We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in Clarksville. Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect equestrian sites that are scenic and easy to access.
Cuivre River State Park is one of the state’s largest and most rugged parks! Cuivre River State Park lends a wilder, Ozarkian flavor to the otherwise predominately agricultural landscape of northern Missouri. Although not far from St. Louis, the park is a nature lover’s paradise. It is an outdoor delight to stroll through the park in the spring when flowering dogwood is in bloom or in the fall when the trees are ablaze with autumn colors. The park is perfect whether you want to enjoy an afternoon visit or spend a few days. Both primitive and modern campsites are available, and Lake Lincoln offers swimming, boating and fishing. The park’s wild and natural areas provide hiking, backpacking, photography and wildlife observation activities. There is also an equestrian trail with a campground for overnight stays. Cuivre River State Park offers reservable basic, electric and sewer/electric/water campsites, an equestrian campground, three organized group camps and a special-use camping area. Try one of the park's family campsites for a little extra space or a platform tent site for a unique camping experience.
$15 - $38 / night
Pitch your tent in one of four widely spaced sites. Each site has enough room for multiple tents and includes a fire pit and picnic table. The sites are just a short walk from our shower/restroom facility. The fishing ponds are just a quarter mile walk from the campsites, and access to the numerous trails throughout our 940-acre property is directly from the campsites. While we have four designated sites, it is rare for all to be full, and likely that you'll be the only campers here most days. We are located in a very remote/rural part of Illinois in a county nestled between the Mississippi& Illinois Rivers, but only 75 miles north of downtown St. Louis. We have been included in John Shirle's"The Best in Tent Camping: Illinois."
The McCully Heritage Project is a 940- acre environmental center located one mile south of Kampsville in beautiful and remote Calhoun County. We are a private non-profit left as the legacy of Howard and Eva McCully.
$20 - $100 / night
Indian Creek lies on the northern banks of Mark Twain Lake. It is the largest campground on the lake with 215 standard campsites, plus additional non-electric and tent-only sites. The lake is named for the beloved writer and humorist, Mark Twain, who was born just south of the lake in Florida, Missouri.
Boating is convenient with Indian Creek's public boat ramp. Bass fishing and hunting are also popular.
Mark Twain Lake is sourced by the Salt River in northeast Missouri. The Clarence Cannon Dam sits on the eastern edge of the lake, providing flood control and hydroelectricity to the region, in addition to an extensive habitat for wildlife.
While visiting the area, tour the birthplace of the world-famous humorist and writer Mark Twain in the nearby Mark Twain State Park. The David C. Berti Shooting Range is located below the dam.
$30 - $125 / night
Frank Russell Campground, set near the picturesque Mark Twain Lake, has a location near the dam, providing campers with easy access to the lake, river and surrounding attractions. The campground also features an amphitheater with weekly events in the summer. The lake's namesake and legendary author and humorist, Mark Twain, was born in a town beside the lake.
The 32-mile long Joanna Trail is accessible from the campground. Here, horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers can enjoy the rough and varied terrain that meanders along the northern banks of the lake, across bluffs and over hills. Campfire programs are provided every Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Mark Twain Lake is sourced by the Salt River in northeast Missouri. The Clarence Cannon Dam sits on the eastern edge of the lake, providing flood control and hydroelectricity to the region.
While here, many visitors tour the birthplace of world-famous humorist and author, Mark Twain, in Florida, Missouri. The David C. Berti Shooting Range is below the dam and the M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center is located on the south end of the Dam.
$30 / night
Guide
I stayed one night in the RV campsite. There was only one other camper. The grass had been mowed recently so the path around the pond was easily walkable.
Not many of the RV sites had fire rings and, with all of the fresh cut grass, it would have taken a lot of raking to make a spot safe for a fire anyway.
Scout
Nice new concrete sites with fire pit, full hookup. Great trails and fishing lake, with concrete sidewalk and benches around it to make fishing easily accessible.
Scout
so family friendly, very well service, cheap, and most importantly everyone enjoyed time there
GuideGreat spot. Enjoy the sound of owls and silence. Plenty of dead/down trees for firewood. 2 bars w/Verizon.
Traveler
This site was so much better than what I was expecting! My friend, Kari, her 3 Doodles, my Beagle, and I camped out the first night in the group section, because there's hardly anyone there and we got there too late in the day to actually start hiking. In the morning, we loaded up our packs, put the little packs on the dogs (they have to carry their own food and water), and headed up the Red Oak Backpacking Trail. I don't know if we started at the beginning or not, but we parked by a little wooden bridge and the hill to start off our adventure kinda kicked my ass a little bit. After we made it up the initial incline, the landscape was beautiful and varied from flat areas to valleys and some creeks (which I was very thankful for after a few hours in 90° and 25 lbs on my back). We ended up setting up camp at a spot we thought was nice just before it got dark, because we didn't know where or how much further the primitive hike-in campsites were. The next day, we figured it out, but we wouldn't have made it there before dark. Towards the end, there were stairs built into the earth that were way too difficult to manage when your legs are jelly and your pack is heavy, so it was almost easier trying to take the side of the stairs and make your own little path, so just a heads up there. We had so much fun the whole time and I can't wait to go back for some snow camping later this year (they are open year round)!!!
GuideBeautiful wooded sites, a bit close together and not a ton of privacy but we weren’t bothered by our neighbors at all. The bathrooms are very clean and nice, they have a dish washing sink and good showers. Our site had an electric hook up.
ScoutVery wooded campsites but large and spaced apart nicely. Was very quiet after 10pm. Bathrooms have a shower area and were pretty clean. Raccoons visited nightly so secure your food supply and trash. Boat landing and Beach that is private for campers only. You can't see the Lake from sites and it's a very long walk or drive to the beach. There is an outdoor amphitheater and nice hiking trails. Monroe City about 7 miles away has a Shell station that is 24/7 If you need ice, drinks and minimal groceries. But the town...minus the few bars, shut s down around 9pm. There is a Hardee's there as well. It's a nice drive to get to the campground. Will definitely be back!
LegendI stayed here in June on a Tuesday night. The main pull-in parking area was completely empty. Has a ton of spots, most with their own fire ring. Some have some shade. There were also other more private pull-in spots where I saw only 2 other vehicles. There’s a little pond with wildlife like rabbits and frogs. You get there after about 5 miles on a well maintained, wide gravel road. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay!
TravelerGravel roads to the campsites are well maintained. Campsites are clean and well maintained. Maps are okay, but not the best. You could easily get an RV or camper around the roads. The way I came was a little weird with some awkward turns that might be tricky for a less experienced operator. At&t gets decent service.
Scout
I just love the bridge across the pond. We had a picnic and the kids got to play on the playground equipment.
Scout
Good campground. Be aware some bathrooms might be locked up depending upon time of year so plan your spot accordingly
GuideVery clean and the site had some covered bench/tables
ScoutI am bad at making reservations, but we got lucky with the last spot in the RV section. Beautiful prairie view and lots of great trails. Flush toilet too!
GuideNice big area with several clearings and fire rings.
GuideI was traveling to California and it was a good spot but only one campground per parking lot. Wasn’t really busy. I camped in the gravel lot by my car under the stars. Nothing special about the place. 2 bar LTE Verizon.
ScoutNot a bad State Park/Camp ground, theres an Amish store close by with ice and amenities. The map online is wrong when choosing a campsite though. The site I chose appeared off by itself on the map and when I arrived it was in the same area as all other sites.
RangerGreat place to camp and fish. Quite clean campground
GuideGreat location for a weekend getaway, only 1 hour from the city! Hiking trails, level lots, full hookups available, There are 2 loops, the tent camping side is well shaded with a lot of room between sites. The full hookup loop has a lot of room, but can be a challenge backing in, as the camp sites are at a 90 degree angle to the road. Would love to return.
GuideIt was early April so still off season for that area which was nice because there was basically no body there and I got to pick any site I wanted. Water and restrooms where still closed until the 15th of April, except a outhouse across from the playground on the right as you enter. All sites looked well maintained, had space for vehicle and camper or tents, large sturdy fire pits and they sold fire wood at the check in for $5 a bundle. 3 nice sets of stairs that take you from the campground to the 3.5 mile trail around the lake. Nice little hike with the lake at the base of the surrounding hills. The trees hadn’t leafed out yet from winter but it was nice being able to the hills throughout the area with nothing blocking the view.
ScoutThere are homeless people living there in tents and late night parties with fireworks and people being rude. This happened 4 of the 11 nights I have camped there and will not go back after leaving at 4am due to people on drugs freaking out on each other.
GuideThis was a 1 night stay while getting to the east coast. Most impressed by how perfectly level our paved parking pad was. We didn’t have to level the rv or even unhook it from the truck. Very few campers as some sections were closed, peaceful & quiet evening. Shady site with picnic table and fire ring. Restrooms were clean-ish (we are camping, right?), they could use a fresh coat of paint and soap dispensers. Showers were fine. Used their dump station and filled the water tank as we exited the park. Would recommend & would stay there again
ScoutTraveling through St Louis we found this great state park campground. Site #2 was perfect for our last minute needs. Will make a return visit and stay longer!
TravelerThis campground was a little tricky to find after dark, but was able to show up and set up camp at 9pm. Tons of available spaces in late September. Clean free showers and laundry facilities a total plus. Had a strange crab apple/peach tree dropping fruit on our site right and left, but still a lovely spot to stay. 2 PM check out is also very welcomed
GuideWe stayed here to break up our longer trip and were pleasantly surprised by the miles of trails our dogs loved. The pull through site was mostly level and made for quick setup and teardown. We were also pleased that AT&T and T-Mobile were good enough for remote work and some light videogames while we escaped the heat of the afternoon.
GuideNice park. Cell cell not so good. Limited shade except 1-2 spots in middle. #82 & #100 nicest spots we thought.
GuideCampground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus! No electricity but water was conveniently located right across from our site to do dishes and whatnot. Staking the tent wasn’t difficult at all. Our site was fairly spacious and a 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. Don’t leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge, we accidentally left our trash bag hanging (ugh!) but that was our fault. We stayed only one night passing through on a road trip but would stay again if we end up in the area.
TravelerThe campsites and grounds are well-maintained. However, the campsites did not have designated gravel tent pads. Given that we had to set up in/right after a rain, our tarp was sitting in grass and mud. I never knew how much I appreciated a designated gravel tent pad until then. Having never camped here, we had reserved site 25 and had the whole loop to ourselves (it was a Monday night, though). Our site, though, was the smallest in the loop, tucked away in the weeds, and the only area to pitch our tent was on a slight slope. After walking the loop, I noticed that sites 26 and 29, offered more room and were better maintained. We probably could’ve changed sites had we not arrived so late and in the rain.
Firewood is available for $5. We saw a nice playground at the entrance. There were plenty of showers (water was nice and hot!) and flush toilets in the bathhouse. The bathhouse could use some TLC, but the warm water made up for it. There are laundry facilities, though we didn’t use them.
Horse camping in Missouri offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine companions. With a variety of well-reviewed sites, equestrian campers can find the perfect spot to relax and ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clarksville, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clarksville, MO is Cuivre River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clarksville, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Clarksville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
