Our family has been making an annual pilgrimage here each summer to float the Meremac for over 20…read moreyears. We've seen wonderful changes with the current owners. This is a family campground, clean, well maintained and beautifully situated on the river. However, it is on a river and with that comes rocks, mud, potential flooding, wildlife, insects, and some hardy partiers. There will be spiders in your cabin, the carpet is not clean, the furniture is old, lines are not plush, and pillows are flat. But toilets flush, water from the spigot will run clear after a few minutes and the mud usually dries up pretty quickly. This campground has quiet hours and isn't crazy full of drunks, like others in the area. But it is a take out spot for paddlers, so you will be entertained by floaters at the end of their day of drinking. Typically a nice rocky beach exists and you can hang at the river. Now if it's been raining a lot the beach may be gone. This is rare. Indian Springs is an ideal place to stay to float. At your appointed time you and all your coolers get to go on a crazy ride on an old school bus where you'll be given your raft, canoe or kayak for the day. Then you simply paddle down a cool, clear, fairly shallow river until you return to your campground for a hot shower. Even hot meals are served on the weekends (breakfast and suppers).
Let's talk about the term "resort." It is used very loosely in this part of MO. The five stars is not for fancy luxury. It's for practicality. In your cabin, You can expect electricity, clean linens, dorm sized fridge, running water, air conditioning, beds and a few chairs and a table on a sort of screened porch. Fire circles, trash cans and some playground equipment are available outside. Pack the kids' bikes, a pet if you're willing to pay the pet fee/fine and your own beer. While ice is available, no cold beer is sold at the store. Horseshoe pits and shoes are available for free.
Our family finds this campground awesome for our needs. We have a large group (60-70 people of all ages--this year we ranged from 4 to 80 years old. We rent cabins all close to each other, some choose the extra tiny motel rooms, while some families camp (not recommended for tent camping as too prone to flooding/standing water). We make large group meals--imagine packing crockpots, roasters, fish fryers, etc.
There is a small swimming pool--but I believe the owners have had it with replacing the liner so it is going to be turned into a lillypad pond. We will miss it. But we've already put down our deposit for next year!
