Best Campgrounds near Sturgeon, MO

The rural landscape surrounding Sturgeon, Missouri encompasses several camping options within a 30-mile radius, ranging from state parks to conservation areas and private campgrounds. Finger Lakes State Park, approximately 15 miles south of Sturgeon, offers year-round camping with both wooded and open sites for tents and RVs. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area, located northwest of Sturgeon, provides free primitive camping in a heavily forested setting with lakeside access. Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina along the Missouri River combines camping with cultural amenities including live music and food options. The region's camping infrastructure spans from basic tent sites with minimal facilities to full-service RV parks with hookups, showers, and camp stores.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this part of central Missouri. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, making air-conditioned cabins at locations like Mark Twain State Park particularly valuable. According to camper reviews, "Missouri in August gets sooo hot," making shade a critical amenity. Spring brings moderate temperatures but increased precipitation that can affect road conditions at conservation areas. Tick activity becomes pronounced in warmer months, with one visitor noting, "Use spray to keep the buggers off!" Most developed campgrounds maintain clean facilities, though site availability becomes limited during summer weekends and holiday periods. Reservations are strongly recommended for state park campgrounds from May through September.

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive feedback from visitors to the area. Campsites along the Missouri River at Cooper's Landing offer "great views and stunning sunsets" according to multiple reviews. The Katy Trail, a converted rail-trail that runs near several campgrounds, provides recreational opportunities for cyclists and hikers. Finger Lakes State Park distinguishes itself by permitting ATV use on designated trails while maintaining quiet camping areas. Visitors note that "most camping sites have at least some shade" at state parks, an important consideration during hot summer months. Conservation areas like Rudolf Bennitt provide more secluded experiences with "quite nights" and good fishing opportunities but fewer amenities than developed campgrounds. Bathroom and shower facilities at state parks generally receive positive reviews for cleanliness and maintenance.

Best Camping Sites Near Sturgeon, Missouri (82)

    1. Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Hallsville, MO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 443-5315

    "A rainy weekend didn't deter campers from spending the holiday weekend here at Finger Lakes State Park. I was lucky enough to get a site for a single night when rain was in the forecast."

    "Finger Lakes is one of few places in Missouri for campers to also be able to enjoy riding their ATVs."

    2. Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 474-2747

    $45 - $52 / night

    "Visited in March 2021, some pot holes in drive way, but manageable. Trees seemed to be trimmed back compared to other reviews. Nice facilities and great staff!"

    "The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us."

    3. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Higbee, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "Heavily forested with a lake. Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses. Camping at lake is open gravel or grass."

    "Stay at lake for three days, established area with vault toilet and gravel parking. Has boat ramp and fishing docks."

    4. Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 239-8340

    "We had family from Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and everyone raved how this was their new favorite spot."

    "We didn’t explore the grounds much but apparently we could’ve walked and seen the horses by the resort. The only thing I didn’t love was the gravel road all the way in."

    5. Camp Takimina

    1 Review
    Columbia, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 445-7536

    $15 - $85 / night

    "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. "

    6. Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    17 Reviews
    Jamestown, MO
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 657-1299

    $10 - $60 / night

    "A beautiful campground located right next to the Missouri River. Live music, amazing Thai food, general store with snacks, beer, ice cream and merchandise."

    "See beautiful scenery on the MO River & Katy Trail. You may get to see a paddleboat cruising the river."

    7. Hanson Hills Campground

    10 Reviews
    Kingdom City, MO
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 642-8600

    "Plenty of room to be camped away from others."

    "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."

    8. Slate and Wild Roses

    1 Review
    Holliday, MO
    17 miles
    +1 (573) 289-5908

    $25 - $30 / night

    "As the evening wore on I heard barred owls and coyotes, as well as the nearby cows. The fireflies came out at dark and gave me an impressive show."

    9. Tri-City Community Lake

    Be the first to review!
    Hallsville, MO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    10. Puma — Mark Twain State Park

    13 Reviews
    Stoutsville, MO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 248-9980

    $24 - $45 / night

    "It has air conditioning, which is needed in Missouri in August (it was sooo hot). Cabin is private with fire pit and picnic table at the front which faces near the woods."

    "The designated spots feel secluded since they are bordered by forest. We got a spot right off the water and woke up to the sound of it in the morning."

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Recent Reviews near Sturgeon, MO

388 Reviews of 82 Sturgeon Campgrounds


  • Serge P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Vandalia Community Lake

    Perfect, quiet, peaceful

    Very nice place, I wouldn’t rely on facilities. Quiet at night and during the day some local fisherman come to fish lots of bugs in the afternoon and at night.

  • J
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Cottonwoods RV Park & Campground

    Perfect for me

    The camp sites are very close to each other. But the campers around us were very nice. Only needed one night and it worked prayer for us.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    This is not campsite- this overnight sleep parking situation

    It was a great camping spot until. At least 10-15 cars drove in out of the area to see if available and then at around 9:30 pm pitch black someone decided to camped. It’s not very quiet at all. You will wake up from cars driving almost evreytime. There’s people that live in that area that were driving and screaming at each other driving 4x4 little cars. I hate camping in the Midwest

  • Melina
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Robert's Bluff

    Easy access

    Its easy to find, snuggled between the corn crops and river! There are 2 camping spaces, that are good sized with a fire pit. Directly on the river with a boat ramp as an added perk!

  • Paul M.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Very quiet

    It amazes me that there are only a few campsites full in the middle of summer.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Cooper’s Landing Campgrounds and Marina

    Coopers Landing Missouri

    Rustic. You come down winding rolling roads then onto gravel to get here. Katy bike trail on one side Missouri River on other side site 2 completely level for our 31e RV. Boat dock. They have food trucks that come in and live entertainment. Very peaceful and we will be back. Katy trail is easy biking beautiful views, shaded.Blue birds, cardinals and also an indigo bunting were seen our first trip out. Watched the sunset by the river and it was beautiful. The river is wide and deep here. Current and undertows make it definitely not suitable for swimming. You can see the water swirling and churning.

  • J
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    Out new favorite place!

    Out new favorite place! this campground has everything for a perfect long weekend! The cabins are spectacular and right on the water! We just tooK 40+ family members and everyone fell in love with this campground. We had family from Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and everyone raved how this was their new favorite spot. The fishing was great, amenities were fantastic, and the hosts were amazing. Free rentals on pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddle boats. We will be back again, especially since they just built more cabins!

  • Gary F.
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

    would not recommend

    Free camping but i left my rv there for two nights and it was broken into and ransacked.   they stole numerous items

  • D
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area

    Lousy, over-rated

    Yes, the price is right (free), but this was not a great experience. Might be fun if you are into fishing; I am not. I just wanted a quiet place to camp for a night on my route from New Mexico to Chicago. Sites are open and close together. Other campers were loud into the night. There are some large maintenance buildings blocking the view of the lake, so it's not particularly pretty at the campsites. Plus I came away with a ton of bug bites. Happy to get on my way after a not-so-restful night.


Guide to Sturgeon

Camping near Sturgeon, Missouri offers year-round options with varied terrain across Boone and Randolph counties. The area sits at approximately 850 feet elevation with glacial till prairie soil that can become muddy after rain. Many campsites in the region feature mature oak-hickory forest that provides natural shade during summer months when temperatures frequently reach the 90s.

What to do

Paddling adventures: Finger Lakes State Park features narrow waterways ideal for exploring by canoe or kayak. "Paddling through these channels is such a dreamy experience. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent as well," notes one visitor who enjoys early morning water activities.

Motorcross trails: Former strip mining areas have been converted to recreational use at Finger Lakes State Park. "If you are into motocross/atv this would be a wonderful place to camp! But I had mostly come for the lake/swimming/camping," shares one camper, highlighting the specialized trails available for off-road vehicles.

Bike the Katy Trail: Cooper's Landing Campgrounds and Marina provides direct access to the Katy Trail State Park. "Katy trail is easy biking beautiful views, shaded. Blue birds, cardinals and also an indigo bunting were seen our first trip out," reports a visitor who enjoyed wildlife viewing while cycling along the converted rail-trail.

What campers like

Riverside sunsets: Waterfront camping at Cooper's Landing offers spectacular evening views. "Campsites were right on the Missouri River. Had great views and a stunning sunset," writes one visitor who particularly enjoyed the riverside location just south of Sturgeon.

Peaceful forest settings: Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area provides more isolated camping experiences. "Heavily forested with a lake. Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses," notes a camper who appreciated the natural surroundings.

Live entertainment: Cooper's Landing features regular performances during warmer months. "They have a stage for live music. Even had phone service," comments one camper who enjoyed the social atmosphere. The venue hosts music Thursday through Sunday evenings until 10pm, making it busier but more entertaining than other area campgrounds.

What you should know

Weather challenges: Missouri summers demand preparation. "Missouri in August gets sooo hot," making air conditioning or shade essential during peak summer. One visitor to Cottonwoods RV Park confirms the campground has "mature trees so satellite placement could be challenging" but provides good shade.

Insects: Tick activity increases dramatically in warm months. "The ticks are outrageous. This time was no exception, use spray to keep the buggers off!" cautions a camper, highlighting the importance of insect protection from April through October.

Road conditions: Many conservation areas have limited access during wet weather. "A short excursion down a dirt road made the place feel remote, but within the comforts of society," writes a visitor about Hanson Hills Campground, noting how rain affects dirt roads leading to camping areas.

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities: Mark Twain State Park offers family-friendly water recreation. "Met up for a family reunion at Mark Twain, adults loved the boat accesses and the kids loved the swimming! Something for everyone!" shares a visitor who found activities for all age groups.

Playground access: Hanson Hills Campground provides play areas for children. "The campground was full of activities for the kids. The pool was clean and the grounds were very clean and nice," notes a visitor who camped there during Labor Day weekend when organized events were scheduled.

Private camping: At Mark Twain State Park, "The sites are well spaced and clean," allowing families separation from neighboring campers. Large sites accommodate multiple tents and provide room for children to play within sight of the campsite.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness: Prepare for uneven terrain at many area campgrounds. "Beautiful area, but honestly not sure if any campsite is truly level. Be prepared," advises an RV camper at Mark Twain State Park who recommends bringing leveling blocks.

Access to supplies: Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park provides convenient proximity to Columbia amenities. "Good for an overnight stay. Came in late, called number & lady gave us instructions to find site," reports a traveler who appreciated the accessible location and after-hours check-in process.

Hookup variations: Campgrounds offer different levels of services. "We stayed at site 76 in puma loop which was a sloping site but it was massive," notes a visitor to Mark Twain State Park, adding that electric sites are available but no water hookups exist outside of host sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Sturgeon, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sturgeon, MO offers a wide range of camping options, with 82 campgrounds and RV parks near Sturgeon, MO and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Sturgeon, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sturgeon, MO is Finger Lakes State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 23 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sturgeon, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Sturgeon, MO.