Reviews of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Campground. (Campground) in St. Louis (Missouri).

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Campground

153 Reviews

110 Comments

Campground

Campground

Middle Brook, MO 63656, United States

Description

Information of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Campground, Campground in St. Louis (Missouri)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

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Reviews of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Campground

C JC

Very clean and well maintained park. Wheel chair and stroller accessible from a paved trail with benches along the way. There is river access for swimmers and photographers from several points along the trail. There is also an option to hike the full trail after the pavement ends.

Phillip Hogan

Awesome park. The shut-ins are astonishingly beautiful and the park has a lot of new signage. Came here during the winter and had the whole park to myself which was great for finding peace and quiet on the trails.

Jonas Dornseifer

The hiking trails are fairly easy (however does include stairs) and we'll maintained. There are tons of interesting rock formations and small waterfalls. A lot of people go swimming or just hangout there.

Zacarias Michilinsky

Visited for the weekend. Excellent park with plenty of parking. Not a bad hike and rather enjoined the clean air. The place is maintained clean.

Tim Walsh

The best state park I’ve ever been to. So much to do here. If you like to swim, this place is heaven.

Kitchen Table Travels

What an incredible place! This is a review for the cabins! A group of three moms and our combined five kids had an incredible four night stay at cabins four and five! While they are the farthest from the bathroom facilities and parking lot access— they are perfectly located for a larger group with five kids! Plenty of room to run, a little further away from other cabins. A nice long sidewalk made razor scootering a fun activity! Cabin 5’s fire pit is in between both cabins. Cabin fours fire pit and grill are on the opposite side, so we used the one in between. Perfect for our situation. I loved out the porch stairs kind of faced eachother so these two cabins truly are the perfect cabins if you need two. The interior is roomier than I expected. The bedroom had enough room to put a queen size air mattress on the floor. The included queen bed is plenty comfortable. We moved the included table around to make moving a little easier. The kitchen has tons of space for storing foodstuffs. The counter is workable and has enough space for a makeshift sink situation. My only complaints— in both cabin 4 and 5 the tables were incredibly sticky. I was glad I brought a table cloth. It’s obviously a sticky varnish issue, and not necessarily filth. So— bring a fabric tablecloth! The futon in cabin 4 has an absolutely terrible thin leather mattress and I’m thankful no one needed to use it for sleeping. Cabin 5 had a much better futon mattress. It was fabric, not leather, or faux leather. The bathroom facilities are clean! Never did we have to wait for a shower room or toilet. There are plenty of toilet and shower houses scattered around. The laundry facilities are nice— four washers, four dryers, $1 for each. The shops have weird hours during shoulder season so be sure you bring all you need or be prepared for a 25 min drive to the nearest shop off site if there after high season. Everyone is eager to return! Such a great place!

Keith Duerk

Beautiful park. Short distance to the Shut-ins but longer trails if you want some exercise.

Janice Fleury

This is the most beautiful State Park I have ever seen. I don't have adequate words to describe how beautiful this place is. It is in the Mark Twain National Forest. I will definitely be going back.

Ben Moore

An amazing place in the Missouri mountains. Beautiful views, great facilities, lots to see and do. Definitely worth the trip.

Jessica Mauerhan

This is a GREAT campgrounds! We stayed in loop 4, and I appreciated the privacy provided by the trees between sites. Our site did not have a ton of room for our tent, but we managed to fit our 8 person tent which is 13 ft x 10 ft - but there was an area with a lot of gravel so we had to kick a lot of the gravel out and still had some rocks under the tent. Driving around loop 4 I saw some sites have more room for tents, might be worth calling ahead to ask for help picking a site if you have a large tent or multiple tents. The picnic table was also the wood kind, and sagging a bit, but very large. That said, the pros of this campsite still earned it a 5 star from me. One of the most important parts of camping at basic tent sites - access to clean bathrooms and showers. There is wifi at the visitor center to check in on your phone, and wifi at the very well stocked camp store - they have tons of supplies you might need - like the tent stakes we had forgotten to pack - WHOOPS - and all the other supplies for camping. A small grocery section, very small pharmacy section, and plenty of cute gifts and toys for kids. Affordable ice and campfire wood. I noticed a review from 2 months ago said limited hours and no credit - that was not the case on our visit. They were open 8 to 8, and accepted credit, and sold firewood. So hopefully that was just a limited time problem. They also have laundry facilities, and rent out bikes. Super friendly staff. If we ever returned to the area, I would camp here again for sure.

Montana Fish

The park is beautiful and so much fun. Swimming is great and so is the view from above. The shop is very cool and they have delicious ice cream too! Parking was close and easy.

David Lobree

This a really nice campground -- but, not so great on a cold night in late March 2022. I realize it was "early season", but it would have been nice for the clean restrooms with flush toilets and showers to have some heat in them! No one was at the entry kiosk, but the was complete instructions and Wi-Fi at it for reserving a site were helpful. To say the least, it was not crowded! Note: there is not cell service here. The paved, pull-thru site as flat and perfect for our camper-van.

Rayna Woolbright

Super cool geological formations of rhyolite that created Shut-ins, or pools within the Black River. Excellent campground facilities. Nice boardwalk trail to Shut-ins overlook. Enjoyable vista loop trail. Very convenient and cozy primitive cabins. Highly recommend a visit to this state park. Great roads for biking. If you go in the off season, be advised that the stores are only open on the weekends.

Rory Keylon

We loved this place. A beautiful setting with cool water moving quickly. There were a lot of small pools to languish in and the walk to the parking lot was short. Coming up to see this the first time was awe inspiring. Be sure to wear good shoes and be prepared for multiple bruises if you climb around. I would love to do this again and have more time. No disposable bottles or containers are allowed and carrying these items through the rocks is troublesome when you're trying to hold on so you don't fall.

Pete Powell

we love this park, enjoying the "Shut Ins" on warmer days and the excellent hiking trails anytime, wide open spaces, roomy campsites, friendly staff & campground hosts... great place to get away from it all.

B Metzger

What a nice campground! It's huge but not too many campsites. Great facilities bathroom and showers. All paved lots that are perfect size. The camp store is very nice.

Scott Lueck

Very nice campground. Sites are all concrete and well maintained. Spaced nicely with lots of shady spots. Store has all you need and free wifi. Nice trail runs through the campground.

Reuben Reyes

Camp grounds were clean and well kept. Plenty of signs and directions. Bathrooms and shower were clean. Nice peaceful area to camp at. The people that run the store are friendly and knowledgeable.

Carol Hough

This is a very nice park in a beautiful part of southern Missouri. Most sites are very well spaced and they have different loops for your type of camping. Hosts are friendly and not intrusive. Wood and ice available in the campground, store in season. Only negative is the bathrooms/showers are awful. Poorly designed and what were they thinking? Otherwise, this is an awesome place and belongs on your bucket list!

Jason Kulma

Great place to visit off season

David Stockton

What a delight! The campground was very empty when we visited in late October. But, it was beautiful with the leaves changing and cooler days. The campgrounds are very well maintained, very spacious, all concrete pads, great access to fresh water whether at site or in public places, multiple shower areas throughout, multiple shelters for picnics. Just gorgeous. Only downside is that there isn't any easy access to grocery stores, etc. so come prepared and you'll have a blast!

Audrey B

Visited late August of 2021, not sure where original review went. Campground was a little confusing at first but it was super clean. No partiers that I heard. I'd definitely rank the bathhouses as the #1 cleanest, and well thought out I've ever seen. They were all individual separate rooms so you actually had privacy instead of those cheap stalls with curtains you typically see at a campsite. The state park is beautiful, though I don't suggest elderly or those with trouble balancing come here. The swimming area is extremely slippery because of the moss, but its absolutely beautiful and a great place to relax once seated safely. The trails are not maintained however, it doesn't take long before you question if the markers are correct. We ended up lost trying to follow said markers and had to trail hop a few times to get to a maintenance trail that lead back to civilization.

Kassandra Dischner

Not my favorite campground. The campsites are really close together. But the bathrooms are immaculate! It was nice to camp here once, but I would probably chose other campsites closer to the water.

Mark Thomas

Must see spot in the fall. One of the most beautiful natural beauty spots in Missouri.

Ryan Holiday

Beautiful campgroud. Activities for kids. The bugs consider bugspray seasoning in that part of missouri but I had a great time

VJ Flow

There are 3 bathrooms and 3 shower rooms for 6 cabins. Easy access to the cabin. Cabin 1(where we stayed) has a beautiful view of the lake. But it also allows pets in... When we got home we had to deal with flees we picked up there at the cabin. We only went to the water and back to the cabin, so we couldn't have picked them anywhere else.

Corey Hillesheim

We loved it here, campground was beautiful and the sites were great. We had travelled cross country in June with the family (5kids) and Johnson Shut-Ins was our last stop before home to Tennessee. On our last night our van decided to break down on us, after initially panicking we went to bed and decided to see what needed to be done in the morning. The next morning I went to the general store and talked to the very nice lady there, she told me to go talk to the camp hosts. I wish I could remember their names but they were wonderful. They got me in touch with Tyler the Park Director ( I believe that was his title) and they themselves went out of their way to help us get the assistance we needed. When they went off duty they connected us with the other camp host who were also as helpful as they were, once again I wish I had their names. Everyone we met was great and helped us with moving our camper, making calls and making sure we weren't left high and dry. We were able to book a site for my dad who was coming up in his RV with the part we needed to get the van running again and spent some extra time exploring the area. I cannot stress enough the helpfulness of everyone there, we will be coming back again for a visit just because of the people. (Maybe not in the van this time, LOL) Only problem we had was cell service but that may have just been our provider, the free WIFI at the store was a life saver.

Carla Werk

Our family had a great stay! We stayed at E110 with our tent. It was very nice. It was the last spot on the Equestrian loop so we were not really by any other campers. Wonderful opportunity to view the night sky with all the stars! Our family enjoyed the “All about owls” talk at the amphitheater. My youngest daughter has been going around saying and hooting, “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all!” Saturday night, after we got in our tent for bed, she and I heard a barred owl hooting. We knew it was the barred owl from its sound! So cool!!! So glad we went to the owl talk, highly recommended the 7pm talks at the amphitheater.

Amanda Boyers

We have stayed in the cabins and camped in a tent here. The cabins are great and very affordable. If you have more than 2 children and staying in a cabin, bring an inflatable mattress. It's nearby Elephant Boulder Park and Taum Sauk Mountain (the highest point in Missouri) and, of course, the shut-ins. I enjoy dragging my children along for 2 mile hikes and bribing them with ice cream. We plan to go back often. If you want to eat out someplace near I recommend the Thee Abbey Kitchen, which is a 25 minute drive (19 miles) away. The antique school building is incredible, although pieced together after many decades of remodels and changes. In the same building there is an ice cream shop with little toys that will captivate your children. (Remember the ice cream for your next hike. There is also ice cream at the camp store.) Quite honestly, to my Kansas City tastes, I found all the other restaurants in the area strange and disappointing. Like just plain bacon and refrigerated tomatoes on a slice of white bread? Really? Just go to Thee Abbey Kitchen every time you don't want to camp-cook and save yourself the trouble.

Loralee King

Beautiful place to see the fall colors, easy paths to walk on

Sharon Kay

Beautiful State Parks, and fantastic rustic camping spots. The family that was there this past summer, running the store was awesome!! Will be going again this year.

Konstantin Alekseev

Relatively big, but not densily packed or overpopulated campground in a valley aling the creek. Campsites stay apart from each other. Has several loops from electric/water/sewer sites to walk-in sites. Superclean and well-kept, store and firewood are within campground. Connected with Goggins mountain trail and paved trail connects it to shut-ins

Conor McCartney

Lovely place to take a swim on a hot day. Very pretty

lacrossed55

The campground was great. New, full concrete pads. Individual bathrooms and showers. Having full hookups in a "non parking lot style" campground is very nice

Briana Standing

Amazing place to visit for the day! Absolutely beautiful one of my favorite vacationing spots but when it's time to camp out for the night campsites are limited and some are very small make sure you know what you're getting before you get out there!

Amanda H

There were basic and electric sites available for tent camping. Both loops had a bike path thru the middle of the loop, a picnic pavilion and bathrooms. There were individual shower rooms available, as well as a "family" restroom/shower room. On site was a store that sold snacks, camping supplies, tent repair kits, wood, ice and souvenirs. You can either take a 3-4 mile bike ride to the shut-Ins or drive there. We learned, while staying during a tornado watch, in the event of an actual tornado, rangers drive will thru on a cart and alert campers so they can take shelter. The bathrooms and shower rooms were built to second as storm shelters. We enjoyed our stay and plan to return soon!

Devlin McCoy

Great place outside Arcadia valley to camp and rock climb plus swim love the. Slippery rocks warning carful if you live in Missouri spot for you I live in St. Louis just take the fastest way i55 to 67 south to exit leadington to highway 32 to highway n south to highway 21 to highway n south drive for about 20 minutes then take a right on highway mm left into campground best one in Missouri takes about 2 hours if you take i270 to tesson ferry road south to highway n takes an extra 15 minutes

James Braley

Probably the best campground in missouri. The have a very nice bathroom and shower house open year-round in loop 3. The pads are concrete. Just a super nice place!

Reckless357

Great place to take the family. Hiking trails, shallow spots to swim for the young ones. And great swimming hole for the whole family.

Travis King

Very well taken care of clean showers and bathrooms

Amy Jeffrey

Very nice stay in the cabins. We rented 4, 5 and 6 as a larger family group and enjoyed a week of relaxation. The only downside is the trek to the bathrooms but that definitely isn't a deal breaker.

Brian Verdin

This is one of the coolest places to visit and interact with....

feng gao

Very clean and neat campground, stuff is kind, creek near loop3 is very clear. Lived there one night. There is free wifi near Gift store in loop 3. Verizon has no service in the whole park.

Sam Evans

The campgrounds are so nice! They feel very private. The bathrooms are good to, a couple of crickets or spider webs, but nice.

Roy Ogle

Beautiful campground with the sound of the water always in the background. There is spotty service out here.

C B

Great time. Bring kneepads. The rocks are super slippery.

Istvan J. Ladanyi

Nice place to chill and relax... lots of little pools to wallow in.. sort of semi private.. in some spots.. so you can sit for a long period of time undisturbed.. very nice walk way leading to the river.. watching some of the youngsters jumping from the rocks into some of the pools... sort of made me wonder about thinning of the herd... getting rid of the stupid ones.. just accidents waiting to happen.. even though signs are posted about the dangers.. seems reading was not their strong point.. or heeding.. never fails to amuse me..

Lexi Fester

really nice campground and a good place to take your dog! there’s a store beside our loop 5 campground where you can get anything you need! defiantly a must go to!

Timothy Kirby

Great clean campgrounds. With bikes to rent and paths, and clean restrooms with showers also, very close to elephant rock also, such a great family campground

Frank Neidenbach

Great rv campground. Level concrete full hook up sites. Only problem is no cable tv, no wi-fi, poor cell reception but so what? Shutins area across the road is beautiful. Modern visitors center/museum.

Kendra Peltzer

When I first went here I called it the place with little waterfalls. This place is amazing!!

Michelle Menley

Beautiful scenery everywhere...very nice visitor center, clean campgrounds, paved walking trail takes you to the shut-ins. Great for family time.

charles wooten

Loved it. Would give them 5 stars but the wood they sell there takes hours in the fire to dry out and the is crazy high for the amount of wood you get. And they do NOT REFUND ON FIREWOOD.

Thomas W

Cool place to camp. If you ride bicycles the trail is awesome. The paved trail from the campground to the shut ins is a really good ride.

Bob Marie

One of the most beautiful places i have ever visited. I have been here multiple times and i am looking forward to going again soon.

Richard

Beautiful campground! Very nice campsites and lots of good hiking.

angie paluch

Great place to camp, quiet, clean facilities and just down the road from the shut-ins.

Kelly Laymon

Great park. Watch on U Tube for more info.

Mr. More

Campsite was beautiful but the restrooms and shower house was run down and dirty plus lights were burnt out and faucets weren't working. No WiFi or cell service at campground as advertised.

Brian Mcclafferty

Well worth a stay so many options for different levels of camping

G P

Great Place in Missouri to hike. Plenty of parks in the surrounding area as well.

Tim Michael

Beautiful family day and fun in the water every time

Jessica Beckerdite

We go every year and it's always clean, quiet, and fun!

Jesse Clark

Great place for short or long hikes. Easily accessible. Spectacular views

Christopher Modlin

Very good campground with full hookup and nice trails

Crystal Carrillo

Love this place. The whole are is really clean. The workers are super friendly ☺️

Ray Mayginnes

Very clean and well maintained campground with spacious sites.

Isaac Sykes

Beautiful scenery and the cliffs are perfect for jumping. Definitely recommend the 45 footer!

Jonathon Grulke

Very nice park, beautiful scenery amazing blue clear was swimming lagoons by water falls

Brian Covington

. One of Missouri's greatest parks it's just something you have to experience once in your life

Ahmad Mohammed

One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Great for swimming!

LauraHarry Reynolds

The BEST place ever!!! Camping options are fabulous and exploration is abundant!!!!!

football domme

Went during the week to the basic area. Nice hot showers and quiet and private.

Bill Dunaway

Nice park. The special use area is phenomenal.

Chelsea Clever

Beautiful and peaceful while we were there in July

Carolyn Price

Such a nice and quiet place to relax and enjoy life

Dustin Schwartz

Awesome campground! Loved everything about it.

Tim Piedimonte

Not as great as it was before Ameren destroyed it with their dam breach.

savi k

Sometimes they close access to water check before visiting

Erica Weinberg

Decent spaces and facilities, nice camp store

Percy checkitout

Cool place awesome people even the store was great.

Kelly W.

Fun!

Jay “JayBird” H

Beautiful

Steve Holmes

Great sites and trails

Michael Davis

Great camp sites and cabins!

Kristyn

Even in the winter, this place is beautiful.

Kevin McCoy

best campground in missouri

Andrew Reaves

Me and the family had a blast!!!!

KP C

Excellent location for camping and fun

Dan Cowell

They have a electrical problem

Will Reece

Great place to camp!

Tonya Hahn

Beautiful, water was low.

jim tirre

Very nice.

Mike Yates

Greatest park ever

Harold McKinnon

Nice

Susan Johnson

Really nice facility

Ratnaveer Khobragade

Good place for kids

L Mason

Beautiful great place

Lori M

Love love love this place !!!!

Christiene Doyle

OMG must visit

Bob Lynn

Very nice place

Curt Frehse

Grosser Campground mit grossartigen Stellplätzen die ausreichend Platz dazwischen lassen. Jeder Stellplatz hat eine grosszügige Betonplatte mit Feuerstelle. Phantastische Fahrradwege erschliessen die Landschaft. Würde sehr gern länger hier stehen, aber so viel Zeit haben wir leider nicht. (Translation) Large campground with great pitches that leave enough space in between. Each pitch has a spacious concrete slab with a fireplace. Fantastic cycle paths open up the landscape. Would love to stay here longer, but unfortunately we don't have that much time.

Vladimir Yurkuns

Sahar Alfayez

FLINT DEES

Emily Gallagher

Robert Kaiser

Allen Carder

Richard Habiger

Moments With Mercy

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