Best Campgrounds near California, MO

Are you in need of a campground near California, MO? California is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near California, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near California, Missouri (108)

    1. Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    17 Reviews
    Jamestown, MO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 657-1299

    $10 - $60 / night

    "A beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise."

    "See beautiful scenery on the MO River & Katy Trail. You may get to see a paddleboat cruising the river."

    2. Binder Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Lohman, MO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 634-6482

    "A full disc golf course nearby and several ball fields. We love this park.

    The lake offers amazing fishing wether from boat or shore. Lots of bass crappie and catfish."

    "Trails are color coded and they do a great job of separating them by difficulty. The lake also has great fishing if you want to put in a canoe and do some paddling around."

    3. Scrivner Road Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Russellville, MO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "This Missouri Conservation area is a Swiss Army knife of rugged of the path camping. Rivers, Lakes, Gun range, Horses and hiking can all be enjoyed here."

    4. Pine Ridge Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    New Bloomfield, MO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "Close to Columbia but far enough away for a getaway. Easy to find from the road, even in the dark. Fire pits and picnic tables are there. Vault toilets and running water available."

    "However, it is also one of my favorites close to home to hike. The campsites are always clean, but you almost always find litter in the fire rings."

    5. Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground

    49 Reviews
    Kaiser, MO
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 348-2694

    $13 - $50 / night

    "Lake of the Ozarks State Park campground is located in Kaiser Missouri about 5 miles down highway 134 off of highway 42. This campground is about 1.5 hour from Columbia and Springfield Missouri."

    "We stayed close to the river in the primitive area and the deer were all over.  These deer were super friendly and didn't move at all as we walked right past them. "

    6. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 474-2747

    $45 - $52 / night

    "Visited in March 2021, some pot holes in drive way, but manageable. Trees seemed to be trimmed back compared to other reviews. Nice facilities and great staff!"

    "The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us."

    7. Three Creeks Conservation Area

    7 Reviews
    Ashland, MO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "An easy and beautiful spot to camp for free near I-70. About 15 minutes of a stunning drive away from the interstate. Plenty of sites, lots, and places to rest for the night. All free and secluded!"

    8. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Educational Scout Camps

    5 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 449-7402

    "When I arrived, I noticed that there were a ton of beautiful primitive trails besides the well-constructed boardwalks. And I also learned that there were even more caves, such as Connor's Cave."

    "Great trails for biking and hiking and the creek is perfect for cooling off. However, this place can get really really busy."

    9. Versailles City Park

    2 Reviews
    Stover, MO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 378-4634

    10. Riverside at Holly Haven

    Be the first to review!
    Russellville, MO
    10 miles
    +1 (417) 438-3003
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Recent Reviews near California, MO

312 Reviews of 108 California Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Osage Beach RV Park

    Great place, friendly people and beautiful grounds

    We stayed overnight here because our dog was sick and this was close to the animal hospital we visited. We wish would have stayed here originally (we stayed the. first night at the state park). While the State Park was nice this campground offered so much more and was closer to town so we could walk to restaurants. 

    I would definitely stay here again.

  • J
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    Perfect for me

    The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    This is not campsite- this overnight sleep parking situation

    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. It’s not very quiet at all. You will wake up from cars driving almost evreytime. There’s people that live in that area that were driving and screaming at each other driving 4x4 little cars. I hate camping in the Midwest

  • Melina
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    Easy access

    Its easy to find, snuggled between the corn crops and river! There are 2 camping spaces, that are good sized with a fire pit. Directly on the river with a boat ramp as an added perk!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    Coopers Landing Missouri

    Rustic. You come down winding rolling roads then onto gravel to get here. Katy bike trail on one side Missouri River on other side site 2 completely level for our 31e RV. Boat dock. They have food trucks that come in and live entertainment. Very peaceful and we will be back. Katy trail is easy biking beautiful views, shaded.Blue birds, cardinals and also an indigo bunting were seen our first trip out. Watched the sunset by the river and it was beautiful. The river is wide and deep here. Current and undertows make it definitely not suitable for swimming. You can see the water swirling and churning.

  • J
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    Out new favorite place!

    Out new favorite place! this campground has everything for a perfect long weekend! The cabins are spectacular and right on the water! We just tooK 40+ family members and everyone fell in love with this campground. We had family from Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and everyone raved how this was their new favorite spot. The fishing was great, amenities were fantastic, and the hosts were amazing. Free rentals on pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddle boats. We will be back again, especially since they just built more cabins!

  • Fred R.
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Coconuts RV Resort

    July 4th week

    Campground was set up as tiers up the hillside. The top had 2 pools, shower house, and restroom all new and very NICE! Only issue was the kids being allowed on golf carts all day and late into the night flying all over both directions. Kids on bikes all night with no lights on bikes or grounds. It's a free for all. The lower pools are big with scenic views of the boats and lake front. Bar area was adequate and food was good but limited. DG was close and supermarket was 30+ minutes ito town.

  • Melody D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    5 star! Easy to find.

    Great location! Parked 30ft travel trailer with no problems! Level ground for the most part! The corn field is really neat! We parked right beside it and all I kept thinking was children of the corn! But it added to the awesome location! We have cricket wireless full signal. A couple locals were camping beside us and were very friendly. I was told to check the weather just to make sure it's not going to flood. It's right beside a river. Used a generator..... So did everyone else. Still quiet enough. There was plenty of space

  • Truly W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    Nice free spot right off I-70

    Nice spot to camp for the night if you’re driving through Missouri. Not a terrible amount of mosquitos and the roads don’t get bad after an average rain


Guide to California

Camping near California, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking Trails: Enjoy the scenic trails at Lake of the Ozarks State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, “Beautiful campgrounds. Hiking trails. Super showers & toilets. Clean. Friendly staff.”
  • Fishing: Head to Graham Cave State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, “The camp host was helpful and friendly. The bathrooms and showers were clean.”
  • Water Activities: At Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina, you can enjoy the Missouri River. One camper said, “Cooper’s has spectacular sunsets, a boat ramp, dock, trails, bonfires, live music, and a very friendly atmosphere.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review from Lazy Day Campground noted, “Bathhouse was clean and well kept. Would recommend!”
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of the campground hosts. A camper at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground said, “The staff is friendly and the campground looks like someone spent hours manicuring the park.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful environment. One review for Danville Conservation Area stated, “Far enough away from the highway to be silent. Toilet available. Fire pits.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Finger Lakes State Park Campground, may have fewer amenities. A visitor mentioned, “The bathrooms and showers were clean. We camped in a van. Other campsites contained small RVs and tents.”
  • Ticks and Bugs: Be prepared for ticks, especially in wooded areas. A camper at Danville Conservation Area warned, “Woke up covered in ticks! Lots of ticks here.”
  • No Water Hookups: Some sites, like those at Graham Cave State Park Campground, do not have water hookups. A review noted, “I only give it three stars because there's no water hookups.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Pet-Friendly Options: Many campgrounds, such as Lazy Day Campground, allow pets. A review highlighted, “Partially shaded. Dog walk area. Pet friendly.”
  • Family Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. At Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground, one camper said, “The park was full. Great park to bring your dogs!”
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Raccoon Ridge mentioned, “Keep food and bait inside as raccoons rule at night.”

Tips from RVers

  • Level Sites: Check for level sites before booking. A review for Knob Noster State Park Campground noted, “Sites list grade so you can find an even surface for your vehicle.”
  • Space Considerations: Some campgrounds have close sites. A visitor at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground mentioned, “The sites here are very close together.”
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Raccoon Ridge said, “Power only, so be prepared for that if you are looking for hook-ups.”

Camping near California, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near California, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, California, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near California, MO and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near California, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near California, MO is Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina with a 4.2-star rating from 17 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near California, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near California, MO.