Nestled between St. Louis and Columbia, Montgomery City offers camping options set across Missouri's diverse landscapes at 820 feet above sea level. The area features multiple state parks, conservation areas, and private campgrounds within an hour's drive. Summer camping temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall offer cooler temperatures between 45-70°F.
What to do
Hiking trails and wildlife viewing: Daniel Boone Conservation Area provides several primitive camping options with nearby hiking opportunities. "There are some nice hiking trails here to explore," notes one visitor. The conservation area spans thousands of acres with multiple fishing ponds and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Water recreation: Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina sits directly on the Missouri River, offering excellent water access. "Right on the river, food truck, bar and drinks at the general store, nice people, fire pit and music. There is a nice biking/jogging trail along the river as well," shares one camper. The marina allows boaters easy river access.
Horseback riding: Lost Valley Lake Resort offers horseback riding options for families. "There is horseback riding, pony rides and the jump pillow are big favorites," mentions one reviewer. Trail rides take visitors through wooded terrain with seasonal availability.
Biking the Katy Trail: Several campgrounds provide access to the 240-mile Katy Trail State Park. One visitor to Cooper's Landing notes, "This weekend they had special events everyday related to the Katy trail right next to it." The trail follows the Missouri River corridor with access points near multiple campgrounds.
What campers like
Private wooded campsites: Cuivre River State Park Campground offers secluded sites surrounded by mature forest. "Campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking," reports one camper. Sites are well-spaced with natural barriers between many camping areas.
Yurt accommodations: Several campgrounds near Montgomery City offer yurt camping options. Daniel Boone Conservation Area provides yurt rentals with basic amenities in a rustic setting. "Cuivre River is about an hour outside St.Louis and offers a multitude of outdoor options from hiking, biking, boating and fishing," notes a reviewer about nearby activities.
Swimming options: Lost Valley Lake Resort features multiple swimming opportunities. One visitor explains, "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." The indoor facilities allow for all-weather swimming regardless of season.
Fishing access: Mark Twain State Park's Coyote Campground provides good fishing opportunities. A camper notes, "Plenty of space. Warm, clear, fresh water to swim in. Full of crystals and wildlife." The park includes a fish cleaning station and lake access from multiple points.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. At Lazy Day Campground, a visitor advises, "The campground 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."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds remain open year-round but with limited amenities during winter. As one Coyote Campground visitor notes, "We visited twice in the off-season we loved the campground so much. It's quiet and secluded. Very clean and beautiful."
Tick and chigger awareness: Some areas report significant insect activity. A Coyote Campground reviewer warns, "Apparently ticks and chiggers are bad here. I did not hike because of this." Proper clothing and insect repellent are recommended, particularly during warm months.
Campground rules: Each facility maintains specific regulations. One Lazy Day camper mentions, "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!" Always check individual campground websites for current policies.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Hanson Hills Campground offers multiple family-friendly amenities. "This was the best campground. We stayed over the labor day weekend and the campground was full of activities for the kids. There was a live band and karaoke. The pool was clean and the grounds were very clean and nice," shares one visitor.
Kid-friendly swimming: Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming areas. A Lost Valley Lake Resort reviewer explains, "We love to camp here, we have lots of friends here, old and new. There is swimming year round with 2 indoor pools, hot tubs and sauna."
Playground access: Many campgrounds include playground equipment. A visitor to Hickory Ridge Campground mentions, "Lots of activities - pool, cornhole tournament, potluck dinner, and movie night. Great place for families." The playgrounds typically accommodate various age groups from toddlers to pre-teens.
Fishing for children: Small stocked ponds make fishing accessible for young anglers. "The pond was a great place to relax and watch the kids reel in fish after fish," notes one Hanson Hills Campground guest. Some locations offer equipment rentals or bait sales onsite.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose appropriate sites based on rig size. A Lazy Day Campground visitor explains, "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."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies by location. According to one Daniel Boone Conservation Area visitor, "2 bar LTE Verizon," while another camper at Lazy Day notes, "We got 2 bars on Verizon and 3 bars on T-Mobile, and our T-Mobile Home Internet worked very well."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may present challenges. A Hanson Hills visitor cautions, "Arrived late, be aware this is a good 5-10 minutes down a dirt road (after a rainy night it was not pretty pulling my trailer back to the highway)."
Utility hookups: Availability varies significantly between campgrounds. One Cooper's Landing visitor advises, "You will have water and electric but no sewer and no dump station on site. Plan your length of stay accordingly."
