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Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground features full pet accommodation on spacious campsites with both basic and electric hookups for tent and RV camping. The campground allows dogs in all camping areas with standard leash requirements and no breed restrictions. Campers with pets appreciate the well-maintained grounds with crushed rock trails ideal for dog walking, particularly the 2-mile wooded path that provides shade during hot weather. Sites are positioned for privacy with increased spacing between campsites, creating a peaceful environment even when the campground is at capacity. The bathrooms and shower facilities remain exceptionally clean and well-maintained, important for campers traveling with pets who need regular cleanup.
Katy Roundhouse Campground's shaded full-hookup sites provide another excellent option for pet owners near Franklin, with direct access to the Katy Trail for dog walking. The campground sits alongside farm fields where wildlife viewing is common - campers regularly observe rabbits, deer, and various birds while walking dogs around the property. Sites include fire pits and picnic tables, offering comfortable spaces for relaxation with pets. When visiting in warmer months, the well-maintained shower facilities provide welcome relief after outdoor activities with dogs. The nearby historic town of Arrow Rock contains additional walking paths under tree canopies, creating multiple route options for exercising pets. During off-season periods, these campgrounds offer especially quiet experiences with minimal crowds, allowing pets and owners more freedom to enjoy the surroundings.
"Nice spot to camp for the night if you’re driving through Missouri. Not a terrible amount of mosquitos and the roads don’t get bad after an average rain"
"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"
"Camping right alongside the Katy Trail is hard to find. This campground is one of two I know of. Full hookups at most sites and nearly all are tree covered."
"Great campground for short visit along Katy Trail. All sites are full hookup & pull-through. Most sites shaded with trees."
"Also two cats hang out around the site. No bathroom we could find."
"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."
"Well maintained path. Not much area to camp, but works great for tent camping right up next to the river."
"There is almost nothing on the 70 through Missouri that's remotely interesting, so finding this place was a score. Its a newer park run by a father and son who have been steadily making improvements."
from $49 - $53 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $10 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $45 - $52 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $57 - $63 / night
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ScoutWe 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
TravelerMight 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.
LegendThe 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.
TravelerI stayed in mid November and though the shower houses were closed I had a great time. Spent 3 nights and saw all the area sights, Boonville, Franklin (the start of the Santa Fe trail), the Booneslick salt works ruins and of course the adjacent Arrow Rock State Historic Park. Even traveled west to visit Fort Osage near Independence MO. I had the Pond loop (30amp) campground completely to my self and only a couple hearty tent campers on the 50amp loop. A real gem!
ScoutGreat 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.
GuideI 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.
On the electric sites - sites 1-10 are in an area with lots of trees and shade, while sites 11-17 are more open, but still have a few trees for shade.
We stayed in the premium electric spot #15. It felt roomy and was close to the bathrooms. If your like me, and prefer a tucked away spot, go for #17 (no immediate neighbors to your left).
The park itself is delightful. There are hiking, biking and water trails. Hiking trail was really nice with a surprise waterfall! Because the majority of campers were out in their ATV’s, we had the hiking trail all to ourselves. The kayak/canoe loop trail is nifty as there is no need to park a car in another location.
Bathrooms were well kept. Shower house was just ok.
RangerWe camped out here for the weekend.
The campground is one circular lot with I think around 18 spots. Some are basic just for tents and some have water and or electric.
The ones on the inside of the circle have more space and are more open but you don't have any privacy. Most spots on the outside of the circle, especially on the north and west sides have more privacy but not as much space.
The grounds are well kept with grass while maintained.
I hiked on most of the trails in one day. I missed the memorial trail and boardwalk. Home that I walked on will maintained. Some of them are more difficult than others but none of them too strenuous.
Note about the lake - Once you get to the parking lot for the lake you'll see nothing but trees. On the east side of the parking lot (next to the state park signage/billboard) there are two trail heads. Take the one on the left. There's a quarter mile hike down to the lake. The way back is mostly uphill. Not too steep, but steep enough you might feel it if you don't do much hiking/walking.
Playground It had a nice playground for small kids including a little play area and some swing sets.
Restrooms There were two bathrooms present. One was a traditional drop toilet. It had a solar fan so surprisingly it did not have any smell. The other bathroom has a shower and the women's had two toilets and the men's had one toilet and a urinal. Everything was clean.
Dog-friendliness We did not take any dogs but we saw plenty of people who had dogs.
ScoutA beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise. A bathroom (in addition to portapotties) as well as indoor shower. Very kind people all around
RangerNice big rig friendly campground. One row of full timers while the majority of the park is for shorter stays. Large level gravel spots that can accommodate any size. 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! Not a good spot on campground to walk larger dogs, but road next to campground leads to ballpark and fairgrounds, with plenty of walking room. Overall nice quiet stay.
Near Franklin, Missouri, camping areas range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks along the Missouri River. The region averages 43 inches of rainfall annually with summer temperatures typically reaching the mid-80s. Many campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 600-700 feet, creating moderate terrain that's accessible for most campers.
Hiking trails near fishing spots: At Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground, campers can explore the 2-mile wooded trail while enjoying access to Big Soldier Lake for fishing. "Nice ~2 mile walking trail through the woods was shady and cool despite the heat," notes Kevin M., who appreciated the respite from summer temperatures.
Historic sites exploration: The historic town of Arrow Rock offers multiple walking paths and cultural attractions. "There is even a one room Jail and the George Caleb Bingham's house," shares Leah P., highlighting the historical significance of the area just minutes from camping areas.
Katy Trail biking: Katy Roundhouse Campground provides direct trail access for cyclists. "Camping right alongside the Katy Trail is hard to find. This campground is one of two I know of," explains Erik R., emphasizing the unique location that allows for immediate trail access.
River views and wildlife watching: At Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina, the Missouri River creates opportunities for scenic views and wildlife observation. "We caught an AMAZING sunset from our site!" shares Miles H., highlighting one of the natural rewards of riverside camping.
Evening entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer on-site activities after dark. "Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise," says Caycy E. about the social atmosphere at Cooper's Landing, where entertainment wraps up by 10 pm.
Water activities and paddling: Finger Lakes State Park Campground offers multiple water-based recreation options. "This park is one of my favorite nearby spots to take the kayak out and just float. Paddling through these channels is such a dreamy experience," describes Ashley F., highlighting the peaceful water access.
Seasonal facilities availability: Some campgrounds have limited facilities during off-season months. "No bath house until April 1 and no cell coverage (T-Mobile) but wonderful walking, hiking and biking areas," notes William Y. about Arrow Rock, providing important timing information for facility planning.
Campsite spacing considerations: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites were very close to each other but unless it's a busy weekend you can spread out easily," explains Erik R. about Katy Roundhouse, offering insight into potential crowding concerns.
Weather and terrain challenges: Robert's Bluff Access offers free camping but requires weather awareness. "I came after a day of rain so the fire areas were flooded but the actual pull in spot was nice and dry!" reports Abby M., indicating potential flooding concerns.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the area. "We occasionally got 1 bar on T-mobile," mentions Kevin M. about Arrow Rock, giving important information for those needing to stay connected while camping.
Playground access: Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "Great playground. Several large rigs in our row, we still fit. Decorated wonderfully for Halloween. Kids are happy!" shares Brittany W., highlighting facilities specifically designed for children.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with water recreation. "The beach usually is not crowded, which is really nice," explains Heather S. about Finger Lakes State Park, offering insight into family-friendly swimming locations.
Historical education opportunities: Arrow Rock offers educational experiences for children. "I recommend going on a hike and going to see a show in Arrow Rock! It is great to go when they are having a festival and dress in period clothing," suggests Charlotte B., identifying unique family activities.
Pull-through site dimensions: Cottonwoods RV Park offers spacious sites for larger vehicles. "Our pull-through site was nice and level. Only had to level front to back," reports David E., providing practical information about the site's levelness.
Hookup locations and access: Site layout details matter for RV positioning. "The utilities were in the middle of the pad and water pressure was decent at about 40 psi," notes MickandKarla W., giving specific utility placement information useful for planning RV setup.
Satellite and internet access: For those needing connectivity while camping, Cottonwoods offers options. "We got 4 bars on Verizon and their WiFi worked well for a campground of this size," adds MickandKarla W., providing important information for RVers requiring reliable internet.
Pet friendly camping near Franklin, Missouri includes multiple options with varying amenities and site spacing. Campgrounds welcoming pets offer everything from basic tent sites to full hookup RV spaces, with many providing access to trails ideal for walking dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Franklin, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Franklin, MO is Robert's Bluff with a 4.1-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Franklin, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 dog-friendly camping locations near Franklin, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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