Clarksville, Missouri sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Cuivre rivers, with seasonal water levels affecting camping conditions throughout the year. The area's elevation ranges from 440 to 650 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Spring through fall brings dense foliage and wildlife activity near the water, while winter months offer more visibility but limited services at most campgrounds.
What to do
Kayaking on Lincoln Lake: At Cuivre River State Park Campground, visitors have direct access to Lincoln Lake for water activities. "Campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking," notes Cody S. in his review. The park maintains rental facilities during peak season.
Fishing from accessible docks: The fishing areas include covered, accessible docks for anglers of all abilities. "It also has an accessible fishing dock that is covered. The sites for full hook ups are separate from the other sites," explains Kayla S. about the fishing setup at Cuivre River State Park.
Trail exploration: Multiple trail systems surround the camping areas, ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels. According to Chad K., "Cuivre river is about an hour outside St.Louis and offers a multitude of outdoor options from hiking, biking, boating and fishing. The trails are fantastic and have different levels for all."
Archery practice: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park maintains an archery range alongside their glamping and camping facilities. The park offers equipment rentals for recreation beyond water activities. "There is a lot to do here. They have an archery range. They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well," reports Barbie B.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural surroundings provide frequent wildlife encounters near camp. "We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" shares Maria E. The wooded settings at many sites increase wildlife observation chances.
Spacious site layouts: Pere Marquette State Park Campground receives positive feedback for its generous site dimensions. "Most of the sites were fairly level, but I didn't see any pull through sites," notes Joel R. The campground's layout within old-growth trees adds to site privacy.
Water recreation options: Many campers appreciate the variety of water access points for different activities. "This park has a lake you can rent kayaks for. They have a small store at the check in booth," mentions Kayla S. about the amenities that support water recreation.
Historical connections: The region's connection to American history adds educational value to camping trips. As Michael M. points out, "Lots of historical buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Camping is divided up into an RV section, tents only section, and group tent camping."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most glamping facilities near Clarksville operate on limited schedules. Yogi Bears Jellystone Park at Pine Lakes runs from "Apr 20 - Nov 15" according to their seasonal information, with reduced activities during shoulder seasons.
Flooding concerns: Low-lying areas experience periodic flooding that affects accessibility. "It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded," Annie C. notes about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, highlighting the importance of checking conditions before arrival.
Limited shade at newer facilities: Some glamping sites lack mature trees for shade. "I like trees and nature around. This park had very little of that. It seems to be new, and there are trees planted, but it will be awhile before they provide any shade," observes Susan L.
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. "The ATT cell phone signal is good," reports Mats about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, while other areas report limited or no service.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Plan for downtime between organized activities at family-focused glamping sites. "Great for a family with kids of all ages. The activities are not all day, so plan on some campside entertainment before 10am and after 6pm," advises ELLYN P. about scheduling at Jellystone Park.
Rental equipment planning: Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park and The Water Zone offers extensive recreation options that require planning. "Being after Labor Day the water par was closed, but looked like fun. Mini golf was booming. They had nice pavilion areas for gatherings," reports Cathy S., highlighting the importance of checking seasonal availability.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically for family comfort and privacy. "Our site was fairly spacious and not super close to others which we liked. The sites by the vault toilet looked closer together so I could see that being a cool spot for multiple families or friend groups," suggests Maria E.
Wildlife safety measures: Proper food storage prevents wildlife encounters around campsites. "Don't leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge, we accidentally left our trash bag hanging (ugh!) but that was our fault," warns one camper about necessary precautions.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Lazy Day Campground, RVers appreciate the thoughtful utility placements. "We were then escorted to pull-through site 17 with full hookups. The gravel pad was fairly level, and although the utilities were toward the back of the site, we had no trouble connecting. There were two sewer hookups—a nice touch," explains MickandKarla W. about the setup.
Water pressure variations: RVers should be prepared for significant differences in water pressure between sites. "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" notes Susan L. about her experience, suggesting the need for pressure regulators at some locations.
Site leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. "The campground is quiet and has big campsites," reports Cody S., while others note challenges with uneven sites requiring additional leveling equipment.
Satellite reception considerations: Tree cover affects technology access differently across sites. "While the grounds have mature trees, most sites—including 17—are satellite-friendly," observes MickandKarla W., providing valuable information for RVers dependent on satellite technology.
