Best Tent Camping near California, 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!

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.

Beautiful campground, though Full hookup sites are on an unappealing parking lot. Sites with electric and water only are in nice oak woods overlooking Lake of the Ozarks. (Our site # J has a concrete stairway with 150 steps down to the water.) Tent sites are right on the water, with spectacular views. You can launch your own kayak or rent a motor boat to explore this gigantic lake. Free laundry facilities. Lean restrooms with nice shower. Very relaxed reservation procedure. We called and were told to just show up. They would hold a spot for us. It worked out fine.

The largest camp area of Arrow Rock is definitely geared towards RVs, but there is a "basic loop" with twelve basic campsites for tent camping. There is a bathroom/shower house very close to the basic loop and the basic loop is well away from the RV area. Right up the road is Big Soldier Lake where you can fish as well. The camp host was helpful in providing firewood and was very attentive of the sites. The campsites are a bit crowded in with each other as there are 12 in the small basic loop, but a few campsites at the back end of the loop provide a lot of area to stretch and spread out into.

The Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area (LORA) is a great destination for camping, boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing and other outdoor activities. The lake is one of the Nation's largest man-made lakes, providing you with over 1150 miles of shoreline to enjoy. LORA welcomes Active Duty Military, Retired Military, members of the National Guard and Reserves, DoD employees with ID cards, family members and Fort Leonard Wood contract employees.  Plenty to do and see here.  Boat rentals, hiking, and others mentioned above.  The LORA Country Store carries ice, beverages, firewood and a small selection of food including snacks, milk, eggs and bread. The store also carries the basic necessities needed for camping and fishing, including fishing licenses.  Can rent a tent site, camper site with full or partial hook ups, cabins 1-3 bedroom, etc.  The marina has boat and jet-ski rentals (pontoons, wave runners, jet ski's, ski boats, fishing boats, pontoons, etc.) that are much more reasonable then other rental places in the area. Area is staffed by on-duty MP's out of Fort Leonard Wood.

Campsites were right on the Missouri River. Had great views and a stunning sunset. Staff was super friendly and helpful. We set up our tent and enos for the night on the way to Colorado. Even had phone service. Everything we could have asked for!

Nice view. Right on Missouri River. On Katy trail. Bathrooms are port a johns. Live music some nights.

A beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise. A bathroom (in addition to portapotties) as well as indoor shower. Very kind people all around

On my road trip out west I stumbled upon this little oasis. Good people and a fun time. Food truck set up and beer was being sold. Gorgeous lookout onto the Missouri River. They have a stage for live music.

This park is one of my favorite nearby spots to take the kayak out and just float. Paddling through these channels is such a dreamy experience. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent as well. I have yet to camp out here but I'd love to crawl out of my tent and spend dawn out on these waters.

This is a Military Campground (not quite a FAMCAMP - more a Recreation Area)! They have four areas - tent, water and electric, full hook up and cabins! We have stayed here may times - typically with the full hook ups. It is NOT off I-44 but off US 54. We have stayed up there in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October!

We got here later in the day and the staff was very helpful and got us settled right away. The campground was near full and most, if not all, the sites are pull through. A lot of long Coach RVs. I saw an area for tents and there is a bathhouse with showers. Also a pool. $50 for the night for electric and water and additional costs for fire wood and portable fire pit.

We pulled in at the end of a long day, hoping only for a place to sleep, and were happily able to secure a quiet spot for the night. The camp host was helpful and friendly. The bathrooms and showers were clean. We camped in a van. Other campsites contained small RVs and tents. Probably not a good location for larger RVs. This looks to be a good place for families to fish, ride mountain bikes, and enjoy the ATV trails.

Located right alongside the Missouri river and Katy Trail, Coopers Landing is a real unique place. The flood of 2019 really took it's toll on the facility but the new owner is working hard to get it all back together. We've stayed here several times a year since 2015 and it's a perennial favorite. They have live music on an outdoor stage, a small general store and a view of the river you can't get anywhere.  Bring your bikes and take a ride on the Katy Trail!

Finger Lakes is one of few places in Missouri for campers to also be able to enjoy riding their ATVs. Helmets for riders and flags for vehicles are required for riding, and there is a variety of terrain for hours of fun. Camping is generally quiet with ample space to relax in your lawn chairs, cook and dine outdoors, and fellowship with others. Most camping sites have at least some shade.

I stayed in mid November and though the shower houses were closed I had a great time. Spent 3 nights and saw all the area sights, Boonville, Franklin (the start of the Santa Fe trail), the Booneslick salt works ruins and of course the adjacent Arrow Rock State Historic Park. Even traveled west to visit Fort Osage near Independence MO. I had the Pond loop (30amp) campground completely to my self and only a couple hearty tent campers on the 50amp loop. A real gem!

I've passed through Missouri numerous times, and their parks are always top notch. Clean and well maintained. As with most "green" places in the spring and summer, the ticks are outrageous. This time was no exception, use spray to keep the buggers off!

This one was easy in/out, plenty of room between campsites. Most sites looked level, but some are a bit wacky. We had a wacky one, and the host was nice, and quick to reposition us to a better spot.