Best Campgrounds near New Franklin, MO

Camping options around New Franklin, Missouri include a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites along the Missouri River and nearby conservation areas. Katy Roundhouse Campground in New Franklin provides both tent and RV sites with amenities including electric hookups, water, and shower facilities. Just a short drive away, Robert's Bluff offers primitive dispersed camping for those seeking a more rustic experience. The region includes several state parks and conservation areas within 30 minutes of New Franklin, with Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground to the northwest and Finger Lakes State Park to the east providing developed camping facilities.

Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the area, with most established campgrounds accessible via paved roads while dispersed sites may require driving on gravel or dirt roads. The camping season generally runs year-round at many locations, though spring flooding along the Missouri River can impact riverside camping areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while winters can be cold with occasional snow. Most developed campgrounds offer reservable sites, while dispersed areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds but may be limited in more remote areas. A visitor noted that Robert's Bluff is "a nice free spot right off I-70" and "the roads don't get bad after an average rain."

The Missouri River provides a scenic backdrop for several camping areas in the region, with Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina receiving particularly positive reviews for its riverside location. Campers appreciate the proximity to the Katy Trail, a converted rail-trail that runs through the area and provides excellent biking and hiking opportunities. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turkey, and various bird species throughout the conservation areas. Tent campers will find suitable sites at most locations, while RV campers have several options with hookups at developed campgrounds. One camper described Cooper's Landing as having "a beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River" with amenities including "live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise."

Best Camping Sites Near New Franklin, Missouri (62)

    1. Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground — Arrow Rock State Historic Site

    21 Reviews
    Arrow Rock, MO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (660) 837-3330

    "there is a nice walking path around the area and the historical site is close by."

    "Bathrooms were centrally located in the campground."

    2. Katy Roundhouse

    4 Reviews
    New Franklin, MO
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (660) 848-2232

    "Camping right alongside the Katy Trail is hard to find. This campground is one of two I know of. Full hookups at most sites and nearly all are tree covered."

    "Great campground for short visit along Katy Trail. All sites are full hookup & pull-through. Most sites shaded with trees."

    3. Robert's Bluff

    9 Reviews
    Nelson, MO
    15 miles

    "Nice spot to camp for the night if you’re driving through Missouri. Not a terrible amount of mosquitos and the roads don’t get bad after an average rain"

    "Put in some miles and didn’t get in until about 2am and this was easy to find and great spots away from the highway but also didn’t have to trek far away"

    4. Roberts Bluff Access

    8 Reviews
    Nelson, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "Ground away from the campsite was a bit muddy and made a mess. No surprises there! Established campfire ring at 2 spots. Another ring farther down in the turnaround beyond the boat launch."

    "Only 2 miles off of the highway and is perfect for someone just passing by. I’m on my way from St Louis to Denver and it was perfect for one night."

    5. Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Hallsville, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 443-5315

    "A rainy weekend didn't deter campers from spending the holiday weekend here at Finger Lakes State Park. I was lucky enough to get a site for a single night when rain was in the forecast."

    "Finger Lakes is one of few places in Missouri for campers to also be able to enjoy riding their ATVs."

    6. Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    18 Reviews
    Jamestown, MO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 657-1299

    $10 - $60 / night

    "A beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise."

    "See beautiful scenery on the MO River & Katy Trail. You may get to see a paddleboat cruising the river."

    7. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 474-2747

    $45 - $52 / night

    "Visited in March 2021, some pot holes in drive way, but manageable. Trees seemed to be trimmed back compared to other reviews. Nice facilities and great staff!"

    "The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us."

    8. Franklin Island

    1 Review
    New Franklin, MO
    4 miles
    Website

    9. Stump Island Park

    3 Reviews
    Fayette, MO
    15 miles
    +1 (660) 338-2377

    10. Harriman Hill Access

    1 Review
    Nelson, MO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900
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Recent Reviews near New Franklin, MO

230 Reviews of 62 New Franklin Campgrounds


  • J
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    Mostly Scenery.

    I do Not like that the fire pits nearest to the river are 30 inches from a 30ft drop off!  Only 2 people can enjoy the campfire because of that.  

    Secondly, they do Not provide tables for the campers.  Kinda expensive to Not have tables.

    Not a good fishing place because it's a treacherous walk down.

    The evening band was awesome!

    Will Not be back because of the above.

  • J
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    Perfect for me

    The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    This is not campsite- this overnight sleep parking situation

    It was a great camping spot until. At least 10-15 cars drove in out of the area to see if available and then at around 9:30 pm pitch black someone decided to camped. It’s not very quiet at all. You will wake up from cars driving almost evreytime. There’s people that live in that area that were driving and screaming at each other driving 4x4 little cars. I hate camping in the Midwest

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Knob Noster State Park Campground

    Fine Tenting

    8/11/2025

    Fine tenting at this site (60). Easy enough to get stakes in, and a pretty reasonable price ($15) especially since there are plenty of shower/bath houses to make use of.

  • Melina
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    Easy access

    Its easy to find, snuggled between the corn crops and river! There are 2 camping spaces, that are good sized with a fire pit. Directly on the river with a boat ramp as an added perk!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    Coopers Landing Missouri

    Rustic. You come down winding rolling roads then onto gravel to get here. Katy bike trail on one side Missouri River on other side site 2 completely level for our 31e RV. Boat dock. They have food trucks that come in and live entertainment. Very peaceful and we will be back. Katy trail is easy biking beautiful views, shaded.Blue birds, cardinals and also an indigo bunting were seen our first trip out. Watched the sunset by the river and it was beautiful. The river is wide and deep here. Current and undertows make it definitely not suitable for swimming. You can see the water swirling and churning.

  • J
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    Out new favorite place!

    Out new favorite place! this campground has everything for a perfect long weekend! The cabins are spectacular and right on the water! We just tooK 40+ family members and everyone fell in love with this campground. We had family from Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and everyone raved how this was their new favorite spot. The fishing was great, amenities were fantastic, and the hosts were amazing. Free rentals on pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddle boats. We will be back again, especially since they just built more cabins!

  • Gary F.
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

    would not recommend

    Free camping but i left my rv there for two nights and it was broken into and ransacked.   they stole numerous items

  • Angela D.
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Knob Noster State Park Campground

    Raccoon s

    RRaccoon have taken over the park. And the state workers have done nothing. I had my 2025 subaru crosstrek there and they put scratches iall over my car and tore the window seal out on one of the windows. They pulled my window down . But that repairer is all on me. It should be paid by them because their not doing anything about very aggressive raccoons. About 40 in my camp the whole week making us scared. I stayed in my car the whole 7 days. Th hosts are very kind and wished they could do something about it. Nice park just lazy workers. When it comes to maintaining the wildlife.


Guide to New Franklin

Camping near New Franklin, Missouri, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the clean restrooms and showers at Knob Noster State Park Campground. One visitor said, "The bathrooms are nice, fully functioning, and the sites are nicely spaced."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campers enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The staff is friendly, and the campground looks well-maintained."
  • Nature and Wildlife: Campers love the natural surroundings at Pine Ridge Recreation Area. One camper remarked, "The area is clean, and the updated vault toilets are a nice touch."

What you should know:

  • Busy Weekends: Some campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. A visitor at Pershing State Park Campground noted, "The park was busy, but the shaded spots were nice."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially raccoons. One camper shared, "A raccoon ended up tearing through our trash, but that was the only negative here."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Puma Campground, have limited amenities. A reviewer mentioned, "There are no water hookups at each site, but water is available throughout the campground."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Shaded Spots: Look for shaded sites to keep cool during hot days. A camper at Long Branch State Park Campground said, "The sites are nicely spaced and have plenty of trees for shade."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes for the trails. A visitor at Finger Lakes State Park Campground noted, "The Katy Trail runs through the edge of the property, offering quick access to trail walking and biking."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground mentioned, "The store has a great selection of camping supplies and snacks."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A reviewer at Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground said, "The sites are close together, but long-term guests keep their areas organized."
  • Use Satellite Wisely: If you're using satellite, be mindful of tree coverage. A camper at Knob Noster State Park Campground noted, "There are mature trees, so satellite placement could be challenging."
  • Plan for Dumping: Some campgrounds, like Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina, do not have a dump station. A visitor mentioned, "You will have water and electric but no sewer, so plan your stay accordingly."

Camping near New Franklin, Missouri, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Katy Roundhouse Campground in New Franklin located?

Katy Roundhouse Campground is located in New Franklin, Missouri, near the Missouri River. It sits along the Katy Trail, making it easily accessible for cyclists and hikers. The campground is situated close to Franklin Island, offering convenient access to both the river and the popular rail-trail that runs through central Missouri.

What amenities are available at the Katy Roundhouse Campground in New Franklin?

Katy Roundhouse Campground offers basic amenities including water access and toilet facilities. While not as developed as some nearby options like Binder Park Campground which provides full-service sites with plumbing, or Arrow Rock State Historic Site Campground with its clean bathrooms and showers, Katy Roundhouse provides the essentials for a comfortable stay. The campground's connection to the Katy Trail makes it particularly appealing for cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.

How do I make reservations for the Katy Roundhouse Campground in New Franklin?

Katy Roundhouse Campground is reservable, unlike some other area campgrounds like Robert's Bluff or Scrivner Road Conservation Area which operate on a first-come, first-served basis. To make reservations, contact the campground directly by phone or check their official website. Similar to Stump Island Park near Glasgow, it's advisable to book in advance during peak seasons, especially if you're planning a weekend visit or traveling during special events along the Katy Trail.