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Camping Reservation System

To help ensure that our state park campground facilities are available to all individuals, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources accepts campsite reservations in 37 of Missouri's state park campgrounds. Currently, 34 parks have a portion of their campsites designated as first-come, first-served sites. Click the Campground List link to the right to see which parks take reservations.

How to make a Reservation

Online:

Click here. 
24 hours a day

By phone:

877-ICampMo (877-422-6766) 
7 a.m. - 10 p.m. CT seven days a week

Six-Month Reservation Window

  • Make your reservation six months to two days in advance of arrival (Example: Make your reservation Jan. 3 for July 3 arrival and no later than July 1 for July 3 arrival). Reservations cannot be accepted later than two days in advance of arrival.
  • Altering the arrival date for camping stays of trout park opening (March 1) at Roaring River, Montauk and Bennett Spring state parks, and Memorial Day weekend, July 3 and 4, and Labor Day weekend at all state parks will result in forfeiture of two camping days if the reservation was originally made on the first day of the six-month reservation window.
  • On the six-month window opening, the new campsite inventory becomes available at 7 a.m. CT for both the reservation center and website.

What do I need to make my reservation?

Please have the following information in hand before you make your reservation:

  • the name of the park or historic site where you want to camp
  • the dates you want to reserve
  • occupant's name, address and telephone number for each site reserved
  • the type of campsite needed (basic, electric, electric/water, sewer/electric/water) and the site number, if known
  • the type and size of camping unit you will be using (See Campsite Capacity link.)
  • the number of persons in your camping party, including children (See Campsite Capacity link.)
  • MasterCard, Visa or Discover credit card, debit card backed by one of these credit cards, gift card, coupon or certificate
  • qualifying information if eligible for a discount (senior citizen or disability).

Remember that reservations can be made up to six months in advance or as close as two days prior to your arrival. Reservations cannot be accepted later than two days in advance of your arrival.

A reservation guarantees a campsite.  Availability to activities outside the campground may vary. 

Payment Information

  • Electronic payment methods will be accepted as late as midnight Wednesday for a Friday evening arrival (approximately two days).
  • If making your reservation via the website, payment of the camping fee and reservation fee must be made by gift card, credit card (MasterCard, Visa or Discover) or a debit card backed by one of these credit cards. Website reservations may be made as late as two days prior to arrival.
  • If making your reservation by phone, payment of the camping fee along with the reservation fee can be made with a credit card (MasterCard, Visa or Discover), debit card backed by one of these credit cards, money order or a gift card, camping coupon or camping gift certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources.  If paying by money order, camping coupon or gift certificate, the reservation must be made at least 21 days prior to your arrival date. Payment must be postmarked within four days of making the reservation. If payment is not received within 10 days from the date the reservation is made, your reservation may be cancelled.
  • The reservation fee applies to each site reserved, whether for one day or 15 days, and is non-refundable. A double campsite is considered two sites, incurs two reservation fees and must be reserved together.
  • Confirmation is made when all fees are paid.

Camping Arrivals and Departures

  • Campers must arrive within the first 24 hours of their camping stay (3 p.m. to 3 p.m. the next day) or the site will be available for resale.
  • Early departures after arrival may result in forfeiture of camping fees and a transaction fee.
  • On day of departure, campers must exit their campsite by 2 p.m.

Cancellations and Changes

  • A $5.25 fee will be charged to change or cancel a reservation.
  • Cancellations at least two days prior to arrival will result in a refund of all camping fees less the cancellation fee (which is charged per site) and the nonrefundable reservation fee.
  • Cancellations less than two days prior to arrival will result in a forfeiture of up to two camping days plus the cancellation fee (which is charged per site) and the nonrefundable reservation fee.
  • For a required two-night minimum stay, a cancellation of only one of the two nights is not permitted.
  • Changes to reservations can only be made by calling the reservation center two or more days prior to your arrival date.
  • Cancellations can be made by calling the reservation center.  Reservations made via the Internet also can be cancelled online.
  • For group tent areas at Meramec State Park, changes are accepted as late as seven days prior to the reservation start date. Cancellations at least seven days prior to arrival will result in a refund of all camping fees less the cancellation fee. Cancellations less than seven days prior to arrival will result in a forfeiture of up to two camping days plus the cancellation fee.

Other Things to Know About Camping

  • A minimum stay of two nights may be required for weekends. Some state parks may have additional minimum requirements. The two-night minimum must be Friday/Saturday. Limitations exist for Saturday night arrivals.
  • Due to high demand, a maximum of five campsites can be reserved in one phone call or Web session for weekend and holiday camping stays from May through October. There are no limits on camping stays from Sunday through Thursday year-round, and no limits on the weekends from November through April.EXCEPTION: This does not apply for reservations including the Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, and July 3-5.
  • A reservation guarantees a campsite.  Availability to activities outside the campground may vary.
  • Campsites designed for persons with disabilities may be occupied by other campers only with the permission of the campground attendant, and may only be reserved by or for a person with a disability.  Proof of disability is required at check-in.
  • The maximum number of persons on a site is six (including children), unless the unit is indivisible. Also, there are limits to the number of sleeping units you may place on each campsite. Please visit the Campsite Capacity page for details and check with park staff for current camping policies.
  • You may make reservations for an unlimited number of camping trips at one or more parks during one transaction. Each campsite and camping trip are charged a separate reservation fee.
  • If a type of site (basic, electric, electric/water, sewer/electric/water) is not available for the whole duration of your stay, you may choose to split your reservation and move to a second site for the remaining days. A split reservation can only be made by calling the reservation center. Only one $8.50 reservation fee applies to one split reservation made at the reservation center.
  • Many of our parks contain rules and policies that are specific to the individual park and its resources. Please call the individual park to inquire of specific rules and, upon your arrival, check the park's bulletin boards for additional rules.