Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Mexico, MO

Lakeview Park in Mexico offers electric sites at ten dollars per night, allowing campers to bring pets while enjoying the 15-acre fishing lake and 1.4-mile walking trail. Ten to twenty electric-only RV sites provide a quiet atmosphere in this combination city park and campground. The potable water access and sewer dump station accommodate extended stays for campers with dogs. The playground and walking path offer outdoor recreation for both pets and their owners. Very few campers reported breed restrictions at the campgrounds near Mexico, maintaining a welcoming environment for all dog types. Sites at Lakeview Park have plenty of shade, while the camping area at Whetstone Conservation Area features five well-maintained sites with fire pits and picnic tables. The bathrooms at conservation areas are basic but functional for pet owners needing facilities while camping.

Mark Twain State Park permits dogs at Puma Campground, where the forested camping spots provide privacy with natural coverage between sites. Leashed pets can join their owners on the hiking trails along the river, offering beautiful views and water access for both hiking and swimming. Pet owners should note that while most campsites in the area accommodate dogs, cleanliness varies significantly between locations. The vault toilets at Vandalia Community Lake received mixed reviews for cleanliness, but the peaceful setting next to the water creates an ideal environment for camping with pets. Hanson Hills Campground provides additional pet-friendly options with clean pool facilities and fishing opportunities where dogs can relax alongside their owners during summer months. During hot Missouri summers, the shaded sites at these campgrounds offer essential protection for pets, with air-conditioned cabins available at Mark Twain State Park for those seeking more comfort with their animals.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Mexico, Missouri (65)

    1. Lazy Day Campground

    34 Reviews
    New Florence, MO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 564-2949

    $40 - $55 / night

    "There is a gated dog park. Everything above is at the campground. Our dog really liked the owner too."

    "They have a dog park which was nice."

    2. Graham Cave State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Montgomery City, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 564-3476

    "Close to the freeway but not really noticeable noise except on hikes. Paid $21 for 30 amp electric site, water and dump are available but not at individual sites."

    "We walked the Loutre River Trail and fished in Loutre River - it was a beautiful hike and the river scenery was beautiful."

    3. Lakeview Park - Mexico

    3 Reviews
    Mexico, MO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 581-2100

    "We camped in a 32' Class C for 7 days during the Miss Missouri Pageant. It's a quite little park with maybe 15-20 sites with electric only. There is potable water and sewer dump on site."

    4. Hanson Hills Campground

    10 Reviews
    Kingdom City, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 642-8600

    "Plenty of room to be camped away from others."

    "Kinda drive in and park anywhere you see a firepit. We had a rooftop tent on the truck and a tent. We camped near the smaller pond."

    5. Puma — Mark Twain State Park

    13 Reviews
    Stoutsville, MO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 248-9980

    $24 - $45 / night

    "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."

    "The designated spots feel secluded since they are bordered by forest. We got a spot right off the water and woke up to the sound of it in the morning."

    6. Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Hallsville, MO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 443-5315

    "I have two dogs. They are friendly, but get rather rambunctious when they see other dogs. I prefer sites that I can keep them tucked away."

    "A rainy weekend didn't deter campers from spending the holiday weekend here at Finger Lakes State Park. I was lucky enough to get a site for a single night when rain was in the forecast."

    7. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 474-2747

    $45 - $52 / night

    "Visited in March 2021, some pot holes in drive way, but manageable. Trees seemed to be trimmed back compared to other reviews. Nice facilities and great staff!"

    "The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us."

    8. Indian Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    Stoutsville, MO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 735-4097

    $10 - $125 / night

    "Nice trails to access the lake by foot or with the dogs. Clean bathhouses and campsites are some of the most well kept I've seen."

    "Though I grew up outside of St. Louis, I'd never been to this campground or to Mark Twain Lake.  Really enjoyed exploring the area and the campground was nice.  "

    9. Vandalia Community Lake

    4 Reviews
    Perry, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "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. And we actually saw the cat!"

    10. Ray Behrens

    16 Reviews
    Perry, MO
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 735-4097

    $24 - $30 / night

    "The whole park doesn't match the awesomeness of site 97 and the few around it, but the end of this loop is almost perfect."

    "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."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mexico, MO

379 Reviews of 65 Mexico Campgrounds


  • April C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    Lazy Day Campground

    Best campground and hosts

    Cleanest campground with all the amenities. The hosts are the owners and they are so nice and helpful. You follow them to your site and they deliver firewood if you paid for it. Sites are clean. There is a gated dog park. Everything above is at the campground. Our dog really liked the owner too.

  • Robyn C.
    May. 29, 2021

    Lazy Day Campground

    Mixed reviews

    We were parked on a hill with lots of gravel. Campsites are very narrow. But there was a very nice pond to fish at although it was a bit of a hike to get to. They have a dog park which was nice.

  • Jeremy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Lazy Day Campground

    Wonderful level sites

    Great staff, wonderful level sites. Bathroom on site. Pool during season. Partially shaded. Dog walk area. Pet friendly.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2022

    Lazy Day Campground

    Nice stop over in

    Stayed for one night, water/elec only. Easy on/off the interstate and staff is very friendly. Assigned site was in the back of the park and nice and shady. They have a very nice, large dog park which our pups loved. Being in the back of the campground we had to walk a little to get there, but no big deal. Did not use their showers or bathroom, so can’t comment on that. Booked to stay again on our return trip.

  • Donna N.
    Jul. 14, 2022

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Didn't feel welcome

    We are homeless and we got a campsite for two week here and I got a special needs child. And my boy were up at the water and all I did was call then over to me and I get 3 cops at my site. When cross from me the people at that site start there car off and on all night and dog parks from 6 am to 8 am. But I get told if I am loud I get kick out. Thank you for the welcoming feel

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2025

    Lazy Day Campground

    One of the Nicer Private Campgrounds

    The campground (CG) was easy to find, located just 5 miles off I-70 with clear signage along the way. We parked at the designated registration area, and check-in was quick for our one-night stay. We were then escorted to pull-through site 17 with full hookups. The gravel pad was fairly level, and although the utilities were toward the back of the site, we had no trouble connecting. There were two sewer hookups—a nice touch. Water is shared, but the pressure was solid at about 50 psi. Sites are decently spaced, though some are closer together; ours was relatively close to the next site on the driver side. Our site had a nice yard, picnic table, and fire pit, but if someone had been in the site next to us, we would have been sharing that area. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 3 bars on T-Mobile, and our T-Mobile Home Internet worked very well. The CG WiFi was fine for email and web browsing. While the grounds have mature trees, most sites—including 17—are satellite-friendly. The 1/2-acre dog park was especially impressive. There was a mix of permanent, seasonal, and short-term guests. The park was clean, well-maintained, and featured fun wood carvings. The setting includes a pond and a trail to a small lake. A small camp store, ice, and propane are also available. Overall, this is a solid CG for overnight or extended stays. Out of the 325+ campgrounds we've visited, this one has the best rules sheet—hands down. It's hilarious, and you’ll instantly get their vibe!

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2025

    Dry Fork Recreation Area

    Dry Fork Campground

    The Pine Ridge Campground a few miles down the road was full, so we ended up at 1 of the 8 sites here. This is an equestrian campground that allows non-horse campers, but prefers you check Pine Ridge first. We had a fine one-night stay while traveling through, but encountered A LOT of ticks on the overgrown trail. BEWARE of ticks and check yourselves and your pets if staying here. No cell service.

  • V
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Cozy C RV Campground, LLC

    Nice

    Pulled in 4/12, smaller campground, very few people here this time of year. Owners live right off the property so very convenient. Very nice owner Helen, came by the site to check us in. Right off a small county hwy, but not too noisy. Very quiet and relaxed place. No picnic talk or fire pit. They to have a public fit pit with free firewood. Laundry area is clean and 1.00 to was and .75 to dry. Gravel site with small grass area. minature golf and pet area. One trash receptical with recycling bins. Nice place for a stop over.

  • Amanda B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 15, 2024

    Vandalia Community Lake

    Peaceful!

    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. And we actually saw the cat!


Guide to Mexico

Camping options near Mexico, Missouri center around access to Mark Twain Lake and several smaller bodies of water within a 30-mile radius. The region features rolling wooded terrain with elevation changes between 600-800 feet, creating natural drainage and varied campsite conditions. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers more moderate 60-75°F temperatures with less precipitation.

What to do

Kayaking at Finger Lakes State Park: The unique strip-mine lake system offers multiple water channels perfect for paddling. "This park is one of my favorite nearby spots to take the kayak out and just float. Paddling through these channels is such a dreamy experience. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent as well," notes Ashley F. from Finger Lakes State Park Campground.

Hiking to Graham Cave: The short trail to this archaeological site makes for an educational outing. "Hikes were nice, lots of deer, the cave itself is blocked by chainlink but still pretty cool. Dogs ok on leashes," shares Laura M. from Graham Cave State Park Campground.

Fishing at multiple locations: The 15-acre fishing lake at Lakeview Park offers convenient access, while larger lakes provide more options. "The pond was a great place to relax and watch the kids reel in fish after fish," reports Misty F. about her experience at Hanson Hills Campground.

What campers like

Secluded camping at Indian Creek: The more private nature of this campground appeals to those seeking quieter experiences. "This campground has its own beach that you can only get to by boat or if you're camping in the campground. Felt more private that way," says Kayla S. about Indian Creek Campground.

Level sites at Ray Behrens: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained concrete pads. "The whole park doesn't match the awesomeness of site 97 and the few around it, but the end of this loop is almost perfect. Great shade, almost no slope to pads, all power options, great water pressure," explains Sam H. about Ray Behrens.

Affordable stays at Lakeview Park: The combination of amenities and low cost makes this Mexico city park appealing. "Nice sites lots of shade, electric on site, priced at ten a nite. 1.4 mile walking trail, 15 acre fishing lake," describes Mike W.

What you should know

Variable site conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "There are a few flat sites but many were not level," warns Laura M. about Graham Cave State Park. Similarly, at Finger Lakes: "The camp grounds are not overly private and are not in the best of shape (ground is really uneven)," notes Kirstie M.

Insect preparation needed: The wooded areas around Mexico support abundant wildlife including mosquitoes and ticks. "Great trails to access the lake by foot or with the dogs. Clean bathhouses and campsites are some of the most well kept I've seen," shares Jacob S. about Indian Creek Campground, though other reviewers mention ticks being prevalent in warmer months.

Supply planning essential: The remote nature of some campgrounds requires planning. "This campground is out in the boonies so you'll want to stock up before you pull in... 25 min from Walgreens, 45 min from Walmart," advises Amie M.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mexico, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mexico, MO is Lazy Day Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 34 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mexico, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 65 dog-friendly camping locations near Mexico, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.