The best camping near Long Branch State Park

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

Hit the beach at this lakefront park in north-central Missouri.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Long Branch State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Long Branch State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Long Branch State Park

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Herb Farm Glamping Couples Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Huntsville, MO

My name is Connie and I own and operate a medicinal herb farm. My husband and I added bell tents for a glamping experience three years ago, to share the beauty and serenity of this place with others. Guests will have access to approximately five acres of hammock and seating areas, volleyball net, outdoor theater with a 150 inch screen, firepit, and trails. Nice private outhouse and shower stall are a short walk from the tent area. Hot water on demand. Towels and robes provided for the hot tub. Guests can choose one movie per stay to be shown on the night of their choice at sundown. Light towels and mosquito repellants are provided at the tent. See photos of all areas for details.

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Ubuntu Treehouse

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Rutledge, MO

This was built by a single mom who wanted to build a 100% green house with zero formaldehyde, toxins or chemicals. A house that would be among the trees high up in the air and could give you a birds eye of the land at the edge of this beautiful community. It is not complete yet but it's a truly serene place that is magical in every way.Learn more about this land:PLEASE READ THE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION BEFORE BOOKING!!! Welcome to the peaceful Ubuntu treehouse, located at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, an intentional community of about 50 people focusing on environmentally friendly living. The glamping style off grid treehouse (NO wifi / NO electricity / NO reception) is set at the very edge of a vineyard and an organic farm within the community with sunset views that will not be rivaled. Ubuntu is the perfect place to have a getaway to recharge, have a meditation retreat or quiet reading time. Enjoy a swim in the pond, hike the multiple walking paths or bird watch in the surrounding 280 acres of pure nature.Built 100% green with no chemicals of any kind, it's covered in windows on all sides for extreme light and is immersed deep in nature. Take a break from electricity, wifi and cell reception and instead listen to sounds of birds and owls and watch bats, fireflies and stars from the deck.The Ubuntu treehouse is 500sq feet of open space furnished with a Cali King organic bed, an additional floor couch and an air mattress if needed. Although there is no running water, there will be water containers provided for cooking or hand washing. There is a kitchen with a small stove and ice box as well as any dishware, cookware and basic spices you might need as well as a huge selection of teas and snacks. Also you will have games, books, dart board and a hammock to enjoy. Outside you will find an enormous deck to sun bathe, do yoga or just lounge around and watch birds. The closest neighbors next to the house run the organic farm that have chickens, cows, goats, turkeys, pigs and ducks which you might hear during your stay. Ubuntu is about 12 feet off the ground and it has no railings on the stairs or around the deck so those who are scared of heights might not fare well. It feels HIGH when you get up there. The building is all wood and the inside space is loosely divided by some fabric tapestries into one bedroom area and lounge. The house is not complete and there is no insulation or wood stove so for now it's good for warmer months or those who feel they are polar bears :) The exterior landscaping is far from finished and the area around Ubuntu is a mix of wild overgrown weeds and the Ubuntu Treehouse is also rough around the edges but the magic of the place is there, if only you are ready for it.Guest accessUbuntu is about a five minute walk back from the public parking area here at Dancing Rabbit (I will have a cart available to get your luggage there!), as you cannot drive the car all the way to the house. UBUNTU AMENITIES: NO Electric. NO Internet. NO Running water. Bedding: I'll have clean bedding on the bed upon your arrival. Lights: solar lights and headlamps provided Kitchen: Basic stove, ice box, cooking utensils, dishes. Sink: Portable hand/dish was station (bucket underneath must be emptied!) Drinking water: A Berkey system will be available Bathroom: There is a composting toilet in the treehouseDANCING RABBIT ECOVILLAGE: Ubuntu Treehouse is located at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, an intentional community of about 50 adults. We're ecologically oriented, so there's a lot of alternative sights to see and experience while here. Many houses use timber framing, strawbale, cob, or otherwise green construction techniques. Folks who live here focus on conservation and a mindfulness of the natural world around us, and we encourage guests to do the same, as you're inclined.A stay in the Ubuntu treehouse can include a short 30 min walking tour of Dancing Rabbit upon your arrival (please arrange this ahead of time), alternatively we can just check you in and you can explore on your own. (Remember to stay off private property, and keep to the gravel paths within the village). By staying here, you'll get an interesting window into a radical and dynamic environmental experiment.OTHER THINGS NEARBY:ZIMMERMAN'S GROCERY/DINER: Three miles from the village is the amazing Zimmerman's Grocery store and diner. This is a comprehensive Mennonite run operation. They package most of the dry goods themselves. Lots of tinctures, salves, and herbal treatments. The place is open from 8-5 Mon thru Sat and serves classic diner comfort food.RUTLEDGE MEAT MARKET: If you like meat or cheese, you're in the right spot. This small town country butcher shop is very friendly, affordable, and offers top quality simple food.TRAILS: The village is located on a 280 acre land trust that includes a few miles of trails through prairie and woodland.SWIMMING: Just on the edge of the village is a nice swimming pond. (1 min walk from the treehouse). Adult and child swimmers are often naked (no need for alarm). On the sandy "beach" is a small floating dock, a few wooden chairs, and a drying platform under an osage tree. This swimming hole is quite popular during the warm season.Checking in after dark can be difficult for all parties, and is not recommended.Other things to noteYou will lose reception BEFORE you arrive here, so make sure you are prepared with directions. Most do not get service anywhere in the village.

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Escape to North River Glamping

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2200 acres · Shelbyville, MO

Settle into The Grove at North River Ranch, a lovely glampground on our 2200 acre working regenerative ranch. Look out on the pond, under the shade of oak, maple and honey locusts. Hike a trail through forested paths, around beautiful wide pastures. Look for protected birds on our Audubon Certified property, and observe deer, fox, beavers and other wildlife in their natural, balanced environment. Enjoy quiet, restful sleep in furnished platform tents with quality linens and handcrafted quilts under beautiful, unobstructed starry skies.

The best camping near Long Branch State Park guide

Overview

About

The sandy beach of Long Branch State Park offers a taste of the coast in north-central Missouri. Sure, you won’t find ocean waves or deep seas, but the pristine waters are welcoming and scenic, providing a focal point for outdoor recreation. Opportunities for fishing, boating, paddling, and swimming abound. If you haven’t brought your own watercraft, stop by the marina to find rentals. While the lake is a commanding feature, the grasslands shouldn’t be overlooked, as this is the last remaining patch of savanna and prairie lands in northern Missouri. Experience the ever-changing landscapes along one of three hiking trails.

Notable campgrounds

Best for tent camping: Nearly 10 walk-in campsites at Long Branch Campground are among the prettiest in the park, located on the lakeshore amid a scattering of trees.
Best for big rigs: A generous number of 50-amp electric sites are available at Long Branch Campground.
Best for camping with friends and family: The family sites at Long Branch Campground offer paired campsites with a shared yard and individual amenities.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Advanced reservations are recommended for summer visits, especially on weekends and holidays.
Reservations are accepted 12 months in advance online and by phone.
Campsites may be reserved year round, but water access is limited in the off season (November 1 through March 31).
Walk-up reservations are available.
A two-night stay is required on weekends, either Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday.
Several boat-in campsites are available—contact the park for more information.

When to go

The prairie landscape pops with wildflowers in spring, and the grasses green. If it’s lake fun you seek, summer is the prime time, as the waters warm for swimming and other watersports. Be prepared for camping with high temperatures and humidity in July and August. Through September, the weather becomes more moderate, and the lake becomes more serene without the summer crowds. If camping in winter, you may have the park practically to yourself, but come prepared for freezing temperatures and snowfalls.

Know before you go

The well-stocked marina store offers treats, fishing supplies, gasoline, camping supplies, and beach toys.
The marina is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Water spigots are not available at individual campsites.
From November through March 31, water is available at a single frost-free spigot.
This is one of the few Missouri State Parks offering opportunities for metal detecting.