How much does camping cost at Viola?

Camping fees at Viola range from $16-$28/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Viola first-come first-served or reservation?

Viola accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Viola before I book?

Yes! Viola has 10 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Viola?

Viola is open May 01 to September 15. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Viola?

Yes, Viola has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Viola have?

Viola has 56 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Viola?

Yes, pets are allowed at Viola. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Viola?

Viola offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Viola?

Popular activities at Viola include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Viola

Q: Can I have a campfire at Viola?

Fire policies at Viola: Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.16

176 reviews

27501 BIG ROCK ROAD, SHELL KNOB, MO, 65747-9682, USA

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

968 ft

Price

$16 - $28/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

56 campsites

Season

Open May 1st to Sept...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Corp of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

968 ft

Price

$16 - $28/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

56 campsites

Season

Open May 1st to Sept...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Corp of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Viola

$16.00 - $28.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD ELECTRIC-78945: $25.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $23.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC-78906: $28.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $16.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC:...

Standard Site Fee$16.00

Hookup Site Fee$25.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

417-858-3904

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Viola

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Campground Map

27501 BIG ROCK ROAD, SHELL KNOB, MO, 65747-9682, USA

Viola

27501 BIG ROCK ROAD, SHELL KNOB, MO, 65747-9682, USA

Nearby places

Branson, Missouri (36 miles away)

Weather at Viola

Current alerts(14)

ALL personal equipment (boats, trailers, personal supplies etc. ) must be stored at reserved campsites. No equipment shall be stored in boat ramp/day-use parking for overnight storage.
All discounted passes (Golden Age, Senior Lifetime, Senior Annual, Access) must be physically present apon arival. Fraudulant use of a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport (Printouts, photos ect.) is prohibited and will not be discounted.
All pets must be penned, caged or on a 6 foot leash at all times, No Exceptions!!!
Camping at one or more campsites at any one water resource project for a period longer than 14 days during any 30 consecutive day period is prohibited without the written permission of the District Commander.

Best Time to Camp at Viola

Best season: fall. Early fall offers the best balance of comfortable weather and high-quality lake recreation — expect daytime highs in the 65–80°F range and crisp nights in the 50s–60s. Boating and bass/crappie fishing stay excellent into early September, hiking and wildlife viewing are at their most pleasant with lower humidity, and the first hints of oak/hickory color begin to appear. Note the campground’s short fall window (open through September 14), so plan and book early to catch this ideal stretch when mid Peak months: September, June, July, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season (May–Sept); boating, fishing and swimming are at their best in summer.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to September 15. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 1st to September 14th.

About Viola

Viola sits on the shores of Table Rock Lake near Shell Knob, operated by the Corps of Engineers as a seasonal campground with electric and water hookups. The mid-sized facility offers tent and RV sites with access to a marina, designated swim area, and miles of shoreline for bass and crappie fishing. Camp hosts maintain the grounds and assist visitors exploring the lake by boat or hiking the surrounding oak and hickory woodlands.

Viola Campground offers options for standard electric, standard non-electric, and tent-only campsites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Early fall offers the best balance of comfortable weather and high-quality lake recreation — expect daytime highs in the 65–80°F range and crisp nights in the 50s–60s. Boating and bass/crappie fishing stay excellent into early September, hiking and wildlife viewing are at their most pleasant with lower humidity, and the first hints of oak/hickory color begin to appear. Note the campground’s short fall window (open through September 14), so plan and book early to catch this ideal stretch when mid Peak months: September, June, July, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation968 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryOak and hickory forests shade the campground at 968 feet elevation, opening onto Table Rock Lake's shoreline. The Ozark landscape here is limestone and dolomite carved into gentle valleys. Deer appear in the mornings. The lake stretches 779 miles of shoreline with coves and bluffs. Campers have access to a designated swimming area and proximity to the marina.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is available within the campground; however, the campground provides reservable campsites and nearby access to the Kings River Marina.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not mentioned as part of the campground's offerings. Nearby attractions, such as the Dewey Short Visitors Center, provide educational exhibits.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground. You may stay up to 14 nights total within rolling 30 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One tent and one RV or two tents are allowed per campsite.

Groups

Information about group camping options is not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly detailed in the source material.

Site SizeStandard-sized campsites with options for tent-only, non-electric, and electric sites.

PrivacyThe privacy of campsites varies. Some reviews highlight well-separated sites providing a natural setting, while others mention close proximity to neighbors.

Total Campsites56 campsites

Recommended SitesSite #52 is ideal for lake access and views. Site #53 offers shade during hot days. Site #18 has views but outdated restrooms nearby.

Best CampsitesSite 52 gets mentioned for its lakefront view. Reviews recommend elevated sites to avoid flooding during spring rains.

Need help booking Viola?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Viola Campground offers 56 reservable campsites with a variety of amenities designed to create a comfortable camping experience. These include hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, electric hookups, a boat ramp, flush toilets, and a playground. Additional conveniences like picnic tables, fire pits, and lantern posts enhance the camping environment. There is also a marina within the Viola Recreation Area, offering fuel, equipment rentals, and boat storage. User reviews frequently mention the cleanliness and upkeep of the facilities, although some users noted challenges with narrow roads and tight campsite layouts.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Viola Campground offers a wide range of recreational opportunities on both land and water. Activities include swimming, hiking, fishing, boating, biking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and water sports. The nearby Kings River Marina adds additional options such as boat rentals and fishing license purchases.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are present but not well-documented in terms of location or pickup schedules. Some reviews mentioned issues with trash being left in common areas.

Cell CoverageCell phone service quality is not explicitly mentioned in the source materials.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

176 reviews

Satisfactory

Viola is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for Viola Campground are mixed, with many visitors praising the natural beauty, friendly camp hosts, and clean facilities, while others note issues such as flooding, narrow roads, and maintenance challenges.

Review Summaries

Based on 176 reviews

What Campers Love

Frequent praise for clean facilities, friendly and helpful camp hosts, and the natural beauty of the campground. Users also appreciated the proximity to the marina and designated swimming area.

Based on 176 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include frequent flooding, narrow and difficult-to-navigate roads, and maintenance issues such as uncleaned trash and outdated facilities.

Based on 176 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites like #52 are highly sought after for their proximity to the lake, but several spots are noted as difficult to access due to steep slopes or sharp turns.

Based on 176 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend choosing elevated campsites to avoid flooding and being prepared for narrow roads. Some suggest visiting during the dry season for the best experience.

Based on 176 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and early summer are often impacted by flooding, which can limit recreational activities. Late summer and early fall are recommended for their drier weather and better accessibility.

Based on 176 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "The campground was wonderful. It was quiet and clean, it had a beautiful view of the water, an easy walk away to the swimming beach and just across from the boat docks." 2. "We love Viola. It is...

Based on 176 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility feedback is not explicitly mentioned in reviews.

Based on 176 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet-related reviews are not prominent, although pets are allowed in the campground.

Based on 176 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want affordable lakefront camping with hookups and don't mind seasonal hours or narrow interior roads.

Skip if

You're bringing a large RV and need wide roads with ample site parking, or you require spotless restrooms during busy weekends.

Nearby Campgrounds

Campbell Point sits on Table Rock Lake near Shell Knob, Missouri, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This large lakefront campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with electric and water hookups, plus a full-service marina for boaters and anglers. Spacious sites provide access to hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing along the shoreline, with a camp store and dump station on-site.