About Viola
Number of accommodations: 46
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Kayaking
Water Activities
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
Water Access
- Marina
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Rates, Sites & Availability
46 Sites Available
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Site Details
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46 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (190)
What Guests Are Saying
Viola Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, peaceful atmosphere, and beautiful lakeside setting, making it a favorite among campers. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities, friendly hosts, and enjoyable fishing opportunities right from the campsite. While some guests noted issues with site sizes and occasional management concerns, overall experiences remain positive, with many planning to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Viola Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, peaceful atmosphere, and beautiful lakeside setting, making it a favorite among campers. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities, friendly hosts, and enjoyable fishing opportunities right from the campsite. While some guests noted issues with site sizes and occasional management concerns, overall experiences remain positive, with many planning to return.
Review Summary
Richard D
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 52, Loop: VIOL
Very clean, grass cut, quiet, fishing right off the bank by campsite was excellent.
Richard D
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 52, Loop: VIOL
Very clean, grass cut, quiet, fishing right off the bank by campsite was excellent.
Joel P
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: VIOL
Site 24 was tight for our camper with one slide with the retaining walls on both sides. Made it work for the weekend though but won’t choose that site again.
Joel P
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: VIOL
Site 24 was tight for our camper with one slide with the retaining walls on both sides. Made it work for the weekend though but won’t choose that site again.
Joyceanna R
VerifiedJune 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: VIOL
Love camping here, the water level was extremely high. But honestly it was still a fun time.
Joyceanna R
VerifiedJune 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: VIOL
Love camping here, the water level was extremely high. But honestly it was still a fun time.
danny c
VerifiedJune 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: VIOL
My wife and I were so disappointed, we were there for 14 nights and on night number 9 this young lady Ranger approached our site around 6:30 pm ish, and told me that we had to leave because the water was going to rise 5ft by morning, I asked if I could wait until morning? She said not at all you will leave tonight, I told her the way I camp for two weeks I have a huge setup and my wife and I couldn't possibly be gone tonight, she insisted and said I will help you, I told her she didn't understand how things had to be done and I didn't want her help, she told me she was done here and went around her pickup and made a phone call, then came back to my site #19 and asked if I wanted to talk to her Supervisor on the phone, I said only in person. Well my son had brought his two younger children to spend the day with us and ended up staying late to help us load up and leave, it took us hours to get ready but I was able to leave the site at 9:40 pm, we are senior citizens and can't move very fast at all if it wasn't for my son and granddaughter we would not have been able to do it, and as it was my wife and myself was crippled up for days, was 2:00 am before I got to sleep, very unnecessary, Why? I have been camping at Viola for biggest part of 30 plus years and knew that the lake wouldn't rise 5ft by morning as a matter of fact two days later it had risen about one and a half feet, which we could have had plenty of time the next day or two, I tried to explain to the ranger that I had been coming there for over 30 years and she wouldn't even reason with me, i told her that this was our last camping trip she could care less, one thing is for sure if she lives long enough her body will fail her as well!! Please pass this information on to the corp of engineers and whoever needs to see what is going on with the ungrateful young people of today!
Thank you for your time and hopefully your understanding,
Sincerely Danny Cordova
danny c
VerifiedJune 6, 2025 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: VIOL
My wife and I were so disappointed, we were there for 14 nights and on night number 9 this young lady Ranger approached our site around 6:30 pm ish, and told me that we had to leave because the water was going to rise 5ft by morning, I asked if I could wait until morning? She said not at all you will leave tonight, I told her the way I camp for two weeks I have a huge setup and my wife and I couldn't possibly be gone tonight, she insisted and said I will help you, I told her she didn't understand how things had to be done and I didn't want her help, she told me she was done here and went around her pickup and made a phone call, then came back to my site #19 and asked if I wanted to talk to her Supervisor on the phone, I said only in person. Well my son had brought his two younger children to spend the day with us and ended up staying late to help us load up and leave, it took us hours to get ready but I was able to leave the site at 9:40 pm, we are senior citizens and can't move very fast at all if it wasn't for my son and granddaughter we would not have been able to do it, and as it was my wife and myself was crippled up for days, was 2:00 am before I got to sleep, very unnecessary, Why? I have been camping at Viola for biggest part of 30 plus years and knew that the lake wouldn't rise 5ft by morning as a matter of fact two days later it had risen about one and a half feet, which we could have had plenty of time the next day or two, I tried to explain to the ranger that I had been coming there for over 30 years and she wouldn't even reason with me, i told her that this was our last camping trip she could care less, one thing is for sure if she lives long enough her body will fail her as well!! Please pass this information on to the corp of engineers and whoever needs to see what is going on with the ungrateful young people of today!
Thank you for your time and hopefully your understanding,
Sincerely Danny Cordova
Timothy S
VerifiedMay 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: VIOL
Very nice campground! Very clean and well kept!
Timothy S
VerifiedMay 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: VIOL
Very nice campground! Very clean and well kept!
Location Viola
Address:
27501 Big Rock Road
Shell Knob, MO, 65747-9682
United States
The nearest major road is US Highway 65, approximately 20 miles to the east, providing access to the surrounding area.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.5617 / -93.5947
Elevation: 289 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Office hours are between the hours of and , seven days a week. Camphost and or Rangers will issue campground hangtags after valid check-in. Please check-out on departure. If Camphost is not present, please drop pink tag off at the dropbox.
- ALL personal equipment (boats, trailers, personal supplies etc. ) must be stored at reserved campsites. No equipment shall be stored in boat ramp/day-use parking for overnight storage.
- Large rigs may have trouble navigating these campground roads.
- No off-road vehicles permitted
- One tent and one RV or two tents are allowed per campsite
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- All pets must be penned, caged or on a 6 foot leash at all times, No Exceptions!!!
- Sanitation, No dumping of household trash, gray water, rubbish, black water or any other waste material or waste liquid. All waste generated must deposed of at the dump station or removed from the project lands.
- Persons bring animals onto project lands are responsible for the proper removal and disposal of any waste produced by these animals.
- Failure to pay day use fees, and or properly display applicable receipt, permit or pass is prohibited.
- No parking in the grass, this is a violation of project land rules!!!
- Camping at one or more campsites at any one water resource project for a period longer than 14 days during any 30 consecutive day period is prohibited without the written permission of the District Commander.
- STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails, and follow local guidelines for firewood. CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/rec.
- Please be advised that providing business services within a USACE campground is prohibited per Title 327.18(a) The engaging in or solicitation of business on project lands or waters without the express written permission of the District Commander is prohibited. This includes services such as RV or tent delivery & set-up, firewood sales and delivery.
- All discounted passes (Golden Age, Senior Lifetime, Senior Annual, Access) must be physically present apon arival. Fraudulant use of a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport (Printouts, photos ect.) is prohibited and will not be discounted.
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Last updated: June 3, 2026
