Riversedge Campground

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For our fellow Missourians who seek adventure on the water and a genuine connection with our state's beautiful rivers, Riversedge Campground in Lesterville, MO, presents itself as a notable option. Nestled along the scenic Black River, this campground is particularly renowned for its float trip opportunities, offering a quick current that’s appealing to kayakers and tubers looking for "less paddling." While it promises thrilling river experiences and boasts a beautiful view, it's important for local users to have a full understanding of what to expect, as customer experiences can vary. Let's delve into the details of Riversedge Campground to help you decide if it's the right fit for your next Missouri outdoor adventure.

Riversedge Campground is conveniently located at 2100 Peola Rd, Lesterville, MO 63654, USA. This address places it directly on the banks of the Black River in a picturesque part of Southeastern Missouri, within reach of the stunning Ozark Mountains. While the location offers beautiful river views and immediate access for float trips, one reviewer noted that "the road to where you get in is ... well an adventure. 🤣 Fast and curvy!" This suggests that while accessible, the final approach might be on less-maintained or challenging roads, which is important for visitors, especially those towing trailers, to be aware of. Despite this, its proximity to the Black River is its undeniable draw, making it a prime spot for those prioritizing water-based activities. For Missouri residents, it's a destination that promises immersive river experiences, provided you're prepared for the journey there.

Riversedge Campground offers a mix of services, particularly catering to float trippers and campers. Based on customer reviews and other public data, here's what you can generally expect:

• Campsites (Electric & Water Hookups Available): The campground features over 100 campsites, with more than half equipped with electric and water hookups. Many of these sites are described as being right on their "1/2 mile of beach front" along the Black River, or within a short walk. Some sites are large enough to accommodate multiple families or tents.
• Float Trip Rentals: Riversedge offers canoe, kayak, raft, and tube rentals for float trips on the Black River. They provide transportation upstream, bussing you so you can enjoy a leisurely float back to the campground. The typical float is 6 miles long, lasting 4 to 5 hours depending on river conditions.
• Portage Services: For those bringing their own floating equipment (rafts, canoes, kayaks, tubes), portage services are available to bus you upstream. Prior arrangements are required for this.
• Modern Bathroom Facilities: The campground is advertised to have modern bathroom facilities with flush toilets and hot showers. However, customer reviews have sometimes cited cleanliness issues, with one stating the bathhouse was "not cleaned once while we camped here."
• General Store: An on-site general store is mentioned, which typically stocks essential supplies, snacks, drinks, and potentially ice and firewood. Customer reviews, however, note inconsistent staffing at the store during certain hours.
• Pet-Friendly: Riversedge Campground is pet-friendly. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash and attended to at all times, and should not cause disruptions to other campers.
• No Docking Restrictions: A positive highlight for floaters is the welcoming atmosphere regarding docking. As one reviewer mentioned, "there wasn't purple everywhere saying you couldn't dock there! It was very welcoming." This suggests a relaxed approach to river access for guests.
• Road Maintenance (or lack thereof): Recent flooding has impacted some campground roads, leading to areas with deep sand and pebbles. While the campground attempts to fill these washed-out parts, there have been instances of vehicles getting stuck due to a lack of warning signs.

Riversedge Campground, while offering significant recreational advantages, also presents certain points that highlight its nature.

• Exceptional River Access and Floating: The primary highlight is its direct access to the Black River and its organized float trip services. The "quick current" is a distinct feature, appealing to those who prefer less strenuous paddling. The lack of restrictive "no docking" signs along the river from the campground's perspective is a major plus for floaters.
• Beautiful Black River Views: The campground offers beautiful views of the Black River, providing a picturesque backdrop for your camping experience.
• Ample Space and Riverfront Sites: With over 100 campsites, many directly on the riverfront or a short walk away, there's a good chance to secure a desirable spot, especially for those seeking proximity to the water.
• Challenges with Cleanliness: A significant highlight, albeit a negative one from a customer perspective, is the reported cleanliness issues with the bathhouse. This is a crucial factor for many campers.
• Inconsistent Staff Presence: The complaint about no one being in the store or on the campground for extended periods ("between 11 and 4 o'clock") suggests potential challenges with immediate assistance or check-ins.
• Site Use as Tubing Drop-off: For some sites, particularly a "bus drop off for tubers from another campground," this can lead to noise and a lack of relaxation, impacting the camping experience for those seeking peace and quiet.
• Road Conditions: The "adventure" of the curvy, fast road to the entrance, combined with potential "sandpits" on campground roads due to flooding, highlights a need for caution and awareness for drivers. The lack of warning signs for these conditions is a notable issue.
• Overbooking and Staff Helpfulness Concerns: Issues like alleged overbooking and staff being "not helpful at all" in resolving site disputes, such as asking a group to give up paid sites, are significant concerns that highlight potential operational challenges.

For direct inquiries and planning your trip to Riversedge Campground, you can use the following contact information:

Address: 2100 Peola Rd, Lesterville, MO 63654, USA

Phone: (573) 307-1140

Mobile Phone: +1 573-307-1140

It is highly recommended to call ahead to inquire about site availability, current river conditions, road conditions within the campground, and any specific concerns you might have based on recent reviews. Confirming bathhouse cleanliness or staff presence protocols might also be prudent, especially if these are high priorities for your camping experience.

For us Missouri locals, Riversedge Campground offers direct access to the beautiful Black River and a unique float trip experience with its appealingly quick current. If your primary goal is to spend a day on the river, enjoying a less strenuous float trip with convenient shuttle services, this campground is certainly positioned to deliver on that front. Its proximity to the Black River and its welcoming stance on river access are strong advantages for kayakers and tubers. However, prospective campers, especially those prioritizing quiet relaxation, clean facilities, consistent on-site staff presence, and well-maintained internal roads, should manage their expectations and consider the noted challenges. While the Black River itself provides a stunning backdrop, the overall camping experience at Riversedge Campground, based on recent feedback, appears to be a mixed bag. It's a choice best suited for locals who are adaptable, prioritize float trips above all else, and are prepared for potential operational inconsistencies, viewing the "adventure" of the roads and other quirks as part of the authentic, rugged experience.

Riversedge Campground

2100 Peola Rd, Lesterville, MO 63654, USA