Mark Twain State Park offers several cabin options within 30 miles of Montgomery City, Missouri. The cabins range from basic structures with minimal amenities to more developed accommodations with electricity and climate control. Most cabins in the region sit at elevations between 500-800 feet and experience typical Midwestern seasonal weather patterns with hot summers and cold winters.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Mark Twain Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities with multiple access points near Puma Campground. "We stayed in site 98 in the Puma area quite nice with a little more grassy area. Wonderful boat ramp off the beach. Great for kayaks. Nice fishing area," notes a camper.
Explore hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking options through wooded terrain. At Daniel Boone Conservation Area, "There are some nice hiking trails here to explore" and the area has "some stocked ponds to fish in and trails to explore. We rode the Katy Trail which is only 3.5 miles down the hill from here."
Swimming opportunities: Several parks offer swimming areas during summer months. "Mark Twain state Park is an absolute blast... Large playgrounds in the camping area's as well as visitor center areas. Park has a boat ramp with ample parking and if you have better luck than I did a fish cleaning station."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious layout at Ray Behrens where "Every space has a lot of room. Great place for multiple family units to enjoy the outdoors." Another camper mentioned, "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."
Year-round activities: Some facilities offer indoor recreation options during inclement weather. One camper at Lost Valley Lake Resort shared, "There is swimming year round with 2 indoor pools, hot tubs and sauna. Summer time swimming at 1 outdoor pool and 2 swimming beaches at the lake. You can rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and fishing boats."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained cabins and bathhouses receive frequent praise. "The bathhouses still need just a little work. One we used was small and the other stated they were working to improve it. But they were clean and in working order," reported a visitor at Hickory Ridge Campground.
What you should know
Cabin availability varies seasonally: Reservations are essential, especially during summer months. At Turner Katy Trail Shelter, "The shelter is open for individuals and groups, including youth groups, using the trail... The shelter is two stories with 40 bunk style beds. Guests must bring their own bedding. There are showers, restrooms and a kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave."
Pack supplies carefully: Most cabins require guests to bring their own bedding, cooking supplies, and other essentials. Limited shopping options exist near most parks, with the closest full grocery stores typically 15-20 miles away.
Site levelness varies considerably: Be prepared with leveling blocks for cabins and sites. At Puma Campground, one visitor noted, "The sites are well spaced and clean. Our site was pretty unlevel and it took some work and levelers to get it straight. We rode around the campgrounds on our bikes and most of the other sites seemed level and more even."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Lots of activities - pool, cornhole tournament, potluck dinner, and movie night. Great place for families," shared a visitor at Hickory Ridge Campground.
Bring entertainment for rainy days: Weather can change quickly, so prepare indoor activities. "Bathrooms with a shower and laundry room. Salt water pool, nice grassy area. Some sites had fire pits and picnic tables but not all."
Choose cabin sites near facilities: When staying in cabins with children, proximity to bathrooms matters. "We ended up with a spot that we loved since it was close to the playground. It was closed, but the basketball court was open to roll and the field was open so the kids could run around and play catch."
Tips from RVers
Prepare for limited hookups: Not all cabin camping areas offer full hookups. "There are 10 or so primitive tent sites and an area that will accommodate about a dozen RV's. There are no services here and no hook ups, but it's free," notes a camper at Daniel Boone Conservation Area.
Check access roads before arriving: Some access roads to cabin areas can be challenging. At Pin Oak RV Park, "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. (One advantage of being an older park.) But everything is just a little run down. The sites are gravel and close together do not much privacy. They come with water, sewer & electric."
Consider noise factors: Some campgrounds experience road noise that might affect sleep quality. "Though campground is close to interstate, noise was minimal (I think because of the trees)."
