The Missouri countryside around New Florence offers multiple camping options just 6-10 miles from Interstate 70. The region sits at about 600 feet elevation and features a mix of oak-hickory forests, glades, and small lakes. Summer temperatures commonly reach into the 90s with high humidity, making spring and fall popular camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing access: miles of shoreline: Cuivre River State Park Campground has a lake suitable for both fishing and kayaking, with an accessible, covered fishing dock. As one visitor notes, "Park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer (was not open in the winter)."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forested areas around Daniel Boone Conservation Area provide natural habitat for local wildlife. Visitors report, "The setting includes a pond and a trail to a small lake" and "Nice area, second camping area at the end of the road." The conservation area includes several fishing ponds.
Hiking through diverse terrain: Graham Cave State Park Campground offers multiple trails through scenic woodland areas. A camper shares, "Hikes were nice, lots of deer, the cave itself is blocked by chainlink but still pretty cool. Dogs ok on leashes." The park includes historical sites with archaeological significance.
Wine country exploration: The region is close to Hermann's wine trail. A visitor to Hermann City RV Park notes, "Hermann is right in the heart of Missouri wine country with two stunning wineries within walking distance of the campground; Stone Hill and Hermannhof...these are not to be missed."
What campers like
Private sites with natural features: At Whetstone Conservation Area, sites offer good separation. A camper reports, "Super well maintained conservation area, 5 camp sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Several ponds and a larger lake but it was currently being repaired so it's very low."
Solitude and night sky views: Daniel Boone Conservation Area offers excellent stargazing opportunities thanks to minimal light pollution. A visitor notes, "Great spot. Enjoy the sound of owls and silence. Plenty of dead/down trees for firewood. 2 bars w/Verizon." Sites are spread along the main road through the conservation area.
Easy highway access: Most campgrounds in the area provide quick access to Interstate 70, making them convenient stopping points. One camper at Graham Cave State Park Campground mentioned it's "Right off of interstate but far enough into the trees that you can't even tell you're that close."
Clean facilities: Many campers comment on the well-maintained facilities at Lazy Day Campground, which offers full hookups near New Florence. "The laundry and bathrooms/showers are adorable. The sites are well spaced and nice and level," notes one reviewer. Another adds, "Very clean, great restrooms, clean. Has laundry room. Nice level sites."
What you should know
Summer tick activity: Multiple conservation areas report high tick populations in summer months. A camper at Danville Conservation Area warns, "We had a lovely night but woke up covered in ticks! Lots of ticks here." Bug spray with DEET is essential during warm months.
Varied site levelness: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain. A visitor to Graham Cave State Park Campground mentions, "There are a few flat sites but many were not level." Bring leveling blocks if camping in an RV or trailer.
Cell service varies by provider: Coverage depends on your location and carrier. At Danville Conservation Area, "I had between 2-3 bars of 5G via AT&T and could work efficiently." At Graham Cave State Park, "AT&T and Verizon cell service adequate."
Limited water access at conservation areas: Most conservation areas like Daniel Boone and Danville lack water hookups. A visitor notes, "There are no services here and no hook ups, but it's free." Plan to bring all necessary water.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options with designated play areas: For pet owners, Lazy Day Campground is particularly welcoming. "The 1/2-acre dog park was especially impressive," mentions one visitor. Most conservation areas allow dogs but require them to be leashed at all times.
Cleanliness considerations: Hickory Ridge Campground offers family-friendly amenities but has mixed reviews on facility maintenance. One camper states, "Lots of activities - pool, cornhole tournament, potluck dinner, and movie night. Great place for families."
Room for kids to play: Campgrounds with open areas provide space for children. At Hermann City RV Park, "The campground is in the city park" which provides additional recreation options including sports fields and community facilities.
Proximity to amenities: Graham Cave State Park balances natural surroundings with access to necessities. A visitor shared, "The park itself is very well maintained. It is heavily wooded with lots of shade at most of the campsites."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: At Lazy Day Campground, "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 options: For working campers, several campgrounds offer usable internet. "We got 2 bars on Verizon and 3 bars on T-Mobile, and our T-Mobile Home Internet worked very well. The CG WiFi was fine for email and web browsing," reports an RVer at Lazy Day Campground.
Seasonal availability: While some private campgrounds like Kan-Do Kampground & RV Park remain open year-round, others have limited seasons. A visitor notes, "Open year-round. There are some full-timers. We stayed here before, and will stay again."
Pull-through accessibility: Several campgrounds offer easy-access sites. "The pull thru pads were accommodating for my 50 foot rig," mentions a Kan-Do Kampground visitor. Another camper adds, "Prices are super reasonable and full hook ups."
