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Established Camping

Ray Behrens

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from November 21, 2024 through March 30, 2025.

Ray Behrens, near Monroe City, Missouri, is a spacious campground that offers a great mix of comfort and outdoor adventure. With sites that feature full hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, it’s perfect for gathering around the fire after a day of exploring.

Campers rave about the well-maintained facilities, including clean restrooms and easy access to trails leading to the beautiful Mark Twain Lake. One visitor noted, “The whole park doesn’t match the awesomeness of site 97,” highlighting the standout spots that offer great shade and ample space between sites.

For those looking to enjoy some local attractions, the campground is close to the Rustic Oak Cabin Restaurant and the Mark Twain Memorial Shrine, both worth a visit. Plus, you can hop on the Mark Twain Riverboat in nearby Hannibal for a unique experience on the water.

While some campers mentioned minor road noise, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming, making it a favorite among many. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Ray Behrens has plenty to offer for a memorable camping experience.

Description

US Army Corps of Engineers

Mark Twain Lake

Overview

Ray Behrens is a scenic campground and recreation area, conveniently located on the southeastern shores of Mark Twain Lake. Here, visitors can enjoy the perks of the campground, go boating on the lake or explore the area's historic attractions. Twain, the legendary author, was born in a village beside the lake and grew up in a town about 20 miles down the road.

Recreation

Mark Twain Lake provides countless opportunities for outdoor recreation boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking, camping, hiking and hunting to name a few.

Natural Features

The Salt River flows through rolling hills of north-central Missouri, where it is dammed to form the 18,000-acre Mark Twain Lake. A variety of recreation areas surround the lake, including the Mark Twain State Park.

Nearby Attractions

Beside the lake is the village of Florida, where Mark Twain was born. Twenty-five miles east is the town of Hannibal, where visitors can tour the author's boyhood home.

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Location

Ray Behrens is located in Missouri

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Hannibal MO, travel west on Highway 36 for 17 miles, turn south onto Route J and go 12 miles to the campground.

Address

20642 HIGHWAY J
Monroe city, MO 63456-9359

Coordinates

39.5158333 N
91.6630556 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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5 Stars

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1 Star

74%
27%
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4.5

out of 5

15 Reviews

Reviewed Dec. 1, 2023

Great Value with ATB Pass

PROS 

Senior discount 

Site 32 level asphalt pad surrounded with grass and river rocks 

Moveable aluminum table 

Metal fire ring with cooking grate 

One hook lantern pole 

Site 19 very near toilets and a dumpster 

Friendly and helpful gate personnel 

4 bars TMOBILE 

CONS 

Some road noise in the distance 

Electric box at rear of site pad 

Sewer connection 6 inches above ground 

Poor planning to demolish all but one campground toilet/shower facilities at the same time 

No overnight gate closure

Don't Miss

Rustic Oak Cabin Restaurant 

Mark Twain Memorial Shrine in Mark Twain State Park. Free entrance 

Ride the Mark Twain Riverboat in Hannibal 

Downtown Hannibal nice variety of stores and shops 

Dam Visitor Center very nice--fairly new

Site32
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2023

Likely our new regular spot

The whole park doesn't match the awesomeness of site 97 and the few around it, but the end of this loop is almost perfect. Great shade, almost no slope to pads, all power options, great water pressure, and a sewer hookup. Plenty of rocked lounging or tent space with each site. Good size fire pits, lantern post, and an aluminum picnic table on a concrete pad. All the sites have enough empty space in between that most campgrounds would have stuck another site in-between. Restroom/shower house very close by and it's regularly cleaned. 2 trails to lakeside access are close by too.

Site97
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Mar. 16, 2023

Best campground on Mark Twain Lake

Ray Behrens is an extremely large and well laid out campground with beautiful spacious and wooded sites! It has a wonderful, full service marina and a few great trails that lead to the water. It is by far the best Corp of Engineer campground on Mark Twain Lake! Oh, and don't forget to watch the beautiful sunsets!

Site96
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by b K., March 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by b K., March 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by b K., March 16, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2022

Awesome Corp of Engineers Park

Huge spots, full hook ups, lake access and a marina with a small restaurant inside. This place is one of my new favorites in the state.

Site113
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2021

Great Campground

We stayed for a week at the Ray Behrens campground. We stayed at site 113 in the Little Blue Stem area, we backed in and had full hook ups for$26 a night. We really enjoyed this campground. We had plenty of room between us and the next camper. Each site included a wooden picnic table and a fire pit. There was a large grass area between us and the next camper site, but our camper was on an asphalt pad. The site we had in particular had a huge elevation slope from front to back and even at our most extreme settings we could not get our camper fully leveled. This was not a big issue, just something to keep in mind. Overall this was one of our favorite campgrounds we have stayed. There are deer throughout the property, be sure to drive slow especially during the evenings.

Site113 on Little Blue Stem
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Austin-Tarra G., October 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Austin-Tarra G., October 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Austin-Tarra G., October 20, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2021

Quite and Peaceful

Me and my husband have camped here numerous times since we’ve gotten a camper and love it every time. Good trails, clean campsites, easily access to stores if anything is needed.

Site106
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Nov. 3, 2020

Doe Run At Ray Behrens

I absolutely love this core campground. Amazing level concrete campsites! Majority of them are full hookups with paved roads throw out Everyone is friendly and fun! We have always stayed at the little Blue Stem side, but just had to do a review on this side. Absolutely loved it. Great clean shower house. Close by places to Kayak, swim, fish and play. Fish cleaning stations which I had never seen beforeThe best of camping.

  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Cathy S., November 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Cathy S., November 3, 2020
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Cathy S., November 3, 2020
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2020

Great place!!

We camped at campsite 82 in Little Blue Stem. From Wednesday night through Sunday and the weather was fabulous.  Nice clean area. Nice campsite.

Reviewed Sep. 15, 2020

Beautiful

I can’t say enough about this beautiful campground on the shores of Mark Twain Lake. Friendly staff made us feel right at home. Three sections Deer run cedar ridge and Little Blue Stem. We stayed at Little Blue Stem. All three have quite a selection off full hookups as well as 50 Amp sites. There was an adequate Shower house in each section. All felt clean and safe. Large sites nestled in well wooded area. Black Jack Marina minutes away has convenient store and rentals. Even serves breakfast on the weekends. Several different area boat ramps as great picnic areas. Play area closed due to Covid.

  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Cathy S., September 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Cathy S., September 15, 2020
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  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 13, 2020

Great place

Every space has a lot of room. Great place for multiple family units to enjoy the outdoors. Lots of hiking trails

  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Lindsey C., September 13, 2020
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Lindsey C., September 13, 2020
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Reviewed Aug. 30, 2020

Nice family camping at mark Twain lake

My family and I enjoyed our weekend at Ray Behrens.  The campground was family friendly.  We found a nice flat, shady spot.  The bathrooms were clean.  The hiking trails were nice.

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2020

Perfect lake campground

We ended up with a spot that we loved since it was close to the playground. It was closed, but the basketball court was open to roll and the field was open so the kids could run around and play catch. The trails lead you to the lake, but a short drive to the other side of lake they had a lake beach entry to swim.

This place is great if you have a boat too! We don’t but you can also rent one at the marina if you wanted to get out on the water.

  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Jennifer F., August 21, 2020
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Reviewed Sep. 19, 2019

Army Corps of Engineers sute

Very quiet and beautiful here. We are on site 93 with a partial view of the Mark Twain lake. Had to use blocks site goes down hill. Stayed 2 nights for $18 total with National senior pass. Electric hookup only. 91 degrees needed fan air movement. Water and dump are $24 a night. They also have tent camping.

  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Nora V., September 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Nora V., September 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Ray Behrens by Nora V., September 19, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2019

Great tent and Camper site

This is the most common place my friends and family camp at for Mark Twain Lake. Very clean and well kept. The kids bike around on the pavement and play in the little park. Great access to a few coves too. Very close to Black Jack Marina and a boat launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Ray Behrens have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Ray Behrens has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Ray Behrens?

    Ray Behrens allows vehicles up to 107 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Ray Behrens?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Ray Behrens, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Ray Behrens have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Ray Behrens does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Ray Behrens?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is good.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Ray Behrens?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Ray Behrens. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Ray Behrens, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Ray Behrens?

    There are 166 campsites at Ray Behrens and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts