Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Chula? Finding a place to stay in Missouri while traveling with your horse has never been easier. With our help, you'll find the best Missouri equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
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.
$12 / night
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.
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.
LegendSmall park with some very private sites and some very exposed sites. Nice showers and dump station.
Scout
Facilities are available and very convenient and comfortable. Nice lake to swim and fish. Absolutely beautiful park and really nice trails. Thanks, Tina
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!!
RangerDeer hunting camp. Lots of city hunters with NO CONCEPT of safety during hunting.
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
GuideVery clean showers.
RangerCampground 1 is the ideal tent grounds. Heavily wooded some with better coverage than others. Campground 2 is the most spaces RV site. Campground 3 had five total sites in an open area. No privacy at all. Campground 4 was a tighter RV set up. All campgrounds share one very updated showerhouse, which did lead to some lines at the showers Sunday, but the trade off for quality bathroom is appreciated. All campgrounds and day use areas are also connected by a series of trails, so you're not far off from getting to a hike at any point. Campground 1 has four walkins that range from 80 to 300 yards in, starting with 28 closest and 31 farthest out. We stayed at 31, and whole remote, during the day picked up sounds clearly from other sites and at night the highway was pretty clear. Overall though the seclusion tradeoff was nice and it was an easy adjustment for us as car campers. We had a raccoon visitor who is a frequent flyer, while he got away with some hotdogs, we adjusted and ensured he didn't get additional treats. The main showerhouse was closer than the vault toilet on 1, which was still really well maintained. Overall crowds here seemed very respectful of quiet hours, space on trails and made for an improved stay. Camp hosts were always available and polite and friendly. Trails were maintained. Definitely would return again, to a similar site as a walk in.
TravelerWe really enjoyed Wallace State Park. Very clean and well kept with friendly hosts. We stayed in campground 4. It is fairly ope with the exception of 78 - 80 which are nestled in the woods at the end. Campground 1 had lot of wooded spots as well.
ScoutThe birds, the deer, and yes even the raccoons. They all made it enjoyable. Hiking trails are very nice. Camp hosts were friendly and helpful.
RangerGreat MO state park, close to the city with easy access to 35 N. Trails, lakes, camping, great spot! If you don’t want/need electric, try campground 1, the spots are tucked into the trees.
RangerGreat state park and campground. Nice trails. Great shower house.
ScoutLots of great spots to camp that have shade. Looks like the areas are in good shape and cleaned up after ever camper. The lake is more like a big pond. Was not overly impressed. However, lots of trails and some beautiful area to explore. We will be going back.
RangerShowed up and went to our site it was a tent only spot even though it said 20ft double pad.
TravelerNicely kept state park with recently upgraded restroom/shower facilities. Small lake = no big boats & easy fishing access👍🏻. Love the many hiking trails. Close to restocking locations. My destination multiple times/year with grandkids
GuideNice park, a little run down, but there's a new park ranger in town who is trying to fix it up. New rental cabin almost finished, clean beach, boat ramp and fishing. Clean spacious bathrooms, nice playground for the kids and a really cool equestrian section. No store, no wood so get what you need before you get here.
TravelerAwesome views, great location, solid trails
ScoutI live near this park so it's a go to spot for hiking and foraging, one review on here says there's no place for biking but bikes are allowed on the trails they just aren't paved.
There's a small lake with a "beach" that has catfish, bluegill and black crappie. Great place for small children the fish are very active in the summer.
The ticks are pretty thick during the summer on the trails. And if you want solitude this is not the place but if you are camping with children or inexperienced campers its a great park. All the pictures I have from this park are family portraits
Its a great place for pictures a lot of locals go there for family photos and senior pictures.
TravelerExceptional primitive camping, private spaces with plenty of shade. Clean toilets and welcoming full time staff. Small swimming lake a short walk away and nice treks. RV area is a bit more open. Artisan brewery in nearby Cameron and highly recommended deli in nearby Hamilton. Always spaces available during the week.
TravelerQuaint campground an hour outside of Kansas City. Beautiful fall foliage. The last weekend in October they have a lot of great activities for kids. Pumpkin Carving games. There’s a campsite decorating contest. Kids can go trick or treating at the campsites that choose to participate. Showers are immaculate. Vault toilets are extremely well maintained. Well marked trails and friendly people all around.
GuideWhat a great park! Miles of hiking trail, good sites, well maintained, clean shower house, and great multiple playgrounds.
GuideThis was an excellent State Park. Very well groomed. Shower house was amazingly clean and great water pressure. I was only here overnight. However, I felt very welcome and comfortable! The host checking me in offered me a different spot which was more level. Made it a lot easier to get set!
RangerIt was nice, they have 3 camprounds. 1 is basic, they have plenty of room for tents and camping and large space between each camp site. They have walk in camp sites also. Campground 3 is the electrics and made for the campers.
TravelerWe camped in one of the walk-in tent sites and loved it! Plenty of space between us and neighbors, nice and quiet. Plenty of shade, nice hiking trails, and the shower house / amenities were nice.
ScoutWe arrived on Thursday evening. After a short debate we opted to pay the extra money for an electric site - based solely on the fact that the water wasn't turned on in the basic site loop (we later discovered it was also off at the swimming beach).
At a guess the basic sites aren't used much as they seemed less kept than the electric sites. Finding a place to pitch a tent in the electric loop was a challenge but we did find one that had enough level grass. Site 4 - close to the water spigot and a modest walk to the bathroom/showerhouse.
Though it was definitely busier come Friday night not all the sites were full and most seemed to be retired or semi-so with grandkids. No party atmosphere - which is what we happened to be looking for this trip.
A nice, quiet place to spend a weekend away with Amish country store a close distance by.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chula, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chula, MO is Wallace State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chula, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Chula, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
