Camping near Montgomery City, Missouri offers both primitive conservation areas and full-service private campgrounds within a 20-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with a continental climate characterized by humid summers and cold winters. Spring camping often requires rain gear as the area receives an average of 4-5 inches of precipitation monthly between March and June.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Daniel Boone Conservation Area includes stocked ponds for anglers. "There's a little pond with wildlife like rabbits and frogs. You get there after about 5 miles on a well maintained, wide gravel road," notes one visitor who enjoyed the secluded setting.
Wildlife watching: Conservation areas around Montgomery City support diverse wildlife populations. At Whetstone Conservation Area, campers have access to "several ponds and a larger lake" according to a recent visitor, though the lake was being repaired during their stay.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer marked paths through wooded terrain. "We camped with our dog and had a nice time. We hiked the trails and saw the cave," reports one camper at Graham Cave State Park, though they noted disappointment that "you can't go in the cave or see much of anything inside of it."
Day trips to nearby towns: The Hermann area offers cultural attractions. "The town of Hermann (19 miles away) is a beautiful town and great German food," shares one visitor staying at Lazy Day Campground who appreciated this side trip.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and common areas. At Lazy Day Campground, one camper praised "adorable" facilities, noting "the laundry and bathrooms/showers are adorable. The sites are well spaced and nice and level."
Affordable rates: Several campgrounds offer reasonable pricing. The Kan-Do Kampground & RV Park received praise for value, with one visitor stating prices were "super reasonable and full hook ups." After discounts, another camper reported paying "$31.43 w/ full-hookups (30-amp)" for their stay.
Peaceful environment: Conservation areas provide quiet camping experiences. "This is a very beautiful location with absolutely zero road noise," reported a visitor to Danville Conservation Area, appreciating the escape from traffic noise despite proximity to major roads.
Well-spaced sites: Private campgrounds vary in site spacing. One camper at Lazy Day noted, "The sites are well spaced and nice and level. Nancy and her husband are so very nice!"
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Tick activity increases in warmer months. "We had a lovely night but woke up covered in ticks! Lots of ticks here," warned one camper at Danville Conservation Area who visited during summer.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. "There are a few flat sites but many were not level," reported a camper at Graham Cave State Park, suggesting campers bring leveling blocks.
Road quality: Access roads vary significantly between campgrounds. "At the time of our visit, the campground had just been hit by a big storm and due to the many trees in the campground was a little messy," noted a visitor to Graham Cave State Park, highlighting how weather can affect conditions.
Limited amenities at conservation areas: Conservation areas offer primitive camping. "There are no services here and no hook ups, but it's free," explained a camper at Daniel Boone Conservation Area, summarizing the tradeoff between amenities and cost.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some private campgrounds offer swimming facilities. Lazy Day Campground features a "pristine" pool according to one family, who added that "the store - adorable, the grounds - beautiful, the bathrooms - more than you expect and all that you hope for."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds include play areas. "This is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak!" shared a visitor to Cuivre River State Park Campground who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple sites offer nature observation opportunities. "We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" exclaimed a family who stayed at Cuivre River State Park.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer additional activities. Lazy Day Campground "has lots of movies for rent," according to one camper who enjoyed this extra entertainment option during their stay.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "The campground was easy to find, located just 5 miles off I-70 with clear signage along the way," reported an RVer at Lazy Day Campground, adding that the site had "two sewer hookups—a nice touch. Water is shared, but the pressure was solid at about 50 psi."
Power quality: Electrical service varies between parks. At Vandalia Community Lake, primitive camping is the norm with "no electric-hookups," while Graham Cave State Park received praise from one RVer for its "30 amp site with clean power."
Maneuvering space: Access roads affect larger vehicle navigation. "The sites were semi level and adequate for campers but would have been a little rough in a tent," noted a visitor to Graham Cave State Park, comparing the suitability for different camping styles.
