Where to Stay in the Missouri Ozarks
Short-Term Rentals · VRBO · Airbnb
Try the Ozarks Before You Buy
A lot of people fall in love with the Missouri Ozarks the same way: they rent a cabin for a long weekend, float a river, sit on a porch as the sun goes down over a hardwood ridge, and start asking about land. We get those calls all the time. So we built this page as a practical guide to where to stay across the five counties we work in — Franklin, Gasconade, Crawford, Phelps, and Dent — whether you are coming to scout property, take a family weekend, or just see if Ozarks living is for you.
We do not run a rental booking service and we have no financial relationship with any of the platforms or properties below. The links go to public search pages on VRBO and Airbnb, filtered to the right area. From there you pick what fits your trip.
Franklin County
Closest to St. Louis — most of these are 45 to 75 minutes from the metro. Wineries, the Bourbeuse and Meramec rivers, hardwood country, and a real working farm community. Good for first-time visitors who want country without committing to a long drive.
Best towns to search: Washington, Hermann (just over the line in Gasconade), Pacific, St. Clair, Sullivan, Robertsville.
Our picks to book direct:
- Meramec State Park Cabins — Sullivan; historic CCC cabins (sleep 4–12) tucked in the park with Meramec River floating on site, most dog-friendly. Great for families and floaters.
- Brick Inn Bed & Breakfast — downtown Washington; a romantic 1911 B&B three blocks from the Missouri River and the wineries. For couples and wine-country weekends.
- Inn at Elijah McLean’s — Washington; a restored 1839 inn and event venue with river views and on-site dining. For groups and weddings.
- Missouri Haus Vacation Rentals — Washington, Pacific & Villa Ridge; polished, dog-friendly whole-home rentals from cozy cottages to a 7-bedroom group house.
Search VRBO — Washington, MO · Search Airbnb — Washington, MO
Gasconade County
Hermann anchors the county and remains one of the most charming small towns in the state — a working wine region with riverfront, B&Bs, restored 1800s buildings, and weekend energy without the crowds of bigger destinations. Plenty of riverside cabins along the Gasconade River for fishing-focused trips.
Best towns to search: Hermann, Owensville, Bland, Rosebud.
Our picks to book direct:
- Hermann Hill Vineyard, Inn & Spa — Hermann; an upscale boutique hotel and cottages set in its own vineyard with valley views and a full spa. For romantic getaways.
- The Inn at Hermannhof — Hermann; historic 1852 wine-estate rooms, cottage suites, and whole houses tied to Hermannhof Winery and Tin Mill Brewery.
- Hermann Crown Suites — downtown Hermann; themed suites and guesthouses with a winery shuttle and breakfast. Good for groups and wedding parties.
- Abigail’s Grape Leaf Bed & Breakfast — Hermann; intimate cottages and suites in the historic district for adults-oriented, romantic stays.
- Visit Hermann lodging directory — the official tourism bureau’s direct-booking search across 650+ rooms, ideal for finding even more Hermann options.
Search VRBO — Hermann, MO · Search Airbnb — Hermann, MO
Crawford County
This is float country. Steelville — the self-proclaimed Floating Capital of the World — is the hub, and rentals here range from rustic cabins right on the Meramec to multi-bedroom group lodges built specifically for float weekends. If you are coming for a river weekend, this is where you stay.
Best towns to search: Steelville, Cuba, Bourbon, Sullivan.
Our picks to book direct:
- Snow Springs Ranch — Steelville; brand-new luxury cabins on a private 180-acre Meramec retreat (two 3-bedroom cabins, sleep 8 each). For groups wanting modern comfort and solitude.
- Wildwood Springs Lodge — Steelville; a historic 1922 Adirondack-style lodge and guest houses that doubles as a beloved live-music venue. For heritage character.
- Gill Ridge Log Cabin B&B — near Steelville; quiet log cabins with private hot tubs and wooded trails. For couples and small groups.
- 4J Vacation Rentals — Steelville; nine cabins on a working Meramec River cattle farm, several with hot tubs and river views.
- Club Boulders by Pinemark — Bourbon; a newly built luxury 2-bedroom vacation home (sleeps 6) on a private gated, wooded lot, with a heated saltwater pool, hot tub, pickleball court, and 3-hole putting green. For couples and small groups wanting upscale, club-level amenities.
Several of our favorite float resorts — Ozark Outdoors, Huzzah Valley, Blue Springs Ranch, and Bass River Resort — also rent riverfront cabins; see our guide to our favorite floats for those.
Search VRBO — Steelville, MO · Search Airbnb — Steelville, MO
Phelps County
Rolla anchors the county and brings the steady infrastructure of a college town — restaurants, hotels, easy I-44 access. Outside of town, the Little Piney and the upper Gasconade run through some of the most underrated country in the state. Good for travelers who want a comfortable home base with quick access to the wilder parts of the Ozarks.
Best towns to search: Rolla, St. James, Newburg, Edgar Springs.
Our picks to book direct:
- This Is My Temporary Home — Rolla; a luxury working-farm retreat with four homes (up to a 5-bedroom that sleeps 13) and a pool. For big family gatherings and Missouri S&T weekends.
- Prairie Barn Winery Vineyard Suites — St. James; romantic wine-country B&B suites on a restored vineyard, with breakfast and in-room wine service.
Direct-booking inventory is thinner in Phelps County, so the VRBO and Airbnb searches below are the best way to round out your options.
Search VRBO — Rolla, MO · Search Airbnb — Rolla, MO
Dent County
Wildest of the five. The Mark Twain National Forest blankets a big share of the county, and the Current River runs cold and clear nearby. Rentals here lean toward cabins, hunting lodges, and back-country retreats — perfect for a quiet long weekend. Salem is the courthouse town and main hub.
Best towns to search: Salem, Bunker.
Our picks to book direct:
- Montauk Lodge — inside Montauk State Park; cabins and rooms with an on-site restaurant and immediate access to the Current River’s blue-ribbon trout water. For anglers and groups.
- Happy Pappy’s Cabins — Salem, half a mile from Montauk; newer, modern cabins (sleep 2–8) with instant online booking.
- Reed’s Cabins — at the Montauk park entrance; 18 fully equipped trout-fishing cabins with a pool and tackle shop. For anglers and reunions.
- Montauk Pines — minutes from Montauk; quiet pine log cabins and a cottage. For couples and small families.
- Stay in Current — Jadwin; cabins on 22 wooded acres in the upper Current corridor, with canoe pickups at the door. For floaters.
Search VRBO — Salem, MO · Search Airbnb — Salem, MO
Coming Down to Look at Land?
If you are coming to the Ozarks specifically to scout property, let us know in advance. We can save you time by lining up a few tracts that fit your criteria so your trip does double duty.
Justin Head · (573) 308-7376 · justin.head@whitetailproperties.com
Ryan Record · (573) 259-6360 · ryan.record@whitetailproperties.com