Camping areas near La Grange, Missouri spread across the rolling hills surrounding Mark Twain Lake and the Mississippi River. The region sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with seasonal weather variations creating distinct camping experiences—humid summers reaching into the 90s and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds close between October and April, though several sites maintain year-round operations for winter camping enthusiasts.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park provides access to well-stocked fishing areas. "There were two good sized ponds for fishing," notes Cathy S., who visited the park after Labor Day when water attractions were closed but fishing remained popular.
Hiking trails: Boulder Lake Campground offers multiple trail options. Mary N. reports, "Great trails too, ranging from half a mile to 3 miles," making it suitable for different hiking abilities and time constraints.
Water activities: Wakonda State Park features six small lakes with various water recreation options. According to Kris P., the park has "6 lakes with swimming and fishing, boat docks, and boat rentals," providing multiple water-based activities in one location.
River watching: Canton City River Park offers Mississippi River views and educational opportunities. Annie C. notes, "Just up the road a short walk is the lock and dam that you can visit with interpretive signs and nice benches to sit on while you watch the barges go through the locks."
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: Many rv sites near La Grange, Missouri feature concrete pads for level setup. At Wakonda Lake Campground, Kaye R. appreciates that "The concrete slab was large enough for our camper and rug along with the picnic table! A lot of room!"
Lake access from sites: Several campgrounds offer direct water access from individual sites. Muffy Clark G. mentions that Wakonda Lake Campground has "an oversized site with steps leading down to a little beach," providing convenient water access.
Clean facilities: Driftwood Campground & RV Park maintains well-kept amenities. Art Z., who tent-camped during a bike tour, found "The showers and restroom were impressively clean. The hosts could not have made me feel more welcome."
Laundry access: Some RV parks offer on-site laundry facilities for longer stays. Victoria G. found at Cozy C RV Campground that the "Laundry area is clean and 1.00 to wash and .75 to dry," providing affordable options for extended camping trips.
What you should know
Limited tent camping options: Several campgrounds near La Grange primarily serve RV campers. Annie C. observed at Cozy C RV Campground, "Currently this is an RV only campground due to Covid restrictions, but there is ample space for tent camping when they return to allowing tents."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Joey S. notes that Driftwood Campground has "Clean facilities, full hookup sites with concrete pads. A pool for the warm months," but the campground closes from November through mid-March.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience traffic or transportation noise. Andrew S. observed at Canton City River Park, "For a dead end loop campground there is a bunch of traffic. I think about everyone that lives in this tiny town must make a lap around the campground on their way home. About every 7-10 mins a vehicle drives by."
Rule variations: Cozy C RV Campground has specific regulations campers should note. Erik W. mentions, "Price was great but they had a list of rules a mile long. I understand needing peace and order but it was a little ridiculous," suggesting checking rules before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park offers water features for families. According to Cathy S., "Being after Labor Day the water park was closed, but looked like fun. Mini golf was booming," indicating popular family activities during peak season.
Playground options: Many campgrounds include play areas for children. Mary H. found Canton City River Park offers a "Beautiful atmosphere, pond, playground is well kept," providing recreation options beyond camping.
Swimming beaches: Boulder Lake Campground includes swimming areas for families. Chad K. mentions, "The park has several lakes to fish and boat with multiple trails ranging from 1 to 5 miles," and notes there's "a sandy beach for swimming" making it family-friendly.
Seasonal programming: Some parks offer organized activities during peak seasons. Annie C. notes at Boulder Lake, "During the summer it's always full and kids running around, people walking and running and riding bikes, walking dogs," suggesting a vibrant atmosphere for families.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some rv parks near La Grange have difficult entry points. David B. warns about Camp Nauvoo: "If you are southbound on Illinois Hwy 96, the left turn off the highway is very sharp and steep. Might be easier to continue about a mile south and use the scenic turnout to turnaround."
Site spacing: Indian Creek RV Park offers back-in sites in wooded settings. Shea B. notes, "The whole campground is in the woods so there's lots of shade. Some spots are full hookups," providing natural separation between camping spots.
Winterization awareness: Check seasonal preparations when visiting in colder months. Candace M. encountered challenges at Woodyz Acres: "The date was in late December so we expected some winterizing. So the water was off at the site. It was also off at the bath house. No water for bathing, washing hands, toilets or washing dishes."
Price increases: Monitor camping rates as they change seasonally. Andrew S. found at Canton City River Park, "The price has jumped from 20 dollars a night to 30. We did not know this until we arrived," suggesting calling ahead to confirm current rates.
