Section 4 sits along a quiet finger of Lake of the Ozarks, offering 53 sites (numbered 98-120, 128-133, and 159-182) under mature hardwoods with electric hookups and access to hot showers. Lakeside sites provide direct water views and paddling access, while non-lakeside spots back to forest with glimpses of the lake through the trees. Roads are narrow and asphalt. Large trailers take careful maneuvering.
Section 4 contains numbered campsites (sites 98–120, 128–133 and 159–182) along a lake finger with both lakeside and inland sites. Park-wide overnight options also include outpost cabins and yurts (park-level).
Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the sweet spot: daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-70s, cool mornings in the 40s-50s, and ridgelines painted amber and crimson from late September through October. Fishing and boating stay strong into early October, and trails are perfect for hiking without the summer heat. July and August bring prime swimming conditions but expect very hot days. Locals head to Public Beach 1 for relief. The season runs April 1 through October 31. Weekends draw crowds even in fall, especially leaf-peepers, but weekdays thin out considerably.
Natural Features and SceneryClassic Ozarks hardwood forest frames the campground, with oaks and hickories filtering sunlight onto sites that slope gently toward the lake. White-tailed deer wander through camp daily, often close enough to watch from your picnic table. Lakeside sites offer unobstructed views across the water to forested ridgelines; even interior sites like 140 catch sunset colors reflecting off the lake surface. The wooded backdrop creates a buffer from wind, keeping evenings calm for campfires. Lightning bugs emerge at dusk in summer.
Geological RegionLake of the Ozarks / Ozarks
Scenic ViewsMany Section 4 sites offer lake views and sunsets; lakeside sites provide the most direct waterfront scenery and public beach access is nearby.