Best Campgrounds near St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, Missouri provides a range of camping options within easy reach of the city. Campgrounds like AOK Campground & RV Park and Beacon RV Park offer established sites with hookups for RVs, while conservation areas such as Arthur Dupree Memorial and Bluffwoods provide more primitive camping experiences. The camping landscape includes a mix of public and private facilities, with options for tent camping, RV sites with full hookups, and even some cabin accommodations at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown St. Joseph.
Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly across the region's campgrounds. Many conservation areas feature gravel roads that may become challenging after rain, while established RV parks typically offer paved access. "We attempted to post up at Dupree on the river for our inaugural spring camping trip, but was not able to enter the CA the usual way from St. Joseph off Highway 36," noted one camper, highlighting potential access challenges at some conservation areas. Weather considerations are important when planning trips, as spring flooding can affect riverfront camping areas along the Missouri River. Most private campgrounds remain open year-round, while some conservation areas have seasonal limitations or may require advance planning for primitive sites.
Campers consistently mention the appeal of waterfront locations in the region. Several visitors highlighted fishing opportunities at conservation areas and state parks, with Honey Creek Conservation Area and Rochester Falls Access providing river access points. The proximity to Kansas City (approximately one hour's drive) makes St. Joseph area campgrounds popular weekend destinations, with Weston Bend State Park receiving particularly positive reviews for its wooded sites and hiking trails. One visitor described it as "less than half an hour from our home, but at the same time, it seems a world away." Mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV camping are common in the area, with varying levels of amenities from basic fire rings and picnic tables at conservation areas to full hookups and shower facilities at private RV parks.
