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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Ironton, MO
75 campgrounds and RV Parks near Ironton, MO. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
75 campgrounds
4901 campsites
17 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Ironton, MO
Elephant Rocks State Park
Missouri (5 miles away)
Big Creek RV Park
Missouri (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(65 sites)
+13
Main Loops - Johnsons Shut-ins State Park
Missouri (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+7
Deer Creek Campground
Lesterville, MO (13 miles away)
Deer Creek Campground and River Outfitters
Missouri (14 miles away)
Equestrian - St Joe State Park
Park Hills, MO (15 miles away)
$$$$$
(25 sites)
Twin Rivers Landing
Missouri (15 miles away)
$$$$$
(200 sites)
+5
Riversedge Campground
Missouri (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
Black River Hideaway Campground
Missouri (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(25 sites)
+6
Brushy Creek Lodge & Resort
Viburnum, MO (21 miles away)
Equestrian - Sam A Baker State Park
Missouri (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(21 sites)
Campground 2 - Sam A Baker State Park
Missouri (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(92 sites)
+4
Most common amenities
Toilets Pet friendly Showers Tables Grills Dump station General store Firewood Laundry Playground
Camping near Ironton, Missouri
Ironton sits in Iron County in the St. Francois Mountains of southeast Missouri, roughly a two-hour drive south of St. Louis. The town is a practical base for exploring one of the most concentrated clusters of state parks in the state, including Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Elephant Rocks State Park, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, and Fort Davidson State Historic Site.
RV travelers have several options within a short drive. Big Creek RV Park in the Arcadia Valley offers full-hookup sites near several of these parks. State-park campgrounds add electric and full-hookup loops closer to trailheads and swimming areas, including Main Loops - Johnsons Shut-ins State Park and the Equestrian - St Joe State Park area. Deer Creek Campground is another nearby option.
Elephant Rocks State Park itself has no camping and is day-use only. Johnson's Shut-Ins is the closest overnight state-park option to the west, and campers typically pair a base camp with day trips to the surrounding parks.
Things to do around Ironton
The headline attraction is Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. The term shut-in refers to a place where the river's breadth is limited by hard rock resistant to erosion, and in these shut-ins the East Fork Black River cascades over smooth-worn igneous rock, creating a natural water feature used by visitors when water levels are not dangerously high. Hiking, swimming, and the park visitor center fill an easy day.
At Elephant Rocks State Park, a one-mile circular interpretive Braille Trail winds through the Elephant Rocks Natural Area. Spur trails pass through Fat Man's Squeeze, a narrow gap between boulders leading to an abandoned quarry, and The Maze, a section of scattered boulders. The Equestrian - St Joe State Park area draws horse riders and ATV users, and Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri, sits a short drive south.
Camping spots and RV parks near Ironton, MO
When to visit Ironton
- spring
March - May
66° / 46°F 100 mmWettest season; muddy trails, high river levels
- summer
June - August
88° / 66°F 90 mmPeak bookings; shut-ins swim season
- fall
September - November
66° / 48°F 75 mmDriest and coolest; foliage peaks in October
- winter
December - February
43° / 28°F 65 mmCold and quiet; limited off-season services
Summer is peak season. Weekends at Johnson's Shut-Ins fill quickly because the shut-ins are a popular swimming destination on hot days, and the park recommends reserving well in advance for peak months. Weekday arrivals see less pressure, and shoulder weeks in early June and late August tend to be easier to book.
Spring brings the heaviest rain of the year, with April the wettest month. Trails can be muddy and river levels in the shut-ins can rise fast, closing swimming when currents are unsafe. Fall is often the driest and most comfortable stretch for RV travel, with cool nights, lower humidity, and foliage in the St. Francois Mountains through mid to late October.
Winter is quiet. At Johnson's Shut-Ins, off-season potable water is available at frost-free spigots from November through March, and the Loop 3 restroom and showerhouse and the one by the camper cabins in Loop 2 remain open year-round. Sites are open and reservable year-round, though most services scale back.
How to book a site
Missouri State Parks use a centralized reservation system. Campsites can be reserved up to 12 months in advance, expanded from the previous six-month window, with the daily release at 7 a.m. Central Time. Reservable sites may be available on a walk-up basis if not reserved, but campers should check with park staff or follow directions on the posted card or signs before occupying a site.
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park offers walk-in, basic, electric, sewer/electric/water, and equestrian electric/water campsites, with a special-use camping area near Loop 5. Loop 1 sites can be reserved by equestrian and non-equestrian campers year-round. Private parks such as Big Creek RV Park and Deer Creek Campground take bookings directly through the operator, which is the practical route for large rigs needing full hookups near Ironton.
What to expect on the ground
The terrain around Ironton is rocky Ozark upland with narrow valleys, so approach roads to trailheads and swimming areas can be winding. Cell coverage is spotty inside the state parks. Water in the shut-ins can be cold well into early summer, and water shoes are recommended for the granite riverbed.
Camping at Missouri State Parks is limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period at any one park. No more than two dogs per campsite is recommended, and pets must be supervised and kept on leashes no longer than 10 feet at all times. Loop 5 walk-in sites at Johnson's Shut-Ins are tent-only on wooden platforms and are not suitable for RVs.
On-season services at Johnson's Shut-Ins include a dump station, restroom and shower facilities, laundry, water, a woodlot, and a camp store. Firewood advisories apply; buy locally rather than transporting wood.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Ironton, MO
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Ironton, MO?
Campsite prices near Ironton, MO depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Ironton, MO?
Free camping near Ironton, MO depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Ironton, MO?
Camping near Ironton, MO works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Ironton, MO?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Ironton, MO. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Ironton, MO?
Dump stations near Ironton, MO are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Ironton, MO?
Renting a RV in Ironton, MO works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Ironton, MO?
RV rentals in Ironton, MO peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Ironton, MO?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Ironton, MO?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Ironton, MO at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
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