Several camping facilities near Columbia, Missouri remain accessible throughout the year, with specific seasonal considerations. During winter months, Binder Park Campground and Lazy Day Campground maintain operational utilities while accommodating both tent campers and RV users. Trail access varies by season, with Cooper's Landing offering direct connections to the Katy Trail for hiking and biking. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 500-800 feet above sea level, providing moderate terrain suitable for various camping setups.
What to do
Trail access for bikers and hikers: Cooper's Landing Campgrounds connects directly to the Katy Trail, offering miles of scenic pathway. "Katy trail is easy biking beautiful views, shaded. Blue birds, cardinals and also an indigo bunting were seen our first trip out," reports one visitor about Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing ponds and lake access without requiring special permits. "The pond was a great place to relax and watch the kids reel in fish after fish," notes a camper at Hanson Hills Campground. At Binder Park, visitors mention "a 137 acre lake with great fishing" that allows shore fishing or canoe access.
Water activities: Several campgrounds provide boats for guest use. "Free rentals on pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddle boats," mentions a reviewer about Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park. The facilities at Cooper's Landing also include a boat dock for those bringing their own watercraft.
What campers like
Live entertainment: Seasonal music performances enhance the camping experience at select locations. "They have a stage for live music," notes a camper about Cooper's Landing. Another visitor at Hanson Hills mentions "a live band and karaoke" during holiday weekends, creating a festive atmosphere.
Campground stores and amenities: On-site shopping helps when supplies run low. At Lazy Day Campground, a visitor notes, "The camp store is adorable, owners are awesome." Another camper shares that Cottonwoods has "a nice store and gift shop with one of the best selections of camping shirts etc. that we have seen."
Spacious campsites: Some campgrounds offer more room between sites. "Sites are pretty level and WiFi is good," reports a camper at Cedar Creek Resort. For those seeking more privacy, a visitor at Cooper's Landing notes "plenty of room to be camped away from others."
What you should know
Varied cell coverage: Mobile service differs between providers and locations. "We got 4 bars on Verizon and their WiFi worked well for a campground of this size," reports a visitor to Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground. At Hanson Hills, a camper mentioned "great AT&T service," showing that coverage extends to multiple networks.
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have closer sites than others. A Cedar Creek Resort visitor notes, "The sites felt a bit tight but no big deal since it was just a stopover." Similarly, a camper at Cooper's Landing reports, "Spaces are tight and the party is next door."
Gravel roads and dust: Access roads at some locations remain unpaved. "Our truck and camper was covered with gravel dust," mentions one camper about Cedar Creek Resort. At Hanson Hills, a visitor warns it's "a good 5-10 minutes down a dirt road" which can be challenging after rain.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for children. "Great playground. Several large rigs in our row, we still fit. Decorated wonderfully for Halloween. Kids are happy!" shares a visitor about Cottonwoods RV Park.
Swimming options: Seasonal pool access provides recreation for families. "The pool was clean and the grounds were very clean and nice," notes a camper at Hanson Hills. Cedar Creek Resort offers similar swimming facilities during summer months.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds organize special events during peak seasons. "The campground was full of activities for the kids," reports a visitor to Hanson Hills, particularly noting holiday weekends feature additional programming.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: Several rv campgrounds near Columbia, Missouri offer convenient pull-through access. At Kan-Do Kampground, a visitor reports, "The pull thru pads were accommodating for my 50 foot rig." Another RVer at Kan-Do notes, "We had site 30- nice pull through spot with no length issues at all with our 40 ft toy hauler."
Leveling requirements: Site grading varies between Columbia-area RV parks. "Only had to level front to back," mentions a camper at Cottonwoods RV Park. At Lazy Day, visitors report "the gravel pad was fairly level," requiring minimal adjustments.
Utility placement: Hookup locations differ between campgrounds. "The utilities were in the middle of the pad and water pressure was decent at about 40 psi," notes an RVer at Cottonwoods. At Cedar Creek Resort, a camper mentions "shared water hookup" between sites.
