the city this area is ideal for star gazing and planet photography. There is on-site fresh spring water flowing all year round. Enjoy fishing, swimming, or just hanging out at the pond or in the babbling brook that runs alongside the prosperity. There is also an off grid home where I live an I am willing to share my experience with you. Just opened campsite 7! Yes a new wilderness campsite located on top of the highest hill on the prosperity. It’s borders the National Forest a like all other sites it’s very private. Only a fire pit is available. It’s a must see and experience. Those of you who like site 3, the other wilderness site, will like this. This will be a popular site! 1855 Campground is in close proximity to: Floating activities along the Black River Johnson Shuts State Park Bell Mountain Hiking Trails Elephant Rocks Counsel Bluffs Lake Tip Top Park Taum Sauk State Park Historic town of Caledonia Clearwater Lake Shepard Mountain bike trial The details: Campsites are large enough for multiple tents All sites have fire pits and the first bundle of wood provided is included All have BBQ grills and tables (except site 3 and 7). Bring charcoal Outhouses and outside shower is available Parking space provided, once check in assistance to campsite is provided For your peace an quite no vehicles, guns or loud music allowed back in campground 1855 Campground lives by “Leave no trace Principles” take out what you bring in. 2023 season runs to Oct 2nd Additional firewood and charcoal can be purchased at office. Campsite fees: Weekend rate ( Friday and Saturday nights) $30/ per night per site ( 4 campers per site) children under 5 stay free. Weekday special ( Sunday- Thursday night): 40% off! $20/ per night per site. Note: some campsite can hold more than 4 people, message Bill for more details. Get away from the vibrations of city life and enjoy existence within the arms. Special note to interested campers: The office /house is open 9 to 9 daily through the season. It’s worth noting that the office/ house is “ off grid” that is it is not connected to the National electrical grid for its power. It’s been off grid for over 25 yrs. Bill, the manager, of the campground has been living full time off grid for over 8 yrs and would be willing to field question on the subject during normal business hours.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Salem with climbing guide

Overview

Time seems to have stood still in some of the nooks and crannies of the Salem region. A Model A Ford sits beside an “old-timey” gas station, colorful vintage quilts await new owners in antique stores, and landscapes older than civilization beckon. This small town is a scenic home base for exploring the forests and waterways of the Missouri Ozarks. Campers will find tent, RV, and glamping options in Salem and nearby towns like St. James, Rolla, and Lesterville. Patches of the Mark Twain National Forest are also nearby, offering camping within an hour’s drive of Salem.

Where to go

Montauk State Park

Located 30 minutes south of Salem, Montauk State Park is a scenic day trip or camping location. The waters of Pigeon Creek join with the bubbling Montauk Spring, creating the Current River, one of Missouri’s most popular spots for summertime float trips. In addition to paddling, the region is also popular for fishing, thanks to the trout which thrive in the chilly waters created by the park’s seven springs. Hiking and biking trails take visitors through scenic landscapes. Campers will find electric and basic RV and tent campsites, with some offering water views.

Echo Bluff State Park

One of Missouri’s newest state parks, Echo Bluff became an instant favorite, thanks to the abundance of beauty and recreation. Sinking Creek flows through the park, and rising bluffs create majestic views. The campground was built with modern amenities, such as free wifi and full hookups. Those wanting to rough it in a scenic locale can book the walk-in tent sites, which offer elevated, level platforms.

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park

Approximately an hour east of Salem, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is not only a favorite among Missourians, it has received national attention for the unique scenery and well-equipped campgrounds. The East Fork Black River runs through a geologic wonder known as “shut-ins,” created when hard rocks do not erode in the rushing waters. The combination of rocks and waters create a unique playground in the river, with pools and water chutes. The campground offers basic, electric, and full hookup tent and RV sites, as well as special equestrian campsites.

When to go

While summer is humid and hot, it’s a popular time to play in the Missouri waterways near Salem. Spring is cooler, but the water temperatures are too chilly for swimming. While visitors can’t make a splash in fall, the changing of the leaves becomes the star of the show, as the nearby forests and hills erupt in color.