Top Tent Camping near Monroe City, MO

Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Monroe City? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Monroe City. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Monroe City's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Monroe City, MO (12)

    Camper-submitted photo from Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area

    1. Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area

    4 Reviews
    2 Photos
    57 Saves

    Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group
    Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake

    2. Vandalia Community Lake

    2 Reviews
    6 Photos
    8 Saves

    Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Picnic Table
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from Dupont Reservation Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Dupont Reservation Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Dupont Reservation Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Dupont Reservation Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Dupont Reservation Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Dupont Reservation Conservation Area

    3. Dupont Reservation Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    16 Photos
    17 Saves

    Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from Slate and Wild Roses
    Camper-submitted photo from Slate and Wild Roses
    Camper-submitted photo from Slate and Wild Roses
    Camper-submitted photo from Slate and Wild Roses
    Camper-submitted photo from Slate and Wild Roses
    Camper-submitted photo from Slate and Wild Roses

    4. Slate and Wild Roses

    1 Review
    32 Photos
    25 Saves

    Hello there! We (Christina & Brian) are excited to share our 80 acres with you! At the moment we offer only dispersed camping. We want to keep it as "Organic" as possible! So, there will only be 1 main gravel road, that is mostly covered in gravel at the moment. NO concrete or asphalt areas. Heavy rains will in-hinder on how far you can travel in. Either way, we can assist you, unless you are an RV. If you like, we have a large metal wagon that you can hand pull or pull by our truck. You are welcome to bring your UTV, but only to move your equipment and guests back and forth to our site or your vehicle. We are willing to show you around before you set up camp. If you are coming in at dark, we can suggest a campsite, then you can move in the daylight if you like. FIREWOOD: We have more than you can handle as this land has been harvested for timber prior to our purchase. We also encourage you to take some as long you use it up while in Missouri. More info at website DontMoveFirewood dot org We do NOT have amenities on site as of yet. We will provide bottled water at no cost. We highly encourage that you unplug while you are here, but not required. We do want you to have your phone with you for safety and capturing moments while you are here. We do have cell service here! We are close to many places: \* 1/2 mile to Casey's General Store \* Mark Twain State Park: 30 min \* Long Branch State Park: 40 min \* Thomas Hill Reservoir: 40 min \* Finger Lakes State Park OHV/ motorcross: 40 min \* Amish Community (Clark): 30 min \* Casey's Gas Station: 3 min \* Dollar General: 4 min \* Walmart Supercenter: 17 min If you are bold and want to enjoy nature nudist style, that is welcomed, but ONLY at your campsite and maybe a larger area for an additional fee once you arrive. This place is NOT a nudist camp, but it is private enough that you can be comfortable in your area. We thank you for taking the time to read our post. If you have any questions, feel free to get hold of us at anytime.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $25 - $30 / night

    • No image available

      5. John Spalding Rec Ar

      Be the first to review!
      2 Saves

      Overview

      Visitors at John Spalding are in the perfect location for recreation on Mark Twain Lake. The day-use area is the only facility within reach of the sandy public beach. Its also directly connected to the Joanna Trail, a 32-mile multi-purpose trail for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

      Tour the birthplace of world-famous humorist and writer, Mark Twain and explore the region that inspired his most beloved stories, such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

      Natural Features:

      The Salt River of north-central Missouri feeds Mark Twain Lake, the regions largest body of water, spanning 18,000 acres. A variety of recreation areas surround the lake, including the Mark Twain State Park.

      Recreation:

      Swim and enjoy the beach all day, or take a boat out for water skiing and fishing. For hikers and bikers, the lengthy Joanna Trail lines the northern banks of the lake.

      Facilities:

      The day-use area is equipped with a swimming beach, showers, pay phone and picnic shelters. Shelters have electric hookups.

      Nearby Attractions:

      Visit Mark Twains birthplace in Florida, Missouri or his boyhood home in Hannibal.

      The David C. Berti Shooting Range is below the dam and M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center is above the dam.

      • Electric Hookups
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      • Tents
      • Group
      • No image available

        6. Spillway Recreation Area

        Be the first to review!
        3 Saves

        Overview

        Missouris Spillway Recreation Area is tucked in a cove near the Wappapello Dam on Wappapello Lake. The area provides plenty of recreation for day-use visitors, including boating, fishing or playing volleyball by the lakeshore.

        Click here to take a virtual tour of the facilities at Wappapello Lake.

        Natural Features:

        Wappapello Lake has a seemingly endless string of secluded coves hugged by a winding, wooded shoreline. The public recreation area spans 45,000 acres in the southeastern Ozark foothills.

        Recreation:

        Boating and fishing are the most popular activities with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, white bass and channel catfish, among other species.

        Pine Ridge Natural Trail, a 3/4-mile double loop, starts at the Spillway Recreation Area and provides an excellent way to explore the beautiful woodlands.

        Facilities:

        This day use area includes two large picnic shelters, 8 picnic sites, a volleyball court, playground, horseshoe pits and bank fishing.

        Nearby Attractions:

        The extensive 33-mile Ozark Trail, starts just south of Sam A. Baker State Park and winds along the west side of the St. Francis River and Wappapello Lake.

        • Pets
        • Electric Hookups
        • Reservable
        • ADA Access
        • Tents
        • Group
        • No image available
          Camper-submitted photo from Backpack Campsites - Long Branch State Park
          Camper-submitted photo from Backpack Campsites - Long Branch State Park
          Camper-submitted photo from Backpack Campsites - Long Branch State Park
          Camper-submitted photo from Backpack Campsites - Long Branch State Park
          Camper-submitted photo from Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area
          Camper-submitted photo from Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area
          Camper-submitted photo from Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area
          Camper-submitted photo from Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

          9. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

          1 Review
          5 Photos
          6 Saves

          Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.

          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Tents
          • Equestrian
          • Dispersed
          • Toilets
          • No image available

            10. Bear Creek COE - Lock and Dam 21

            Be the first to review!
            4 Saves

            This recreation area is part of Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

            • Tents
          Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

          Recent Tent Reviews In Monroe City

          202 Reviews of 12 Monroe City Campgrounds


          • Julia V.
            Camper-submitted photo from Finger Lakes State Park
            Aug. 14, 2024

            Finger Lakes State Park

            Had everything we needed

            Basic tent site, potable water was right near our site. Bathrooms were clean. There were some families staying nearby but overall was a quiet stay.

          • JThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Driftwood Campground
            Jun. 18, 2024

            Driftwood Campground

            Nice family owned csmpground

            At one time this campground was a KOA campground so if you are familiar with KOA, you know the basic layout. We stayed here in our tent and while the tent area was closed for receding new grass the owner let us stay in a grassy area under the trees near the office. It was a great stsy and the restrooms and pool were nice and clean. We enjoyed ourselves and cooled off in the hot weather.

          • Beyond All
            Camper-submitted photo from Frank Russell
            Jun. 18, 2024

            Frank Russell

            Great refurbished campground with large concrete full hookup sites.

            Nice new concrete sites with fire pit, full hookup. Great trails and fishing lake, with concrete sidewalk and benches around it to make fishing easily accessible.

          • Amanda B.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake
            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!

          • Jon B.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Backpack Campsites - Long Branch State Park
            Apr. 2, 2024

            Backpack Campsites - Long Branch State Park

            Awesome Backpacking Campsite

            This was my first time out on Bee Trace Trail and I had a great time. 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. I had to pull out my phone several times to get reoriented. That being said, that stretch isn't very long and the rest of the trail presented zero issues for navigation. 

            The campsite for backpacking is located at the very tip of the peninsula and it's a great spot. There is a camper-made fire ring here, but the regulations(and posted signs) state no fires, so I would be cautious with what you choose to do. The kayak sites are a little more developed, with picnic tables, trash hooks, and iron fire pits/grills, but I'm not sure how they feel about backpackers using those. On the day(s) I went through, I saw only two other people on the blue loop and nobody on the brown. However, I saw tons of boats out on the lake going by and they all had full view of the campsite(I think it would be pretty clear even once the trees are full); something to be aware of if you're looking for a super isolated camp. There is plenty of space to pitch a tent and many trees to choose from for hanging a hammock. 

            If you're looking to get your feet wet with backpacking(as I was), this is a great spot to do it. If you're a seasoned backpacker and are just looking for a quick out-and-back, I think you would be equally pleased.

          • Jon B.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Long Branch State Park
            Mar. 28, 2024

            Long Branch State Park

            Great Walk-In Campgrounds

            The walk-in campgrounds (it's about a 50 foot walk from the parking lot to each site) at Long Branch are located off in their own little area at the shore of the lake that offers some pretty good isolation. Although we went at a time when the water was still shut off, there are bathrooms and water available via a very short walk from the walk-in sites April 1-Oct 31. The sites are each very spacious with flat areas and material already laid out for pitching a tent and plenty of trees for throwing up a hammock. Although firewood was stated to be available year round from the vending machine, it was locked up when we went through, but there is a convenience store right across the highway from the lake that sells wood bundles and anything else you might need.

            We really enjoyed our time here and we'll definitely be coming back in the warmer months to enjoy some swimming and boating.

          • Napunani
            Camper-submitted photo from Ray Behrens
            Dec. 1, 2023

            Ray Behrens

            Great Value with ATB Pass

            PROS 

            Senior discount 

            Site 32 level asphalt pad surrounded with grass and river rocks 

            Moveable aluminum table 

            Metal fire ring with cooking grate 

            One hook lantern pole 

            Site 19 very near toilets and a dumpster 

            Friendly and helpful gate personnel 

            4 bars TMOBILE 

            CONS 

            Some road noise in the distance 

            Electric box at rear of site pad 

            Sewer connection 6 inches above ground 

            Poor planning to demolish all but one campground toilet/shower facilities at the same time 

            No overnight gate closure

            Don't Miss

            Rustic Oak Cabin Restaurant 

            Mark Twain Memorial Shrine in Mark Twain State Park. Free entrance 

            Ride the Mark Twain Riverboat in Hannibal 

            Downtown Hannibal nice variety of stores and shops 

            Dam Visitor Center very nice--fairly new

          • L
            Camper-submitted photo from Siloam Springs State Park
            Oct. 30, 2023

            Siloam Springs State Park

            Hidden Gem of Illinois...

            This site was so much better than what I was expecting! My friend, Kari, her 3 Doodles, my Beagle, and I camped out the first night in the group section, because there's hardly anyone there and we got there too late in the day to actually start hiking. In the morning, we loaded up our packs, put the little packs on the dogs (they have to carry their own food and water), and headed up the Red Oak Backpacking Trail. I don't know if we started at the beginning or not, but we parked by a little wooden bridge and the hill to start off our adventure kinda kicked my ass a little bit. After we made it up the initial incline, the landscape was beautiful and varied from flat areas to valleys and some creeks (which I was very thankful for after a few hours in 90° and 25 lbs on my back). We ended up setting up camp at a spot we thought was nice just before it got dark, because we didn't know where or how much further the primitive hike-in campsites were. The next day, we figured it out, but we wouldn't have made it there before dark. Towards the end, there were stairs built into the earth that were way too difficult to manage when your legs are jelly and your pack is heavy, so it was almost easier trying to take the side of the stairs and make your own little path, so just a heads up there. We had so much fun the whole time and I can't wait to go back for some snow camping later this year (they are open year round)!!!

          • J
            Camper-submitted photo from Dupont Reservation Conservation Area
            Oct. 21, 2023

            Dupont Reservation Conservation Area

            Lovely camground along the banks of the Mighty Miss

            It’s actually the Ted Shanks Conservation Area. Dupont is a bit further north, no camping there that we saw.

            . All sites fronting the river, shaded by trees. Mix of campers, fishermen and hunters. A few trains at night but not many. Vault toilets. No tables, no fire rings.

          • Anne W.
            Camper-submitted photo from Indian Creek Campground
            Oct. 7, 2023

            Indian Creek Campground

            Very nice sites and good bathrooms

            Beautiful wooded sites, a bit close together and not a ton of privacy but we weren’t bothered by our neighbors at all. The bathrooms are very clean and nice, they have a dish washing sink and good showers. Our site had an electric hook up.

          • Adriana W.
            Camper-submitted photo from Long Branch State Park
            Jul. 27, 2023

            Long Branch State Park

            Summer fun

            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! This site had lots of space and was spread out from neighbors. The campground hosts will deliver firewood to your campsite when bought at their little market. Definitely recommend!

          • Lisa B.
            Camper-submitted photo from Indian Creek Campground
            Jul. 15, 2023

            Indian Creek Campground

            Overall very nice! Trees, trees, trees

            Very wooded campsites but large and spaced apart nicely. Was very quiet after 10pm. Bathrooms have a shower area and were pretty clean. Raccoons visited nightly so secure your food supply and trash. Boat landing and Beach that is private for campers only. You can't see the Lake from sites and it's a very long walk or drive to the beach. There is an outdoor amphitheater and nice hiking trails. Monroe City about 7 miles away has a Shell station that is 24/7 If you need ice, drinks and minimal groceries. But the town...minus the few bars, shut s down around 9pm. There is a Hardee's there as well. It's a nice drive to get to the campground. Will definitely be back!

          • Sam H.
            Camper-submitted photo from Ray Behrens
            Jun. 13, 2023

            Ray Behrens

            Likely our new regular spot

            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, and a sewer hookup. Plenty of rocked lounging or tent space with each site. Good size fire pits, lantern post, and an aluminum picnic table on a concrete pad. All the sites have enough empty space in between that most campgrounds would have stuck another site in-between. Restroom/shower house very close by and it's regularly cleaned. 2 trails to lakeside access are close by too.

          • AThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Driftwood Campground
            May. 13, 2023

            Driftwood Campground

            Super Clean, Super Helpful

            I tent-camped at Driftwood during a bike tour along the Mississippi River Trail. The showers and restroom were impressively clean. The hosts could not have made me feel more welcome.

          • b K.
            Camper-submitted photo from Ray Behrens
            Mar. 16, 2023

            Ray Behrens

            Best campground on Mark Twain Lake

            Ray Behrens is an extremely large and well laid out campground with beautiful spacious and wooded sites! 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! Oh, and don't forget to watch the beautiful sunsets!

          • Gamer Fortnite K.
            Camper-submitted photo from Whispering Oaks Campgrounds
            Nov. 8, 2022

            Whispering Oaks Campgrounds

            Pompous A$$holes

            This campground use to be a great place to camp until it got new owners. They no longer offer tent camping and they completely shut it off from the public. My family has been going there for generations including having family reunions there. That place helped so many parents and kids get thru their summer breaks. Now you can't step foot on the property without having rented an rv spit.

          • C
            Camper-submitted photo from Vandalia Community Lake
            Oct. 6, 2022

            Vandalia Community Lake

            Very peaceful/quite free camping

            Stayed here for 2 nights, was a very peaceful and quite area to sleep. No disturbances. Right on the lake, plenty of fish. Bathrooms are fairly disgusting and full of spiders and there is a stray cat that stalks your food.

          • Paul B.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Mark Twain Cave & Campground
            Sep. 28, 2022

            Mark Twain Cave & Campground

            Exploring Hannibal

            Stayed here 2 nights, while we explored Hannibal. The campground is large, but half empty when we stayed. It meet our needs, always love having WiFi. My biggest complaint would be only 2 washer/dryers (one which was broken). The cave tour is interesting, but a little expensive. I would stay on the main street of Hannibal to see the Mark Twain sites, rest of the city is seedy

          • James and Susan K.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Mark Twain Cave & Campground
            Sep. 23, 2022

            Mark Twain Cave & Campground

            Gravel, gravel and more gravel! Good and reliable camp ground, as well!

            Our site (B14) was not at all level. Used all my blocks to compensate for the forward and passenger site down slope. Other sites in B section had similar problems. Fortunate that we carry an adjustable step for coach entry. Showers and restrooms were good, but shower curtains need to be replaced. Great water. Works great !

          • Luckybreak R.
            Camper-submitted photo from Ray Behrens Recreational
            Sep. 21, 2022

            Ray Behrens Recreational

            So many well separated sites to choose from .

            Fall visitors to this area and found a gem. Price is reasonable, sites are asphalt with rock picnic areas. Only drawback is finding a level site if you are in a motor home. Well worth the effort and highly recommend this area!

          • Shelby R.
            Camper-submitted photo from Mark Twain Cave & Campground
            Sep. 10, 2022

            Mark Twain Cave & Campground

            Great Campground

            This is a nice campground by the Mark Twain Cave. The sites are spacious with nice big fire rings. The sites are gravel and are semi level but still need leveling. It was quiet and peaceful, a good nights rest passing through. The grounds are fairly tidy but could use some clean up. We had a nice corn hole area across from our site. Very easy to get to with GPS.



          Guide to Monroe City

          Camping near Monroe City, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and friendly campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place to enjoy outdoor activities, there are plenty of options to choose from.

          What to do:

          • Explore the outdoors: Many campgrounds, like Graham Cave State Park Campground, have hiking trails and scenic views. One camper mentioned, "The hiking trails are available, and the site was a little pitched to the back but no issues with our class B."
          • Fishing and boating: Long Branch State Park Campground is great for water activities. A visitor shared, "The walk-in campgrounds offer some pretty good isolation...we'll definitely be coming back in the warmer months to enjoy some swimming and boating."
          • Visit local attractions: Check out the nearby towns like Hannibal for historical sites. One camper noted, "The campground is large, but half empty when we stayed. It met our needs, always love having WiFi."

          What campers like:

          • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Indian Creek Campground stated, "The bathrooms are very clean and nice, they have a dishwashing sink and good showers."
          • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have helpful hosts. A visitor at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground said, "The staff is friendly and the campground looks like someone spent hours manicuring the park."
          • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A review for Ray Behrens mentioned, "Great shade, almost no slope to pads, all power options, great water pressure, and a sewer hookup."

          What you should know:

          • Ticks are common: If you're camping in wooded areas, be cautious. One camper at Danville Conservation Area warned, "Woke up covered in ticks! Lots of ticks here."
          • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the facilities you expect. A visitor at Finger Lakes State Park Campground noted, "I only give it three stars because there's no water hookups."
          • Road noise: Depending on your site, you might hear some traffic. A camper at Ray Behrens mentioned, "Some road noise in the distance."

          Tips for camping with families:

          • Look for kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds have playgrounds and swimming areas. A review for Wakonda Lake Campground highlighted, "There’s a playground and boat access and swimming."
          • Plan for meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A camper at Lazy Day Campground said, "The little details make it very homey."
          • Bring bug spray: Protect your family from insects. A visitor at Danville Conservation Area advised, "Bring bug spray."

          Tips from RVers:

          • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground mentioned, "The utilities were in the middle of the pad and water pressure was decent."
          • Look for full hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with all the connections. A camper at Long Branch State Park Campground noted, "All power options, great water pressure, and a sewer hookup."
          • Be mindful of satellite reception: Trees can block signals. A visitor at Ray Behrens shared, "Satellite placement could be challenging."

          Camping near Monroe City, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

          Frequently Asked Questions

          • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Monroe City, MO?

            According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Monroe City, MO is Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

          • What is the best site to find tent camping near Monroe City, MO?

            TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Monroe City, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.