Best Tent Camping near Lohman, MO

Conservation areas surrounding Lohman, Missouri provide several primitive tent camping options with river access and basic amenities. Scrivner Road Conservation Area in nearby Russellville offers first-come, first-served tent campsites along the river with fire rings and vault toilets. Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area and Osage-Tavern Access provide similar tent-only camping experiences with basic facilities. Pikes Camp in Wardsville features shaded grassy areas ideal for tent camping near water access points.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature level, grassy surfaces with minimal site development. Fire rings are common at established sites, though picnic tables are rare. Vault toilets are available at most locations, but campers should bring their own water and supplies as no potable water sources exist on-site. Cell service varies significantly between locations, with some areas requiring a drive of several miles to regain signal. The town of Linn, approximately 20-30 minutes from most campsites, offers basic supplies including firewood and ice. Primitive tent camping areas follow pack-in, pack-out principles with no trash collection facilities.

Tent campers report peaceful experiences with good spacing between sites at most conservation areas. According to reviews, Fredericksburg Access offers "grassy coverage with a mix of gravel or grass pull-ins" and "ground is very level and not super rocky," making it particularly suitable for tent camping. One visitor noted that Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area provides "a very peaceful experience" despite occasional issues with litter from previous campers. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting deer, armadillos, and various bird species. Many backcountry tent camping areas feature hammock-friendly trees and access to fishing spots. Walk-in tent sites at Water Mountain provide more seclusion than drive-up locations, with opportunities for hiking and river activities nearby.

Best Tent Sites Near Lohman, Missouri (20)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lohman, MO

7 Photos of 20 Lohman Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Lohman, MO

278 Reviews of 20 Lohman Campgrounds


  • Pamela B.
    Aug. 1, 2023

    Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area

    Primitive Free Camping

    Vault toilets available. Quiet. No water, hook ups or picnic tables, but fire rings. Wish people would understand pack in pack out and not leave trash! Otherwise very peaceful experience. Had service of at least 2-3 bars entire time. Town of Linn a 20 minute drive to get supplies.

  • K
    Aug. 12, 2022

    Camp Takimina

    Beautiful quiet campground in Columbia MO!

    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!

  • Julia V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Had everything we needed

    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.

  • Jaxsen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2023

    Fredericksburg Ferry Access

    Beautiful River Access & Grassy Grounds

    Fredericksburg Access is a free campground with about 10 primitive sites. Grassy coverage with a mix of gravel or grass pull-ins. Lots of trees but still great stargazing at night. We even saw a few meteors!

    We went on a late July weekend and only 1 other small group was there. It had just rained but wasn't too mucky. Drive was safe in our heavy converted camper van. No off road vehicle or AWD needed.

    Ground is very level and not super rocky so this is a great site for tents. There are vault toilets but no sinks nor dumpsters, so plan ahead for hygiene and waste. Toilets are on flat ground, handicap accessible, and gender neutral. Likely to be a much tougher trip if you used to full hook-up RV camping/glamping, or require showers, but perfect for primitive camping!

    The region: 45m to nearest Walmart or tractor supply, so plan ahead. Food, fire starter logs, and lighter fuel available at Thriftway (about 30 min), firewood and ice at Casey's, and McDonald's all in Linn (all 30m) if you need anything.

    About water access: Sites are all within about a 5 min walk from the boat ramp on the Gasconade. Sign reads "no swimming" but there's a nice gravel bar just downstream from the ramp. If you enter the water, be mindful that boats may pass as you try to cross.

    The swim there requires crossing a moderately sized river that is relatively swift. This is fine for people who swim well but not recommended for young children or weak swimmers especially without flotation devices. It is swift enough to carry you downstream of your target even for good swimmers, so plan for this, especially for your swim back upstream (recommend walking upstream past dock then floating back across to dock). It's also deep in the center so you're not going to be able to cross with dry items unless you have a container that is waterproof.

    Again, it's a wider and quick river, so we had to help our dog across. Took 5-7 min there and 15 to get back (with dog. Mind the rocky/brush areas just downstream of the dock, saw some snakes.

  • Curtis M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2018

    Binder Park Campground

    close to home

    137 acre lake with great fishing, offering rv hookups and basic tent sites with a pavilion and privys

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Roberts Bluff Access

    Good overnight spot

    Arrived Wednesday evening and had the spot to myself. There’s a stocked vault toilet, 2 camping spots with fire rings and a boat ramp. very simple but works! No other amenities available. It’s about 2 miles off the interstate and very peaceful. You’re surrounded by farm lane and wildlife. There’s a river at the site but didn’t explore it any. I came after a day of rain so the fire areas were flooded but the actual pull in spot was nice and dry!

  • Josh S.
    May. 30, 2019

    Scrivner Road Conservation Area

    A hidden gem tucked away in rural Cole County

    First off there is camping here!!!! This Missouri Conservation area is a Swiss Army knife of rugged of the path camping. Rivers, Lakes, Gun range, Horses and hiking can all be enjoyed here. First come first serve basic camp area on the river. It has 1 fire ring in a gravel turnaround. Don’t let this fool you. This area has an abundance of wildlife equestrian trails and hiking. Getting too hot paddle on the lake located on the left Forck after entering. The area has a handgun, and rifle range with vault toilets. The pictures speak for themselves. Love this spot and will be planning another trip soon.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2020

    Graham Cave State Park Campground

    NICE, But Unlevel.

    Stayed 10/29/2020 with only a few other campers in the campground. Close to the freeway but not really noticeable noise except on hikes. Paid $21 for 30 amp electric site, water and dump are available but not at individual sites. Bathroom and shower, dumpster, recycling and firewood also available. All sites had red tags stating reservations recommended but were not required. There were plenty of sites available when we were there. There are a few flat sites but many were not level.

    Hikes were nice, lots of deer, the cave itself is blocked by chainlink but still pretty cool. Dogs ok on leashes. 

    AT&T and Verizon cell service adequate.

  • Whitney L.
    Jun. 3, 2022

    Fiery Fork Conservation Area

    open and easy to access camping spot

    We camped at Firey Fork in the autumn of 2021. It was during deer hunting season and we only had one neighbor that looked to be there for quite a while hunting. We could see them with our eyeballs but they were perfect neighbors and we didn’t hear a peep other than their generator for a bit. The area was mowed, had a rock fire place, concrete picnic tables (which were handy), a vault toilet, shade, grass for dogs to play frisbee, parking right beside your spot, trails, access to the river, good hammock trees, flat-level surface!


Guide to Lohman

Tent camping near Lohman, Missouri offers a variety of scenic spots and outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several well-reviewed campgrounds to explore.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking and biking on the trails at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, where you can discover beautiful scenery and a refreshing creek.
  • Experience the thrill of mushroom hunting and wildlife watching at Dry Fork Recreation Area, known for its diverse landscapes and abundant deer and turkey sightings.
  • Explore the rugged terrain and equestrian trails at Scrivner Road Conservation Area, perfect for those who enjoy both hiking and horseback riding.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $10

  • Camping at Pikes Camp is free, offering a shaded grassy area for a relaxing stay by the river.
  • At Osage-Tavern Access, you can find free sites with basic amenities, making it an affordable option for families.
  • Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area also offers free camping, featuring vault toilets and a peaceful atmosphere for a quiet retreat.

Unique features of local campgrounds

  • Water Mountain provides a relaxing environment with plenty of open space for camping and access to hiking and ATV trails along the river.
  • Experience the charm of primitive camping at Franklin Island, where you can enjoy a secluded spot, though be prepared for occasional muddy conditions.
  • McCubbins Point features a public boat ramp and cooking spots, making it a convenient choice for those looking to enjoy water activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lohman, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lohman, MO is Scrivner Road Conservation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lohman, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Lohman, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.