Primitive camping near Pleasant Hill, Missouri offers accessible sites within Missouri Department of Conservation areas. These public land camping options provide year-round access with seasonal restrictions during hunting seasons. Most conservation areas permit stays up to 14 consecutive days, making them suitable for weekend trips or longer outdoor experiences.
What to do
Wildlife observation: Montrose Conservation Area attracts diverse wildlife throughout the year. "You can fish, boat and swim but I recommend water shoes. The water is very shallow most the time its only chest deep out in the middle. There is loads of wildlife to see an aren't much scared of humans, racoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, dear, owls an much more," notes one regular visitor at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area.
Hunting opportunities: Conservation areas serve as public hunting grounds during designated seasons, which impacts camping availability. At Montrose, one camper noted "there is no camping allowed after October 15 due to hunting season. This was not on the website and was not seeable in dust when arriving late on a small sign in the bushes."
Artifact hunting: Local history enthusiasts search for artifacts at conservation area campsites. At Crooked River Conservation Area, primitive camping areas have historical significance. One Montrose visitor mentioned "one of the locals stopped by my site to look for arrowheads. Apparently, she has found a lot in the area so that's a good activity if the kids are bored."
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: The dispersed camping areas offer ample space for setting up camp. "The stars were beautiful, the 'sites' were spacious and well spread out, and there is lots of shade. You could definitely get a big rig in and out of here on the looped gravel roads," reports one camper at Montrose Conservation Area.
Convenient highway access: Poague Campsite #5 provides easy access for overnight stays. "This is great secluded spot, right off the highway. Perfect for what I was looking for to car camp," notes a recent visitor. This convenience makes these sites practical for travelers passing through the area.
Peace and quiet: Despite highway proximity, campers report relatively quiet camping experiences. "Nice city park campground. Location was nice and quiet with beautiful views of lake. No other amenities. Nice location for an over night stop but not much more," states one Montrose visitor, highlighting the simple appeal of these free sites.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions: Facilities at dispersed camping areas require low expectations. Montrose has varying toilet conditions: "Bathrooms were fine. It's free camping so it was great that there were bathrooms at all," reports one camper, while others note "vault toilets were absolutely disgusting" and "the pit toilet was really gross, but there was toilet paper."
Water conditions: Poague Campsite #3 and other conservation areas have seasonal water fluctuations. At Montrose, one camper observed "shallow muddy water but it does attract wildlife" while another noted "the lake is really just a mud bog, so not very appealing unless you came to duck hunt."
Signage issues: Conservation area rules and regulations can be unclear. "Signs were confusing as to whether it is ok to camp, but they didn't explicitly say no camping," reports one Montrose visitor, highlighting the importance of researching current regulations before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Seasonal activities: Fall offers unique harvesting opportunities at some conservation areas. "There are pecan an walnut trees so watch out for your heads when its fall lol. There's also blackberries in the fall," shares a regular Montrose camper, pointing to opportunities for educational foraging with children.
Site selection: Choose sites with natural boundaries for safety with young children. "Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables," notes one Montrose visitor, indicating parents should plan for completely undeveloped camping conditions.
Local supplies: Poague Campsite #4 and other sites require bringing all supplies, though nearby towns offer necessities. One Montrose camper surprisingly found "if you're looking for a good wine, you can find some at the local auto parts store. I am not kidding! I think it's Rick's Auto Parts and their liquor is priced very reasonably."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Conservation area roads vary seasonally. Montrose has "paved roads, boat access for 2 areas," according to one camper, making it accessible for smaller RVs. Another notes the area is "right off the road, so no dirt roads to traverse," beneficial for RV access during wet conditions.
Camping surfaces: Expect natural terrain without designated pads. "Large grassy area with plenty of room to set up a tent or camper," reports one visitor to Montrose, indicating level but potentially soft ground depending on recent rainfall.
