Big Brutus RV Park & Museum
This rustic RV park, located 15 miles from Pittsburg, sits on the grounds of the Big Brutus Museum site. The campground has open spaces for RV and primitive tent camping. There are 10 sites with water and electrical hookups, a dump station and pavilion for group gatherings. The property has several picnic tables and grills tucked under shade trees. The museum features a visitor center with exhibits and the retired, 16-story Big Brutus mining shovel, the second largest in the world.
Big Brutus RV Park & Museum
6509 NW 60th St.
West Mineral, KS 66782
(620) 827-6177
bigbrutus.org
Crawford State Park
Less than 25 miles from Pittsburg, this state park sits on a 150-acre man-made lake, popular for fishing and boating. The 500-acre park has six established campgrounds with 29 primitive sites, 30 electric-only sites, 20 sites with water and 30-amp electrical service, and 25 sites with water and 50-amp electrical service. Campers have views of the lake and easy access to park activities such as swimming, fishing, water-skiing and boating. There's a marina and boat launch in the park, a restaurant, playgrounds, a bathhouse with hot showers and a network of hiking trails. Cabin rentals also are available.
Crawford State Park
1 Lake Road
Farlington, KS 66734
(620) 362-3671
kdwp.state.ks.us
Joplin KOA
This bustling RV campground is located less than 30 miles from Pittsburg and welcomes large and small RVs. The property has pull-through sites that can accommodate RVs up to 90 feet. Sites have full hookups with 30- or 50-amp electrical service, cable TV and free Wi-Fi. There are smaller tent sites and cabin rentals available. Both shady and open sites are available. The property has a kitchen for campers to use, guest laundry, outdoor swimming pool, catch-and-release fishing pond and an outdoor theater where movies are shown on Saturday evenings during the summer. Nature trails crisscross the campground, and there are bicycle and pedal go-carts for rent at the camp store. Special events, themed weekends and planned activities are offered during the summer.
Joplin KOA
4359 Hwy. 43
Joplin, MO 64804
(417) 623-2246
koa.com
Article Written By Pamela Wright
Pamela Wright is a freelance writer, author of more than two dozen guidebooks, and hundreds of articles. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including "National Geographic Traveler," "Family Circle," "Family Fun," "Backpacker," "Hemispheres," "Cooking Light," "Yankee" and more. An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, she holds a Bachelor's from Michigan State University
