Camping near Hannibal, Missouri occurs primarily along the Mark Twain Lake, a 18,600-acre reservoir created in 1984 when the Clarence Cannon Dam was built on the Salt River. The region sits at an elevation around 600 feet above sea level with a mix of oak-hickory forests and open meadows. The camping season typically runs April through November, with most campgrounds closing water facilities during winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Ray Behrens Recreational area offers multiple access points to Mark Twain Lake. "There is a marina with an ice cream shop and the kids can feed the fish. We found a few trails that led to the lake which was a lot of fun," notes Patrick D.
Cave exploration: Mark Twain Cave & Campground features historic caves with guided tours. "The cave is fantastic with history galore and a reasonable price. The gift shop is also very very nice," writes Greg S. The site includes both the main Mark Twain Cave and Cameron Cave.
Lake swimming: Several campgrounds provide swimming access during summer months. At Wakonda Lake Campground, "There's a playground and boat access and swimming," reports Carleen, making it suitable for family water activities.
Hiking trails: Multiple trails connect through the forested areas around the campgrounds. "Great trails to access the lake by foot or with the dogs," says Jacob S. about Indian Creek. Most trails are under 3 miles and rated easy to moderate.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting. At Indian Creek Campground, one visitor noted: "This place was QUIET in late July. Nice trails to access the lake by foot or with the dogs. Clean bathhouses and campsites are some of the most well kept I've seen."
Level sites: RV campers frequently mention the quality of camping pads. "Most impressed by how perfectly level our paved parking pad was. We didn't have to level the rv or even unhook it from the truck," writes Jan K. about Frank Russell Campground.
Affordability: The campgrounds around Hannibal offer good value. "The rates are very cheap as it is a state park," notes Charlie S. about Wakonda State Park. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds like Ray Behrens cost "$20/night ($10 for seniors) with electricity," according to Doug W.
Shade coverage: Most sites offer tree cover, which helps during summer heat. At Mark Twain Cave & Campground, "The campground is under a nice canopy of oaks and is in a valley between two hillsides that contain caves," according to Greg S.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campground terrain varies considerably. At Ray Behrens, "My only concern is the photos of the sites are a bit deceiving. I thought my site, #6, was dead level. While it was level side to side, it had about 6" of slope front to back," notes Doug W.
Bathroom quality varies: Facilities receive mixed reviews. At Frank Russell Campground, "Bathhouse is pretty a long walk, but big and really clean," while other campgrounds have less impressive facilities.
Limited swimming access: Despite the lake, swimming spots can be hard to find. "We have five sons and one of our musts for a campground is easily accessible water to play in. This is NOT the campground for that. This is a man-made lake and there are sharp drop offs all the way around," cautions Gwenn W. about Ray Behrens.
Tourist amenities: Some campgrounds offer connections to local attractions. At The Meadow Campground, there is "a coffee bar that serves light sandwiches, on site kayak outfitter, and summer concerts on the stage," according to Annie C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds have play areas for children. At The Meadow Campground & Coffee House, families can enjoy the grounds while parents get coffee. One camper notes it has "a coffee bar that serves light sandwiches, on site kayak outfitter, and summer concerts on the stage."
Educational programs: Look for ranger-led activities at select campgrounds. "They did have a fun program at the amphitheater," mentions Gwenn W. about Ray Behrens Recreational area, which can entertain children.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening are best for seeing animals. "The kids bike around on the pavement and play in the little park. Great access to a few coves too," writes Elisha P. about Ray Behrens, where deer and other wildlife are commonly spotted.
Creek play: Some sites offer shallow water for safer kid exploration. "Highly recommend a site under the trees along the creek in the C or F section," suggests Greg S. about Mark Twain Cave & Campground, noting the "crystal clear rocky creek" bordering certain sites.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks for many sites. James and Susan K. advise: "Our site (B14) was not at all level. Used all my blocks to compensate for the forward and passenger site down slope. Other sites in B section had similar problems."
Hookup availability: Driftwood Campground & RV Park offers "Clean facilities, full hookup sites with concrete pads," according to Joey S., making it convenient for longer stays.
Off-season considerations: Winter camping requires planning. One camper notes about Woodyz Acres: "The date was in late December so we expected some winterizing. So the water was off at the site. It was also off at the bath house. No water for bathing, washing hands, toilets or washing dishes."
Rig size limits: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. Ray Behrens Recreational has sites that are "large, level and easy to back into," according to Patrick D., though some loops have tighter turns and smaller sites.
