Camping around Holden, Missouri offers both developed and primitive options within a 30-mile radius of town. This area of western Missouri experiences wide temperature swings with summer highs regularly exceeding 90°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most local campgrounds sit at elevations between 800-1,000 feet above sea level, creating rolling terrain that influences camping conditions, especially after rainfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Lake Paradise Resort, campers can enjoy multiple fishing lakes surrounded by trees. "We camped here in September 2020. There are nice spots right by the lakes with big trees for shade. Roads going up higher past us were a little rough but made for great walks with kids. Kids found tons of frogs and snails to play with," explains one camper.
Kayaking: Knob Noster State Park Campground offers kayak rentals for visitors wanting to explore Lake Buteo. "Kayak rentals were available for Lake Buteo - kayakers were out on the lake, and the lake has a trail all around it. Nice trail. The other lake, Clearfork Lake, was great for fishing for us!" reports Kelsie L.
Wildlife viewing: Montrose Missouri Conservation Area provides excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. "The area is surrounded by trees but the area is clean, nice soft grass, there are pecan and walnut trees so watch out for your heads when its fall. You can fish, boat and swim but I recommend water shoes. There is loads of wildlife to see and aren't much scared of humans, raccoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, deer, owls and much more."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds near Holden offer well-separated camping areas. A visitor at Blue Springs Lake Campground noted, "The whole experience was awesome. The entire place was spotless, the sites were far apart enough that you didn't feel like your neighbors were on top of you. Bathrooms were incredibly clean and the camp hosts or some of the nicest ones I've ever encountered!"
Private bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds feature individual bathroom facilities rather than communal restrooms. At Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, "The bathrooms are the nicest campground bathrooms I've ever used - large, clean, and not communal, so you get a sink, toilet, and shower all to yourself."
Peaceful environment: Green Acres at Red Brick Farmhouse offers a quiet, rural setting that many campers appreciate. "Stayed 1 wonderful peaceful night. Electric hookups, water available & shower. Out in the country surrounded by corn fields. Owned by a lovely couple who reside on the property in their old farmhouse. Not far off of I70, but absolutely no road noise. A great place to stay after a long day of driving."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: While some campgrounds operate year-round, others have limited seasonal access. At Montrose Missouri Conservation Area, there are hunting-related restrictions: "There is no camping allowed after October 15 due to hunting season. This was not on the website and was not seeable in dust when arriving late on a small sign in the bushes."
Site conditions: Many campgrounds in the area have sloping sites that require leveling equipment. One RVer noted about Blue Springs Lake Campground: "The site slopes to the passenger side and downhill toward the road, so we used a few levelers. Many sites here are sloped. The premium cement pads seemed to be more level than gravel sites."
Wildlife encounters: Some campers report close interactions with local wildlife at area campgrounds. At Knob Noster State Park, a visitor reported: "We did have a problem with Raccoons, but with our site being on the very edge of the sites I think that may be inevitable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Blue Springs Lake Campground, "The sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating."
Swimming options: Pools and swimming areas provide summer recreation for families. A visitor to Lake Paradise Resort shared, "The pool is renovated and very nice. It is very large, zero entry, up to mostly around 5 ft deep with a small area that was 9ft; there is a children's area with a sprinkler."
Bike-friendly environments: Many campgrounds feature safe areas for children to ride bikes. At Knob Noster State Park, one camper noted, "Knob Noster State Park is a great park for the grandkids to ride their new bikes on the level smooth campground road in safety, and for the adults to catch up over some cold beverages."
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At many area campgrounds, utility hookups may be positioned in unexpected locations. A visitor to Country Gardens RV Park observed, "The utilities were located mid-to-rear on the site, and we had no trouble reaching them."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds offer easier access than others. At Peculiar Park Place, "Recently downsized our rig and selected this location for the initial shakedown. Had an easy to access pull through site that had 50/30 amp access, water and sewer. Nice landscaping, plenty of place to walk."
Dump station considerations: For those with larger rigs, navigating dump stations can require planning. One RVer advised about Blue Springs Lake Campground, "As you exit the park, if you have a big rig, you'll want to stay to the left side of the dump station for a wider right turn out of the park."
