Summer trip to Missouri and Arkansas - advice/recommendation

We are thinking of heading west of the Mississippi for our summer trip this year. I can't think of heading west for the first time without a stop at the arch. I have been doing some research on the area to figure out where to stay and what to do. There are 3 of us including my wife, and 13 year old daughter.

We love cities, but don't like to spend much time visiting them on our RV travels. We would rather fly/drive to them and stay in a hotel as we find it too exhausting to try to visit a city while we are only in an area for a few days. But since we want to see the arch, city bound we are.

I am thinking of staying near St. Charles for a few days. St. Charles sounds like a town/city that we would love. From there we can drive into St. Louis to see the arch, visit City Museum, Magic House, the zoo, and hopefully find a unique restaurant or 2. Hopefully this will give us time to visit St. Charles and the area also.

After St. Charles/St. Louis we are thinking of heading down to Branson for a few days. I found Table Rock State Park that appears to be on a lake, yet close to Branson so we can have the best of both worlds there.

We would like to stay in Arkansas while we are out there, but can't find as much info on that. I have read about Eureka Springs, and Mountain View. We are all musicians, love folk music and small towns so Mountain View sounds great. Is there other things in the area to see and do for a few days?

We are seeking advice and recommendations of anything in the area to research as we work to finalize our trip plans. At this point nothing is set in stone, just looking to get the info to make the best plan for our family. I know that everyone has different goals and desires for a trip so feel free to offer up any suggestions. This forum has lead us to some amazing places over the years, and also saved us from some disappointments had we followed a travel guide.

olpops
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
Mt View Ar
Great opportunity to play music in jams with friendly and talented musicians
see shows at the Folk Center
Good trout fishing in the area
Good places for swimming and picnicking
See Blanchard Springs Caverns
Scenic Ozark Mts to explore

Hope this helps
Enjoy your trip!
ECones
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
Since you are into folk music, I'll second the motion for Mountain View. My wife and I have stayed at Court Square RV Park and it was an easy walk downtown. The Ozark Folk Center is worth a visit as well. You're close to the Blanchard Springs Caverns as well, which is amazing visit.

Eureka Springs is also a good destination. Our favorite park there is Green Tree Lodge and RV Park. It's a small park owned by some very nice folks.
RVcrazy
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
Fort Smith state Park in Ark is really nice! Tour the old fort buildings & bordello. Little Rock Ark for the Clinton Presidential museum. Campground right across pedestrian bridge. Hot Springs Natl Park nearby (not visited).
Dick_B
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
Do a Google search for `_______ tourism' and put the state, town, location or whatever in the blank space and read what the specialists recommend for their area.
shinglers3
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
Dick_B wrote:
Do a Google search for `_______ tourism' and put the state, town, location or whatever in the blank space and read what the specialists recommend for their area.

I appreciate your reply, and I have done that, however (in the most sincerest internet tone) please read the last sentence of my original post "This forum has lead us to some amazing places over the years, and also saved us from some disappointments had we followed a travel guide."

I will also state an example from a previous trip. We made a stop in Nashville and in doing reading here, or a reply to our post we were informed of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. It was not something we were familiar with, and I doubt would come up on a google search of Nashville or Tennessee. It was an hours drive, but certainly was the highlight of that stop.

We will see/do some of the popular stuff, but we love the less popular less touristy stuff to gain a better understanding of the area we visit and the people living there.

I appreciate all the advice, just thought I should clarify upon my original post.
padredw
Nomad
Dec 20, 2016
You are certainly right to be considering Mountain View. Try to plan your visit to include a performance at the Ozark Folk Center (a state park, but no camping.) The Ozark RV Park is adjoining the grounds of the Ozark Folk Center. You can walk a path to the auditorium or to the restaurant there. There will be "music" all over the town especially on week-ends. That is the charm of Mountain View over Branson. These are just people who love to "pick and sing," nothing like the commercialization you find in Branson.

On our last visit to Branson we stayed out at the "Old Highway 86" COE campground: Old 86

You spoke of cities, but not staying too close. I have two suggestions: Lake Catherine State Park which is near Hot Springs, but would also allow visit to Little Rock. AND nearer to Little Rock, the Maumelle COE Park on the river. Lake Catherine (and probably Maumelle) would require reservations well in advance as they are very popular campgrounds.

Altogether away from any city is Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas' first and finest.
Kit_Carson
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
We have stayed at Ozark RV Park and highly recommend it. The owners are really nice folks. There is a pot luck supper one night a week in the club house. Also a lot of picking in club house as well as many campsites. Enjoy your trip!!!!
Bob806
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2016
When you leave St. Louis, head a bit southwest towards Annapolis, Mo. They call it the Arcadia Valley, and it's scenic and fun. Friday nights down that way, they have something called "Pickin' on the Square," just a bunch of locals get together and play their music. Google "Arcadia Valley," might perk your interests.

In that area are some cool state parks. Johnson's Shut Ins, Elephant Rocks, and nearby is the Ozark Scenic Riverways. Canoeing, hiking, sightseeing are plenty down there.

Arkansas has some great parks. You mentioned Eureka Springs, a cool somewhat crowded place. There's a few nice COE CGs near there by the reservoir (Dam Site CG). and some nice private CGs. We stayed at Wanderlust CG last fall, very clean place, and they offer shuttle service into town.
Tal_IL
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
In St. Louis, we have become fans of the Casino Queen RV Park right across the river from the arch. We aren't gamblers and it's really just a glorified parking lot, but it has good facilities and easy access to St. Louis attractions. They will shuttle you to and from the adjacent train station. We find it very convenient to visit St. Louis.

In Branson, I recommend Cooper Creek Resort & Campground It is a very nice campground located on the shore of Lake Taneycomo with all the amenities, including trout fishing dock, boat rentals, etc. You would never know you are only 5 minutes away from all the attractions Branson offers.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2016
For St. Louis the very best place to stay is Edmund Babler State Park. It's a few miles from the main highway going into the city. It's a huge park with nice grassy sites. It's great for bike riding or walking and I believe they still have the pool.

For both Missouri and Arkansas you can't go wrong by staying at the great Corp of Engineer parks.