Family RVing in Missouri

8 Lakeside Campgrounds Around Branson & the Ozarks That Keep Kids Smiling and Tanks Full

Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and the sprawling Lake of the Ozarks form a watery triangle of fun in southern Missouri. Roll in with your rig and you’ll discover polished resorts where cannonball-ready pools, live‑show shuttles, and even laser‑tag arenas sit right beside glass‑calm coves.

Why Choose the Ozarks for Your Next RV Road Trip?

The Ozark Plateau delivers exactly what family RVers crave: safe highways, roomy pull‑through sites, and a year‑round menu of “only‑in‑Missouri” recreation. Between Branson’s neon‑bright strip and the quieter coves of Lake of the Ozarks, you’re never more than 20 minutes from a boat ramp, a hiking trail, or a top‑tier barbecue joint. Summer highs hover in the mid-80s°F, shoulder seasons bring crisp hiking weather, and most parks remain open from March to November.

Great Escapes RV Resorts Branson – Table Rock Lake

Just five miles south of Highway 76, Great Escapes has ballooned into a 95‑acre playground with 100 new full‑hook‑up sites, six climate‑controlled Conestoga wagons, and 30 pine‑scented cabins.

The headliner is the Wibit‑brand floating obstacle course on its private pond—think Ninja Warrior meets Missouri swim hole. Coming this season: a zero‑entry resort pool, outdoor movie lawn, and laser‑tag arena.

A quick 10‑minute drive drops you at State Park Marina for tri‑toon and kayak rentals on Table Rock Lake.

Quick Tip
Ask the front desk about the Branson Entertainment Shuttle—$10 per person gets you round‑trip service to Dolly Parton’s Stampede or Silver Dollar City so you can skip post‑show traffic.

Branson KOA Holiday

Table Rock Lake

If “amenities galore” tops your wish list, base yourself at this KOA just off the Strip. Highlights include:

• Free all‑you‑can‑eat pancake breakfast every morning in summer.
• Heated saltwater pool, splash pad, and shaded playground.
• The Branson ticket desk that secures last‑minute seats for the Haygoods or Presleys’ Country Jubilee.

Premium patio sites with brick fire rings handle rigs up to 75 ft. Need wheels? Reserve an on‑site Branson U‑Drive Jeep for the day and cruise the Ozark Mountain Highroad.

Indian Point Campground

Waterfront on Table Rock, Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Prefer bald‑eagle sightings to bumper‑car crowds? Cross the Silver Dollar City traffic and slip down to Indian Point. Many of the 76 electric sites back directly onto the cobalt water, and Indian Point Marina, next door, rents 115-hp Bennington pontoons, as well as SUP boards, by the hour. Every site gets a generous picnic shelter—great for pop‑up thunderstorms—and you’ll pay a wallet‑friendly $25/night.

Jellystone Park™ Branson

Table Rock Lake

Yogi Bear’s Ozark basecamp packs more kid appeal per acre than anywhere in Taney County. You’ll find a retro “Hey, Hey, Hey” train ride, daily foam parties, and a two‑story splash zone with tipping bucket. Parents appreciate:

• Concrete‑level pull‑through sites up to 90 ft. with 50‑amp power.
• On‑site pizza café and ice‑cream bar (yes, they deliver to your site).
• Organized crafts so you can sneak in a lake paddle at Port of Kimberling Marina just down Highway 13.

America’s Best Campground (ABC)

Lake Taneycomo

Situated on Branson’s quieter north side, ABC lives up to its name with spotless bathhouses and speedy Wi‑Fi strong enough for remote workdays. The resort operates a seasonal door‑to‑door shuttle to the Sight & Sound Theatre. Anglers love the five‑minute hop to Scotty’s Trout Dock, where a half‑day jon‑boat rental runs under $100 and rainbow trout practically jump aboard.

Table Rock State Park

Lakefront on Table Rock

For families who want the security of a state‑run campground but the vibe of a national park, Table Rock checks every box:

• Two campgrounds totaling 158 electric sites, many shaded by mature oaks.
• 5.1‑mile Table Rock Lakeshore Trail, stroller‑friendly and lit after dusk.
• Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Course inside the park—kids 10+ can tackle 45‑ft. tree platforms.

Reserve six months out for peak‑summer weekends; same‑day bookings are common mid‑week in spring and fall.

Osage Beach RV Park

Lake of the Ozarks

Two hours north of Branson, this family‑owned park lets you sample the legendary “LOTO” party scene without sacrificing sleep. Expect 80 paved FHU sites, a salt‑water pool, and evening hush enforced after 10 p.m. Walk to Wobbly Boots Roadhouse for burnt ends, then book a Tritoon through Pa He Tsi Marina (10‑minute drive) to explore Ha Ha Tonka’s castle ruins from the water.

Cross Creek RV Park & Campground

Lake of the Ozarks with Water Access

Hidden in a forested hollow 4 mi. from Route 54, Cross Creek feels worlds away. Families rave about:

• Glow‑in‑the‑dark miniature golf built into natural rock ledges.
• A private stocked fishing lake (no license required) plus kayak rentals.
• Weekend pancake breakfasts flipped by owner‑operators Scott & Lisa Tharp.

Sites range from primitive tent pads to 80-foot pull-throughs with satellite-friendly clearings.

What Amenities Should You Look for in a Missouri RV Resort?

How Far in Advance Should You Book RV Sites Near Branson?

Peak summer (Memorial Day–mid‑August): Reserve 6–9 months ahead for waterfront or patio sites.

• Shoulder seasons (April–May & September–October): Four weeks out is usually plenty, especially mid‑week.
• Winter (November–March): Many parks close, but those that remain open (KOA, ABC) rarely fill—same‑day bookings work.

Ready to Hitch Up?

With well‑marked highways, courteous campground hosts, and lakes so clear you’ll spot your anchor at 10 ft., Missouri makes family RVing refreshingly simple.

Bookmark this guide, or email it to yourself like I do, and fire up your trip planner and browse the Lake.com marketplace for last‑minute boat rentals and guided fishing charters.

We’ll see you by the campfire—save us a toasted s’more!