Family Camping Activities for All Ages: Games, Hiking, and Campfire Fun
Explore family camping activities that bring all ages together, from outdoor games and scenic hikes to memorable campfire fun that creates lasting memories.
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.
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Features / Highlights
Ballard's Campground is celebrated for its restorative atmosphere and thoughtful amenities that enhance both relaxation and recreation.
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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.
Onsite services
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
RV camping
RV electric hookup
RV sewer hookup
RV water hookup
Hiking
Credit cards
Debit cards
Playground
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
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! 💯
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
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!
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.
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!