Best Tent Camping near Columbia, MO
Searching for a tent campsite near Columbia? Find the best tent camping sites near Columbia. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Columbia, Missouri's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Columbia, MO (20)
1. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Educational Scout Camps
Columbia, Missouri5 Reviews•6 Photos•40 SavesJust minutes from Columbia, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park gives visitors the chance to scramble, hike and bicycle through a scenic environment – and lets them peek into Missouri’s underworld. The park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state and also offers solitude while hiking in the Gans Creek Wild Area. Visitors can also see a large cave system with its rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring and underground stream at the Devil's Icebox. You can explore Connor's Cave in the light of the opening for a taste of the underground world.
Non-profit, educational or Scout groups can take advantage of the special-use area for overnight primitive camping. It features two fire rings, a vault toilet and several picnic tables. There is no water or electricity. The cost is $2 per person, per night. Reservations are required. For more information, call 573-449-7402.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
2. Dry Fork Recreation Area
New Bloomfield, Missouri3 Reviews•17 Photos•84 SavesDry Fork Recreation Area, a campground and picnic area located at the equestrian trailhead of the 36-mile Cedar Creek Trail. This area, located in central Missouri near Fulton serves recreationists with or without horses. This campground is situated in a quiet mostly oak/cedar forest. It is comprised of 8 single primitive campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length, each with table, fire ring, and lantern post. Other amenities include drinking water, vault toilets, and hitching rails. There is a picnic area across the road with picnic tables that can accommodate small groups. There are currently no camping fees, but donations are encouraged. A printable brochure is available.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Trash
4. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area
Higbee, Missouri1 Review•5 Photos•6 SavesVisit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Dispersed
- Toilets
5. Scrivner Road Conservation Area
Russellville, Missouri1 Review•20 Photos•38 SavesVisit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Toilets
6. Pikes Camp
Jefferson City, Missouri1 Review•8 Photos•50 SavesVisit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Toilets
7. Todd’s Coyote Farm
Be the first to review!Fulton, Missouri•2 SavesA sophisticated kitchen situated near a babbling broke. Lots of shade and a few natural rock waterfalls. Plenty of maintained hiking trails full of wild native edible foliage. Find a flat spot pitch a tent and enjoy the amenities needed for a weekend in the wilderness
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
$35 - $245 / night
8. Slate and Wild Roses
Holliday, Missouri1 Review•32 Photos•25 SavesHello there! We (Christina & Brian) are excited to share our 80 acres with you! At the moment we offer only dispersed camping. We want to keep it as "Organic" as possible! So, there will only be 1 main gravel road, that is mostly covered in gravel at the moment. NO concrete or asphalt areas. Heavy rains will in-hinder on how far you can travel in. Either way, we can assist you, unless you are an RV. If you like, we have a large metal wagon that you can hand pull or pull by our truck. You are welcome to bring your UTV, but only to move your equipment and guests back and forth to our site or your vehicle. We are willing to show you around before you set up camp. If you are coming in at dark, we can suggest a campsite, then you can move in the daylight if you like. FIREWOOD: We have more than you can handle as this land has been harvested for timber prior to our purchase. We also encourage you to take some as long you use it up while in Missouri. More info at website DontMoveFirewood dot org We do NOT have amenities on site as of yet. We will provide bottled water at no cost. We highly encourage that you unplug while you are here, but not required. We do want you to have your phone with you for safety and capturing moments while you are here. We do have cell service here! We are close to many places: * 1/2 mile to Casey's General Store * Mark Twain State Park: 30 min * Long Branch State Park: 40 min * Thomas Hill Reservoir: 40 min * Finger Lakes State Park OHV/ motorcross: 40 min * Amish Community (Clark): 30 min * Casey's Gas Station: 3 min * Dollar General: 4 min * Walmart Supercenter: 17 min
If you are bold and want to enjoy nature nudist style, that is welcomed, but ONLY at your campsite and maybe a larger area for an additional fee once you arrive. This place is NOT a nudist camp, but it is private enough that you can be comfortable in your area. We thank you for taking the time to read our post. If you have any questions, feel free to get hold of us at anytime.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$25 - $30 / night
9. Tri-City Community Lake
Be the first to review!Hallsville, Missouri•1 SaveVisit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Toilets
10. Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area
Portland, Missouri1 Review•8 SavesVisit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Toilets
Recent Tent Reviews in Columbia
264 Reviews of 20 Columbia Campgrounds
Bradley R.
Traveler
Coyote — Mark Twain State Park
Great off-season camping
We visited twice in the off-season we loved the campground so much. It’s quiet and secluded. Very clean and beautiful.
Linda H.
Guide
Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area
Forest and Lake Dry camping
Heavily forested with a lake. Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses. Camping at lake is open gravel or grass. Nice fishing lake with docks, boat ramp and vault toilet and the only one provided. Parked lakeside. Quite night with one fishing boat late morning. Get a brochure with park map at entrance as roads pass through park and private property.
Benjamin R.
ScoutFranklin Island
Franklin island
Great quite and secluded camp sigh. But can muddy due to sessional flooding
Julia V.Guide
Finger Lakes State Park Campground
Had everything we needed
Basic tent site, potable water was right near our site. Bathrooms were clean. There were some families staying nearby but overall was a quiet stay.
- JJessica H.Scout
Roberts Bluff Access
Great Overnight Spot
Great stop 5 minutes off of I-70! The site has three camp sites available with car pull ins and fire rings. Lots of mosquitoes due to the site being right on the water. Also two cats hang out around the site. No bathroom we could find.
MickandKarla W.
Legend
Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground
Very Nice Campground
Check-in was quick and easy and we proceeded to pull through site 83 with FHUs. The gravel pad was very long and we had plenty of room for our 40’ rig and F450. The utilities were in the middle of the pad and water pressure was decent at about 40 psi. As we were on the end of a row, we had a lot of front yard space. The sites here are very close together, but long-term guests kept their sites nice and well organized, and overall this CG was very clean. There are mature trees so satellite placement could be challenging. We were able to place our Starlink in the yard area for a good shot to the north sky. We got 4 bars on Verizon and their WiFi worked well for a campground of this size. At the office, they have a nice store and gift shop with one of the best selections of camping shirts etc. that we have seen.
Laur H.Traveler
Lazy Day Campground
Great experience
Stayed one night in a campervan. Would definitely recommend! We arrived a little late - right at sunset - but the friendly and helpful staff had already texted us all the info we needed for arrival. It was very quiet. Level spaces. Very dark, unlit walk to the bath house, so bring a light! Bathhouse was clean and well kept. Would recommend!
- ccarla R.Guide
Danville Conservation Area
Watch out for ticks
Lovely wooded spot. There are about 6-8 sites. Can back in a camper. Outhouse building. Only had one other camper. Shaded, wooded. We had a lovely night but woke up covered in ticks! Lots of ticks here. We ride our motorcycles here to tent camp. Sites are close. Fire rings , no picnic tables.
Bobby J.
RangerRoberts Bluff Access
Wonderful Peaceful Stay
Only 2 miles off of the highway and is perfect for someone just passing by. I’m on my way from St Louis to Denver and it was perfect for one night. Very quiet but still close enough to hear the hum of the interstate traffic. It looked like there were 3 sites with fire rings and all very nice.
Christopher W.Guide
Osage Campground Retreat
Cute Little Camping Spot
Good: It was clean and tidy, had ice and firewood for sale, was close to the boat ramp for the Osage River, and the bathrooms looked to be newly remodeled. Good shaded and flat spot for our tent.
Bad: No one on-site, no TP, no paper towels, no internet (Other campers said it had been working until the power went out during a storm a few days before; when the power was restored, the internet didn't come back)
Conclusion: For $44.29/night, I would keep going next time.
- Christian D.Scout
Robert's Bluff
Quiet and Free
Don’t mistake this for the RV hookup site at Roberts Bluff. It’s a bit further down the road and called Roberts Bluff Access. You will eventually see signs for a Conservation site.
There were about 4/5 spots to pull/back into. Its a small space and really close to the river where you can see huge trout and turtles swimming. There is even a boat ramp.
- RRandall J.Traveler
Roberts Bluff Access
Quiet overnight stay
Enjoyed a campfire before a thunderstorm rolled into the area. Ground away from the campsite was a bit muddy and made a mess. No surprises there! Established campfire ring at 2 spots. Another ring farther down in the turnaround beyond the boat launch.
Robin M.TravelerRoberts Bluff Access
Quiet place to fish
Small, quiet and out of the way. A few spots for camping. No restrooms, electricity or running water.
Amanda B.Traveler
Vandalia Community Lake
Peaceful!
Gorgeous little lake. Vault toilets. Our camp fire ring was shaped like a heart! Probably not on purpose but we liked it. Very quiet. Lots of fishing. And we actually saw the cat!
Chloe D.Scout
Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground — Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Peaceful and clean
Stayed here overnight and the camphor was very friendly and helped us out. Bathrooms and showers were open, super clean. Peaceful and would definitely stay again to venture into the town
- DDavid P.Scout
Stump Island Park
Full hookups, but no showers or bathroom
If your camper has everything you need, it's a good campground. The website says it's 50 amp only, but it has 30 too. When we stayed there in March 2024, the shower/bathroom was locked. No park management came by our site, and when you call to get information, you get city hall telling you you need to call some other number...that they didn't have. So, everything's up to you.
Nate R.GuideRoberts Bluff Access
Nice place next to a shallow river.
We liked this place. It was a good place for an overnight camp on our travels. No restroom that we could find. No water or power. Camp is free. It has an old boat ramp so you can get down the the river easier, but water was way too low for a boat when I was there in September of 2023. Down a gravel road a few minutes off the highway in some corn field area. There are only a handful of spaces on the grass. So hopefully you get one or someone is willing to share. We had the place to ourselves.
Jeremy G.GuideLazy Day Campground
Wonderful level sites
Great staff, wonderful level sites. Bathroom on site. Pool during season. Partially shaded. Dog walk area. Pet friendly.
- Toni S.Guide
Lazy Day Campground
Simply Fabulous
We discovered this gym. On our way home. Just needed to stay overnight, but will definitely be back. The little details make it very homey. Sites are well laid out and easy to maneuver. Full hook ups or tent sites are available to meet the needs of the camper. Clean facility and family friendly.
- Dane J.Guide
Danville Conservation Area
Nice free spot
Far enough away from the highway to be silent. Toilet available. Fire pits. T-Mobile service is good.
- DDaniel C.Scout
Robert's Bluff
Awesome spot for getting in late
Great spot on my road trip west! Put in some miles and didn’t get in until about 2am and this was easy to find and great spots away from the highway but also didn’t have to trek far away
- BBobbie C.Traveler
Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground — Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Quiet for Labor Day Weekend
Park was full. We could only book a basic site (no hook-ups) through the website but the camp host easily upgraded us to a vacant electric site. Great park to bring your dogs! The walk or drive to the historic town literally park of the park was a surprise with a couple of hiking paths making each trip different from the first.
- RRichard M.Scout
Robert's Bluff
Good for over night
Decided to take my time heading from Southern WA to Southern IN and this is the best dispersed camping I’ve seen on this trip. I’ll definitely stop here again if I’m ever heading down I-70, and hopefully I’ll have my RV with me.
- BBrianne G.Traveler
Harriman Hill Access
Drug Dealer Area
Not bad camp spots here, but there are a lot of drug deals going on here. Don't feel very safe at all. Sept 2023. Update... so I woke up to find out that the other campers we saw were actually homeless people. They're were people in the bathroom strung out on something also. Don't camp here!
Chris J.Traveler
Helds Island Access
Nice spot bring boat
There’s a boat launch here. Saw a decent amount of traffic for this. Grass sites. Road is well maintained. Quiet the one night I spent there. No tables.
- Jose B.Guide
Graham Cave State Park Campground
Great place quiet clean
I was on my way to St. Louis MO. And need a place for the night. This is just few miles from hwy 70 east to reserve and pay on the phone. I t was nice they I put my tent instead of sleeping on the car. Recommended
- Jeremy G.Guide
Lazy Day Campground
Super clean and convenient
Excellent grounds. Very very clean and well kept. Hosts/owners are extremely responsive and helpful. Sights have some trees. Walking paths, dog walk area, fire pits, bathhouse. I would visit again.
Guide to Columbia
Columbia, Missouri, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation in nature.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy hiking and biking on the scenic trails at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, where you can explore beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
- Experience the thrill of mushroom hunting and wildlife watching at Dry Fork Recreation Area, known for its diverse ecosystems and picturesque creek.
- Discover the hidden gems of Scrivner Road Conservation Area, where you can enjoy fishing, hiking, and equestrian trails along the river.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $10
- Camping at Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area is free, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious campers looking to enjoy nature.
- At Pikes Camp, you can find free camping options with access to river activities and shaded grassy areas.
- For a small fee, you can camp at Slate and Wild Roses, which offers a beautiful setting with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables.
Unique features of these campgrounds
- Franklin Island provides a secluded camping experience, perfect for those seeking tranquility, though be prepared for occasional muddy conditions.
- The Todd’s Coyote Farm offers electric hookups and firewood for a more comfortable camping experience, along with the chance to explore 80 wild acres.
- Harriman Hill Access features basic amenities like toilets and fire pits, but be cautious of the area's safety concerns as noted by previous visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Columbia, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Columbia, MO is Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Educational Scout Camps with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Columbia, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Columbia, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.