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.
🙏 **A Timeless Retreat in the Ozark Hills: Welcoming You to Baptist Hill Assembly**
For over a century, **Baptist Hill Assembly** has served as a beloved and historic gathering place in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks. More than just a campground, this facility, nestled near the peaceful community of Mount Vernon, operates as a dedicated Christian camp and retreat center. It offers local Missouri residents a unique setting to unplug, connect with nature, and pursue spiritual growth, all within a welcoming, community-focused environment.
Established in 1918, Baptist Hill carries a rich heritage of providing a suitable and captivating setting for camps, retreats, and family gatherings. While its primary mission is faith-based ministry—discipling believers and training servants for Christ—it also provides a wonderful, naturally beautiful spot for anyone looking for classic, rustic-style camping and lodging in Southwest Missouri. The simple charm, combined with the facility's commitment to creating lasting, positive memories, is what has kept generations of Missourians returning to this "great little camp."
Set among the rich timber and rolling landscapes of the Ozark Hills, Baptist Hill Assembly is a "hidden treasure of simplicity and character," offering recreational amenities and peaceful solitude that are increasingly hard to find. Whether you are coming for a scheduled camp event or utilizing the grounds for a personal or group retreat, you will find a serene and beautiful base for your next outdoor adventure.
📍 **Location and Accessibility from Across Missouri**
Baptist Hill Assembly is conveniently located in Southwest Missouri, making it accessible to residents from Springfield, Joplin, and surrounding Ozarks communities. The campground's physical location is:
9519 State Hwy V, Mt Vernon, MO 65712, USA
The facility is situated approximately **30 miles west of Springfield, MO**, just outside the small community of Mount Vernon. This provides an excellent balance: you feel truly set back in the peaceful timber of the Ozarks, yet you are still within a reasonable drive of larger metropolitan areas for supplies, making it an ideal choice for a retreat that doesn't require a long, arduous journey. Easy access via nearby Interstate 44 (I-44) from both the east and west ensures a straightforward trip for campers coming from across the state.
The setting is deeply rooted in the natural Missouri landscape. A major feature of the location is the Big Spring, whose waters pool into a creek that runs around the entire perimeter of the campground. This flowing water is a unique highlight, providing opportunities for wading, boating, and enjoying the beautiful, lush scenery right on site, a feature that local visitors consistently praise.
🛠️ **Services Offered for Campers and Guests**
Baptist Hill Assembly is designed to accommodate various types of groups, from large camps to individual families, offering a range of facilities and services:
⭐ **Features and Highlights**
What sets Baptist Hill Assembly apart is its combination of spiritual focus, natural beauty, and classic recreational amenities, appealing to those who appreciate a smaller, more intimate camping experience:
📞 **Contact Information and Planning Your Visit**
For reservations, facility bookings, or information regarding scheduled events at Baptist Hill Assembly, please use the following contact details:
The main office manager is typically available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It is always best to call ahead or check the official website for the most current information regarding public access, rates, and camp scheduling before planning your trip.
✅ **What is Worth Choosing Baptist Hill Assembly**
Choosing Baptist Hill Assembly is worthwhile for Missouri residents who are specifically looking for a **purpose-driven, faith-based camping and retreat experience** set in a picturesque natural environment. Unlike commercial RV parks, Baptist Hill offers a sense of history, community, and simplicity that is deeply appreciated by its guests. It’s the ideal choice for church groups, families looking for a wholesome retreat, or individuals who value a setting where **spiritual renewal is a central focus**, all while enjoying the beautiful Ozark outdoors.
The highlights—the beautiful spring-fed creek for wading and canoeing, the historic and simple facilities, and the welcoming atmosphere—create a getaway that leaves you with "great memories." For a small, established, and family-friendly camp that truly embodies the quiet beauty and community spirit of Southwest Missouri, Baptist Hill Assembly is a highly recommended and meaningful destination.
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
RV camping
Hiking
Barbecue grill
Public restroom
Restroom
Tent sites
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Playground
On-site parking
I grew up coming here, so this place always gives me great memories. It is a bit of a campground, so bring your own bedding, soap, and things like that. So glad there are places like this out there! Also, I would HIGHLY recommend wading in the spring and boating down the creek! The scenery is beautiful!
Great little camp! Lots of love everywhere. It was just a little small but that's ok
This is a beautiful place for group gatherings. The cabins are close enough to rotate as classrooms. The cooks they provided each year I've been here were great - everything tasted SOOO good! They need to update to more comfortable mattresses for me to give a 5- star rating.
Attended Man Camp. The camp is very clean. The dorms are clean and not cramped; heated and cooled, you do need your own bedding. Has full bathroom and show facilities. The cafeteria was spacious with sufficient seating; well kept. The chapel was comfortable; the sound quality quite good and the temperature was comfortable.
Great place to teach kids about our Lord Jesus Christ