Free tent camping near Holliday, Missouri centers around several conservation areas with varying levels of amenities and terrain. Most sites are primitive with basic facilities and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal conditions affect accessibility, particularly during spring when mud can make roads challenging at locations like Slate and Wild Roses where the dirt farm roads become difficult to navigate after rain.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Vandalia Community Lake features shoreline fishing access directly from campsites. "Very nice place, I wouldn't rely on facilities. Quiet at night and during the day some local fisherman come to fish lots of bugs in the afternoon and at night," notes a camper who visited in 2025.
Hiking trails: The Backpack Campsites at Long Branch State Park connect to the Bee Trace Trail system. A backpacker reported, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Slate and Wild Roses, a camper mentioned, "As the evening wore on I heard barred owls and coyotes, as well as the nearby cows. The fireflies came out at dark and gave me an impressive show."
What campers like
Free amenities: Campers appreciate the no-cost options in the area. Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area received this positive feedback: "Can't beat the price - FREE! Nice campground, mainly tenting but RVs are welcome. Grass sites, fire pit and picnic tables. Lake with free paddle boats (do need life preservers)."
Quiet atmosphere: Most conservation areas offer peaceful camping experiences, especially on weekdays. One camper at Vandalia Community Lake wrote, "Gorgeous little lake. Vault toilets. Our camp fire ring was shaped like a heart! Probably not on purpose but we liked it. Very quiet. Lots of fishing."
Lakeside camping: Many of the best tent camping spots near Holliday, Missouri are situated near lakes. "Stayed for 1.5 weeks. Stay at lake for three days, established area with vault toilet and gravel parking. Has boat ramp and fishing docks," reported a visitor to Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions: Vault toilets are common but cleanliness varies widely. A Vandalia Lake camper noted: "Bathrooms are fairly disgusting and full of spiders and there is a stray cat that stalks your food."
Weather challenges: Rain significantly impacts camping conditions. A visitor to Slate and Wild Roses shared, "We had some crazy hard rain overnight and Brian and Kristina thoughtfully checked in via phone in the morning. Just know that rain will affect your ability to navigate the farm road which is gravel to a point and then a dirt two track."
Site selection: Finding level ground can be difficult at some locations. One Hunnewell Lake camper explained, "The campground slopes toward the lake, so finding level ground is a challenge. We stayed Saturday night and there were several open spots."
Tips for camping with families
Free boating activities: Take advantage of no-cost water recreation options. At Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area, a camper discovered, "They had rowboats and canoes you could paddle around in. You just needed your own life jacket. The boats were free."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences nearby. "There is a shelter with picnic tables by the lake. Looked like there was a ranger station there and fish hatchery but it was closed the two days we were there."
Noise considerations: Be prepared for varying noise levels depending on the campground and timing. A Rock Bridge Memorial State Park visitor observed, "It is always busy and being busy, it is loud, if you're looking for a quiet hike."
Tips from RVers
Generator etiquette: Be considerate with generator use. One Hunnewell Lake camper warned, "The rules about quiet time are not enforced and some idjit ran his loud generator until 1 am. We ended up moving away from him at 11:30."
Water and dump station access: Some conservation areas provide these amenities. A visitor noted, "Free potable water and dump station behind ranger station. Generators are ok just make sure they are not too loud and try to if possible running them only when needed."
Terrain challenges: Large rigs should be cautious about accessing certain sites. A Long Branch camper shared, "The campsite for backpacking is located at the very tip of the peninsula and it's a great spot," highlighting how many of the best sites aren't accessible to RVs.
