Prairie State Park Campground

4.77

35 reviews

128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO 64769, United States

Peace & QuietStargazing

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Missouri#2 Fall Camping Missouri Hiking Camping Missouri +1 more

Quick Facts

896 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

On-season: April 1–O...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Opens Missouri State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

896 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

On-season: April 1–O...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Opens Missouri State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Prairie State Park Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nightly rates vary by campsite type and season; on-season and off-season rates apply. Reduced rates available for seniors, people with disabilities,...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Missouri State Parks

Provider

417-843-6711

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What Campers Say

4.77

Top-Rated

Based on 35 reviews

33 Google reviews

Most mentioned

scenerypeacefulstaff

"Visitors consistently praise the park for its expansive tallgrass prairie, abundant wildflowers, big‑sky views and the chance to see the free‑roaming bison herd. The campground is described as small, quiet and uncrowded."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO 64769, United States

Prairie State Park Campground

128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO 64769, United States

Nearby places

Lamar, MO (approximately 16 miles east)

Nearby supplies

Lamar, MO (approx. 16 miles) for groceries and services

Best Time to Camp at Prairie State Park Campground

The campground operates April 1 through October 31, with spring and fall delivering the most comfortable prairie experience. Late spring showcases peak wildflower displays, while autumn's cooler temperatures and golden light make for ideal hiking and photography conditions without the summer heat. Summer days get hot and humid with relentless sun—the open prairie offers virtually no shade, so water and sun protection are essential. That same openness means you'll experience Missouri weather in full force, from cooling breezes to dramatic thunderstorms that roll across the horizon. The winter closure makes sense: this exposed landscape turns harsh when cold winds whip across the unprotected grassland.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Below Average

Seasonal wildflower displays and open-sky summer conditions are highlights.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Below Average

Uncrowded fall scenery and solitude likely good; no specific foliage notes.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Below Average

Spring wildflower displays and active wildlife make it a strong season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Below Average

Few winter activity mentions; prairie likely cold and quiet with limited services.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: On-season: April 1–October 31. Off-season: November 1–March 31.

About Prairie State Park Campground

Prairie State Park protects nearly 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie—one of Missouri's rarest ecosystems—where grasses sway like ocean waves and a wild bison herd roams free. Visit the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center to understand this vanishing landscape, then step outside to experience the "sea of grass" that once covered millions of acres across the heartland.

A very small, mostly primitive campground located at the edge of expansive tallgrass prairie; sites are limited in number and offer few modern hookups or services.

Historical SignificancePrairie State Park safeguards one of the last remnants of Missouri's original tallgrass prairie, a landscape that once covered a large portion of the state. The Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center and park interpretive programs provide education about prairie ecology, bison management and regional prairie heritage.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground operates April 1 through October 31, with spring and fall delivering the most comfortable prairie experience. Late spring showcases peak wildflower displays, while autumn's cooler temperatures and golden light make for ideal hiking and photography conditions without the summer heat. Summer days get hot and humid with relentless sun—the open prairie offers virtually no shade, so water and sun protection are essential. That same openness means you'll experience Missouri weather in full force, from cooling breezes to dramatic thunderstorms that roll across the horizon. The winter closure makes sense: this exposed landscape turns harsh when cold winds whip across the unprotected grassland.

Natural Features and SceneryHere, the trees step aside and grass takes center stage. Big bluestem and Indian grass stretch toward the sky—sometimes reaching over six feet tall—creating that signature prairie wave across 4,000 protected acres. The park's free-roaming bison herd is the star attraction, offering wildlife encounters unlike anything else in Missouri as these massive animals graze across the rolling grassland. The absence of trees means endless sky and unmatched visibility for photographers and birders seeking prairie specialists like upland sandpipers and dickcissels. Each season rewrites the landscape: spring and summer explode with purple coneflowers and blazing stars, while fall transforms the grasses into a golden tapestry that glows at sunset. This is prairie at its most authentic—exactly as it stretched across the continent before the plow arrived.

Geological RegionTallgrass prairie (Great Plains/tallgrass ecosystem)

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping is limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period at any one park.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Focus on tallgrass prairie experiences: hiking, wildlife viewing (including bison), interpretive programs, picnicking and seasonal special events such as guided bison walks and the Prairie Jubilee.

HikingPark contains multiple prairie trails (roughly seven trails of varying length) offering panoramic prairie views, wildflower displays and opportunities to view bison from trails and overlooks.

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBison are present on the landscape—maintain a safe distance and follow park staff guidance. Other hazards include ticks, sun exposure and heat in summer, possible snakes, and limited shade or facilities in the prairie. Check with park staff or the visitor center for current bison locations and trail conditions before hiking.

Weather at Prairie State Park Campground

Reviews

4.8

35 reviews

Top-Rated

Prairie State Park Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise the park for its expansive tallgrass prairie, abundant wildflowers, big‑sky views and the chance to see the free‑roaming bison herd. The campground is described as small, quiet and uncrowded.

Review Summaries

Based on 35 reviews

What Campers Love

Panoramic prairie scenery and wildflower displays, interpretive programs and guided bison walks, peaceful and secluded campground atmosphere, knowledgeable staff and nature center exhibits.

Based on 35 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book early (campground is very small), bring plenty of water, sun protection and insect repellent, wear long pants and sturdy shoes for prairie trails, check with the nature center or park office for...

Based on 35 reviews

Camper Quotes

Nice little campground; Small but quiet and relaxing; Awesome, secluded, and clean; It's a beautiful prairie where you can hike with bison and elk, at a safe distance of course.

Based on 35 reviews

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