Danville Conservation Area

This free conservation area campground sits at the end of a 1.5-mile gravel road that descends through wooded hills about six miles from I-70. Campers access two distinct camping zones: an upper area with seven designated sites, fire rings, and a vault toilet, plus a lower meadow camping area near Clear Creek with a large communal fire pit but no facilities.

The upper camping area provides the main amenities, with most sites accommodating tents and smaller RVs, though only one site offers enough length for larger trailers. Sites cluster closely together under tree cover, which limits solar panel efficiency but provides shade during hot summer days. Abby M. notes "Very quiet stay and enjoyed walks down the gravel path with the pup" during her four-night visit when only three campers occupied the area on the busiest night.

The lower meadow area attracts campers seeking creek access and trail proximity. Clear Creek runs alongside this zone, offering opportunities to explore upstream toward rock overhangs or follow the Glades Trail system through scattered ponds and glade formations. Hunters frequent the area during season, and mushroom foragers commonly visit the Turkey Ridge road section. Cell service varies by carrier, with AT&T users reporting 2-3 bars and Verizon providing streaming-capable speeds.

Campers should pack insect repellent, as tick populations can be heavy during warmer months. The area maintains a reputation for staying uncrowded even during holiday weekends, though randy confirms "Near the highway but we couldn't hear the traffic" despite the proximity to the interstate. No water or trash services are available, requiring complete pack-out camping practices.

For campers wanting full hookups, Graham Cave State Park Campground provides developed facilities a few miles northwest.

RV Road Trip Guides

Location

Public Campground

Danville Conservation Area is located in Missouri

Detail location of campground

Directions

From I-70 Danville exit 170, take the south outer road east 2 miles, then Route RB south 2 miles to the entrance.

Coordinates

38.87480665 N
91.51822682 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 12/11/25
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 12/11/25
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Danville Conservation Area needs a permit.

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

14 Reviews

Campers regularly cited this free campground's peaceful atmosphere and level sites despite highway proximity. Guests commonly noted basic amenities with a clean pit toilet but no water or electric hookups.

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2024

Watch out for ticks

Lovely wooded spot. There are about 6-8 sites. Can back in a camper. Outhouse building. Only had one other camper. Shaded, wooded. We had a lovely night but woke up covered in ticks! Lots of ticks here. We ride our motorcycles here to tent camp. Sites are close. Fire rings , no picnic tables.

Siteright side near potty
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by carla R., July 13, 2024
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by carla R., July 13, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 22, 2023

Nice free spot

Far enough away from the highway to be silent. Toilet available. Fire pits. T-Mobile service is good.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Dane J., September 22, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2023

Post Oak Camping area

Nice spot. About 7 spots. Sites are close together, but level with good drainage. Only one spot long enough for a trailer/RV. Pit tiolet and no water. Had Verizon service 12.4Mbps download and .1 upload latency 86ms. Not the fastest speeds, but able to do work over internet. Might not be the best for video meetings.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2023

Overnight Stop

We stopped in around 2PM as we made our way across to Colorado. Had the place to ourselves on a Tuesday.

Month of VisitJune
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Daniel S., June 21, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2023

Basic but emough

Very close to the highway which is perfect since I’m just stopping in for the night. Handful of campsites with fire rings, no picnic tables. Toilet. Couple of hunters in the area. The road in is gravel and about 1.5 miles. Bring bug spray

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Clay D., April 24, 2023
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Clay D., April 24, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2022

Great overnight stop

Near the highway but we couldn't hear the traffic. Easy road in. Sites are shaded, close together but very clean and peaceful. Great Verizon service that allowed streaming. There was only one other family camping when we were there so we didn't have neighbors. We were pulling 9 ft travel trailer behind Jeep Gladiator and just fit on our site. I am not sure if there are deeper sites for longer trailers.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2021

Great overnight spot

I stopped for an overnight while traveling to Colorado. Close to interstate but feels like you’re out in the wilderness. There were 2 other campers.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Clint M., October 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Clint M., October 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Clint M., October 9, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2021

Small, rustic site

There’s a small, rustic campsite at the head of a long gravel road (very hilly, good for a hearty hike) that leads down to a forest trail/hunting ground.

The camping area itself has about eight designated tent/car sites each with a fire pit. There’s a pit toilet (single person capacity) on-site.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by William S., September 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by William S., September 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by William S., September 20, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2021

Perfect overnight spot when traveling across I-70

An earlier review was spot on—a no-fee peaceful spot that is only about six miles from I-70 but feels deep into the wilderness. We camped at the trailhead at the end of the main road and were the only ones there on the Fourth of July. No potty at the trailhead but there is a portapotty and about six campsites earlier on the road, then a couple pullout spots further on. To reach our spot we descended down a pretty steep gravel road, but it felt pretty magical when we arrived. Sparkling with fireflies, lots of night creatures singing their songs and the air thick with the perfume of a night blooming shrub.

Sitegeneral parking at very bottom of gravel road
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Laurie , July 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Laurie , July 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Laurie , July 6, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2021

Lots of nature sounds

Free, close to highway, simple amenities. So many forest sounds and sparkles of fire bugs. Only two other people here on July 4th weekend. Great pit stop on a cross country or fun long term camp for van life:

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 9, 2021

Simple campground off I-70

Nice simple campsite with a relatively clean pit toilet. Easy to find flat ground to pitch a tent. Just far enough from 70 to be quiet and there was only one other campsite taken.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Apr. 7, 2021

Quiet, safe stay

Stayed here for 4 nights and enjoyed my stay. There are 7 camp spots, most having fire rings (no tables). During the 4 nights, only a single night were there 3 campers. All other nights consisted of myself and another chapter. I imagine this place never gets full but you could be very close to other campers if completely full. There is a single vault toilet that was mostly clean and stocked with TP. During the day, 2-3 cars would head down the hill towards the trail and always left before dusk. Very quiet stay and enjoyed walks down the gravel path with the pup. There is no water, electricity or trash so please pack out your trash. There are trees everywhere so I wasn’t able to completely optimize my solar but was able to still get sun. I had between 2-3 bars of 5G via AT&T and could work efficiently. Definitely would stay again!

  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Abby M., April 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Abby M., April 7, 2021
  • Play button icon
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Apr. 30, 2020

Quiet, no services, good hiking

There are two main camping areas here. As you pull into the area, take the first left down Turkey Ridge (I didn't see and turkeys the whole time I was there, but did see lots of mushroomers). You will see the first camping area shortly- there is a pit toilet, some picnic areas, and some parking slots for RVs(no hookups). KEEP GOING! Down at the bottom of the hill you will come to the second camping area. There are no services here- no pit toilet or trash, and no hook ups for RV’s. But there is a nice mown meadow with a big fire pit next to a pretty creek. Camp here. Jump across the little creek and hike the Glades Trail along the creek and then up the hill. Lots of little ponds scattered along the trail including one that looks like a fairy ring(its up top, super cool!). Back down by the campsite you can bushwack along(or in) the creek to a cool rock overhang that drips down into the creek.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Annie C., April 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Annie C., April 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Danville Conservation Area by Annie C., April 30, 2020
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2018

Quiet, secluded

Quiet spot about 5 miles off the interstate, but you can't hear much noise. This area is mostly woodlands and glades. Danville Glades Natural Area (361 acres with primitive camping and a fishable stream (Clear Creek). There are two camping areas - one area has ~8 individual campsites and pit toilet. The other area is a gravel parking lot at end of road. No bathroom at parking area.

Month of VisitMarch

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free primitive camping at Danville Conservation Area?

Yes, Danville Conservation Area offers free primitive camping. The area features approximately 7-8 designated campsites with fire rings, though no picnic tables are provided. Facilities are basic, consisting of pit toilets but no running water. The sites are suitable for both tent camping and small campers, with at least one spot able to accommodate a trailer or RV. Despite being primitive, the campground provides a peaceful forest setting that makes it a popular no-cost option for overnight stays.

Is camping allowed at Danville Conservation Area in Missouri?

Yes, camping is definitely allowed at Danville Conservation Area in Missouri. The area offers primitive camping with about 6-8 designated campsites spread across two main camping areas. The first camping area is located off Turkey Ridge as you pull into the conservation area. The second camping area can be found at the trailhead at the end of the main road. The campground is conveniently located about 5-6 miles off Interstate 70, making it easily accessible for travelers while still providing a peaceful woodland experience.

What conservation rules must campers follow at Danville Conservation Area?

While specific conservation rules for Danville Conservation Area aren't extensively detailed, standard Missouri conservation area guidelines apply. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and minimizing impact on the natural environment. Use only the established fire rings for campfires and fully extinguish fires before leaving. The area includes woodland and glade habitats that should be respected. Hunting is permitted in designated areas during appropriate seasons, so campers should wear bright colors during hunting seasons for safety. Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation for complete regulations before your visit.

Can you stargaze at Danville Conservation Area?

Danville Conservation Area offers good stargazing opportunities. Though relatively close to Interstate 70, the campground is far enough away that highway noise and light pollution are minimal. Campers report peaceful nights with natural forest sounds and the sight of fireflies during summer months. The wooded setting provides a secluded feel that enhances the night sky experience. While not completely remote, the low visitation rates mean you'll often have plenty of space to yourself for observing the stars, particularly on weeknights when fewer campers are present.