Campgrounds and RV parks near Goose Creek Lake, MO

Hiking headlines the area. Hawn State Park is known for the Whispering Pines Trail, an almost 10-mile backpacking loop, along with shorter routes through pine woods and sandstone canyons. St. Francois State Park spans 2,735 forested acres north of Bonne Terre, with trails through the Coonville Creek Natural Area that include family-friendly loops and a challenging 11-mile backpacking and horseback trail. Water and wheels round out the trip. The Big River provides opportunities to cool off or paddle a canoe or kayak, with two access points at the picnic areas; motorized boats are not permitted, and there is no marked swimming area, so caution is advised. St. Joe State Park is one of the state's off-road vehicle parks, with trails set aside for ORV use, four spring-fed lakes, swimming beaches, and equestrian, hiking, and bicycling trails. Elephant Rocks State Park and Missouri Mines State Historic Site are about 30 minutes away for day trips.

The region has four distinct seasons. Farmington, the nearest weather-reporting town, has a humid continental climate marked by very large seasonal temperature contrasts; summers are hot and winters are cold with regular snowfall, and precipitation is spread relatively evenly through the year, though spring tends to be wetter and winter is the driest season. Summer is the busiest camping stretch, and Missouri State Parks sites in this corridor fill quickly on weekends and holidays. Shoulder seasons offer the best conditions for hikers. Spring brings wildflowers on the trails, and fall delivers cooler nights and hardwood color. Summer remains popular at St. Francois State Park because Big River is warm enough for wading and floating. Winter camping is possible but stripped down. Water is generally not available in the St. Francois campground during the off-season, roughly November through March. Missouri State Parks reservations are accepted year-round through the centralized system, though showerhouse and water services are seasonal at most parks in the area.

Sites here range from paved and powered to primitive. St. Francois State Park Campground sits along the Big River about 2.5 miles from Bonne Terre; the campground divides into two loops: an electric loop closer to the river that accommodates RVs up to 60 feet, and a basic loop set back toward the woods with more spacious, grassy sites. 110 campsites at St. Francois have nearby modern restrooms, showers, laundry, and a dump station. Flash flooding can occur along the Big River after heavy rain, so campers should have a means to leave and pack shoes that can get wet. Campers planning to carry in firewood must comply with current firewood advisories. Camping at any one Missouri state park or historic site is limited to 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period.