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campground

Ballard's Campground, Store & RV Park

13965 Ballard Lp, Carthage, MO 64836, USA

Introduce

Ballard's Campground, Store & RV Park: The Southwest Missouri Haven for Travelers and Long-Term Guests

Welcome to Ballard’s Campground, Store & RV Park, a true gem nestled in the peaceful, wooded areas of Carthage, Missouri, serving as an ideal stopover and extended-stay destination for the greater Joplin area. This meticulously maintained campground stands out in the region, offering a perfect blend of natural tranquility and convenient, modern amenities. Visitors consistently rave about the friendly, passionate management and the clearly visible efforts that have gone into restoring and enhancing the park, creating an atmosphere that feels less like a temporary parking spot and more like a welcoming community.

Whether you are hauling a large fifth wheel on a cross-country journey, traveling to major regional events like the GBATS truck show, or looking for a relaxing long-term base in Southwest Missouri, Ballard's is equipped for your needs. The park provides spacious, level sites, state-of-the-art facilities, and thoughtful recreational features that encourage you to stay longer and truly unwind. Far enough from the interstate to enjoy peace and quiet, yet close enough for easy access to local dining, shopping, and regional attractions, Ballard's is committed to ensuring every guest has a comfortable, stress-free, and memorable stay.

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Location and Accessibility

Ballard’s Campground, Store & RV Park boasts a prime location in Carthage, Missouri, offering the dual benefit of being tucked away in a quiet, shaded setting while remaining exceptionally convenient for travelers.

The park is situated just minutes off Interstate 44 (I-44), providing "easy on, easy off" access that is highly valued by RV travelers and truckers. This makes it an ideal stop for those passing through the area or visiting nearby cities like Joplin.

Official Address:

13965 Ballard Lp, Carthage, MO 64836, USA

Despite the proximity to the major interstate, the campground is set back enough to minimize traffic noise, ensuring a peaceful experience. Its central location also provides easy access to local amenities, restaurants, and essential shopping in both Carthage and Joplin, striking the perfect balance between seclusion and convenience.

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Services Offered

The management at Ballard’s is dedicated to comfort and convenience, providing a wide array of services designed to make your stay feel like home.

  • Full Hookup RV Sites: The park offers both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical hookups, along with water and sewer connections at all RV sites.
  • Big-Rig Friendly Access: The campground is specifically designed to accommodate large vehicles, featuring plenty of spacious, level, and long pull-through sites as well as private back-in spots.
  • Cottage and Cabin Rentals: In addition to RV and tent sites, the park offers charming rental options, including a Cabin with a pond view and private hot tub, and the Bountiful Cabin, accommodating friends and family traveling without an RV.
  • Modern Restroom and Shower Facilities: Guests consistently highlight the cleanliness of the facilities, noting the spotlessly maintained bathhouses and showers available 24 hours a day with code access for security.
  • Laundry Area: A clean, convenient, and easy-to-use laundry room is available 24 hours a day for guest use.
  • Camp Store: An on-site store is stocked with essentials, including propane, firewood, cold beverages, and other must-haves for a stress-free camping experience.
  • Free Wi-Fi: Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access is available throughout the park for all guests.
  • Extended Stay Options: Ballard's welcomes both overnight and long-term guests, with flexible daily, weekly, and monthly rates available for those looking to settle in for an extended period.

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Features / Highlights

Ballard's Campground is celebrated for its restorative atmosphere and thoughtful amenities that enhance both relaxation and recreation.

  • Stocked Catch-and-Release Fishing Pond: A beautiful on-site pond is stocked with fish, allowing guests to drop a line and relax without needing a Missouri fishing license. It's a peaceful spot for a morning stroll or an afternoon of casual angling.
  • Enhanced RV Sites: Many sites come equipped with concrete or crushed stone level pads, picnic tables, patios, grills, and private firepits, transforming a standard parking spot into a comfortable outdoor living area.
  • Pet-Friendly Facilities: The park welcomes pets and features a dedicated, fenced dog park where four-legged companions can safely roam and play, complete with a dog-washing station.
  • Sports and Recreation: Recreational amenities include a multi-use sports court for Basketball and Pickleball, a dedicated disc golf course, and an area for volleyball.
  • Playground and Family Fun: A fun-filled playground is available for children, along with seasonal features like inflatable water play and sno-cones during warm weather, making it an excellent choice for families.
  • Exceptional Customer Service: The management is frequently praised in reviews for going above and beyond—providing immediate assistance, offering a shuttle service for local events, and demonstrating genuine care and passion for ensuring guest satisfaction.
  • Scenic and Wooded Setting: The park is aesthetically pleasing, featuring soft solar lighting for safe night walks and is surrounded by trees, offering shade and a tranquil, natural environment.

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Contact Information

Ready to book your relaxing stay in Southwest Missouri? Contact Ballard’s Campground, Store & RV Park directly for reservations and inquiries.

Address: 13965 Ballard Lp, Carthage, MO 64836, USA

Phone: (417) 359-0359

Mobile Phone: +1 417-359-0359

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What is Worth Choosing Ballard's Campground, Store & RV Park

Choosing Ballard's Campground, Store & RV Park is choosing a level of service and quality often missing in transient RV stops. For Missouri locals and travelers passing through, what is truly worth choosing here is the unmatched combination of meticulous care and personalized hospitality. Reviews repeatedly emphasize that the park’s management is not just running a business; they are actively investing in the guest experience, making significant renovations, and providing assistance that goes above and beyond—from running errands for guests to ensuring their safety during severe weather.

Furthermore, the physical infrastructure is superb. The park is a certified Big-Rig Friendly destination, ensuring hassle-free navigation and setup for the largest RVs. Unlike many basic campgrounds, Ballard's provides resort-style amenities like private patios, grills, a stocked fishing pond (no license required!), and a modern sports court. The convenience of full hookups, spotlessly clean facilities, and a fully-stocked on-site store means you can unpack and immediately begin enjoying your downtime. Ballard's Campground isn't just a place to park; it's a beautifully curated, tranquil haven in Southwest Missouri where the exceptional management ensures you'll feel so welcome, you'll be planning your return visit long before you leave.

Gallery

Service options

Onsite services

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Wheelchair accessible restroom

Offerings

RV camping

RV electric hookup

RV sewer hookup

RV water hookup

Activities

Hiking

Payments

Credit cards

Debit cards

Children

Playground

Parking

On-site parking

Pets

Dogs allowed

Tasso Voutiritsas Sep 21
★★★★★5

We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Ballard’s Campground! The park has clearly been beautifully restored and you can feel the care that went into every detail. The management is outstanding—friendly, professional, and always quick to communicate, which made our stay stress-free. The facilities are clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed for comfort and convenience. The location is perfect, offering both peace and accessibility. What started as a short visit quickly turned into a longer stay because we felt so welcome and at home here. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a relaxing, well-run campground. Great job to the management team for bringing this park back to life—you’ve created something special here! 💯

marie mills Oct 27
★★★★★5

We travel to MO from ND every 2yrs for the GBATS truck show. In the past we stayed at a different campground & while it was nice, we were there really only to sleep. That other campground was full this year & they referred me to Ballards & I’m so glad they did! This campground was more than a place to park our 5th wheel…it was an amazing experience! From the beautiful views, large drive thru site with a patio/ grill/firepit, peaceful walks to the doggie park, or a stroll to the pond to watch the fish….you will definitely fall in love with Ballards. We experienced a bit of car trouble one morning & needed a couple new batteries for our pickup. The RV park manager came to the rescue & drove to nearest NAPA for us; wanting absolutely nothing in return for his time & trouble. You could tell that managing the park was not just a job for him, he was very passionate about sharing his love for the campground & making sure our visit was his top priority. Whatever takes you to MO…you will want to stay at Ballards & you may find yourself not wanting to leave the campground:) Thanks so much for the hospitality & see you again in 2027 🛣️ Marie & family of 2nd Chance & Broken Road Trucking LLC

Breanna Collins Sep 07
★★★★★5

Beautiful grounds that are well maintained and full of friendly people. The shower house and restroom facilities were very clean and well kept. We will definitely be staying again!

Annette Wells May 13
★★★★★5

We stayed one night as we were passing through on our way from NM To IN. Ballard Park was very nice. Site are not huge but are easy to pull into. Electric worked great. We did not hook up water. Shower house was very nice and clean! Did not use laundry or dog washing station. Owner was very nice. Park is very well maintained, clean and quiet. Park is dog friendly. We have traveled full time in our 37’ fifth wheel for almost 2 years and we rate this park as a new favorite. Thank you for a great night’s stay.

Shirley Hall Jun 26
★★★★★5

We were traveling thru, had an issue with some flat tires on our camper. We couldn’t go to the destination that we planned for the night! The very nice staff got us in here! It was clean. We may not have stayed long but we did think it was great for us! It will be in our list of places to go!