Kirksville, MO is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Missouri camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Kirksville, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"Located just outside Kirksville, this hidden gem has a large lake with boat rentals. The campground is well maintained."
"There are kayaks and canoes to rent, lakeside shelters, plenty of trails to hike, and plenty of campgrounds. There are areas that have cabins and also places that have RV hookups."
"There is a pretty little lake to fish... there are very primitive restrooms, (with only a toilet) so there are a few bathroom amenities."
"Two firepits, no designated sites, mature shade trees within the gravel drive loop. Pit toilet. Karen and John describes it well."
$13 - $22 / night
"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."
"Great lake nearby with beach, marina with small store, picnic area. Walking trails throughout. Macon and Bevier are close by. Very nice place to camp."
$20 - $100 / night
"The CA is on the west side of Missouri State Highway 15."
GuideLocated just outside Kirksville, this hidden gem has a large lake with boat rentals. The campground is well maintained. Thousand hills also has a variety of trail lengths, giving options to the inexperienced and the backpacking adventurers.
TravelerMight 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.
GuideConservation Areas in Missouri are enjoyable if you're looking for lovely scenery, and can get by with few or no amenities. Unless you're a hunter, I'd avoid camping there during the November deer season or spring or fall turkey seasons. Otherwise summer camping is fine. Indian Hills Conservation Area is no exception: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/indian-hills-ca It is located in Scotland County in northeast Missouri and consists of rolling hills along the two branches of the Fabius River. Camping is allowed in the parking areas and the grassy areas next to the parking areas. A map of the 3,974 acre conservation area showing the parking/camping sites is found here (If you can't access this link, there is also a link to the map on the main page above): https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/conservation-areas/8622map.pdf
The only amenities, are two unisex toilets. The CA is on the west side of Missouri State Highway 15. This highway starts in Mexico, MO and runs northbound through the county seats of Paris, Shelbyville, Edina and lastly Memphis, MO, in Scotland County. As you leave Edina, in Knox County, northbound, you'll pass through Baring and then Greensburg. About a half mile north of Greensburg you'll enter into Scotland County and the CA will be on your left (west). Missouri blacktop T, an east/west highway, is on the north side of the CA. There is a gravel road that runs west on the county line that is just south of the CA. Missouri blacktop C is an east/west highway about a half mile south of the CA area (which ends in Greensburg). There are 4 north/south roads that access the CA. The east border is Missouri Highway 15. The next road to the west is Seven Oaks. It connects on the north to Highway T and on the south end it turns to the east at the county line and connects to Highway 15. The next road is Indian Creek Road and connects on the north to Highway T. It goes through the northwest part of the CA and loops back to Highway T. There is a Tee intersection with Otter Creek Road that runs to the east and then turn back south to end just short of the Fabius River. The westernmost road is Old Trail Road which runs along part of the west side of the CA. The map shows that the road turns east and becomes Ivy Road. Actually it is a Tee intersection and is easy to miss. Old Trail Road continues to the south. At this intersection there is a farmstead and at first glance one would think that Ivy Road is a drive. It is not. Ivy Road continues to the south leaving the CA. At the county line there is a Tee intersection. You can turn left or right. If you turn left, the road will shortly turn to the right (south) and the road becomes Knox County Autumn Rd. If you turn right you'll shortly come to another Tee intersection. Turn left and the road becomes Ash Rd. Both Autumn and Ash will connect to Blacktop C at the south end. Turn Left on C and you'll find yourself back in Greensburg. Turn right and C will intersect with Missouri Highway 11. In Scotland County, the gravel roads that intersect with Highway T don't have the names as shown in the map, but have street numbers. Seven Oaks is easy to miss, but it's almost exactly 1 mile west of the intersection of Highway T and Missouri 15. Indian Creek Road is well marked as an entrance to the CA. Old Trail Road is in the community of Bible Grove. I've included a picture of the old school in Bible Grove located a couple hundred yards to the south of Highway T. I've also included pictures of all the gravel road intersections on Highway T.
My favorite camping spot is the one at the far west edge of the CA. It has a well maintained unisex bathroom and a lovely view. Next there is a parking area on Otter Creek Road where it turns from east/west to north/south. There is a walking trail that connects this road to Seven Oaks at this location. Next there is a parking area at the midpoint on Seven Oaks I like, and finally there is the parking area on Highway 15. The good thing about this area is that it is easy to get to, being right on 15, and has a bathroom. The other parking areas are fine, but there are no bathrooms and the views are not that great. I've included pictures of 4 of my favorite parking areas, as well as the turnoffs from Highway T.
LegendLong 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.
GuideAs a Conservation Area, it has very limited amenities. Only primitive camping is allowed on or immediately adjacent to the parking areas. Having said that, the CA is large consisting of over 8,000 acres. There are hiking trails throughout the CA that connect to the parking areas of which there a quite a number. In addition, two of the parking areas are noteworthy and clearly marked on the materials on the Missouri Department of Conservation web side regarding this CA. One has bathroom facilities and large grassy areas suitable for tent camping along with fire pits. The other has a boat ramp for access to a small lovely lake in addition to bathroom facilities. I'm giving this 3 starts primarily because the camping is limited and the location is somewhat remote. If you're ok with the primitive camping and don't mind the drive to get there, it would be nice.
GuideConservation Areas in Missouri are enjoyable if you're looking for lovely scenery, and can get by with few or no amenities. Rebel's Cove is no exception: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/rebels-cove-ca. It is located in Putnam/Schuyler Counties in northeast Missouri along the Chariton River and borders southern Iowa. Camping is allowed in the parking area and the grassy areas next to the parking areas. A map of the 4,225 acre conservation area showing the parking/camping sites is found here: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/conservation-areas/7944map.pdf The only amenity, is a unisex toilet at site E. The best camping, in my opinion is at one of 5 sites: At site A, where there is a wonderful overlook for handicap access overlooking the Chariton River swampland, at site E where there is the bathroom, but also quite a bit of mowed grass areas, at site G, where there is an old iron bridge over the Chariton that has a wooden walkway over the river, at site B where there is a neat shelter where the superstructure is constructed out of old barn timbers and where there is a lovely view of the hillside, and at site I, which is right up next to the River. Quite a few people use kayaks on the river. The river is 20 miles or so downriver from Rathbun dam in Iowa, and outflows from the dam vary the amount of water in the Chariton. The Chariton is largely channelized, but not here, so you get a good idea of what the River used to look like.
TravelerThere are tons of things to do during any stay at Thousands Hills (affectionately called Thousand Chills). There are kayaks and canoes to rent, lakeside shelters, plenty of trails to hike, and plenty of campgrounds. There are areas that have cabins and also places that have RV hookups. Really great for anybody!
I went after a rain and it was beautiful. Many of the trails absorb water well and it's not too muddy. The trails and campsites are dog friendly and are very well marked.
ScoutThe Thousand Hills campsite it great I have camped here on multiple occasions using a tent and a pop-up camper. They offer basic and electric sites. All the sites are a nice size and many provide shade as well which is nice during the hot summer. All the sites include a firepit, lantern holder, and a picnic table. There are multiple waterspouts throughout the campsite so you never have to walk far to collect water. There are also multiple outhouses within short walking distance of all the sites, they are clean but they have no lights so if you need to use it during the night you will need to bring a flashlight or lantern. The main bathroom however, though it may be further away then the outhouses for most sites, it is not unreasonably far away. At most it is probably a 5 minute walk from the sites that are further from it, and the walk is quite easy. The main bathroom has lights, outlets, toilets that flush, sinks, and several showers which you can control the temperature and are nice for camp showers. There is a camp store down at the marina where you can get firewood, food, and camping supplies. You can also rent pontoons, kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards for a decent price. If you rent anytime before noon Monday-Friday you can rent boats for half off which is a great deal. The park has a nice free beach which you can drive to or access through a trail which starts at one of the campsites. The park has two playgrounds and there are many trails, some that are light and easy, some moderate, and a long one that goes around the lake. Which has a backpacking campsite. I have not used the cabins here but they look like they are nice and they have easy access to the lake and docks right next to them for easy access to your boat.
RangerSo, at first glance, small corps of engineers lake and stock Missouri state parks campground. But, we came back and there’s some unique stuff. A small trail that winds through tall grass prairie is great for kids and a cool perspective not much found in state. Also, there’s a sweet backpacking loop on a peninsula that is super rare north of the Missouri River. Quiet, and a great stop off hwy 36.
Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Kirksville, Missouri, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Kirksville, MO is Thousand Hills State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 8 reviews.
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