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This area is located in a pine forest and provides a campground and picnic area while serving as a trailhead to the 36-mile Cedar Creek Trail. Four picnic sites and 8 campsites are provided. Larger grassy area can provide small groups such as scouts.
Walk-in primitive camping is allowed year round except during modern firearms deer season. During modern firearm deer season, hunters may camp along roads and around parking lots. Camping along roads and in-and-around parking lots is otherwise prohibited. Groups of more than 10 campers require a special use permit.
Three Creeks Conservation Area is in Boone County (halfway between Columbia and Ashland). The area takes its name from the three creeks that run through the area: Turkey Creek, Bass Creek, and Bonne Femme Creek. The rugged forest features scenic bluffs, intermittent streams, geologic formations, and old eastern red cedar trees. Three Creeks Conservation Area was considered for purchase as a result of substantial public input and interest in protecting the general Three Creeks area from further urban development, which would destroy its appearance and natural features. Moreover, Three Creeks Conservation Area was acquired to maintain and manage representative plant and animal communities and to provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities in an urbanizing region of central Missouri. Much of the land in the general area was purchased by freed slaves following the Civil War. Generally, the tracts were small (usually 40 or 80 acre parcels). Land which could be seeded to pasture for grazing or plowed with a horse was farmed into the 1930's when many families could no longer support themselves on the small tracts of land. Many had to sell their property due to the economic conditions during the Depression. The reduction in the number of landowners has continued up to the present time. Seven identifiable house sites have been located on the initial 685 acres.
Scout
Completely free clean and shaded couldn’t ask for better
Scout
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. You will eventually see signs for a Conservation site.
There were about 4/5 spots to pull/back into. 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.
ScoutGreat 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
ScoutDecided to take my time heading from Southern WA to Southern IN and this is the best dispersed camping I’ve seen on this trip. I’ll definitely stop here again if I’m ever heading down I-70, and hopefully I’ll have my RV with me.
ScoutNice free camping to overnight if you are travelling on your RV, close to the highway but without noise. No toillets. Verizon signal works good.
Traveler
I’ve been going from one campsite to the next for a few weeks now and this place is the best. Clean updated vault toilets. Potable water and we’ll kept sites.
ScoutWent here on a sunday night. Only two other campers. Toilets, dumpster, and water pump present. Only bummer was lots of ticks and there must be a gun range nearby, which set off our dog's anxiety.
GuideAll and all nice place. Some roads are gravel and chalky leading there (my cars still covered and I'm in Colorado now!) Pit Toilets were nice, one for campground. 2 potable water sites. Campsites were not well defined and judging by the beer cans in some site fire rings it might get rowdy on the weekend.
ScoutIt was a nice quiet area designated camping spots and not too far from any stores very clean working bathrooms we really enjoyed ourselves there we'll be looking forward to going back
GuideClosed for the season
GuidePros: Free!! 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. Hiking trailhead at the entrance of the campground. Camping spots are spaced out enough.
Cons: Can hear lawn-mowing and Gun shots from neighboring properties in the early morning. Still not the end of the world. Definitely fills up on the weekends.
I stayed at #3 and it was a very spacious private spot. If you have kids/dogs I recommend spot #4 it has a long strip of playroom for running around without disturbing other spaces. 2 week maximum stay.
GuideThere was easy access to the campground. There were designated spots to camp that had a picnic table and camp grill. Didn't like people just sitting in parked cars in the campground. Quite place to camp for the night.
RangerStayed 2 nights, blacktop rv site, back in, w table, fire pit, grill on pit as well as seperate on pedestal, covered table for storage or prep, also picnic table, water faucet, dumpsters, vault toilet. Stayed in Oct so it was not busy, there were a few tents, hiking trail lots of shade. Nice country road drive in and out.
TravelerThis campground is pretty stripped down. There are vault toilets and that's it for amenities. 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. You have to gather your own wood or bring approved stuff in, but it is perfect for a quick overnight trip.
RangerWonderful open areas for camping. Fire pits aplenty. Great hiking trails to meadows and forest. Several sites all first come first serve. No power and vault toilets. Donation camping so late night arrivals can get scetchy.
RangerLove the trails and the secluded spots. There usually are always people camping, even in the winter. Also, there are no electric sites so dont forget your generator. My husband and I have felt a little unsafe. We once had another camper come into our site and not want to leave.
GuideSet in the Cedar Creek District of the mark Twain National Forest this campground is perfect for a night stay or a backpacking trip. On site camp hostess and privy. Great hammock camping
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near California, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near California, MO is Pine Ridge Recreation Area with a 3.9-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near California, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near California, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
