Mark Twain Lake in northeastern Missouri features several well-established campgrounds operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Missouri State Parks. The lake region includes developed camping areas such as Ray Behrens, Indian Creek, and Frank Russell campgrounds, offering a range of accommodations from tent sites to RV hookups and cabins. Puma Campground in Mark Twain State Park and the Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park provide additional camping options, with some locations featuring cabin rentals and glamping facilities. Most campgrounds in the area maintain paved pads with picnic tables and fire rings, making them suitable for both tent and RV camping.
Seasonal operation typically runs from April through November at most Mark Twain Lake campgrounds, with peak visitation during summer months. One camper noted, "We stayed for a week at the Ray Behrens campground. We stayed at site 113 in the Little Blue Stem area, we backed in and had full hook ups for $26 a night." The region experiences hot summers and mild springs and falls, making shoulder seasons potentially more comfortable for camping. Many sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Campgrounds generally provide clean restroom facilities, though some visitors mention that not all shower houses may be operational simultaneously. Most developed sites offer electric hookups, with some featuring full hookup capabilities including water and sewer connections.
The shoreline location represents a primary attraction for campers visiting Mark Twain Lake. According to visitor feedback, "Ray Behrens has great camping sites with three sections - Deer Run, Cedar Ridge and Little Blue Stem." Several campgrounds provide lake access via hiking trails, though swimming areas may be limited due to the lake's terrain. As one visitor observed, "This is a man-made lake and there are sharp drop offs all the way around." Boating access appears as a significant amenity, with marinas and boat ramps available near several campgrounds. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer throughout the property. Many campsites feature shade trees and ample spacing between sites, with visitors frequently commenting on the peaceful atmosphere and well-maintained grounds.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$10 - $125 / night
"Mark Twain Lake is beautiful. Lots of hiking trails and greenery between campsites. Many established trees. Ticks galore so prepare for that. 1-2 bars with ATT throughout park."
"Great for families as there are a couple fun playgrounds and always kids and adults alike enjoying bikerides and walks through the campground and along the trails, some of which offer lake access with"
$24 - $30 / night
"This is the most common place my friends and family camp at for Mark Twain Lake. Very clean and well kept. The kids bike around on the pavement and play in the little park."
"It has a wonderful, full service marina and a few great trails that lead to the water. It is by far the best Corp of Engineer campground on Mark Twain Lake!"
$26 - $85 / night
"Campground Review: Mark Twain state Park is an absolute blast. approximately 30 minutes from Hannibal MO this park sits on Mark Twain Lake."
"It has air conditioning, which is needed in Missouri in August (it was sooo hot). Cabin is private with fire pit and picnic table at the front which faces near the woods."
$18 - $30 / night
"Hiking trails and easy access to Mark Twain lake."
"The lake is beautiful...if you can see it. We have five sons and one of our musts for a campground is easily accesible water to play in. This is NOT the campground for that."
$24 - $30 / night
"Used their dump station and filled the water tank as we exited the park. Would recommend & would stay there again"
"There is access to the lake from the campground, there is no beach. We spent on night during the week in mid May and there were only 5 campers in the whole park. We had the place to ourselves."
$28 - $34 / night
"Just a short walk from the Mississippi River and downtown Hannibal. They have two caves you can tour along with a winery on site."
"This campground is located near the Mark Twain caves. There is also a winery located at the entrance to the campground."
$14 - $27 / night
"Super close to hiking trails and the shower house was clean. Mostly non RV people here which made it a bit quieter."
"The sites on outside of loop in the Coyote loop are better in general. They have no view of lake though, just glimmers. Two raccoons popped out at me (site 45) from a hollow tree."
$30 / night
"Didn't bring children, but noticed a playground near the campsites. Decently spaced campsites and vault toilets. Lake was beautiful."
"A'll sights near water were mostly sun. Beautiful. Friendly. Fishing, boating"
$20 - $299 / night
"Great family location and for expanding children's knowledge"
"Relaxing spot near the lake with some beautiful views. The whole campground is in the woods so there’s lots of shade. Some spots are full hookups."
GuideThis is a perfect spot! Beautiful sunsets!Beautiful view and camp 10 foot off the Mississippi river on paved spots. Watch the barges and trians going by. We stayed 2 nights. Met several other campers. Very friendly place. It is free to stay for up to 15 days. Fishing and boating is available right from the camping spots. There is a porta pot. No water or electricity but we are all self-contained so we did well.
TravelerORV park on the weekend for sure. Kayak and canoe rental for $10 I believe. Swimming beach and boat launch. Electric motors only but I've seen full size bass boats. Showers are a bit dirty but the bathroom is clean. Fills up quickly so a last minute site, especially electric could be an issue. Close to Columbia so groceries and entertainment is very available.
GuideThis was the perfect place to stay for a night or two. We pulled in at 9pm on a Saturday and had zero problems getting a campsite. We got the last one right along the river. It was wonderful to watch the barges go down the Mississippi River and listen to the river overnight. Each site is clearly marked, with easy access. All 13 sites had fire rings with a great view of the river. We saw rigs of all sizes from Sprinter vans to a Class A RV. There was one clean port-o-potty and one trash can by the boat ramp. I would definitely stay again.
TravelerEasy to find - nice convenient place to stop on a cross country rt36/72 drive. Good restrooms electric and H2O hook up. Paid $20. A bit buggy but to be expected end of May and it was hot. Peaceful pleasant worth using.
LegendCharming and well thought out landscaping. We have come back multiple times. We love here is the summer due to the pool. Super clean and cute bathrooms and laundry room. There are a few permanent in the back but they are very kept up.
LegendSmall campground. Close to Colombia so nice to go to town. Lots of dirt bike activity and kayaking, fishing and hiking. Need reservations. Ok for all size rigs.
LegendLoved the great beach access and lots of boating opportunities. There is a marina for large boats. The campground is great, but on a steep hill. Some spots are harder to get into with a larger rig. Store located in the marina.
LegendLoved this old but good state park for the water access and nice biking in the park. Family friendly and close to Hannibal for a day outing. Good for tents and smaller rvs.
LegendWe stayed here twice and experience both loops. Newer side by the beach is full hook ups and much better for large rvs. It also has direct access to the lake and canals. I'd stick to small rvs and tents on the other side. Lots of amenities at this park.
Mark Twain Lake spans 18,000 acres in northeast Missouri with 285 miles of shoreline. The lake's elevation at 606 feet provides stable shoreline conditions through seasonal water level changes. Fall camping offers lower humidity and temperatures around 60-70°F during the day, with fewer crowds at the campgrounds surrounding this man-made reservoir.
Fishing opportunities: Indian Creek Campground offers excellent lake access for anglers. "This campground has a lot of road to bike on if you like to ride your bike," mentions Kayla S., who also notes the private beach that's only accessible to campers or boaters. Several fishing spots are available along the shoreline with specific access points.
Hiking trails: Frank Russell Campground features well-maintained trails leading to water access points. "Down the road a walk away. There is a trail that leads right to the water where we were able to have a swim and not have to leave the campground," writes Emily C. Trails range from short 0.5-mile loops to longer 3-mile routes.
Stargazing: The remote location of some camping areas creates ideal night sky viewing conditions. "Total darkness, perfect for stargazing," reports Jason R. at Indian Creek, where minimal light pollution allows excellent views of the Milky Way on clear nights.
Spacious sites: Ray Behrens Campground receives consistent praise for site spacing. "All the sites have enough empty space in between that most campgrounds would have stuck another site in-between," notes Sam H. Sites include concrete pads with picnic tables, fire rings, and many have gravel lounging areas.
Privacy: Most loops feature natural vegetation between sites. "We loved the forest feel of the sites, with found coverage between the sites, giving a nice sense of privacy," according to Nathan P. at Puma Campground. This separation helps maintain a wilderness camping experience despite being at a developed campground.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Abundant wildlife," mentions Jason R., who captured animal sounds in the quiet campground environment. Deer are commonly spotted, particularly near water access points during early morning.
Off-season advantages: Visiting during shoulder seasons offers a more secluded experience. "It amazes me that there are only a few campsites full in the middle of summer," notes Paul M. about Indian Creek Campground. This makes last-minute camping possible during periods when many other Midwest lakes are at capacity.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across Mark Twain Lake campgrounds. "Cell service (T-mobile) was really weak, but the wifi coverage was excellent," reports Kevin M. about his stay at Puma Campground. Some campgrounds offer paid wifi options for $20/week.
Bathroom facilities: Condition of facilities varies by location and time of year. "Shower house needs updated, but other than that nice place to stay," mentions Terry P. about Indian Creek. Most campgrounds feature multiple shower houses per loop, with regular cleaning schedules.
Best family loops: Coyote Campground provides a family-friendly atmosphere with convenient amenities. "Super close to hiking trails and the shower house was clean. Mostly non RV people here which made it a bit quieter," shares Scott M. Sites on the outer loop offer more space for kids to play.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "We ended up with a spot that we loved since it was close to the playground," Jennifer F. mentions about Ray Behrens, adding that even with playground closures, "the basketball court was open to roll and the field was open so the kids could run around and play catch."
Swimming options: Limited swimming areas require planning ahead. "This campground has it's own beach that you can only get to by boat or if your camping in the campground. Felt more private that way," writes Kayla S. about Indian Creek, highlighting one of the few sandy beach areas available to campers.
Site selection advice: Bluffview Campground offers more open sites for larger rigs. "A'll sights near water were mostly sun. Beautiful. Friendly," notes Rhonda M. When reserving, check site details carefully as many campsites have slopes that require leveling blocks.
Setup considerations: The terrain at some sites requires preparation. "Used all my blocks to compensate for the forward and passenger site down slope. Other sites in B section had similar problems," advises James and Susan K. Many campers recommend bringing extra leveling equipment, particularly for the non-premium sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available at Mark Twain Lake?
Mark Twain Lake offers several excellent campgrounds. Ray Behrens is one of the most popular options with three sections (Deer Run, Cedar Ridge, and Little Blue Stem), featuring shaded spots, hiking trails, and easy lake access. The lake is also home to Indian Creek Campground, known for its beach, marina, and wooded sites. Mark Twain State Park hosts multiple campgrounds including Puma and Coyote. Additional options include Frank Russell Campground, Bluffview, and specialized facilities like Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park. Most campgrounds feature basic amenities including water access, restrooms, and picnic areas, with many offering electric hookups and some providing full RV services.
Are there RV camping facilities at Mark Twain Lake?
Ray Behrens Recreational offers excellent RV facilities with both electric-only sites ($18/night with senior pass) and full hookup sites ($24/night). The campground provides both 30 and 50 amp service options in all three sections. Puma — Mark Twain State Park also accommodates RVs with electrical hookups. Additional RV-friendly options include Indian Creek RV Park and Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park. Most RV sites are spacious and well-maintained with paved pads. Dump stations are available, and many campgrounds offer water fill stations. Reservations are recommended during peak season (May-September) as the most desirable RV sites fill quickly.
How do I make reservations for camping at Mark Twain State Park?
Reservations for Coyote — Mark Twain State Park and other state park campgrounds can be made online through the Missouri State Parks reservation system or by phone at 877-422-6766. The reservation window opens 6 months prior to your arrival date. Puma — Mark Twain State Park also offers cabin rentals that can be reserved through the same system. For state park campgrounds, you'll need to pay a reservation fee plus the nightly camping fee, which varies by site type. During peak season (April-October), reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekends and holidays. Some walk-up sites may be available for last-minute trips on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where is Indian Creek Campground located at Mark Twain Lake?
Indian Creek Campground is located on the northwestern side of Mark Twain Lake in northeast Missouri, approximately 30 minutes from Hannibal. The campground sits near the Indian Creek Marina and beach area, making it an ideal base for water activities. It features multiple camping loops with wooded sites that offer varying degrees of privacy and shade from established trees. Many sites are situated within walking distance to the lake with hiking trails providing additional lake access points. The campground is easily accessible via Highway 24 and Highway 107, with clear signage directing visitors from the main roads. Nearby attractions include the village of Florida, Mark Twain's birthplace, and various hiking trails.
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