Situated on Lake Taneycomo in southwestern Missouri, Cooper Creek Campground has been under the current owner's management since 2019. With the aim to provide a safe and enjoyable experience, the owners have added a significant collection of on-site activities for guests to use during their stay, including a playground, game room, dog park, horseshoe pit, and two swimming pools, to name a few. Along with these activities, Cooper Creek Campground can offer visitors access to lake recreation on Lake Taneycomo, as the property has rentals for boats and boat slips. Trout fishing also frequently draws patrons to Cooper Creek Campground, as two docks protrude from the acreage into the lake for fishermen to utilize. Considering the amount of activities available at the establishment, a number of visitors have deemed Cooper Creek Campground to be a tourist destination in and of itself.
Cooper Creek Campground is located in Missouri's southwestern region in the city limits of Branson. Occupying a lakefront property on Lake Taneycomo, and just a few miles away from everything to do in town, the establishment provides a variety of different accommodation options, which are as follows: 70 full hookup RV sites, 28 nightly rental cabins, and 3 rental campers. The RV sites are equipped with water, sewer, and electrical hookups, additionally offering access to WiFi and cable TV. Most of the sites supply 30-amp electrical service, though some have 50-amp hookups as well. A mix of pull-through and back-in options are available among the total RV sites, and each space has a picnic table and a fire ring. While all of the sites have a gravel layout, many of the spaces are separated by plots of grass. Paved roads meander throughout the acreage, and an abundance of trees comprise the grounds, providing shade in several places on the premises. The manager of Cooper Creek Campground observes that the lakefront sites—of which there are seven—tend to be "the first to get booked" out of all of the RV spots.
Concerning the amenities that are available in the cabins, three specific commonalities between them are a living room with a TV, a front porch with a charcoal barbeque grill, and a fully stocked kitchen. Within each of the cabins' kitchens, pots, pans, a microwave, coffee maker, dishes, silverware, and soap are supplied, among other kitchen utilities. While every cabin shares these same features, they vary when it comes to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that are found in each one, as the campground offers cabins with one bedroom, one bathroom; two bedrooms, one bathroom; two bedrooms, two bathrooms; three bedrooms, two bathrooms; and four bedrooms, four bathrooms. It should be noted that the smaller cabins do not contain a dishwasher. The manager characterizes the arrangement of these accommodations as similar to that of a standard house, describing their designs as "rustic fishing cabins." With regard to the rental campers, the setup of these units is akin to the cabins, as each includes a bedroom, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. Other amenities that are furnished in the cabins, such as dishes, soap, towels, and linen, can be found in the rental campers as well.
In addition to the variety of units that visitors can reserve, Cooper Creek Campground offers conveniences and features for guests to take advantage of over the course of their stay, namely two bathhouses, a laundry facility, and a general store. Some of the merchandise that patrons may find in the on-site store includes ice cream, Dippin' Dots, beer, liquor, snacks, souvenir items, basic RV parts, and bait for fishing. Moreover, the campground has several activities available to everyone, such as a horseshoe pit, basketball court, dog park, playground, covered pavilion, game room, and two outdoor swimming pools. Lake Taneycomo, which neighbors the property, can also provide visitors with opportunities to undertake recreational pursuits. The manager remarks that fishing is a particularly popular pastime in the area, and Cooper Creek Campground has two fishing docks that extend into the lake. According to the establishment's website, "the lake is stocked annually with 750,000 10-inch and 12-inch rainbow and brown trout." Those who plan on fishing during their stay should be aware that a Missouri fishing license is mandatory to fish, but a permit is not required for catch-and-release trout fishing. A fish-cleaning station can be found on each dock, and the campground also has 10 boat rentals available to those who might be interested. Likewise, a total of 12 nightly boat slip rentals are accessible on-site for guests as well. The business has a private kayak launch for patrons to use, though kayak rentals are currently not offered at the campground. As such, the manager notes that multiple local businesses in the vicinity offer kayak rentals.
Apart from the on-site activities and water recreation on Lake Taneycomo, the nearby cities of Hollister and Branson have a fair amount of restaurants, attractions, and live theater shows for visitors to explore. The campground's proximity to the main road—about two miles away—facilitates access to these downtown tourist sites. Guests who take an interest in the dining options around Hollister and Branson are recommended by the manager to visit Billy Gail's for breakfast, Long Horn Steakhouse for dinner, and Downing Street Pour House. The latter of these previously listed restaurants is a local joint in Hollister that is an approximate 15-minute drive from the campground, while the other two restaurants are located in Branson.
The owners and staff of Cooper Creek Campground strive to help their guests feel safe and welcome over the course of their stay. In an effort to provide this experience, a security camera system is set up throughout the property, with the intent to foster a safe environment for everyone. The manager mentions that the employees also try to assist guests with any questions or concerns that they might have. With the aim to create a community-oriented atmosphere among their visitors, the owners and staff often host live music events with local artists during holiday weekends and throughout the summer season. The business also holds cornhole tournaments on some occasions. In terms of events that are hosted beyond the campground, the cities of Branson and Hollister periodically organize fishing tournaments, as mentioned by the manager. One former guest of the campground mentioned the activities in the area in a review about their experience, stating, "We have been staying at this campground for 17 years and have thoroughly enjoyed the fishing along with all the things to do in Branson. Cooper Creek has always been clean and the staff is helpful and quick to fix any issues that may pop up."
With the exception of the rental campers, bathhouses, and laundry facility, Cooper Creek Campground operates year-round. The manager says that June, July, and October are typically the busiest months for the business, as the weather conditions tend to be fairly moderate during June and July. She notes that the changing colors of the leaves often draw visitors to the area in October. A considerable fraction of those who stay at Cooper Creek Campground are repeat guests, according to the manager, and she explains that the establishment receives a diverse mix of people, ranging from young families to retirees. She observes that families supposedly travel to the campground more during the summer, while the off-season brings a relatively high quantity of fishermen. Upon the approach of fall, Cooper Creek Campground typically receives more of an older demographic of guests, as reported by the manager.
A few noteworthy policies are enforced at the campground, and everyone is expected to abide by these guidelines. The property is a pet-friendly establishment, and dogs are welcome to accompany visitors during their stay; however, dogs must be leashed and pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after them. Furthermore, quiet hours begin every night at 10:00 p.m. and last until 8:00 a.m. out of consideration for those who are sleeping. Lastly, occupants of the cabin rentals should be aware that these accommodations have a prohibition on smoking.
Dating back to 1959, Cooper Creek Campground has been under the ownership of a handful of owners, many of whom were locals of the area. The current manager of the establishment says that the previous owner was seeking someone who would continue operating the business as a camping and RV resort. Several buyers were hoping to acquire the property on account of its lakefront location, but ownership of Cooper Creek Campground eventually fell into the hands of the present owners in May of 2019 who have since conducted a number of updates and improvements to the campground. Aside from the addition of cabins to increase the range of unit options for visitors, the majority of changes that Cooper Creek Campground underwent pertained to standard maintenance. The manager remarks that her favorite part about her occupation is "how peaceful and quiet the area is." She also comments that those who stay at the establishment tend to be fairly pleasant.
471 Cooper Creek Road
Branson, Missouri 65616
United States
Campground
