Emily G.
Traveler
TravelerThomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area
Great free camping
Might not have showers but is a nice free campground. It’s pet friendly and you are not on top of your neighbors. Definitely going to come back here.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Meadville, MO
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Pershing State Park Campground offers well-maintained sites for pet owners seeking camping options near Meadville, Missouri. This established state park features electric hookups and allows pets throughout the campground with standard leash requirements. The park includes picnic tables, showers, toilets, and water access at most campsites, creating a comfortable environment for both pets and owners. Sites are generally spacious with good shade coverage, allowing pets to rest comfortably during warmer months. Several reviewers note the helpfulness of campground hosts who enforce rules but remain friendly and accommodating to campers with pets. The campground provides trash collection to handle pet waste properly. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Meadville, Missouri.
Hiking opportunities abound for pet owners with several pet-friendly trails at nearby conservation areas. Fountain Grove Conservation Area and Mussel Fork Conservation Area provide free camping options with fire rings and picnic tables where pets are welcome. Long Branch State Park Campground, approximately 40 miles from Meadville, features additional pet-friendly amenities including water access for dogs who enjoy swimming. Crowder State Park offers spacious campsites with asphalt pads and extensive hiking trails through its 1,900 acres of woods where leashed pets can exercise. The campground maintains exceptionally clean bathroom facilities and includes a vault toilet conveniently located near campsites for nighttime convenience with pets. Temperature fluctuations can affect pets, so owners should pack accordingly for seasonal camping trips. The park enforces quiet hours strictly to maintain the peaceful atmosphere for all campers.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Meadville (28)
1. Fountain Grove Conservation Area
"We came over to the lake and the access to it. And there are formal camp spots. They use Picnic Area spots that have fire rings and tables."
2. Mussel Fork Conservation Area
"I could tell there were a few other paths I could take but the grass was a little overgrown and it was already dark out, so I just car camped in the gravel lot."
"It was already late and dark so I didn’t drive back farther. No one else showed up until early the next morning. One other car camper and a sheriff, but he didn’t bother us."
3. A Country Charm RV Park
"Small (15 Spaces) RV park located 1/2 mile from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. Most likely the reason why people come to Hamilton. Very clean and well kept."
4. Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area
"It’s pet friendly and you are not on top of your neighbors. Definitely going to come back here."
"You can see fireworks 🎆🎇 for Miles all around ."
5. Lincoln Lake RV Park
"Beautiful spot on the lake. Clean campground, full hook-ups. Tent and RV friendly. Will stop here again!"
6. Dockery Park
"Wonderful facility on the edge of Gallatin. Stores and gas just a mile away. A duck was the only full time resident of the park. We got several visits from the local residents."
"They aren’t sheltered or hidden from the rest of the park though which was kinda weird when the kids from the baseball field nearby were staring at us putting up the tent."
7. Bonanza Conservation Area
"Multiple campsites available along the highway, but the marked site is one of the best, right by a great fishing lake. Very quite, no amenities."
8. Lantern Lights RV Park
from $40 / night
Check Availability9. Lodder Up & Camp
"Very small campground on the edge of town (appx 20ish sites). Full hookups and all most amenities you will find at larger properties: laundry, showers, picnic tables and fire rings."
from $25 - $450 / night
Check Availability10. Salisbury City Park
"City Park that is right outside of town. 17 spots that are first come first serve, roughly 4 people seem to be full time residents, but kept the park clean."
from $20 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 12 min from St. Joseph, MO
- 1 hr 28 min from Kansas City, MO
- 1 hr 32 min from Columbia, MO
- 1 hr 57 min from Jefferson City, MO
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Meadville, MO
2 Photos of 28 Meadville Campgrounds
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Meadville, MO
148 Reviews of 28 Meadville Campgrounds
Chad K.
LegendLong 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.
- jjohn S.
GuideUnion 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.
Nathan P.
RangerAnnie and Abel Van Meter State Park Campground
Well maintained campgrounds with short trails and lake for fishing
We camped out here for the weekend.
The campground is one circular lot with I think around 18 spots. Some are basic just for tents and some have water and or electric.
The ones on the inside of the circle have more space and are more open but you don't have any privacy. Most spots on the outside of the circle, especially on the north and west sides have more privacy but not as much space.
The grounds are well kept with grass while maintained.
I hiked on most of the trails in one day. I missed the memorial trail and boardwalk. Home that I walked on will maintained. Some of them are more difficult than others but none of them too strenuous.
Note about the lake - Once you get to the parking lot for the lake you'll see nothing but trees. On the east side of the parking lot (next to the state park signage/billboard) there are two trail heads. Take the one on the left. There's a quarter mile hike down to the lake. The way back is mostly uphill. Not too steep, but steep enough you might feel it if you don't do much hiking/walking.
Playground It had a nice playground for small kids including a little play area and some swing sets.
Restrooms There were two bathrooms present. One was a traditional drop toilet. It had a solar fan so surprisingly it did not have any smell. The other bathroom has a shower and the women's had two toilets and the men's had one toilet and a urinal. Everything was clean.
Dog-friendliness We did not take any dogs but we saw plenty of people who had dogs.
Grant M.RangerWallace State Park Campground
Solitude close to KC
Great MO state park, close to the city with easy access to 35 N. Trails, lakes, camping, great spot! If you don’t want/need electric, try campground 1, the spots are tucked into the trees.
Breanne D.TravelerThousand Hills State Park Campground
Great Hiking and Relaxation Destination
There are tons of things to do during any stay at Thousands Hills (affectionately called Thousand Chills). There are kayaks and canoes to rent, lakeside shelters, plenty of trails to hike, and plenty of campgrounds. There are areas that have cabins and also places that have RV hookups. Really great for anybody!
I went after a rain and it was beautiful. Many of the trails absorb water well and it's not too muddy. The trails and campsites are dog friendly and are very well marked.
- Grant M.Ranger
Long Branch State Park Campground
More than meets the eye.
So, at first glance, small corps of engineers lake and stock Missouri state parks campground. But, we came back and there’s some unique stuff. A small trail that winds through tall grass prairie is great for kids and a cool perspective not much found in state. Also, there’s a sweet backpacking loop on a peninsula that is super rare north of the Missouri River. Quiet, and a great stop off hwy 36.
- LLeanne B.
ScoutThousand Hills Trail Camp
Thousand Hills Camping
The Thousand Hills campsite it great I have camped here on multiple occasions using a tent and a pop-up camper. They offer basic and electric sites. All the sites are a nice size and many provide shade as well which is nice during the hot summer. All the sites include a firepit, lantern holder, and a picnic table. There are multiple waterspouts throughout the campsite so you never have to walk far to collect water. There are also multiple outhouses within short walking distance of all the sites, they are clean but they have no lights so if you need to use it during the night you will need to bring a flashlight or lantern. The main bathroom however, though it may be further away then the outhouses for most sites, it is not unreasonably far away. At most it is probably a 5 minute walk from the sites that are further from it, and the walk is quite easy. The main bathroom has lights, outlets, toilets that flush, sinks, and several showers which you can control the temperature and are nice for camp showers. There is a camp store down at the marina where you can get firewood, food, and camping supplies. You can also rent pontoons, kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards for a decent price. If you rent anytime before noon Monday-Friday you can rent boats for half off which is a great deal. The park has a nice free beach which you can drive to or access through a trail which starts at one of the campsites. The park has two playgrounds and there are many trails, some that are light and easy, some moderate, and a long one that goes around the lake. Which has a backpacking campsite. I have not used the cabins here but they look like they are nice and they have easy access to the lake and docks right next to them for easy access to your boat.
- Sayler O.Ranger
Hamilton City Lake
Peaceful, Shady, and Right on the Water – Great Free Spot!
We stayed at Hamilton City Lake in early summer and really enjoyed the peaceful, low-key atmosphere. There are two known dispersed sites, and while they’re basic, they’re free and offer a great natural setting. We had plenty of room to spread out without worrying about noisy neighbors—it wasn’t crowded at all, and we were the only campers overnight.
The site is shaded with lots of trees, which helped keep things cool, and it’s right next to the lake. We were able to fish right from our spot and caught some bluegill and a big crappie. Another visitor reeled in a bass. We also saw several turtles swimming around, which was a nice bonus.
A few things to note: there’s only one picnic table, and the site is fairly close to Highway 36, so you can hear some road noise. Still, the tranquility of the spot overall and the lack of campground crowding more than made up for it.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quiet, simple place to camp with great access to fishing.
Guide to Meadville
Meadville, Missouri sits between Fountain Grove Conservation Area and Pershing State Park, offering campers convenient access to both wetland and forested landscapes. The area experiences humid continental climate with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Camping facilities in the region typically remain open year-round, though seasonal closures for water systems occur between November and March.
What to do
**Birding opportunities: Fountain Grove Conservation Area provides excellent habitat for waterfowl viewing during migration seasons. "We came over to the lake and the access to it. And there are formal camp spots. They use Picnic Area spots that have fire rings and tables. And you're right on the water and by yourself, it's absolutely fantastic," notes Teresa T.
**Boardwalk hiking: Pershing State Park features an elevated woodland trail experience through diverse ecosystems. "Our favorite was the Boardwalk trail - 1 1/2 miles of boardwalk through forest. Just beautiful! We also visited nearby LaClede where John J. Pershing's boyhood home is. Very informative and interesting," shares Theresa H. from Pershing State Park Campground.
**Fishing access: Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area offers free lakeside camping with good fishing opportunities. "Great non electric sites on Thomas Hill Lake. Please leave as you found it or better, it's basically in my back yard," advises Sheena B. from Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area.
What campers like
**Secluded campsites: Wallace State Park's basic sites provide privacy not always found at larger campgrounds. "I love how many of the basic sites are secluded or at least mostly separate from other sites. Many have treeline surrounding so your site is closed off from others, ensuring some privacy," explains Erin P. from Wallace State Park Campground.
**Lakefront tent camping: Long Branch State Park offers direct water access from certain sites. "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!" reports Adriana W. from Long Branch State Park Campground.
**Shade coverage: Crowder State Park provides relief from summer heat with its wooded sites. "The site was nice and large, lots of kids to play, but quite. Nice hiking trails. The lake is really a large pond, you can kayak, canoe, fish and swim if you dont mind a pond," explains Jason C.
What you should know
**Seasonal pricing and services: Several state parks offer reduced rates during off-season months. "Fall Camping. Beautiful Campground. $21 Electric on season, $19 Electric off season. Off season starts Nov 1. Water is turned off. Showers, laundry, dump station, playground in park. Great hiking trails," informs Sue B. from Crowder State Park Campground.
**Free camping options: Multiple conservation areas near Meadville provide no-cost alternatives to state parks. "Area had car camping sites with covered shelters and picnic tables right by the water and some more primitive sites further from the water. Access is easy peasy," notes Whitney L. about Thomas Hill Reservoir.
**Campground size variations: Smaller parks may fill quickly during peak season. "This is a very small park and go for just an overnight stay," mentions Melissa A. about Pershing State Park, while another visitor notes "Having stayed many times, the park often has fewer than five campers."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The park has a dated shower house, playground for the kids, a several little lakes that you can fish in. The hiking is fantastic and I would recommend the boardwalk trail to experience what this park is all about," suggests Chad K.
**Swimming options: Beach areas provide water recreation at several locations. "Great lake. Wonderful swim beach with sand. Campsites are at slants so be prepared to level. Nice hiking trail. Clean shower house. Definitely will stay again," comments Jolie C. from Long Branch State Park.
**Historical activities: Educational opportunities exist near dog-friendly campgrounds near Meadville. "We also visited nearby LaClede where John J. Pershing's boyhood home is. Very informative and interesting," shares Theresa H. from Mussel Fork Conservation Area, which also offers "each site at this CA features a small gravel lot with a fire ring."
Tips from RVers
**Pad conditions: Most RV sites near Meadville have concrete or asphalt pads, though leveling may be necessary. "The campsites are large, grass and shady. Pad is asphalt but not necessarily level. Beautiful bathhouse with 6 individual shower rooms," explains Muffy Clark G. about Crowder State Park.
**Overnight considerations: For travelers passing through, several options provide convenient highway access. "Easy check in if you have made online reservations. Very well taken care of and clean. Great spot to visit the quilting stores here," notes David S. from A Country Charm RV Park.
**Hookup availability: Electric services vary between parks, with limited full-hookup options. "Very clean campground, full hook-ups. Tent and RV friendly. Will stop here again!" shares Anne R. about Lincoln Lake RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Meadville, MO?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Meadville, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Meadville, MO is Fountain Grove Conservation Area with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Meadville, MO?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Meadville, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 dog-friendly camping locations near Meadville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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