Cabin camping near Holliday, Missouri provides access to Mark Twain Lake, with most accommodations situated within 15-20 minutes of the town. The region experiences humid summers with average July temperatures reaching 89°F, making air conditioning a valued amenity for indoor accommodations. Winter visitors will find fewer crowds but should prepare for occasional freezing temperatures and limited seasonal amenities.
What to do
Fishing from shore access points: Ray Behrens Campground offers multiple shore fishing locations where campers can catch bass and crappie. "Nice fishing area. All in all a pretty good camp," notes a visitor who appreciated the accessible shoreline spots.
Kayaking on Mark Twain Lake: The Meadow Campground & Coffee House features an on-site kayak outfitter for water adventures. "About the only drawback I can see is that it will be so popular that it will be hard to get a site in the busy season without advance reservations," writes one camper who enjoyed the river access.
Hiking forest trails: Puma Campground includes well-marked wooded paths connecting to the lake. A camper reported, "The trails were well marked and fun," making it suitable for casual hikers looking for short forest excursions.
Mini-golf and swimming: Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park offers recreational options beyond standard camping. "Mini golf was booming. They had nice pavilion areas for gatherings. There was also a large swimming pool," explains a visitor who found the amenities worthwhile despite higher prices.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Puma Campground features sites with natural vegetation buffers. "Like the forest feel of the sites, with found coverage between the sites, giving a nice sense of privacy," a camper observed about the layout, appreciating the spacing between units.
Level concrete pads: Ray Behrens sites provide stable, flat surfaces for setting up camp. A visitor stated, "Amazing level concrete campsites! Majority of them are full hookups with paved roads throughout," noting the quality of the infrastructure.
Clean shower facilities: Multiple campers mention well-maintained bathroom buildings at Mark Twain State Park. "The campground bathrooms were clean and the shower temperature & water pressure were phenomenal," reports one reviewer who appreciated the facility quality.
Easy water access: Ray Behrens offers direct lake entry points. According to a camper, "2 trails to lakeside access are close by too," making it convenient for water activities without driving to separate locations.
What you should know
Booking early for cabin stays: Cabins book quickly during summer months, especially at popular campgrounds. Reserve at least 2-3 months ahead for weekend stays.
Water and electric-only hookups: Some campgrounds like Puma offer electric sites with no water hookups at individual spaces. "No water hookups aside from host sites," mentions a visitor, so campers should plan to fill tanks before parking.
Gravel road access: Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park requires navigating unpaved roads. A camper noted, "The only thing I didn't love was the gravel road all the way in. Our truck and camper was covered with gravel dust," warning others about potential dust issues.
Site leveling challenges: Some natural terrain requires preparation. "Our site was pretty unlevel and it took some work and levelers to get it straight," explains a visitor to Puma Campground, suggesting bringing adequate leveling equipment.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and open areas: Ray Behrens offers dedicated play spaces. A visitor observed, "The kids bike around on the pavement and play in the little park," highlighting family-friendly infrastructure.
Swimming beach options: Mark Twain Lake has designated swimming areas away from campgrounds. "A short drive to the other side of lake they had a lake beach entry to swim," notes a camper who found this amenity beneficial for families.
Fishing-friendly spots for kids: Multiple campsites offer easy fishing access for beginners. "There were fishing ponds a retreat center and cabins," explains a visitor to Cedar Creek Resort, mentioning the convenient setup.
Group cabin accommodations: Camp Takimina provides larger sites suitable for family gatherings. "We brought our dog and two children and they had an absolutely fabulous time! We hiked a lot in the woods, played in the creek," shares a camper who found the space adequate for family activities.
Tips from RVers
Best RV loops at Ray Behrens: Look for sites in the newer sections with full hookups. "The whole park doesn't match the awesomeness of site 97 and the few around it, but the end of this loop is almost perfect," advises an experienced visitor who appreciated the layout.
Late check-in procedures: Some facilities offer contactless options. "Campground is on a short gravel road and sites are gravel. Sites are pretty level and WiFi is good. Contactless checkin is a bit confusing from map provided," warns a Cedar Creek visitor.
RV site sizing considerations: Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park has varying site dimensions. "We did like the nice rv sites though," notes a reviewer, suggesting the spots accommodate standard rigs despite other facility limitations.
Water pressure variations: Water connections can deliver inconsistent pressure. "Great shade, almost no slope to pads, all power options, great water pressure, and a sewer hookup," reports a satisfied Ray Behrens camper, identifying reliable utility connections.
