Riversedge Campground

The scent of river-wet stones mingles with campfire smoke as you enter Riversedge Campground, where the Black River carves through a wooded valley in southeastern Missouri. This 100-site property offers direct river access, with over half the sites featuring electric/water hookups along a half-mile beachfront.

Mature hardwoods provide dense shade for primitive tent sites and RV spots, while upgraded bathroom facilities with hot showers serve the central camping area. The campground serves as a basecamp for floating the Black River's clear waters, with put-ins and take-outs managed on-site. Equestrian campers will find dedicated horse stalls and 30+ miles of riding trails crossing the river into adjacent public lands.

The Lesterville location places visitors within 20 miles of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, where volcanic rock formations create natural water slides and swimming holes. Elephant Rocks State Park's granite boulder fields lie 25 minutes west. What the campground lacks in modern luxury it offsets with unmediated riverfront access—many sites sit directly on the gravel bar where the water's edge becomes your backyard. Recent grading improvements have enhanced shoreline accessibility.

Expect a mixed experience: well-maintained central facilities contrast with some aging infrastructure, while the new ownership appears actively improving trails and amenities. This remains a destination for those prioritizing river recreation over refined comforts.