Campgrounds and RV parks near Kelso, MO

Kelso is a small village in Scott County in southeast Missouri, positioned between Interstate 55 and the Mississippi River bluffs just south of Cape Girardeau. The area gives RV travelers quick access to river-country recreation, Civil War era history, and the Cherokee Trail of Tears heritage corridor, without the traffic of larger metro hubs. Most RV-friendly campgrounds sit within a short drive along the I-55 and US-61 corridor. Cape Camping and RV Park and Hinton RV Park serve travelers who want full hookups and easy highway access, while The Landing Point RV Park caters to riverfront-oriented stays. For a state-park experience, Mississippi River - Trail of Tears State Park sits along the river in Cape Girardeau County and includes the Mississippi River Campground. Across the river in southern Illinois, Trail Of Tears State Forest adds a second public-lands option for travelers willing to cross the bridge at Cape Girardeau. Combined, the private parks and public campgrounds cover a wide range of hookup levels, rig sizes, and trip styles.

For state-park sites, reservations run through the Missouri State Parks system. Trail of Tears State Park offers basic, electric and sewer/electric/water campsites and a special-use camping area, and campers can reserve a Missouri State Parks campsite up to 12 months in advance, expanded from the previous six-month window. Reservations may also be made by calling toll free 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766). Group travelers should note that the special-use camping area is by reservation only for group camping, organized youth groups such as Scouts, 4-H, and church groups have priority, the area offers a large space to set up multiple tents and includes vault toilets, picnic tables and a fire pit, but does not have water or showers. Private parks such as Cape Camping and RV Park, The Landing Point RV Park, and Hinton RV Park take direct bookings by phone or through their own websites. Weekends in summer and fall book earliest.