Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Higbee, MO

Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area provides free tent camping with pets allowed in both drive-in and walk-in sites. This conservation area features basic vault toilets near the lake area but no drinking water, electric hookups, or shower facilities. Finger Lakes State Park Campground offers pets-allowed camping with a variety of amenities including electric hookups, water, showers, and reservable sites for both tent and RV campers. The campground has large campsites with short walks to clean bathroom facilities. Most sites have at least some shade, though ground may be uneven in places. Horseback riders particularly enjoy Rudolf Bennitt, which offers over 20 equestrian campsites throughout the park with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses.

Salisbury City Park provides a pet-friendly camping experience with first-come, first-serve sites and a nice walking trail partially around the lake. The park offers full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections, along with shower facilities and sanitary dump stations for RV campers. Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area welcomes pets with drive-in access for both tent and RV camping, featuring picnic tables and vault toilets. Campers note that Rudolf Bennitt's heavily forested environment creates a quiet atmosphere with minimal disturbances at night, even with occasional fishing boats on the lake. For those with ATVs, Finger Lakes State Park offers extensive trail systems that can be enjoyed alongside pet-friendly camping, though the trails become quiet at dusk when riders must be off them.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Higbee, Missouri (47)

    1. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Higbee, MO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "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."

    "Stay at lake for three days, established area with vault toilet and gravel parking. Has boat ramp and fishing docks."

    2. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 474-2747

    $45 - $52 / night

    "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."

    3. Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

    7 Reviews
    Macon, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 785-2420

    "It’s pet friendly and you are not on top of your neighbors. Definitely going to come back here."

    "You can see fireworks 🎆🎇 for Miles all around ."

    4. Salisbury City Park

    1 Review
    Salisbury, MO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 388-6197

    $20 / night

    "City Park that is right outside of town. 17 spots that are first come first serve, roughly 4 people seem to be full time residents, but kept the park clean."

    5. Stump Island Park

    3 Reviews
    Fayette, MO
    19 miles
    +1 (660) 338-2377

    7. Katy Roundhouse

    4 Reviews
    New Franklin, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 848-2232

    "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."

    8. Thompson Campground at Rothwell Park

    Be the first to review!
    Moberly, MO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (816) 263-6757

    $35 / night

    9. Slate and Wild Roses

    1 Review
    Holliday, MO
    20 miles
    +1 (573) 289-5908

    $25 - $30 / night

    "As the evening wore on I heard barred owls and coyotes, as well as the nearby cows. The fireflies came out at dark and gave me an impressive show."

    10. Camp Takimina

    1 Review
    Columbia, MO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 445-7536

    $15 - $85 / night

    "There are no hookups, but water was right next to us near the parking lot, and the picnic tables near the lodge were shaded most of the day.  Portapotties were clean and well stocked. "

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 47 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Higbee, MO

315 Reviews of 47 Higbee Campgrounds


  • Donna N.
    Jul. 14, 2022

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Didn't feel welcome

    We 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

  • Emily G.
    Oct. 25, 2018

    Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

    Great free camping

    Might 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.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2025

    Dry Fork Recreation Area

    Dry Fork Campground

    The 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.

  • J
    Aug. 3, 2024

    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.

  • Chad K.
    Jun. 2, 2017

    Long Branch State Park Campground

    Fantastic state park

    Long branch SP located in north central Missouri is a fantastic state park. The campground is well situated on the banks of long branch lake. The walk in sites are 50 feet from the lake and are level. The park has a swimming beach along with boat ramps and as we were told great fishing. The majority of the camp sites have lake views and are far enough from the highway that it is quiet at night. There are several hiking trails, from a prairie hike to a forest hike. The facilities are updated and clean. Talking with the park ranger, this park does fill on up quickly and reservation are recommended.

  • Meaghan S.
    Jun. 16, 2020

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    All sorts of activities

    I 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.

  • Nathan P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2023

    Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park Campground

    Well maintained campgrounds with short trails and lake for fishing

    We 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.

  • C
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    Everything I could ask for

    A 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

  • Never Sitting S.
    Mar. 30, 2021

    Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    Nice Campground

    Nice 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.


Guide to Higbee

Located in north-central Missouri, Higbee sits at approximately 810 feet above sea level in the rolling hills of Randolph County. This area experiences hot summers with temperatures often reaching into the 90s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Higbee feature level terrain within deciduous forests, with summer camping requiring tick prevention measures due to the region's abundant wildlife.

What to do

Paddling opportunities: At Finger Lakes State Park Campground, the interconnected waterways provide excellent kayaking and canoeing. "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. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent as well," notes Ashley F.

Fishing spots: Thomas Hill Reservoir offers multiple fishing areas with uncrowded conditions. "Great non electric sites on Thomas Hill Lake. Please leave as you found it or better, it's basically in my back yard," suggests Sheena B. The reservoir is known for bass, crappie, and catfish fishing.

Historic exploration: Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground connects campers with Missouri's past. "The campground is neat and tidy and well maintained. The main appeal is the nearby town of Arrow Rock with its many historic buildings and an excellent interpretation center," explains Marimba N.

Motocross and ATV trails: For those seeking more active pursuits, Finger Lakes has dedicated trails. "I'm not motocross guy, but this sport apparently has a huge draw to Finger Lakes State Park. There are special trails for atvs and motocross if you are into that thing," says Matt S.

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area provides a peaceful setting. "Heavily forested with a lake. Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses," writes Linda H.

Lakeside camping: Multiple reviewers praise the waterfront sites at Long Branch State Park Campground. "I reserved a walk in site and it was totally worth it. It's a very short walk into the site, it's even visible from the parking lot. The site is right on the water with beach access so there's no need to drive to the crowded beach area to swim!" reports Adriana W.

Stargazing opportunities: The low light pollution around Arrow Rock makes for excellent night sky viewing. "Beautiful Stargazing views. Photos don't capture the true essence!" writes Christy.

Level camping pads: Many campers note the concrete pads at Long Branch. "Found this little gem as we were traveling through to get back home to Ohio and needed a place to camp. Great campsites with concrete pads, friendly staff and a decent shower house for a state park," explains Tammy M.

What you should know

Pet policies: Most campgrounds near Higbee welcome dogs but have specific rules. Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area is particularly pet-friendly. "Might not have showers but is a nice free campground. It's pet friendly and you are not on top of your neighbors," states Emily G.

Seasonal considerations: Summer brings ticks and mosquitoes to the area. "Use spray to keep the buggers off!" warns Robert R. about Finger Lakes State Park. Spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures.

Cell service limitations: Some campgrounds have limited connectivity. Katy Roundhouse campers note spotty service: "This is a nice quiet little campground nestled in some farm fields. The facilities are well maintained and it was very quiet when we were there," reports Luke L.

Uneven terrain: Some sites require leveling equipment. "The ground is really uneven," notes Kirstie M. about Finger Lakes, while Arrow Rock campers mention the need for levelers.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming options: Salisbury City Park offers family-friendly water access. "City Park that is right outside of town. 17 spots that are first come first serve, roughly 4 people seem to be full time residents, but kept the park clean. Nice walking trail partially around the lake," says Never Sitting S.

Playground facilities: Cottonwoods RV Park features kid-friendly amenities. "Great playground. Several large rigs in our row, we still fit. Decorated wonderfully for Halloween. Kids are happy!" shares Brittany W.

Beach access: Long Branch State Park has sandy beach areas perfect for children. "Great lake. Wonderful swim beach with sand. Campsites are at slants so be prepared to level. Nice hiking trail. Clean shower house," states Jolie C.

Educational opportunities: Arrow Rock offers historical learning experiences suitable for school-age children. "Fell into this place on accident and loved it. There is a historic town you can tour for free that is within walking distance from the campsites," explains Dina L.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground offers full amenities for larger rigs. "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," notes MickandKarla W.

Site spacing considerations: Some RV parks have tight spacing between sites. "The only negative thing I would say is the spaces were very close to each other. Our slide nearly went over the patio of the next site over," mentions David E. about Cottonwoods.

Accessibility for large rigs: Sites vary in accommodating bigger RVs. "Nice 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," reports Never Sitting S.

Dump station locations: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Higbee offer sanitary dump facilities. Long Branch campers note convenient dump stations, though water hookups aren't available at all sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Higbee, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Higbee, MO is Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Higbee, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 47 dog-friendly camping locations near Higbee, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.