Campground #5 Bennett Spring State Park

For those of us living in Missouri who cherish the great outdoors, Bennett Spring State Park has long been a beloved destination. Among its various camping areas, Campground #5 offers a unique experience, providing direct access to the park's natural beauty and famed recreational opportunities. While recent feedback from campers highlights ongoing renovation work and some maintenance concerns, it's important to approach this local gem with a balanced perspective. This article aims to give our fellow Missourians a clear, factual overview of Campground #5, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your next adventure. We'll cover everything from its location and the types of services available to its features and what to expect during your visit.

Bennett Spring State Park is a cornerstone of Missouri's outdoor recreation scene, particularly celebrated for its abundant spring-fed waters and world-class trout fishing. The park spans a significant area, encompassing diverse natural landscapes including lush forests, the clear spring branch, and the larger Niangua River. As a Missouri resident, you know the Ozarks offer a truly special escape, and Bennett Spring State Park perfectly embodies that spirit. The park’s commitment to providing access to these natural wonders, combined with its historical significance and ongoing efforts to enhance visitor experience, makes it a valuable asset to our community. Understanding the broader context of the park, including the current hatchery renovations which are a multi-year, $40 million project scheduled for completion in January 2026, is crucial for setting expectations. While construction may impact certain areas or facilities, the core offerings of fishing, hiking, and natural beauty remain.

Campground #5 is officially located at 72 Turkey Ridge Trail, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA. This address places it squarely within the renowned Bennett Spring State Park complex. For Missouri locals, getting to Bennett Spring State Park is generally a straightforward drive. Lebanon, Missouri, serves as the closest major town, providing essential services and additional points of interest. The park is accessible via well-maintained state highways, making it a convenient destination for those traveling from across Missouri, whether from metropolitan areas like Springfield, St. Louis, or Kansas City. The clear signage leading into and throughout the park helps guide visitors directly to their designated campground, including Campground #5. While the specific address for Campground #5 is provided, it's helpful to remember that it's an integral part of the larger state park system, meaning the park's overall accessibility and amenities are generally available to campers in all its sections.

The location of Campground #5 within the park offers its own set of advantages. It provides a relatively secluded feel compared to some of the more central campgrounds, often nestled in wooded areas that offer shade and a sense of natural immersion. This positioning allows for a quieter experience, while still being within reasonable proximity to the park's primary attractions such as the fishing zones, hiking trailheads, and the park store. Navigating to these various points of interest from Campground #5 is typically easy, whether by vehicle, bicycle, or even on foot for closer destinations. This balance of a peaceful camping spot with convenient access to park amenities makes Campground #5 a practical choice for many Missouri families and individuals seeking an outdoor getaway.

Campground #5 at Bennett Spring State Park provides a range of services designed to accommodate various camping styles, though it's important to note recent feedback from campers regarding facility upkeep during ongoing renovations.

• Campsite Variety: Campground #5 offers 51 campsites, including both basic (no hookups) and electric sites. Specifically, 47 of these sites have electric hookups, catering to a mix of tent campers and RVs. There are also designated "Family" campsites available.

• Water Access: Potable water access areas are available throughout the campground via hydrants, ensuring campers have a reliable source for drinking and cooking.

• Shower House and Restrooms: The campground typically features a shower house with hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets. However, as noted in a recent review, these facilities have experienced periods of less-than-ideal maintenance, with reports of mold and mildew during renovation periods. Visitors should be aware that ongoing improvements may affect the current state of these amenities.

• First-Come, First-Served: Campground #5 often operates on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning reservations may not always be available, and campers should plan accordingly, especially during peak seasons.

• Accessible Features: Some facilities within the campground, including restrooms, are noted as having handicapped access, reflecting the park's efforts to be inclusive.

• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Most campsites are equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring, allowing for comfortable outdoor dining and traditional campfire experiences.

Despite the renovation challenges, Campground #5 at Bennett Spring State Park still offers several features and highlights that draw Missourians to its natural setting.

• Natural, Wooded Setting: The campground is set in a naturally beautiful, wooded environment, offering ample shade and a sense of immersion in the Ozarks' natural landscape. This provides a cooler and more private camping experience.

• Access to World-Class Trout Fishing: Being part of Bennett Spring State Park means direct access to one of Missouri's premier trout fishing destinations. Anglers can enjoy the daily stocking of rainbow trout in the spring branch, a major draw for many visitors.

• Extensive Hiking Trails: The park boasts over 12 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty, easily accessible from the campground. These trails offer opportunities to explore diverse ecosystems, observe wildlife, and discover natural features like the famous Natural Tunnel.

• Proximity to Niangua River Floats: The park serves as a convenient starting point for float trips on the scenic Niangua River, providing another popular water-based recreational option for campers.

• Family-Oriented Amenities Nearby: While not directly within Campground #5, the broader Bennett Spring State Park features family-friendly amenities such as a newly built splash pad (designed for ages 5-12) and playground equipment located near other campgrounds (e.g., between campgrounds 1 and 3 near the park office/store), which are still accessible to Campground #5 visitors.

• Part of a Larger, Well-Maintained Park System: Despite specific renovation challenges, the overall Bennett Spring State Park is generally well-maintained and offers a wide range of activities and facilities, ensuring there's plenty to do beyond the immediate campground.

For specific inquiries or to plan your visit to Campground #5, which is part of Bennett Spring State Park, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 72 Turkey Ridge Trail, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding reservations, park conditions (including renovation impacts), and campground availability, it is highly recommended to contact the main Bennett Spring State Park office.

Phone: (417) 532-4338 (Bennett Spring State Park Office)

The Missouri State Parks official website is also an invaluable resource for online reservations, checking current advisories, and exploring detailed maps and information about all the campgrounds and activities within Bennett Spring State Park.

In conclusion, Campground #5 at Bennett Spring State Park remains a viable option for Missouri locals seeking an immersive outdoor experience, provided they set their expectations appropriately regarding the ongoing renovations. While recent feedback about bathroom conditions and maintenance during this period is a point of consideration, it’s important to remember that these are part of a larger, positive long-term investment in the park's infrastructure, particularly the hatchery. For Missourians, the allure of Bennett Spring State Park lies in its unparalleled trout fishing, extensive network of hiking trails, and the overall serene beauty of the Ozarks. Campground #5 offers a peaceful, wooded setting with essential electric hookups and potable water access, making it a functional base for your adventures.

Ultimately, this campground is suitable for locals who prioritize being close to nature and all the recreational opportunities the broader park offers. If you’re willing to overlook potential minor inconveniences during the renovation phase, you’ll find that Campground #5 provides a quiet, natural environment within one of Missouri’s most cherished state parks. It offers an authentic camping experience for families, anglers, and nature enthusiasts alike, a chance to disconnect, enjoy the beauty of our state, and create lasting memories. Your tax dollars are indeed contributing to a significant upgrade of a vital state resource, and while immediate impacts may be felt, the long-term benefits for future generations of Missouri outdoor lovers are substantial.

Campground #5 Bennett Spring State Park

72 Turkey Ridge Trail, Lebanon, MO 65536, USA