Montrose Missouri Conservation Area provides free camping on a gravel loop road system that accommodates both tents and RVs. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound as the conservation area attracts raccoons, beavers, cranes, deer, and owls throughout the year. The shallow lake rarely exceeds chest depth even in the center, making it suitable for casual anglers but limiting for serious boating activities.
What to do
Arrowhead hunting: Local residents frequently search the conservation area for Native American artifacts. A camper at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area noted, "One of the locals stopped by my site to look for arrowheads. Apparently, she has found a lot in the area so that's a good activity if the kids are bored."
Wildlife observation: The conservation area attracts diverse wildlife throughout the seasons. According to a camper, "there is loads of wildlife to see an arent much scared of humans, racoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, dear, owls an much more." Early morning and dusk provide optimal viewing times.
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. A visitor commented, "the stars were beautiful, the 'sites' were spacious and well spread out, and there is lots of shade."
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: The open layout allows campers to choose their preferred spot with ample separation. One camper at Poague Campsite #5 noted it was a "great secluded spot, right off the highway. Perfect for what I was looking for to car camp."
Seasonal foraging: Fall visitors can gather natural foods in certain areas. A regular visitor explained, "there are pecan an walnut trees so watch out for your heads when its fall lol. theres also blackberries in the fall."
Quick highway access: Both conservation areas offer convenient access from main roads without requiring travel on rough secondary roads. A camper mentioned, "Large grassy area with plenty of room to set up a tent or camper. Right off the road, so no dirt roads to traverse."
What you should know
Confusing signage: Several campers report unclear or contradictory signage regarding camping rules. One visitor to Montrose Missouri Conservation Area observed, "Signs were confusing as to whether it is ok to camp, but they didn't explicitly say no camping."
Variable toilet conditions: Toilet facilities receive widely varying reports from visitors. One camper stated, "Bathrooms were fine. It's free camping so it was great that there were bathrooms at all," while another noted they "were absolutely disgusting, thankfully we brought our own toilet paper."
Limited water access: The lake quality may not meet expectations for swimming. A camper described it as "really just a mud bog, so not very appealing unless you came to duck hunt." Water shoes are recommended by frequent visitors who advise, "you can fish, boat and swim but i recommend water shoes."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra supplies: With minimal facilities, bring all essentials including toilet paper, water, and food. One parent at Poague Campsite #3 suggested establishing a comfortable base camp with shade structures during summer months.
Use established fire areas: Despite no formal fire rings, previous campers have created usable spots. A visitor noted, "While free, dispersed sites, there are easily established fire pit areas to choose from."
Monitor water depth: The shallow lake makes supervised water play possible for families with young children. According to a regular visitor, "the water is very shallow most the time its only chest deep out in the middle."
Tips from RVers
Suitable for various RV sizes: The large open areas and gravel roads can accommodate different RV classes. A camper observed, "you could definitely get a big rig in and out of here on the looped gravel roads."
Limited amenities planning: RVers should prepare for self-contained camping. "No specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables," noted one RVer, emphasizing the need to bring all supplies.
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity creates some background noise at certain sites. As one RVer mentioned, "A bit of road noise but tolerable. Perfect for our one night stay."
