Camping spots near Kingdom City, Missouri stretch across rural terrain with gravel access roads, small lakes, and wooded areas. Most campgrounds sit between 700-850 feet elevation in the rolling hills of central Missouri. Summer temperatures regularly reach the 90s with high humidity, while winter camping requires preparation for freezing temperatures that can dip into the teens.
What to do
Fishing at stocked ponds: Hanson Hills Campground offers multiple fishing areas where families can spend time relaxing. One visitor noted, "The pond was a great place to relax and watch the kids reel in fish after fish."
Hiking wooded trails: Pine Ridge Recreation Area provides hiking opportunities through forested terrain. A camper described it as having "great trails and the secluded spots" with "plenty of shade."
Kayaking and canoeing: Finger Lakes State Park Campground features unique paddling opportunities through channel waterways formed from old strip mining operations. As one visitor shared, "Paddling through these channels is such a dreamy experience. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent as well."
Historical exploration: Dry Fork Recreation Area contains remnants of earlier settlements. One camper mentioned, "Great primitive campground with old homestead foundation along the trail. Perfect stop during your back packing trekk."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Lazy Day Campground receives praise for its peaceful setting. A camper described it as "a great spot to just relax" while another mentioned, "We discovered this gem on our way home. Just needed to stay overnight, but will definitely be back."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events, especially during summer months. A visitor to Hanson Hills Campground shared, "We stayed over the labor day weekend and the campground was full of activities for the kids. There was a live band and karaoke."
Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the area typically keep their amenities in good condition. One reviewer at Lazy Day Campground noted, "Very clean, great restrooms, clean. Has laundry room. Nice level sites."
Natural features: Many campsites provide ample shade from Missouri summer heat. A camper at Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park appreciated the "beautiful campground" with "fishing ponds a retreat center and cabins" and "over 160 acres of land to explore on."
What you should know
Gravel road access: Several campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. At Hanson Hills Campground, a camper warned, "This is a good 5-10 minutes down a dirt road (after a rainy night it was not pretty pulling my trailer back to the highway)."
Variable campsite quality: Site conditions can differ dramatically within the same campground. One visitor to Cedar Creek Resort noted, "Sites are pretty level and WiFi is good. Contactless checkin is a bit confusing from map provided. There are a lot of long term users."
Primitive camping options: Graham Cave State Park Campground offers more rustic options. A camper mentioned, "Stayed 10/29/2020 with only a few other campers in the campground. Close to the freeway but not really noticeable noise except on hikes."
Tick awareness: During warm months, ticks are prevalent in the area. A visitor to Dry Fork Recreation Area warned, "BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Cottonwoods RV Park, visitors noted it had a "great playground" and was "decorated wonderfully for Halloween. Kids are happy!"
Swimming options: Finger Lakes State Park includes a swimming beach area. One camper shared, "The beach usually is not crowded, which is really nice."
Fishing for kids: Family-friendly fishing opportunities abound. At Whetstone Conservation Area, a visitor mentioned it has "several ponds and a larger lake" and is "super well maintained" with "5 camp sites with fire pits and picnic tables."
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds organize special events during holidays. A visitor to Hanson Hills Campground shared, "This was the best campground. We stayed over the labor day weekend and the campground was full of activities for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for level sites to minimize setup time. At Graham Cave State Park, campers noted, "There are a few flat sites but many were not level."
Hookup placement: At Lazy Day Campground, a visitor pointed out, "We were then escorted to pull-through site 17 with full hookups. The gravel pad was fairly level, and although the utilities were toward the back of the site, we had no trouble connecting. There were two sewer hookups—a nice touch."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies widely. At Cottonwoods RV Park, a camper reported, "We got 4 bars on Verizon and their WiFi worked well for a campground of this size."
Weekend crowding: Plan ahead for popular times. One visitor to Pine Ridge Recreation Area warned, "Definitely fills up on the weekends."
