Primitive camping near Calhoun, Missouri centers around several conservation areas in west-central Missouri at approximately 850 feet elevation. These locations experience hot summers with high humidity and cold winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for camping. Most conservation areas feature varying terrain from grassy fields to forested sections with ponds or lakes suited for both tent and RV camping.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Robert's Bluff, campers can enjoy riverside fishing with abundant wildlife. A camper noted, "Its a small space and really close to the river where you can see huge trout and turtles swimming. There is even a boat ramp."
Wildlife observation: Montrose Missouri Conservation Area provides excellent birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities. One visitor mentioned, "There is a super sweet local cat who befriended me here and made my visit so much better," while also noting that "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."
Boating access: Montrose Conservation Area features multiple boat launches for small watercraft. A visitor reported, "Beautiful Campsites on the opposite side of the boat drops and free," while another mentioned the area has "boat access for 2 areas 1 near the damn which closes a gate after 10pm."
What campers like
Space and privacy: Many campers appreciate the ample room at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area. A reviewer stated, "the stars were beautiful, the 'sites' were spacious and well spread out, and there is lots of shade. you could definitely get a big rig in and out of here on the looped gravel roads."
Quiet atmosphere: Despite occasional proximity to roads, these sites generally offer peaceful surroundings. A camper at Robert's Bluff shared, "Quiet and Free. Don't mistake this for the RV hookup site at Roberts Bluff. It's a bit further down the road and called Roberts Bluff Access."
Accessibility: Many sites are conveniently located for travelers. One Robert's Bluff visitor commented, "Great spot on my road trip west! Put in some miles and didn't get in until about 2am and this was easy to find and great spots away from the highway but also didn't have to trek far away."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Hunting seasons affect camping availability. One Montrose visitor warned, "There is no camping allowed after October 15 due to hunting season. This was not on the website and was not seeable in dust when arriving late on a small sign in the bushes."
Limited amenities: Facilities are minimal at these conservation areas. A Montrose camper reported, "Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables. Pit toilets are as expected."
Water conditions: Lakes in these areas may have variable water levels and quality. At Poague Campsite #5, a camper noted, "This is great secluded spot, right off the highway. Perfect for what I was looking for to car camp."
Traffic patterns: At some sites, particularly Robert's Bluff, vehicle traffic can disturb the camping experience. A visitor observed, "It was a great camping spot until. At least 10-15 cars drove in out of the area to see if available and then at around 9:30 pm pitch black someone decided to camped."
Tips for camping with families
Best time to visit: Plan family camping trips for late spring or early fall to avoid summer heat and winter cold. At Montrose Missouri Conservation Area, a camper mentioned, "Big lake, several sites to choose, good fishing, pit toilets... Mowed, TP stocked, plenty of firewood and room for dogs to run."
Educational activities: Look for natural learning opportunities like wildlife identification or foraging. One visitor suggested checking for "blackberries in the fall" at Montrose, adding that "theres loads of wildlife to see an arent much scared of humans, racoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, dear, owls an much more."
Bathroom planning: Bring your own toilet paper and portable toilet if possible. A Montrose camper warned, "Vault toilets were absolutely disgusting, thankfully we brought our own toilet paper."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Most sites near Calhoun are accessible for smaller to medium RVs, though some areas require careful navigation. A visitor to Robert's Bluff noted, "Great location! Parked 30ft travel trailer with no problems! Level ground for the most part!"
Cell service: Connectivity varies but is generally available for major carriers. An RVer commented, "Nice free camping to overnight if you are travelling on your RV, close to the highway but without noise. No toillets. Verizon signal works good."
Generator usage: Generator use appears to be common and accepted at most sites. One Robert's Bluff camper mentioned, "Used a generator..... So did everyone else. Still quiet enough. There was plenty of space."
