Best camping near Essex
17 campgrounds · 17 ranked · updated 2026-06-22 · off-season
Explore the best camping near Essex, Missouri — every spot ranked by our conditions-aware Snoflo score: live conditions first, then visitor reviews and logged trips. Click a pin on the map for the score and what's driving it.
Showing the top 15 of 17 campgrounds · best 15 shown on the map
G⛰
#1
General Watkins Conservation Area - MDC
Good
20.2 mi away
· Mild night · low 65°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 79°F
General Watkins Conservation Area in southeast Missouri offers free, first-come, first-served dispersed camping—no reservations or permits required. There are no established…
Why 78: live conditions (good)
78Top-rated
L⛰
#2
Lake Girardeau Conservation Area - MDC
Good
31.6 mi away
· Mild night · low 62°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 76°F
Lake Girardeau Conservation Area is a well-equipped campground located in the state of Missouri. The campground offers various amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for campers…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
S⛰
#3
Sulphur Springs - Lake Wappapello
Good
38.5 mi away
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 81°F
Sulphur Springs - Lake Wappapello camping area, located in the state of Missouri, offers a range of amenities for campers seeking a tranquil outdoor experience. The campground…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
P⛰
#4
Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area
Good
54.3 mi away
· Mild night · low 61°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area is a picturesque camping area located in the state of Wisconsin. Situated in a scenic setting, this campground offers various amenities to ensure a…
Why 82: live conditions (good)
82Elite
G⛰
#5
Greenville - Lake Wappapello
Good
40.7 mi away
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 81°F
Located in the state of Missouri, the Greenville - Lake Wappapello camping area offers a tranquil retreat for campers. This campground provides various amenities to ensure a…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
S⛰
#6
Sam A Baker State Park
Good
48.9 mi away
· Mild night · low 61°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 81°F
Sam A Baker State Park is a popular camping area nestled in the picturesque state of Missouri. This campground offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for…
Why 80: live conditions (good)
80Elite
M⛰
#7
Markham Springs Recreation Area
Good
45.8 mi away
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 81°F
Markham Springs Recreation Area is a picturesque camping area located in the state of Missouri. The campground offers a range of amenities to enhance visitors' camping experience…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
R⛰
#8
River Road - Clearwater Lake
Good
57.5 mi away
· Mild night · low 60°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
River Road - Clearwater Lake camping area in Missouri is a picturesque destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Situated in the state's stunning natural surroundings, this campground…
Why 80: live conditions (good)
80Elite
P⛰
#9
Piedmont - Clearwater Lake
Good
58.0 mi away
· Mild night · low 60°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Piedmont - Clearwater Lake camping area, located in the state of Missouri, offers a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. The campground provides picnic tables…
Why 80: live conditions (good)
80Elite
B⛰
#10
Bluff View - Clearwater Lake
Good
59.9 mi away
· Mild night · low 60°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Bluff View Clearwater Lake Camping Area in Missouri is a serene and picturesque campground that offers stunning views of Clearwater Lake. The campground has 128 campsites, which…
Why 80: live conditions (good)
80Elite
M⛰
#11
Marble Creek Rec Area
Good
59.3 mi away
· Mild night · low 58°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 78°F
Marble Creek Rec Area is a picturesque camping destination located in Missouri. This campground offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable camping experience. With scenic…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
M⛰
#12
Marble Creek Recreation Area
Good
59.4 mi away
· Mild night · low 58°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 78°F
Marble Creek Recreation Area, located in Wisconsin, offers a delightful camping experience surrounded by scenic beauty and a range of amenities. The campground provides various…
Why 79: live conditions (good)
79Top-rated
T⛰
#13
Trail of Tears State Park
Good
45.5 mi away
· Mild night · low 60°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 75°F
The Trail of Tears State Park camping area in Missouri offers scenic views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding bluffs. Nearby points of interest include the historic town…
Why 75: live conditions (good)
75Top-rated
T⛰
#14
Trail of Tears State Forest
Good
51.4 mi away
· Mild night · low 61°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 75°F
Trail of Tears State Forest Camping Area is located in the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. The surrounding views are breathtaking and include forested hills…
Why 75: live conditions (good)
75Top-rated
P⛰
#15
Pine Hills Campground
Good
51.9 mi away
· Mild night · low 60°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 75°F
Pine Hills Campground, located in the state of Mississippi, is a picturesque camping area that offers various amenities and a serene natural environment for campers to enjoy. The…
Why 75: live conditions (good)
75Top-rated
Camping near Essex
The Essex area has 17 campgrounds on Snoflo, ranked by live conditions, visitor reviews, and logged trips — so the best, closest options rise to the top.
How we rank the best camping near Essex
How are these campgrounds ranked?
Each gets a daily Snoflo score blending live conditions, visitor review ratings, and logged trips. The order reflects what's best right now and re-ranks every day.
How often does it update?
Daily, as new conditions, reviews, and trips arrive — so "best right now" means right now.
What do the numbers on the map mean?
Each pin shows that spot's current Snoflo score; tap it for the breakdown and a link to the full report.