If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Chillicothe, look no further. Find the best information on tent camping near Chillicothe, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
The Conservation Department created this area in 1968 with the purchase of 1,024 acres from several landowners. Later acquisitions of 924 acres have increased the area's current size. This conservation area was acquired in part through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pittman-Robertson funds are generated from a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. Because of its size and diversity of habitat, Bonanza Conservation Area is managed for a wide range of game and nongame wildlife species. The area's open fields are managed by farming, haying and controlled burning. Other habitat management includes tree, shrub and grass plantings and selective timber harvest. Native grasses have been planted and managed to improve nesting habitat and winter cover. A few streams run through the area; the largest of these are Shoal Creek and Crabapple Creek. Bonanza Conservation Area is a Quail Restoration Landscape. This means additional emphasis is placed upon managing the area for early successional species such as Bobwhite quail.
Area closed to bicycle use (and horseback riding) during all portions of the firearms deer hunting season and spring turkey hunting seasons.
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.
Beautiful and quiet pastures surrounded by trees is where you and your family will make sweet memories this summer. Whether you like to fish, visit historical sites, star gaze, shop Amish goods in Jamesport, or just relax with friends and family, you will love your stay at Honey Grove Campground. We are located 5 minutes from the historic Adam-Ondi-Ahman and only 5 minutes from fishing and boating in The Grand River.
Our bathroom features toilets, sinks, and hot showers. Three cabins (sleeping 4 each) look out over the wide open field to our historic brick silo. Each of these bunk houses include a picnic table and fire ring. Nine tent camp sites include shade, a picnic table and a fire ring for each site.
Bring your own bedding, don't waste water, and leave the camp cleaner than you found it so that campers who follow you don't get stuck in a mess, but have a sweet vacation too. Welcome to our hive!
$20 - $60 / night
ScoutIn Amish country. About eight fire rings. Probably could park anywhere and camp regardless of rings. 2 OCT 24 and been here five days and saw only two other campers. One night and two night stays for them. Safe place although I am a manly man so I do not worry. Safe for females I mean. About 30 minutes to Bethany proper where civilization is. 3 bar Verizon reception.
Guide
We came here fully expecting rain and we got it. Only problem was we planned to tie up some tarps to sit under but we didn't know that it was against the rules to tie to the trees at these sites. luckily we made it work tieing to the roof of the table and a stump. As far as the camp ground its self, rules aside, it is amazing. All the tent sites are separated by trees and bushes so you get plenty of room to your self but they are close enough you can still connect with other groups if you want. Another great part about it is that there are walking paths through the woods from each site that meet up at a central restroom. The main bathrooms and showers are over by the office and are super nice but it is good that there are a couple stalls close for the middle of the night situations. Tons of walking trails are around and a decent playground for the kids as well. Overall loved this place.
Guide
Very nice view of the lake, lots of campsites around the lake. Not many lights around and no big cities and a low horizon so it’s a good place to visit for a visual observation night with a telescope or binos. Only one other camper at my campsite when I visited, so it’s a good weekend retreat from the city life. This is a primitive campsite; there are two waterless bathrooms and 8 or so gravel spots at site B on the Eastern side of the lake.
Scout
Had a great stealth camping experience here. Road was gravelled all the way down and opened up to a big gravel lot. I could tell there were a few other paths I could take but the grass was a little overgrown and it was already dark out, so I just car camped in the gravel lot. Had no issues and didn’t see or hear anyone else!
Scout
Easy check in if you have made online reservations. Very well taken care of and clean. Great spot to visit the quilting stores here.
Guide
Free camping in designated camping area per MO Dept of Conservation rules. Pit toilets and mowed area for camping. Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities inside the area.
Ranger
Beautiful spot by the lake. Be sure to turn left at first sign to find campsites. Was a little frustrating that a family seemed to have taken up permanent residence and was obnoxious with the generator. Trash was overflowing and could use a little more attention. Clean vault toilets with TP. It was really beautiful with the sunset.
Ranger
Stayed here for several days. Wonderful facility on the edge of Gallatin. Stores and gas just a mile away. A duck was the only full time resident of the park. We got several visits from the local residents. They were delightful. We were informed that the park and rec district has a recommended fee of $35/night. However, the city says it's a donation. So if you stay there and don't make a donation, that is between you and your conscience.
Ranger
It is against their rules to camp anywhere but on a gravelly parking lot. We camped just off the road and got a citation. It's not really disbursed camping.
ScoutBeautiful spot on the lake. Clean campground, full hook-ups. Tent and RV friendly. Will stop here again!
LegendSmall park with some very private sites and some very exposed sites. Nice showers and dump station.
ScoutThis free campground has a water tap and a pit toilet. There are at least three first come first served campsites that have a picnic table and a fire ring.
TravelerWe drove by the east side campsite and it was packed. We ran into a local and he told us about a spot on the east side of the lake. An old boy scout camp. It wasn’t maintained but there was nobody there. Our dogs ran free and that was what we were looking for. We ran our generator at night because we had no neighbors. We were a mile from the lake so we drove around and had access to the lake.
Scout
Had a big fire outside one of the cabins today! Great company, warm flames, and hot dogs makes for a wonderful night, but the stars and beautiful weather seriously enhanced it like none other! The campground really felt comfortable and my whole family really enjoyed our stay!
Scout
We stayed Sunday-Wednesday and it was very peaceful. Sites are not right on top of each other and it looks like they all have a fire pit and picnic table. There are only a handful of paved spots and you will need leveling blocks on the gravel. Showers and bathrooms are clean and the hosts are very nice. New asphalt roads throughout the park; nice for walking, biking, etc. Be sure to get biscuits & gravy at “The General Store” just down the road from the park entrance.
Traveler
You can reserve online or with an attendant on site! Spots are small but all shaded. A raccoon ended up tearing through our trash but that was the only negative here! Take the last spot on the loop for extra privacy and to be close to the restrooms.
ScoutWe got in late, so the automatic gates were closed, but we got lucky and someone else came out so we were able to get to our campsite. It was very quiet during the night and we woke up to a chorus of birds. The bathrooms are pristine- nicer than some restaurants or hotels I’ve been to. We stayed in campsite 2 and took the trail down to the lake. It was very small, but the water was clear and we saw no trash! We could see the fish in the water! Overall a very lovely stay- we will be back!!
Ranger
We camped out here for the weekend.
The campground is one circular lot with I think around 18 spots. Some are basic just for tents and some have water and or electric.
The ones on the inside of the circle have more space and are more open but you don't have any privacy. Most spots on the outside of the circle, especially on the north and west sides have more privacy but not as much space.
The grounds are well kept with grass while maintained.
I hiked on most of the trails in one day. I missed the memorial trail and boardwalk. Home that I walked on will maintained. Some of them are more difficult than others but none of them too strenuous.
Note about the lake - Once you get to the parking lot for the lake you'll see nothing but trees. On the east side of the parking lot (next to the state park signage/billboard) there are two trail heads. Take the one on the left. There's a quarter mile hike down to the lake. The way back is mostly uphill. Not too steep, but steep enough you might feel it if you don't do much hiking/walking.
Playground It had a nice playground for small kids including a little play area and some swing sets.
Restrooms There were two bathrooms present. One was a traditional drop toilet. It had a solar fan so surprisingly it did not have any smell. The other bathroom has a shower and the women's had two toilets and the men's had one toilet and a urinal. Everything was clean.
Dog-friendliness We did not take any dogs but we saw plenty of people who had dogs.
GuideBeautiful, peaceful, very quiet. Heard some coyotes at night and lots of birds in the morning. Bathroom was stocked and as clean as you’d expect. All the hunters we saw were on the west side of the conservation area, though there is a fishing area on the other side of the east campground loop. Some day use picnic areas as well, but in April our only neighbors were fellow campers. I imagine with more people it would be a bit cramped, but not so much so that I would turn away. I would absolutely camp here again. Good T-Mobile and Verizon service.
Scout
Park has underwent a full makeover. Electrical, plumbing, surfaces all have been updated. Level, full-hookup, pull-through sites. First come first serve basis, always sites available unless if a holiday or abnormally buys traffic.
Scout
This is a 12-month open RV Park. I live here full time. Most sites offer 30 and 50 Amp, Water and Sewer. WiFi has improved. The owner is on site daily and is very attentive.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're excited to welcome this partner to our platform. Randy is your host, and would love to take you on a tour on his farm. There are 4 sites in total, all with stunning 360 rolling hill views. A shared toilet and shower are available! Check them out and post some pictures here. Happy Camping!
RangerDeer hunting camp. Lots of city hunters with NO CONCEPT of safety during hunting.
Traveler
Very nice area. The camping spots are relatively level and are mainly concrete or asphalt. The park hosts are friendly and helpful. The bathrooms and showers are very very clean. Even the vault bathroom next to our site wasn’t that nasty.
RangerThis worked great as an overnight stop on our way to MN. We were there midweek during the off-season, so our nice pull-thru site was fine. Some sites were small and open. Bathrooms were closed for the season, but the building looked pretty new.
TravelerUsed to stay here as a kid during deer season, recently came back to it to explore some more. Multiple campsites available along the highway, but the marked site is one of the best, right by a great fishing lake. Very quite, no amenities.
GuideClean campground clean bathrooms . Power hookup no water or sewer at site but both are available in the campground. $21 a night for seniors
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chillicothe, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chillicothe, MO is Bonanza Conservation Area with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Chillicothe, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Chillicothe, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
