Dog-Friendly Camping near Holliday, MO

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    Mark Twain State Park cabins welcome pets with advance notification, providing a comfortable overnight option for dog owners in the Holliday area. The park features three distinct campground loops—Puma, Coyote, and Badger—all with pet-friendly sites for tents and RVs. Spacious campsites offer good privacy with forest buffers between neighboring sites, creating a secluded camping environment for those traveling with animals. The cabin at Puma campground features electricity, refrigerator, and a front porch perfect for relaxing with pets, though it lacks bathroom facilities. Pets must remain leashed throughout the park's camping areas and trails. Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area provides a free alternative with grassy camping areas that accommodate pets, though the sloping terrain can make finding level ground challenging.

    Hiking trails throughout Mark Twain State Park provide excellent pet exercise opportunities with scenic lake views. The Buzzards Roost trail offers a good hiking option with dogs, featuring an overlook and picnic shelter. Wildlife viewing presents both opportunities and cautions for pet owners—barred owls and coyotes are frequently heard at night, requiring pets to be secured at campsites. Mark Twain Lake provides water access, though no designated dog swimming areas exist. The campground's shower houses and restroom facilities are clean and well-maintained, making longer stays with pets comfortable. During summer months, the electric hookups at all loops provide welcome relief from Missouri heat when camping with temperature-sensitive dogs. The nearest veterinary services and pet supplies are approximately 15-30 miles away, so travelers should pack accordingly for their pets' needs.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Holliday (51)

      1. Indian Creek Campground

      4.3(19)21mi from Holliday247 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Though I grew up outside of St. Louis, I'd never been to this campground or to Mark Twain Lake.  Really enjoyed exploring the area and the campground was nice.  "

      from $10 - $125 / night

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      2. Slate and Wild Roses

      4.0(1)5mi from Holliday1 siteTents

      "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."

      from $25 - $30 / night

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      3. Ray Behrens

      4.7(16)25mi from Holliday165 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      "This is the most common place my friends and family camp at for Mark Twain Lake. Very clean and well kept. The kids bike around on the pavement and play in the little park."

      from $24 - $30 / night

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      4. Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area

      4.1(8)21mi from HollidayTents, Glamping

      "Another cool find in Missouri. Lake in Conservation Area. Doesn't offer much but it was a bit out of the way. Campground was free. Sites are close together. Some spots more shaded than others."

      "Lake with free paddle boats(do need life preservers) and fish hatchery across the street. Free potable water and dump station behind ranger station."

      5. Shelbina Lake City Park

      4.0(1)16mi from HollidayRVs, Tents

      6. Ray Behrens Recreational

      4.5(8)25mi from HollidayRVs, Tents

      "Hiking trails and easy access to Mark Twain lake."

      "The lake is beautiful...if you can see it. We have five sons and one of our musts for a campground is easily accesible water to play in. This is NOT the campground for that."

      from $18 - $30 / night

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      7. Frank Russell Campground

      5.0(6)26mi from Holliday72 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Used their dump station and filled the water tank as we exited the park. Would recommend & would stay there again"

      "There is access to the lake from the campground, there is no beach. We spent on night during the week in mid May and there were only 5 campers in the whole park. We had the place to ourselves."

      from $24 - $30 / night

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      8. Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

      4.0(7)27mi from HollidayRVs, Tents

      "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 ."

      9. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

      4.1(18)35mi from Holliday3 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      10. Indian Creek RV Park

      4.0(2)23mi from HollidayRVs

      "Relaxing spot near the lake with some beautiful views. The whole campground is in the woods so there’s lots of shade. Some spots are full hookups."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Holliday, MO

    331 Reviews of 51 Holliday 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.

    • Amanda B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 15, 2024

      Vandalia Community Lake

      Peaceful!

      Gorgeous little lake. Vault toilets. Our camp fire ring was shaped like a heart! Probably not on purpose but we liked it. Very quiet. Lots of fishing. And we actually saw the cat!

    • C
      Oct. 6, 2022

      Vandalia Community Lake

      Very peaceful/quite free camping

      Stayed here for 2 nights, was a very peaceful and quite area to sleep. No disturbances. Right on the lake, plenty of fish. Bathrooms are fairly disgusting and full of spiders and there is a stray cat that stalks your food.

    • 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.

    • 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 Holliday

    Mark Twain State Park offers 3 campground loops for overnight visitors near Holliday, Missouri, each with distinct terrain features. Located along the 18,600-acre Mark Twain Lake, campgrounds in this area sit at approximately 620 feet above sea level and experience hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Winter camping options remain limited, with many facilities closing between November and April.

    What to do

    Fishing access: Near Ray Behrens campground, visitors can utilize dedicated fish cleaning stations after catching lake species. "Very clean campground. Long paved (asphalt) sites. Picnic tables and fire rings at the RV sites. The site close to the lake are not full hookups. The others are," notes Jennifer B. about Ray Behrens.

    Kayaking: At Finger Lakes State Park, paddlers navigate former strip mining quarry channels. "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," writes Ashley F. about Finger Lakes State Park Campground.

    Free boating: Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area provides complimentary watercraft. "They had rowboats and canoes you could paddle around in. You just needed your own life jacket. The boats were free," explains Patti M. about Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area.

    What campers like

    Private sites: Coyote Campground offers secluded camping areas. "Mostly non RV people here which made it a bit quieter. Still close to all the action and not far from the historical stuff or the town of Florida," notes Scott M. about Coyote Campground.

    Beach access from campsites: Long Branch State Park features walk-in sites with direct lake access. "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!" shares Adriana W. about Long Branch State Park Campground.

    Seasonal advantages: Indian Creek Campground offers excellent stargazing opportunities. "Pros: Super quiet after hours, Total darkness, perfect for stargazing, Abundant wildlife," reports Jason R., while another visitor notes, "It amazes me that there are only a few campsites full in the middle of summer."

    What you should know

    Leveling challenges: Many sites throughout the region require equipment for proper setup. "Beautiful area, but honestly not sure if any campsite is truly level. Be prepared," warns Nathan P. about Puma Campground.

    Off-season availability: Spring camping at Mark Twain Lake offers solitude. "Very few campers in late April. Drove down from Minnesota to find some spring weather. Success. Choice of sites. Sat in our chairs and watched a nice sunset over the water," describes Marty L.

    Bug precautions: High insect activity peaks during summer months. "I had a great time here. The roads were paved, signs were marked clearly. Good connection on the phone service as well. Only issue I had was the amount of bugs that were everywhere. When I stepped out it felt like I was walking through a thousand spider webs everywhere," explains Declan W.M. about Indian Creek Campground.

    Tips for camping with families

    Swimming options: Ray Behrens has dedicated beach areas away from boat traffic. "Met up for a family reunion at Mark Twain, adults loved the boat accesses and the kids loved the swimming! Something for everyone!" notes Abbey S.

    Playground access: Family campsites at several parks include play areas. "We ended up with a spot that we loved since it was close to the playground. It was closed, but the basketball court was open to roll and the field was open so the kids could run around and play catch," shares Jennifer F. about Ray Behrens.

    Dog-friendly beaches: While official dog swimming areas aren't designated, Puma Campground offers water access points where pets can cool off. "Like the forest feel of the sites, with found coverage between the sites, giving a nice sense of privacy," notes Nathan P., which provides more seclusion for families camping with pets.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection strategy: When booking dog-friendly campgrounds near Holliday, select outer loop sites for more privacy. "The sites on outside of loop in the Coyote loop are better in general. They have no view of lake though, just glimmers," advises Bethany S.

    Water and electrical hookups: RV campers should note which parks offer full hookups for extended stays. "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. Great shade, almost no slope to pads, all power options, great water pressure, and a sewer hookup," reports Sam H. about Ray Behrens.

    Long-term stays: At pet-accommodating campgrounds, arrive with supplies. "The campground is out in the boonies so you'll want to stock up before you pull in. Here's a rundown: 25 min from Walgreens, 45 min from Walmart, 40 min from laundromat, 2 hours from Target and CVS," explains Amie M., offering essential planning information for RVers traveling with pets near Holliday.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Holliday, MO is Indian Creek Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 51 dog-friendly camping locations near Holliday, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.