Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina offers tent, RV, and glamping options approximately 34 miles southeast of Fayette, Missouri. The property sits directly on the banks of the Missouri River with direct access to the Katy Trail. Camping sites include both standard tent spaces and yurt accommodations with varying levels of amenities depending on site selection.
What to do
Bike the Katy Trail: The trailhead at Cooper's Landing connects directly to the Katy Trail State Park. "Next time we'll bring bikes and hop on the trail," notes one visitor who enjoyed the convenience of having the trail accessible from camp.
Fishing opportunities: Several spots near Fayette offer decent fishing access. "The pond was a great place to relax and watch the kids reel in fish after fish," reports a visitor at Hanson Hills Campground, which maintains stocked fishing ponds for guests.
Walking paths: Lakeview Park in Mexico features a dedicated walking trail circling its fishing lake. A camper mentions, "1.4 mile walking trail, 15 acre fishing lake," making it suitable for morning exercise during your stay.
What campers like
Sunset views: Missouri River sunsets create memorable experiences for visitors. "We caught an AMAZING sunset from our site," writes one camper, with others mentioning the riverside views as a highlight of their stays.
Peaceful atmospheres: Many campgrounds offer quiet settings away from urban noise. As one visitor to Hanson Hills Campground notes, "A short excursion down a dirt road made the place feel remote, but within the comforts of society. Friendly staff made for a homey feel."
Wildlife viewing: Birdwatching opportunities abound along the river corridors. One camper reports, "Blue birds, cardinals and also an indigo bunting were seen our first trip out," highlighting the natural setting found while exploring trails near camping areas.
What you should know
Site arrangements: At some parks, site configurations can be unusual. At Lakeview Park, "Some of the camp sites are arranged like a standard parking lot where you back in or pull in nose to nose or bumper to bumper depending on your type of rig."
Water safety: The Missouri River presents safety concerns. One visitor cautions, "The river is wide and deep here. Current and undertows make it definitely not suitable for swimming. You can see the water swirling and churning."
Limited amenities: Glamping close to Fayette, Missouri often means basic facilities. "We did hear there were showers but didn't use them as we were in a rush to get on the road in the AM," notes a visitor, reflecting the sometimes minimal infrastructure at smaller campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Play ground was very clean and pavilion had lots of outlets and picnic tables," reports a camper at Lakeview Park, making it suitable for families with young children.
Activity planning: Holiday weekends often feature special events. "We stayed over the labor day weekend and the campground was full of activities for the kids. There was a live band and karaoke," shares a visitor to Hanson Hills.
Site selection: When glamping close to Fayette, Missouri with children, site location matters. "Pulled into this cozy campground (probably no more than 50 sites) and had a great set up right on the river," notes one family, suggesting riverfront sites provide engaging views for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: RVers should note the specific hookup configurations. "It's a quite little park with maybe 15-20 sites with electric only. There is potable water and sewer dump on site," explains a visitor at Lincoln Lake RV Park.
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges in wet conditions. "Be aware this is a good 5-10 minutes down a dirt road (after a rainy night it was not pretty pulling my trailer back to the highway)," cautions one RVer about approaching certain camping areas.
Site spacing: RV parks vary greatly in site proximity. "30/50 amp service throughout. K row is preferential. Spread out fairly well. You're not on top of each other here," advises an RVer from Shoemaker RV Park, providing specific information about preferred spots for larger rigs.
