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ort Crowder Conservation Area, located in southern Newton County, was once part of the old, World War II Camp Crowder Army Base. The U.S. Army selected the Neosho site for the base because of its proximity to water, railroads, and highways. Visitors to the area can still see foundations, fruit trees, open fields and other remnants of many of the hundreds of small farms purchased by the federal government for the 60,000-acre base. Camp Crowder was named for Judge Advocate General and U.S. Ambassador to Cuba Enoch H. Crowder. Thousands of soldiers went through basic training here before the camp was decommissioned in the mid 1950s, including Mort Walker, who immortalized the Camp as Camp Swampy in his syndicated comic strip, Beetle Bailey. Fort Crowder Conservation Area, encompassing 2,362 acres, is approximately 60 percent forested. Primary species include white, black, post, blackjack and red oaks, hackberry, elm, black cherry, black walnut, and ash. The remainder of the area is open and includes 200 acres of native warm-season grasses, 100 acres of crop fields and 600 acres of fields maintained in an early successional stage. The area hosts various game species, including quail, rabbits and doves in the open areas and large numbers of deer and squirrels. Turkeys have been stocked here and are now present in good numbers. During your visit to Fort Crowder Conservation Area you may view various forest and wildlife improvement projects in progress from the 11 miles of multiuse trails that wind through the area. These trails are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Area map: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/conservation-areas/6510map.pdf
Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area is in north-central Lawrence County, 12 miles northwest of Mt. Vernon. In 1980, the Conservation Department purchased 246 acres to maintain and protect riparian habitat along Spring River. Between 1980 and 1986, an additional 4,113 acres were purchased from six landowners, increasing the area to its present size. Originally named after Spring River, which flows unchannelized through the area's southern portion, the area was renamed in 1983 in honor of the late conservation commissioner, Robert E. Talbot from Joplin.
Talbot CA lands vary from the rich bottomland soil along Spring River to rocky, upland soils. Presently, the area is 69 percent open land and 31 percent wooded. Fishing opportunities can be found at the four acre or seven acre lake. Numerous smaller ponds can also be found on the area. The Conservation Department has sharecrop agreements with local farmers to provide food for wildlife. Harvested crops also benefit the local farm economy. Some of the timbered areas on Talbot CA have been thinned in recent years to restore the savanna and woodland natural communities that historically existed there. Periodic prescribed burning is used to maintain these restored natural communities. Prescribed burning is also an important management tool used on the area to benefit quail, rabbit, wild turkey, and a host of other wildlife species.Cattle grazing occurs from April - August on portions of the area. The grazing program is used to improve habitat for grassland obligate wildlife including Bobwhite quail.
Along with high quality upland habitat, visitors will find several miles of multiuse trails that are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Camping is allowed only in the spot designated on the area map. No facilities are provided at the campground. The campground is best suited for tents or small travel trailers/RVs.
Brochure: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/conservation-areas/8037.pdf
Camping is allowed only as designated in the "Things To Do When You Visit" section for this department area. If camping is not listed as an activity in this section, camping is prohibited on the area. Designated camping areas may or may not have defined campsites. Seasonal closures and restrictions may apply to all camping on department areas. On department areas where camping is allowed, camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period. Personal property must be removed at the end of the 14-day period. Unless a special use permit is obtained, total camping days on all department areas are limited to a total of 30 days within one calendar year. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section. Quiet hours are in effect in camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10 p.m. On camping areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
ScoutNo good
Traveler
Lots of ticks. Good clean campground. Bathroom. Bison roam the park. Ticks also roam the park. Found a burnt guitar. Wooden pole hit truck. Prarie walk had lots of ticks, but no tick dogs.
Traveler
The river is pretty, seems like great fishing opportunity. We were just passing through so we didn't fish. The shower and bathrooms left a lot to be desired. Only one shower and indoor toilet on the side we stayed on and it was just kind of gross. We did find 2 outside stalls with toilets but not until the next morning so that helped. Overall it was a nice place to stop and sleep for the night. Friendly people. Cameras in the campground so it feels safe.
Guide
Delightful office staff. We did not make advance reservations, but called when we were about an hour away and insured they had sites available. Long pull-thrus with full hookups. For an overnight stay, this is a nice campground.
Guide
We were just passing through and stayed for a night. We had sewer, water, and electric hookup. A nice dog park, and even found some 4 leaf clovers!
Scout
I love everything about this campground from the open space, to the front manager to the friendly guests. Near enough to town to enjoy the museum and pop in for lunch, far enough away to feel detached. There's also an old Drive in movie next door! Makes you want to get an airstream and cruise down Route 66
Traveler
This place was very quiet. We arrived and the owner was extremely helpful and nice. We were passing through town and found this place. Full hookups and level spots. Would recommend.
Scout
We camped here in October 2021 to close out our season and as a waypoint to Beaver Lake. This is a very nice, quaint little municipal campground. The shower house was clean enough, the spots were all well-maintained, and everything worked as advertised. There is a city park right around the bend that has all kinds of stuff, and there are basketball courts, volleyball courts, and horseshoe pits within short walking distance.
It may have been because of the time of year since the campground was about to close, but we were the only campers there for the whole week, which was totally awesome. There are 42 spots at Kamp Siesta, three of which are pull-through, so you cannot possibly beat this place for $10 a night.
Oh, and I forgot to mention the wooded trail right behind the campground. You definitely forget you're in Kansas back there!
Scout
1st night free, $20 donation after. register with Holly, 30 & 50 amp at only 3 poles, free water and dump on site. The only problem was train traffic 200' away 24/7.
Traveler
Went camping with our adult daughter and her boyfriend. I am glad that we were the only ones camping because the spots were very small and close together. We had a hard time securing the tent because the ground was so rocky. The bathroom had 2 toilets but no doors and the exterior door didn't have a lock on it. The sink was so close to one of the toilets that you could have washed your hands while sitting on the toilet. The power supply was next to the road and not next to where you would put your tent so I am very happy that we had brought extra extension cords. All of the camping spots had a fire ring, BBQ grill and a picnic table. There was no clear shot to the water from any of the camping sites from what I could tell. We did however go to Anglers Paradise to see how the water was and it wasn't as clear and swimmable as I would have wanted. We did however find a nice little spot called Sycamore Creek on #10 and it is the clearest water you could amagine! Swimming was amazing there and it was only about 7 minutes away! Over all we had a great time camping!! Oh yeah, I did try fishing but didn't have much luck.
Guide
We called on our way and the woman said they had plenty of space and since we were arriving after hours to just come in and pick any available spot and pay in the morning. It was near the highway but oh so quiet. Checkout in the morning was easy and Mike at the office was so friendly. Excellent place to stay!!
Guide
This place was easy, pretty and well appointed. Great site next to river, across from bath, laundry and showers. Quiet and easy access. Highly recommend.
GuideNice Shady spot overlooking the river. My spot was shaded by black walnut trees. With the sound of the river in the background. Totally relaxing.
Scout
They have everything you could want! Arcade, swimming pool, kids playground and a pond to fish. On top of those they have bathrooms & showers with a sauna in each and a laundry unit which are all very nice! I wouldn’t even call them owners because they definitely do not act like it, they’re the sweetest people you could meet along the way. They offer firewood to buy from them and propane as well if you run out on site and don’t want to drive anywhere. This is the best place we’ve stayed at yet!
GuideStopped for the night and stayed two!
Traveler
Worth the twenty minute drive from Grove. The remote location is great when you want to get away and feel like you are actually camping. The park is in the woods so almost all the spaces are shaded by beautiful old growth trees. We prefer this to the glorified parking lots that so many newer rv parks have become. The kids enjoy the outdoor pool and the lake views from the north side of the property are second to none at Grand Lake. Finally, the staff have been extremely friendly and helpful when we've stayed here and rates are great, especially for members.
Scout
I hate this place and will never go back. I did primitive tent camping for 2 nights with my 5 kids and a 5 mile float in a raft. It was over $500. The raft, by design, took on several inches of water so we couldn’t keep anything dry. Then, they didn’t have a pick up bus. We had to walk down the highway back to the office after floating for 6 hours and then waiting for an hour and even calling twice. The kids behind the counter don’t have a clue what is going on and are completely unapologetic when they mess everything up (our reservations, the float instructions, the pick up bus…). They made zero effort to make anything right and the counter girl even laughed at me for being upset. When I got mad and asked to speak to someone who knows how a business is supposed to operate she called security to throw my son and I out. We left early, ate the money and paid a different campsite down the street where the staff are friendly and helpful.
Traveler
I've camped here several times with friends and love how nice everyone is.
TravelerTent area is undeveloped, but the lawn is fairly level, bathrooms and showers are only a short walk away. Nicole showed me to the site and was a wonderful help. Great spot that most people might pass up because its right next to the highway, but honestly you can barely tell aside from the hum of trucks. Bathrooms are beautiful and clean, 2 toilets, 2 showers and a sauna in each. The place is quiet and seems like a lot of people here are long term residents. We are in a tent on the back lawn by a small fishing lake. Nice playground for younger kids and you cant beat the atmosphere and the birds. Free on-site laundry which I took advantage of when I needed to wash and dry my blanket on a cold night. Unfourtunately no campfire for tent camp sites, but bring a camp stove and you'll be fine. They are actively doing renovations and the office isnt open yet, so you have to call the park manager, Kim, for info and she is wonderful. All the staff is. Kim came by and took my son and 2 other kids on a golf cart ride on the trail behind the lake and they had a blast. We are loving it here and are sad to be leaving after the weekend. Update: I have just been informed they have a Willie Nelson impersonator doing a show here tonight, this place would get 6 stars if I could.
LegendThis is a great RV resort close to the water but with very little shade. It is right across the street from Tera Miranda that has a cool restaurant on the water though. There are park models and group houses as well as RV pads. Nice central location on Monkey Island.
ScoutWe booked a spot for a month. The place is well kept and nice. The people in the office are very nice and helpful. I would have rather been in one of the sites closer to the office. As they have nice trees and shade. This is the only reason for 4 stars.
GuideJohn was super helpful n a last minute tight. Nice campground just wish we would of had more time to visit.
ScoutVery nice campground, great owners, friendly atmosphere 👍
GuidePulled in here on a cross-country trip. They’re flexible, personable and responsive. Definitely recommend
Scout
I stayed in one of the airbnb cabins this past summer and it was super comfortable. Everything I needed for a great stay. Awesome managers and such a peaceful surrounding. I know there are new pedestals and hookups for RVs and they have been working on the swimming pool for 2023. The A-frame cabin is being renovated for a new laundry facility and new showers/bathrooms too.
Guide
Enjoyed a nice fall camping trip at Rock Creek (COE) park in Kansas
Traveler
Nice quiet campground on Grand Lake. Spots are spacious on back-in concrete pads. Each spot has 50/30/20 power, bbq grill, fire ring, picnic table and light on the power pole. There are flush toilets and hot showers in the bathrooms. Reservations are easily made online. We had a spot near the water with a nice view of the lake. I had good 5G cell reception with Verizon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carl Junction, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carl Junction, MO is Prairie State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 10 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Carl Junction, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
