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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Columbia, MO

315 Reviews

Central Missouri has a surprise for outdoor enthusiasts: It’s home to some of the best camping in the state. Near Columbia, MO, there are a number of conservation areas along the Missouri River. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is minutes from the city and offers a fun and educational experience for children and adults. There are plenty of scenic trails to hike, bike, or explore on horseback. The park is home to fascinating natural features, including a cave system, and is one of the many opportunities to explore the outdoors near Columbia. A number of campgrounds are located around the city with amenities and campsites to accommodate the type of camping you're looking for, whether you want to stay closer or farther from the city lights.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Columbia, Missouri (57)

    1. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 474-2747

    $45 - $52 / night

    "Visited in March 2021, some pot holes in drive way, but manageable. Trees seemed to be trimmed back compared to other reviews. Nice facilities and great staff!"

    "The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us."

    2. Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Hallsville, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 443-5315

    "I have two dogs. They are friendly, but get rather rambunctious when they see other dogs. I prefer sites that I can keep them tucked away."

    "A rainy weekend didn't deter campers from spending the holiday weekend here at Finger Lakes State Park. I was lucky enough to get a site for a single night when rain was in the forecast."

    3. Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    18 Reviews
    Jamestown, MO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 657-1299

    $10 - $60 / night

    "A beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise."

    "See beautiful scenery on the MO River & Katy Trail. You may get to see a paddleboat cruising the river."

    4. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Educational Scout Camps

    5 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 449-7402

    "In the month of August I took a solo trip out to Columbia, MO to spend the entire day immersed in the beautiful Columbia landscape. "

    "Great trails for biking and hiking and the creek is perfect for cooling off. However, this place can get really really busy."

    5. Three Creeks Conservation Area

    7 Reviews
    Ashland, MO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "An easy and beautiful spot to camp for free near I-70. About 15 minutes of a stunning drive away from the interstate. Plenty of sites, lots, and places to rest for the night. All free and secluded!"

    6. Pine Ridge Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    New Bloomfield, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 364-4621

    "Close to Columbia but far enough away for a getaway. Easy to find from the road, even in the dark. Fire pits and picnic tables are there. Vault toilets and running water available."

    "Only bummer was lots of ticks and there must be a gun range nearby, which set off our dog's anxiety."

    7. Hanson Hills Campground

    10 Reviews
    Kingdom City, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 642-8600

    "Plenty of room to be camped away from others."

    "Kinda drive in and park anywhere you see a firepit. We had a rooftop tent on the truck and a tent. We camped near the smaller pond."

    8. Camp Takimina

    1 Review
    Columbia, MO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 445-7536

    $15 - $85 / night

    "There are no hookups, but water was right next to us near the parking lot, and the picnic tables near the lodge were shaded most of the day.  Portapotties were clean and well stocked. "

    9. Pine Grove Village Community

    1 Review
    Columbia, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 474-4412

    10. Dry Fork Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    New Bloomfield, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 438-5427

    "We had a fine one-night stay while traveling through, but encountered A LOT of ticks on the overgrown trail. BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here. No cell service."

    "Others had left some trash around. we picked up what we could.

    please pack it out if You pack it in.."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Columbia, MO

22 Photos of 57 Columbia Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Columbia, MO

315 Reviews of 57 Columbia Campgrounds

  • April C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    Lazy Day Campground

    Best campground and hosts

    Cleanest campground with all the amenities. The hosts are the owners and they are so nice and helpful. You follow them to your site and they deliver firewood if you paid for it. Sites are clean. There is a gated dog park. Everything above is at the campground. Our dog really liked the owner too.

  • Robyn C.
    May. 29, 2021

    Lazy Day Campground

    Mixed reviews

    We were parked on a hill with lots of gravel. Campsites are very narrow. But there was a very nice pond to fish at although it was a bit of a hike to get to. They have a dog park which was nice.

  • Jeremy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Lazy Day Campground

    Wonderful level sites

    Great staff, wonderful level sites. Bathroom on site. Pool during season. Partially shaded. Dog walk area. Pet friendly.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2022

    Lazy Day Campground

    Nice stop over in

    Stayed for one night, water/elec only. Easy on/off the interstate and staff is very friendly. Assigned site was in the back of the park and nice and shady. They have a very nice, large dog park which our pups loved. Being in the back of the campground we had to walk a little to get there, but no big deal. Did not use their showers or bathroom, so can’t comment on that. Booked to stay again on our return trip.

  • Donna N.
    Jul. 14, 2022

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Didn't feel welcome

    We are homeless and we got a campsite for two week here and I got a special needs child. And my boy were up at the water and all I did was call then over to me and I get 3 cops at my site. When cross from me the people at that site start there car off and on all night and dog parks from 6 am to 8 am. But I get told if I am loud I get kick out. Thank you for the welcoming feel

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2025

    Lazy Day Campground

    One of the Nicer Private Campgrounds

    The campground (CG) was easy to find, located just 5 miles off I-70 with clear signage along the way. We parked at the designated registration area, and check-in was quick for our one-night stay. 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. Water is shared, but the pressure was solid at about 50 psi. Sites are decently spaced, though some are closer together; ours was relatively close to the next site on the driver side. Our site had a nice yard, picnic table, and fire pit, but if someone had been in the site next to us, we would have been sharing that area. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 3 bars on T-Mobile, and our T-Mobile Home Internet worked very well. The CG WiFi was fine for email and web browsing. While the grounds have mature trees, most sites—including 17—are satellite-friendly. The 1/2-acre dog park was especially impressive. There was a mix of permanent, seasonal, and short-term guests. The park was clean, well-maintained, and featured fun wood carvings. The setting includes a pond and a trail to a small lake. A small camp store, ice, and propane are also available. Overall, this is a solid CG for overnight or extended stays. Out of the 325+ campgrounds we've visited, this one has the best rules sheet—hands down. It's hilarious, and you’ll instantly get their vibe!

  • Emily G.
    Oct. 25, 2018

    Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

    Great free camping

    Might not have showers but is a nice free campground. It’s pet friendly and you are not on top of your neighbors. Definitely going to come back here.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2025

    Dry Fork Recreation Area

    Dry Fork Campground

    The Pine Ridge Campground a few miles down the road was full, so we ended up at 1 of the 8 sites here. This is an equestrian campground that allows non-horse campers, but prefers you check Pine Ridge first. We had a fine one-night stay while traveling through, but encountered A LOT of ticks on the overgrown trail. BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here. No cell service.

  • Chrischelle N.
    Sep. 8, 2020

    Pine Ridge Recreation Area

    Great Campground

    Pros: Free!! Close to Columbia but far enough away for a getaway. Easy to find from the road, even in the dark. Fire pits and picnic tables are there. Vault toilets and running water available. Hiking trailhead at the entrance of the campground. Camping spots are spaced out enough.

    Cons: Can hear lawn-mowing and Gun shots from neighboring properties in the early morning. Still not the end of the world. Definitely fills up on the weekends.

    I stayed at #3 and it was a very spacious private spot. If you have kids/dogs I recommend spot #4 it has a long strip of playroom for running around without disturbing other spaces. 2 week maximum stay.

Guide to Columbia

Columbia, Missouri, offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature with their furry companions.

Dog owners appreciate the amenities available at local campgrounds

Tips for camping with dogs near Columbia

  • Always bring plenty of water and a portable bowl to keep your dog hydrated while enjoying the outdoors at Binder Park Campground.
  • Keep your pet leashed and clean up after them to maintain the natural beauty of places like Pine Ridge Recreation Area.
  • Consider visiting Hanson Hills Campground, where you can find a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of space for your dog to explore.

Pet owners like the variety of activities available

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Columbia, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Columbia, MO is Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Columbia, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 57 dog-friendly camping locations near Columbia, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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