If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near St. Joseph, look no further. Find the best information on tent camping near St. Joseph, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
The land for this area was donated to the Conservation Department in 1991. The timbered property straddles Rock Creek Road. The north tract of the area offers walk-in access to the Platte River. A graveled parking lot is located south of the county road. Both tracts are prone to flooding.
On department areas where camping is allowed, camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period. Personal property must be removed at the end of the 14-day period. Unless a special use permit is obtained, total camping days on all department areas are limited to a total of 30 days within one calendar year. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section.
Quiet hours are in effect in camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10 p.m. On camping areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
Mozingo Lake Recreation Park features 37 primitive tent campsites available for use. Located in a beautiful wooded area featuring scenic lake views, camping under the stars has never been this enjoyable. Tent camping passes can be purchased at the information booth near the park’s entrance.
The Primitive Tent Camping Area consists of 37 sites, all equipped with a fire ring and a picnic table.
These sites cannot be reserved and are available on a first come, first served basis. Please look out for the ‘PAID – TENT’ signs on each site to assure the site has not already been paid for by another customer.
There is a showerhouse (with toilets and showers) at the campground, near the entrance. If you need water, there is a water source near the showerhouse.
$15 / night
The Conservation Department created this area in 1968 with the purchase of 1,024 acres from several landowners. Later acquisitions of 924 acres have increased the area's current size. This conservation area was acquired in part through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pittman-Robertson funds are generated from a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. Because of its size and diversity of habitat, Bonanza Conservation Area is managed for a wide range of game and nongame wildlife species. The area's open fields are managed by farming, haying and controlled burning. Other habitat management includes tree, shrub and grass plantings and selective timber harvest. Native grasses have been planted and managed to improve nesting habitat and winter cover. A few streams run through the area; the largest of these are Shoal Creek and Crabapple Creek. Bonanza Conservation Area is a Quail Restoration Landscape. This means additional emphasis is placed upon managing the area for early successional species such as Bobwhite quail.
Area closed to bicycle use (and horseback riding) during all portions of the firearms deer hunting season and spring turkey hunting seasons.
On department areas where camping is allowed, camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period. Personal property must be removed at the end of the 14-day period. Unless a special use permit is obtained, total camping days on all department areas are limited to a total of 30 days within one calendar year. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section. Quiet hours are in effect in camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10 p.m. On camping areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
Beautiful and quiet pastures surrounded by trees is where you and your family will make sweet memories this summer. Whether you like to fish, visit historical sites, star gaze, shop Amish goods in Jamesport, or just relax with friends and family, you will love your stay at Honey Grove Campground. We are located 5 minutes from the historic Adam-Ondi-Ahman and only 5 minutes from fishing and boating in The Grand River.
Our bathroom features toilets, sinks, and hot showers. Three cabins (sleeping 4 each) look out over the wide open field to our historic brick silo. Each of these bunk houses include a picnic table and fire ring. Nine tent camp sites include shade, a picnic table and a fire ring for each site.
Bring your own bedding, don't waste water, and leave the camp cleaner than you found it so that campers who follow you don't get stuck in a mess, but have a sweet vacation too. Welcome to our hive!
$20 - $60 / night
Traveler
We arrived around 1 pm and got the pull through site. It is a nice little park that will be closed from November 1, 2024 through April 14, 2025. An electric site was $25.00. The facilities were exceptionally clean and the camp hosts were very polite.
Scout
Easy check in if you have made online reservations. Very well taken care of and clean. Great spot to visit the quilting stores here.
Guide
Free camping in designated camping area per MO Dept of Conservation rules. Pit toilets and mowed area for camping. Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities inside the area.
Ranger
Beautiful spot by the lake. Be sure to turn left at first sign to find campsites. Was a little frustrating that a family seemed to have taken up permanent residence and was obnoxious with the generator. Trash was overflowing and could use a little more attention. Clean vault toilets with TP. It was really beautiful with the sunset.
Traveler
Beautiful park. Pay more for the pull through you’ll have tons of parking even if your rig is big. Our rig is 44 ft and we parked two 2500’s on the pad no problem. We reserve our days in advance and if we need to cancel we just change our reservation to a different date with no fees. The pool and clubhouse are well kept so are the bathrooms and laundry room. This Is our favorite campsite to date. So much to do.
Ranger
It is against their rules to camp anywhere but on a gravelly parking lot. We camped just off the road and got a citation. It's not really disbursed camping.
ScoutVery nice lots was a Lil disappointed because this camp site was in mid missori and the agent I contacted it from was in meridian ms and had never been there was told it would have water n 30 amp service but all that was there was 30 amp no water but it was really nice I didn't have time to stay long just the night .
RangerCamped here several days in late June. The were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light. I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable.
Scout
Traveling through on a cross country trip. Needed a spot to camp from my motorcycle. I was given a giant secluded spot by the pond, separate from the RV area. Has a lovely looking pool that was open, clean showers, and fire wood for sale. The owners are extremely friendly and helpful. The only reason it isn't getting 5 stars is the proximity to the freeway, you can hear it very clearly (jake brakes and all) continuously.
Legend
Small park with some very private sites and some very exposed sites. Nice showers and dump station.
TravelerThis was our 2nd stay at Weston Bend SP. Both times, we had site 26, one of the few basic sites. While some of the other sites were very close to each other, this one is relatively isolated. It's big too. There's a vault toilet close by. It was clean and roomy. We didn't use the water but there are a few spigot throughout the campground. There's also a regular restroom near the campground entrance, but we didn't use it. We will definitely camp here again if we are passing through.
ScoutThis free campground has a water tap and a pit toilet. There are at least three first come first served campsites that have a picnic table and a fire ring.
TravelerVery well cared for site. It's been well established for many years. I was visiting friends in St. Joe and was surprised to learn her parents used to came there many decades ago. It was a KOA and the new owners have kept it up to those standards. The owners/managers are friendly and acknowledged me by name when I walked up to register. A bit of freeway noise but not too bothersome, Great stay!
TravelerWe drove by the east side campsite and it was packed. We ran into a local and he told us about a spot on the east side of the lake. An old boy scout camp. It wasn’t maintained but there was nobody there. Our dogs ran free and that was what we were looking for. We ran our generator at night because we had no neighbors. We were a mile from the lake so we drove around and had access to the lake.
Ranger
We booked a site here on our drive back East in August 2023. I saw “resort” and was like “Sign me up” after some real hot and grimy parks earlier in the trip.
Ultimately, most of the amenities were closed by the time we arrived. The game room, the restaurant, and store were all closing or closed. My kids did get some pool time (it was a nice pool) and loved the blob (whatever you call the bounce pads). There was a nice playground, pavilion and courts.
What is weird is that this is almost two parks - the front is the “resort” or old-fashioned campground, but where we were placed was in the back with what looked like a lot of long-term, single male residents. It was a longish-walk to front where the pool and store was and it definitely didn’t feel like a resort.
There were spots open in the front closer to the pool and lake - if we had camped there I think the experience would have been different.
ScoutThis is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. The pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles.
Traveler
Good place for free camping just not a lot of things to do other than explore the woods or fish in the river which doesn’t have great access. They say there’s bike trails but it’s more just access roads.
It’s a big area with several access points. Here are the coordinates for the camping area along the river 39.95182° N, 94.99083° W.
Scout
Had a big fire outside one of the cabins today! Great company, warm flames, and hot dogs makes for a wonderful night, but the stars and beautiful weather seriously enhanced it like none other! The campground really felt comfortable and my whole family really enjoyed our stay!
ScoutThis place is absolutely beautiful great for taking your family but if you need RV parts or repairs stay away from Camping World they will rip you off or even if you want to purchase an RV read the reviews on them.
Traveler
We tried Smith Fork and liked it. The only downside is that some of the campsites are close together/congested, but that’s not necessarily a big negative. We have Verizon and service was good. Camp hosts were great!
Traveler
Very nice campground and we’ve stayed here several times without any problems. The hosts are great too. We’ve stayed at sites in Loop C improved which have water and 50amp service. We have Verizon cell service and had no issues.
Guide
Came out to camp one night with my 5 year old. We stated on a friday night in October and the campground was not too busy at all.. maybe only 5 other groups there. Showers and bathroom were all fine, campsite was clean and well maintained. Loved that the tent camping sites were actually surrounded by trees, I see way to many tent campsites that are basically just in the middle of a grass field. There are walking paths and a couple of playgrounds around the lake close enough to walk to but far enough away they wont ever be a bother. Also if you like disc golf than this is the place to go, there is a brand new 18 hole course right next to the camp!
ScoutCampground is great! Camp hosts Janet and Chris went above and beyond making Halloween perfect for our family. Been here several times and they are more than accommodating. Always a clean, safe and organized campground. Can’t wait until next year to see all of the events!
Scout
We stayed Sunday-Wednesday and it was very peaceful. Sites are not right on top of each other and it looks like they all have a fire pit and picnic table. There are only a handful of paved spots and you will need leveling blocks on the gravel. Showers and bathrooms are clean and the hosts are very nice. New asphalt roads throughout the park; nice for walking, biking, etc. Be sure to get biscuits & gravy at “The General Store” just down the road from the park entrance.
Scout
This is a great little campsite, very clean and friendly. The hosts Curtis and Christina are absolutely awesome people and very good camp hosts!
TravelerCampground clean and staff was super nice. Great for just an overnight stay.
TravelerReasonable price for all the amenities. Super clean and staff was super nice. They were renovating around the office and showers, but nothing inconvenient.
Camping near St. Joseph, Missouri, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone.
Camping around St. Joseph, Missouri, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near St. Joseph, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near St. Joseph, MO is Agency Conservation Area with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near St. Joseph, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near St. Joseph, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
