Best Campgrounds near Laclede, MO
Camping options near Laclede, Missouri include several established public campgrounds and conservation areas offering both developed facilities and primitive sites. Pershing State Park Campground, located along Highway 130, provides shaded campsites with electric hookups, showers, and modern restrooms. Conservation areas such as Fountain Grove and Mussel Fork offer free primitive camping with fewer amenities. The region supports tent camping, RV sites, and limited cabin options, with most developed facilities concentrated in state parks within a 40-mile radius of Laclede.
Road conditions and campsite accessibility vary significantly by location and season. Most state park campgrounds maintain paved or well-maintained gravel roads suitable for standard vehicles and RVs, while conservation areas often have rougher access roads that may become difficult after rain. Water is typically turned off at many campgrounds during winter months starting November 1st, though Pershing State Park and several other areas remain open year-round with reduced services. Reservations are recommended for electric sites during summer weekends and holidays when occupancy increases. A camper noted, "Each site at this CA features a small gravel lot with a fire ring. The areas that have grass were mowed, but road was inaccessible in some places near the creek."
Several visitors highlight the quiet, uncrowded nature of camping in this region compared to more popular Missouri destinations. Pershing State Park features hiking trails including a notable boardwalk through wetland prairie habitats, providing a distinctive ecosystem experience uncommon in Missouri. Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area receives praise for its lakeside camping opportunities and minimal crowding. "This is my favorite free camp ground. No showers or electric sites, however, the grounds are well kept, its quiet and has an awesome lake," reported one visitor about Thomas Hill. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at most developed sites, while primitive areas in conservation lands may offer more solitude with basic or no facilities. Campers seeking full hookups for RVs will find limited options, with most available at state parks rather than conservation areas.
