RV camping near Mexico, Missouri offers sites with varying hookup options within a 30-mile radius. Situated in the central Missouri prairie region at approximately 800 feet elevation, the area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Many campgrounds remain open year-round despite seasonal weather variations.
What to do
Fishing access: Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park provides multiple fishing opportunities with two good-sized ponds for guests. "Great family location and for expanding children's knowledge," notes one visitor who gave the park a positive rating.
Cave exploration: Graham Cave State Park Campground, located near Montgomery City, features unique archaeological sites. "Massive cave with archaeological dig site. Great trails and wet weather waterfalls. Right off the side of the highway," explains a camper who enjoyed the historical aspects of Graham Cave State Park Campground.
Mini golf: Recreational activities beyond water sports are available at some parks. "Mini golf was booming. They had nice pavilion areas for gatherings. There was also a large swimming pool," mentions a visitor describing the amenities at Mark Twain Lake.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Lazy Day Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "The bathhouse was clean and well kept. Very dark, unlit walk to the bath house, so bring a light!" advises a recent visitor who stayed in a campervan.
Level sites: Kan-Do Kampground offers practical layouts for various RV sizes. "The pull thru pads were accommodating for my 50 foot rig. This campground appears to be locally owned and the person who took my reservation was very polite and accommodating," reports a traveler who stopped while en route to Tennessee.
Dog-friendly areas: Many parks accommodate pets with designated areas. "The 1/2-acre dog park was especially impressive," notes a visitor to Lazy Day Campground, highlighting this feature among the 325+ campgrounds they've visited.
What you should know
Site spacing: Space between campsites varies significantly between parks. At Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground, "The sites here are very close together, but long-term guests kept their sites nice and well organized, and overall this CG was very clean," according to a reviewer who stayed in a 40-foot rig.
Gravel roads: Access roads to several parks include unpaved sections. At Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park, "The only thing I didn't love was the gravel road all the way in. Our truck and camper was covered with gravel dust. So if you had anything exposed, it'll get a bit dusty," warns a camper.
Reservation systems: Check-in procedures vary between parks. "Contactless checkin is a bit confusing from map provided. There are a lot of long term users," explains a camper at Cedar Creek, noting that bathhouses are a considerable distance from transit sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Mark Twain Lake Jellystone Park offers dedicated children's areas. "Great playground. Several large rigs in our row, we still fit. Decorated wonderfully for Halloween. Kids are happy!" shares a family who visited during the fall season.
Swimming options: Water recreation varies between locations. "Being after Labor Day the water park was closed, but looked like fun. They had a large swimming pool," notes a visitor to Mark Twain Lake Jellystone, suggesting seasonal timing affects available activities.
Beginner-friendly sites: Some parks are particularly suitable for camping novices. "Perfect place for us to learn the ins and outs as it had full hook-ups. Staff was really friendly, and had the cutest store!" reports a first-time camper who visited Cottonwoods RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Satellite considerations: Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground provides variable satellite reception. "There are mature trees so satellite placement could be challenging. We were able to place our Starlink in the yard area for a good shot to the north sky," advises an experienced RVer who stayed in a 40-foot rig.
Power quality: Electrical service reliability matters for longer stays. "30 amp site with clean power. Very, very quiet on weekdays," reports a visitor to Graham Cave State Park, noting both the electrical quality and noise levels.
Multiple utility connections: Some parks offer practical layout features. "The utilities were in the middle of the pad and water pressure was decent at about 40 psi. The gravel pad was very long and we had plenty of room for our 40' rig and F450," explains a reviewer who appreciated the thoughtful design at Cottonwoods RV Park.
