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.
