Are you planning a tent camping trip to Prairie Home? We've got you covered. Finding a place to camp in Missouri with your tent has never been easier. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Prairie Home, Missouri's most popular destinations.
Just minutes from Columbia, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park gives visitors the chance to scramble, hike and bicycle through a scenic environment – and lets them peek into Missouri’s underworld. The park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state and also offers solitude while hiking in the Gans Creek Wild Area. Visitors can also see a large cave system with its rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring and underground stream at the Devil's Icebox. You can explore Connor's Cave in the light of the opening for a taste of the underground world.
Non-profit, educational or Scout groups can take advantage of the special-use area for overnight primitive camping. It features two fire rings, a vault toilet and several picnic tables. There is no water or electricity. The cost is $2 per person, per night. Reservations are required. For more information, call 573-449-7402.
Dry Fork Recreation Area, a campground and picnic area located at the equestrian trailhead of the 36-mile Cedar Creek Trail. This area, located in central Missouri near Fulton serves recreationists with or without horses. This campground is situated in a quiet mostly oak/cedar forest. It is comprised of 8 single primitive campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length, each with table, fire ring, and lantern post. Other amenities include drinking water, vault toilets, and hitching rails. There is a picnic area across the road with picnic tables that can accommodate small groups. There are currently no camping fees, but donations are encouraged. A printable brochure is available.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
A sophisticated kitchen situated near a babbling broke. Lots of shade and a few natural rock waterfalls. Plenty of maintained hiking trails full of wild native edible foliage. Find a flat spot pitch a tent and enjoy the amenities needed for a weekend in the wilderness
$35 - $245 / night
Traveler
We tent camped on the island for 2 nights. It was awesome, you can fish right off the bank of your own private island within in minutes of waking up. Not as secluded as the other survivor tent site but really fantastic place. Had a restroom on the island, big plus for a family with 5 little ones. Some of the amenities were closed cause of the covid but a great place we will be coming back too.
Traveler
We stayed at Camp Takimina on our first shakedown trip with our Popup camper. It was amazing. It was about 5-10 minutes from I-70, super easy to get to. The camp was quiet, private, and peaceful. There are no hookups, but water was right next to us near the parking lot, and the picnic tables near the lodge were shaded most of the day. Portapotties were clean and well stocked. We brought our dog and two children and the had an absolutely fabulous time! We hiked a lot in the woods, played in the creek, and had plenty of time and space to figure out our new to us popup camper. There aren't actual spots for to park in, it is just a big gravel lot with a couple designated areas for campers if the lot is full (it wasn't full at all). We reserved Arrow Hill also, which is a huge site right next to the parking lot, so we had a campfire ring to cook on. Most of the firepits have benches that surround them, which was very handy not to have to move chairs around all the time. The tent sites were huge- easily would fit multiple tents at each site, and we will absolutely be back to tent camp, and with the popup too!
ScoutWent to set up camp for the MR340 and it was very confusing on where the tent sites were. They have 6 RV sites at the top of the hill and 12 more river side. They say they have 10 tent sites hillside but not posts or map or anything that show its for tents. No website or phone number other then to the City. Even when you call that it never gives you an option for camping. Finally I just ended up taking an RV spot for my tent.
Guide
Nice, Quiet full hookup campground and very secluded tent sites. Love this place!
Guide
137 acre lake with great fishing, offering rv hookups and basic tent sites with a pavilion and privys
Guide
Basic tent site, potable water was right near our site. Bathrooms were clean. There were some families staying nearby but overall was a quiet stay.
Traveler
Tent camping here was amazjng it has hook up sites as well. Very spacious and nice bathrooms as well as a shower house!! 10/10 would reccomend. Also 12$ for the night... cant complain! If you continue through the park there is a lake you can hike to and a bird viewing area.
Guide
The largest camp area of Arrow Rock is definitely geared towards RVs, but there is a "basic loop" with twelve basic campsites for tent camping. There is a bathroom/shower house very close to the basic loop and the basic loop is well away from the RV area. Right up the road is Big Soldier Lake where you can fish as well. The camp host was helpful in providing firewood and was very attentive of the sites. The campsites are a bit crowded in with each other as there are 12 in the small basic loop, but a few campsites at the back end of the loop provide a lot of area to stretch and spread out into.
Guide
Beautiful campground, though Full hookup sites are on an unappealing parking lot. Sites with electric and water only are in nice oak woods overlooking Lake of the Ozarks. (Our site # J has a concrete stairway with 150 steps down to the water.) Tent sites are right on the water, with spectacular views. You can launch your own kayak or rent a motor boat to explore this gigantic lake. Free laundry facilities. Lean restrooms with nice shower. Very relaxed reservation procedure. We called and were told to just show up. They would hold a spot for us. It worked out fine.
Traveler
Nice campground newly renovated and under new ownership. The pool is 12 ft deep, very nice, and clean and the restaurant has great food very social campground on the weekends with live music that can get a little loud so if your looking for a quiet campground this is not the one. The bathrooms could definitely use an upgrade and it would be awesome if they had more than one washer and dryer. But the campground is very quiet and peaceful on week days. Offers full hook up sites 30 and 50 amp as well as tent sites, has a park, bathrooms, laundry, and an activity pavilion. Overall, was a positive camping experience would definitely come back nice view of the waterfront also friendly on your wallet.
Guide
The Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area (LORA) is a great destination for camping, boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing and other outdoor activities. The lake is one of the Nation's largest man-made lakes, providing you with over 1150 miles of shoreline to enjoy. LORA welcomes Active Duty Military, Retired Military, members of the National Guard and Reserves, DoD employees with ID cards, family members and Fort Leonard Wood contract employees. Plenty to do and see here. Boat rentals, hiking, and others mentioned above. The LORA Country Store carries ice, beverages, firewood and a small selection of food including snacks, milk, eggs and bread. The store also carries the basic necessities needed for camping and fishing, including fishing licenses. Can rent a tent site, camper site with full or partial hook ups, cabins 1-3 bedroom, etc. The marina has boat and jet-ski rentals (pontoons, wave runners, jet ski's, ski boats, fishing boats, pontoons, etc.) that are much more reasonable then other rental places in the area. Area is staffed by on-duty MP's out of Fort Leonard Wood.
Traveler
Campsites were right on the Missouri River. Had great views and a stunning sunset. Staff was super friendly and helpful. We set up our tent and enos for the night on the way to Colorado. Even had phone service. Everything we could have asked for!
Guide
Very relaxed place. Kinda drive in and park anywhere you see a firepit. We had a rooftop tent on the truck and a tent. We camped near the smaller pond. The spot was fine and there wasn’t a ton of tent campers so we had the place to ourselves. The portapotties were gnarly but the toilets/showers behind the office were clean and had hot water. Staff was friendly when we checked in and we bought an armfull of fire wood and they even dropped it off where we parked in their sidebyside but it was damp so we had to scavage some smaller sticks to get the fire hot enough to self sustain. There was a lot of burned cans and some trash in our fire pit when we showed up so we threw it all away before we started our fire. Would stay again but it definitely isn’t a 5 star clean place. Think Ruth from Ozark show.
TravelerNice view. Right on Missouri River. On Katy trail. Bathrooms are port a johns. Live music some nights.
TravelerOn my road trip out west I stumbled upon this little oasis. Good people and a fun time. Food truck set up and beer was being sold. Gorgeous lookout onto the Missouri River. They have a stage for live music.
ScoutA beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise. A bathroom (in addition to portapotties) as well as indoor shower. Very kind people all around
Traveler
It was a nice 5 day stay posts of room for your tent and parking. Play ground was very clean and pavilion had lots of outlets and picnic tables.
RangerThis park is one of my favorite nearby spots to take the kayak out and just float. Paddling through these channels is such a dreamy experience. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent as well. I have yet to camp out here but I'd love to crawl out of my tent and spend dawn out on these waters.
Traveler
We got here later in the day and the staff was very helpful and got us settled right away. The campground was near full and most, if not all, the sites are pull through. A lot of long Coach RVs. I saw an area for tents and there is a bathhouse with showers. Also a pool. $50 for the night for electric and water and additional costs for fire wood and portable fire pit.
GuideFinger Lakes is one of few places in Missouri for campers to also be able to enjoy riding their ATVs. Helmets for riders and flags for vehicles are required for riding, and there is a variety of terrain for hours of fun. Camping is generally quiet with ample space to relax in your lawn chairs, cook and dine outdoors, and fellowship with others. Most camping sites have at least some shade.
GuideWe pulled in at the end of a long day, hoping only for a place to sleep, and were happily able to secure a quiet spot for the night. The camp host was helpful and friendly. The bathrooms and showers were clean. We camped in a van. Other campsites contained small RVs and tents. Probably not a good location for larger RVs. This looks to be a good place for families to fish, ride mountain bikes, and enjoy the ATV trails.
TravelerI stayed in mid November and though the shower houses were closed I had a great time. Spent 3 nights and saw all the area sights, Boonville, Franklin (the start of the Santa Fe trail), the Booneslick salt works ruins and of course the adjacent Arrow Rock State Historic Park. Even traveled west to visit Fort Osage near Independence MO. I had the Pond loop (30amp) campground completely to my self and only a couple hearty tent campers on the 50amp loop. A real gem!
GuideThis is a Military Campground (not quite a FAMCAMP - more a Recreation Area)! They have four areas - tent, water and electric, full hook up and cabins! We have stayed here may times - typically with the full hook ups. It is NOT off I-44 but off US 54. We have stayed up there in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October!
TravelerLocated right alongside the Missouri river and Katy Trail, Coopers Landing is a real unique place. The flood of 2019 really took it's toll on the facility but the new owner is working hard to get it all back together. We've stayed here several times a year since 2015 and it's a perennial favorite. They have live music on an outdoor stage, a small general store and a view of the river you can't get anywhere. Bring your bikes and take a ride on the Katy Trail!
RangerGreat hiking trails and helpful hosts. Sites are all very level. Marsh nearby so be prepared for buggy atmosphere. Cool local towns with historic areas. Quiet camp definitely check with programs as there are only a few sites. Trails through marsh on raised platform are awesome. Woke up with a little friend in our tent lol wife was not pleased. All in all abundant wildlife and a calm cool getaway.
GuideI've passed through Missouri numerous times, and their parks are always top notch. Clean and well maintained. As with most "green" places in the spring and summer, the ticks are outrageous. This time was no exception, use spray to keep the buggers off!
This one was easy in/out, plenty of room between campsites. Most sites looked level, but some are a bit wacky. We had a wacky one, and the host was nice, and quick to reposition us to a better spot.
Guide
Good: It was clean and tidy, had ice and firewood for sale, was close to the boat ramp for the Osage River, and the bathrooms looked to be newly remodeled. Good shaded and flat spot for our tent.
Bad: No one on-site, no TP, no paper towels, no internet (Other campers said it had been working until the power went out during a storm a few days before; when the power was restored, the internet didn't come back)
Conclusion: For $44.29/night, I would keep going next time.
Tent camping near Prairie Home, Missouri, offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Prairie Home, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Prairie Home, MO is Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Educational Scout Camps with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Prairie Home, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Prairie Home, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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