Best Tent Camping 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 Tent Sites Near California, Missouri (20)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near California, MO

5 Photos of 20 California Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near California, MO

234 Reviews of 20 California Campgrounds


  • Pamela B.
    Aug. 1, 2023

    Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area

    Primitive Free Camping

    Vault toilets available. Quiet. No water, hook ups or picnic tables, but fire rings. Wish people would understand pack in pack out and not leave trash! Otherwise very peaceful experience. Had service of at least 2-3 bars entire time. Town of Linn a 20 minute drive to get supplies.

  • Julia V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Had everything we needed

    Basic tent site, potable water was right near our site. Bathrooms were clean. There were some families staying nearby but overall was a quiet stay.

  • K
    Aug. 12, 2022

    Camp Takimina

    Beautiful quiet campground in Columbia MO!

    We stayed at Camp Takimina on our first shakedown trip with our Popup camper.  It was amazing.  It was about 5-10 minutes from I-70, super easy to get to. The camp was quiet, private, and peaceful.  There are no hookups, but water was right next to us near the parking lot, and the picnic tables near the lodge were shaded most of the day.  Portapotties were clean and well stocked.  We brought our dog and two children and the had an absolutely fabulous time!  We hiked a lot in the woods, played in the creek, and had plenty of time and space to figure out our new to us popup camper.  There aren't actual spots for to park in, it is just a big gravel lot with a couple designated areas for campers if the lot is full (it wasn't full at all).  We reserved Arrow Hill also, which is a huge site right next to the parking lot, so we had a campfire ring to cook on.  Most of the firepits have benches that surround them, which was very handy not to have to move chairs around all the time.  The tent sites were huge- easily would fit multiple tents at each site, and we will absolutely be back to tent camp, and with the popup too!

  • B
    Jun. 3, 2025

    Lazy Liz Katy Trail Horse and RV Campground

    Great place

    We stayed in our rv while riding the Katy trail easy check in process. Free use of washer and dryer. Shower was great. Felt super safe here. Nice and quiet. Would definitely recommend to anyone. I noticed bicycle tent campers here and on a rainy night they were able to set up tent in barn to stay dry.

  • Curtis M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2018

    Binder Park Campground

    close to home

    137 acre lake with great fishing, offering rv hookups and basic tent sites with a pavilion and privys

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Roberts Bluff Access

    Good overnight spot

    Arrived Wednesday evening and had the spot to myself. There’s a stocked vault toilet, 2 camping spots with fire rings and a boat ramp. very simple but works! No other amenities available. It’s about 2 miles off the interstate and very peaceful. You’re surrounded by farm lane and wildlife. There’s a river at the site but didn’t explore it any. I came after a day of rain so the fire areas were flooded but the actual pull in spot was nice and dry!

  • Josh S.
    May. 30, 2019

    Scrivner Road Conservation Area

    A hidden gem tucked away in rural Cole County

    First off there is camping here!!!! 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. First come first serve basic camp area on the river. It has 1 fire ring in a gravel turnaround. Don’t let this fool you. This area has an abundance of wildlife equestrian trails and hiking. Getting too hot paddle on the lake located on the left Forck after entering. The area has a handgun, and rifle range with vault toilets. The pictures speak for themselves. Love this spot and will be planning another trip soon.

  • Whitney L.
    Jun. 3, 2022

    Fiery Fork Conservation Area

    open and easy to access camping spot

    We camped at Firey Fork in the autumn of 2021. It was during deer hunting season and we only had one neighbor that looked to be there for quite a while hunting. We could see them with our eyeballs but they were perfect neighbors and we didn’t hear a peep other than their generator for a bit. The area was mowed, had a rock fire place, concrete picnic tables (which were handy), a vault toilet, shade, grass for dogs to play frisbee, parking right beside your spot, trails, access to the river, good hammock trees, flat-level surface!

  • 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


Guide to California

Tent camping near California, Missouri offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can set up camp and enjoy the great outdoors.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Scrivner Road Conservation Area provides a first-come, first-served basic camp area along the river, complete with a fire ring and vault toilets.
  • At Pikes Camp, campers can enjoy a shaded grassy area for camping, along with access to river activities and basic facilities.
  • Dry Fork Recreation Area features drinking water, picnic tables, and trash disposal, making it a convenient choice for tent campers.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Hiking and biking enthusiasts will find great trails at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, where scenic views and wildlife abound.
  • Saline Valley Conservation Area offers opportunities for fishing and exploring the natural beauty of the area, perfect for outdoor adventurers.
  • Campers at Osage-Tavern Access can enjoy water access for swimming or kayaking, making it a great spot for water-based activities.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $5

  • Camping at Scrivner Road Conservation Area is free, allowing visitors to enjoy nature without breaking the bank.
  • Pikes Camp also offers free camping, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious campers.
  • At Dry Fork Recreation Area, there are no fees for camping, providing a cost-effective way to experience the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near California, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near California, MO is Scrivner Road Conservation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near California, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near California, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.