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Best Tent Camping near Kirksville, MO

93 Reviews

Tent camping options near Kirksville, Missouri include several primitive sites with minimal amenities. Union Ridge Conservation Area offers primitive tent camping with over 8,000 acres of natural space approximately 20 miles northwest of Kirksville. Long Branch State Park, located about 45 miles southwest of Kirksville, features backpacking campsites accessible via the Bee Trace Trail. Both locations provide secluded tent camping experiences in natural settings with limited facilities.

Union Ridge Conservation Area permits tent camping adjacent to parking areas with very basic amenities. The conservation area features two notable camping locations: one with bathroom facilities and large grassy areas suitable for tent camping along with fire pits, and another with a boat ramp for lake access plus bathroom facilities. Primitive toilets are available, but no drinking water, showers, or trash services exist on site. Campers must follow conservation area rules, including no backpack camping during hunting season. The area permits campfires and allows pets, making it accessible for tent campers seeking a more primitive experience.

The backpacking campsites at Long Branch State Park offer a more remote tent camping experience. These hike-in sites require traversing the Bee Trace Trail and provide an excellent introduction to backpacking. The peninsula campsite offers ample space for tents and hammocks but remains visible from the lake. According to reviews from The Dyrt, "If you're looking to get your feet wet with backpacking, this is a great spot to do it. If you're a seasoned backpacker and are just looking for a quick out-and-back, I think you would be equally pleased." Seymour Lake County Park in Iowa, approximately 40 miles northwest of Kirksville, provides another option with toilet facilities and drinking water, though detailed information about its tent camping setup is limited.

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Best Tent Sites Near Kirksville, Missouri (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Kirksville, MO

93 Reviews of 4 Kirksville Campgrounds

  • C
    Apr. 18, 2019

    Long Branch State Park Campground

    Great camping

    This campground is very nice and offers lots of options,including two different types of electrical sites, basic sites, and walk-in basic sites, they do also have a number of family sites. They offer s firewood vending machine and ice for sale by the camp host. The marina is very nicely set up for handicapped accessible fishing from the fishing dock. Unfortunately the marina store was not open when we visited. We were too early in the year. The swimming beach looks very nice, although it was too cold to use when we were there. Some of the camping sites are more tent friendly than others. Some of them look like it would only be good if you were in a pop-up or a trailer.

  • Matt S.
    Sep. 24, 2016

    Honey Creek State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Goal Zero Light House 250 at Honey Creek State Park

    Campground Review: Honey Creek State Park is on Rathbun Lake, a very popular place to boat, fish and camp in Southern Iowa. We camped in the Group Campground with out Boy Scout Troop. We pulled into camp after dark and between the headlights of our vehicles and our lanterns (My Goal Zero Light House 250) we set up camp in the dark.

    We explored the campground, there were some nice trails and nice spots to camp. The bathrooms were clean but they were a little bit of a walk from the Group Site. The weather was great and the bugs weren't bad. I would recommend Honey Creek State Park.

    Ranger Review: The Goal Zero Light House 250 is a nice lantern. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The light settings are perfect. You can use half of the lantern or the full lamp power. You can adjust the lighting power by turning the knob on the front. It can be charged with a wall charger, a solar panel, or the green hand crank on top of the lantern.

    We used it when setting our tent up in the dark and it did a good job. At 250 lumens it is just the right amount of light to let you see what you need with out blinding you in the dark. We did not start a campfire that night, instead we placed the Goal Zero Light House 250 on the ground and we surrounded the lantern with our camp chairs as if it was a camp fire. We were up for three hours talking and never did the lantern light weaken.

    I like this light. It is too heavy and bulky for backpacking but it is great for car camping. There is a smaller model but I don't know if it will work for backpacking.

  • Jon B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 2, 2024

    Backpack Campsites - Long Branch State Park

    Awesome Backpacking Campsite

    This was my first time out on Bee Trace Trail and I had a great time. Both the hike into the campsite and out the next morning were pretty easy; the back half of the brown loop, specifically the stretch between the backpack camping site and the kayak camping sites, was sometimes frustratingly difficult to follow. I had to pull out my phone several times to get reoriented. That being said, that stretch isn't very long and the rest of the trail presented zero issues for navigation. 

    The campsite for backpacking is located at the very tip of the peninsula and it's a great spot. There is a camper-made fire ring here, but the regulations(and posted signs) state no fires, so I would be cautious with what you choose to do. The kayak sites are a little more developed, with picnic tables, trash hooks, and iron fire pits/grills, but I'm not sure how they feel about backpackers using those. On the day(s) I went through, I saw only two other people on the blue loop and nobody on the brown. However, I saw tons of boats out on the lake going by and they all had full view of the campsite(I think it would be pretty clear even once the trees are full); something to be aware of if you're looking for a super isolated camp. There is plenty of space to pitch a tent and many trees to choose from for hanging a hammock. 

    If you're looking to get your feet wet with backpacking(as I was), this is a great spot to do it. If you're a seasoned backpacker and are just looking for a quick out-and-back, I think you would be equally pleased.

  • d
    Apr. 10, 2022

    Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

    Like A State Park but free

    This is my favorite free camp ground. No showers or electric sites, however, the grounds are well kept, its quiet and has an awsome lake. Picknick table and fire ring at each site on lower loop. First come-first serve.

  • j
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Union Ridge Conservation Area

    Union Ridge Conservation Area

    As 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.

  • Tom J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2021

    Long Branch State Park Campground

    Lake views

    Multiple spots around the lake with surrounding prairie grasses and trees surrounding. Easy to access bathrooms and nice concrete flat spots for our jeep/RTT combo.

  • Adriana W.
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Long Branch State Park Campground

    Summer fun

    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! This site had lots of space and was spread out from neighbors. The campground hosts will deliver firewood to your campsite when bought at their little market. Definitely recommend!

  • Jon B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2024

    Long Branch State Park Campground

    Great Walk-In Campgrounds

    The walk-in campgrounds (it's about a 50 foot walk from the parking lot to each site) at Long Branch are located off in their own little area at the shore of the lake that offers some pretty good isolation. Although we went at a time when the water was still shut off, there are bathrooms and water available via a very short walk from the walk-in sites April 1-Oct 31. The sites are each very spacious with flat areas and material already laid out for pitching a tent and plenty of trees for throwing up a hammock. Although firewood was stated to be available year round from the vending machine, it was locked up when we went through, but there is a convenience store right across the highway from the lake that sells wood bundles and anything else you might need.

    We really enjoyed our time here and we'll definitely be coming back in the warmer months to enjoy some swimming and boating.

  • 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.

Guide to Kirksville

Tent camping near Kirksville, Missouri, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the simplicity of outdoor living. With a variety of well-reviewed spots, campers can find the perfect setting for their next adventure.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Union Ridge Conservation Area, you'll find mature shade trees, firepits, and primitive restroom facilities, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a rustic experience.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Fishing is a popular pastime at Union Ridge Conservation Area, where a picturesque lake awaits, providing a serene backdrop for a day of relaxation and angling.

Some prices for tent camping are free

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kirksville, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kirksville, MO is Union Ridge Conservation Area with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Kirksville, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Kirksville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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