29 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Pershing State Park Campground features both electric and non-electric tent and RV sites where pets are welcome at all campsites. The park provides clean restrooms, showers, and a sanitary dump station while maintaining shaded sites with adequate spacing between neighbors. Van Meter State Park Campground similarly allows pets throughout its camping areas, offering 30-amp electric hookups and picnic tables at each site. Both parks maintain well-mowed grounds with fire rings at each campsite. The campground hosts at Pershing State Park make regular rounds without being intrusive and have been noted for their helpfulness and friendly demeanor. Sites are generally level with hard surfaces surrounded by abundant shade trees.
Several conservation areas near Sumner offer more primitive camping options for those traveling with pets. Fountain Grove and Mussel Fork Conservation Areas provide free camping with fire rings and more basic amenities. These areas tend to be less private but well-maintained with mowed grass and good gravel roads. Mussel Fork features small gravel lots with fire rings at each site, though some areas near the creek may be inaccessible during wet conditions. Campers with pets should be prepared for buggy conditions, particularly near marsh areas, as multiple reviewers have mentioned the need for insect repellent when camping in the region. Wildlife encounters are common, so keeping pets leashed and supervised is essential for their safety and the protection of local fauna.
"We came over to the lake and the access to it. And there are formal camp spots. They use Picnic Area spots that have fire rings and tables."
"I could tell there were a few other paths I could take but the grass was a little overgrown and it was already dark out, so I just car camped in the gravel lot."
"It was already late and dark so I didn’t drive back farther. No one else showed up until early the next morning. One other car camper and a sheriff, but he didn’t bother us."
"Beautiful spot on the lake. Clean campground, full hook-ups. Tent and RV friendly. Will stop here again!"
"It’s pet friendly and you are not on top of your neighbors. Definitely going to come back here."
"You can see fireworks 🎆🎇 for Miles all around ."
"Very small campground on the edge of town (appx 20ish sites). Full hookups and all most amenities you will find at larger properties: laundry, showers, picnic tables and fire rings."
from $25 - $450 / night
Check Availability"City Park that is right outside of town. 17 spots that are first come first serve, roughly 4 people seem to be full time residents, but kept the park clean."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Small (15 Spaces) RV park located 1/2 mile from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. Most likely the reason why people come to Hamilton. Very clean and well kept."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"Multiple campsites available along the highway, but the marked site is one of the best, right by a great fishing lake. Very quite, no amenities."
GuideGreat place very secluded 15 miles from I 70 No wifi If you want no distractions this is your place Camp host was great helped me switch my site to something nicer and very friendly
GuideAlways clean quiet place to camp. One way in and out of the park that you can see from every campsite so no worries about your children playing, let them run !!
GuideThousand Hills is one of my favorite state parks in Missouri. I love the view of the lake driving the loop. I stayed at campground 2. The site was next to the woods with plenty of shade. There is a trail to the petroglyphs next to the site. Campground 1 has asphalt pads but 2 is more remote with less campers.
ScoutNo facilities but well kept
GuideGreat facilities. 6 showers dump and fill site, single washer and dryer for $1/load. Free book and movie library. Only reason not a 5 is because the spaces are on top of each other without any real privacy.
TravelerI parked on the north east side of the lake, between the golf course and the boat ramp. One mile dirt/gravel road access, pit toilet on the north east side. I believe the actual camping spots are across the lake, nearer the highway. There is some highway noise, but it felt like background noise to me. No amenities. Perfect for my 22' van, for an overnight while traveling through. Pretty lake, lots of birds!
GuideDouble check the website, but it looks like this park is closed 2026 for renovations
GuideThis park has two entrances. One leads to to 2 fishing areas, one with a pier and a toilet (we didn't check out). It also leads to a gold course. The other entrance has disc golf scattered throughout and a campsite at the end of the road. It has a gravel pad, trash can, fire pit, and bbq pit. The trash was not full which we did appreciate but the firepit had trash in it and there was a lot of debris on the ground, like broken glass, fishing line/rusty hooks, small litter. Also was a bit busier than we expected, especiallysince it was a Monday evening/night.. We had some disc golf players park near us to do the course, maybe it starts here at the site, idk. One older gentleman stopped by to fish. One truck with a kayak in the back pulled up but then turned around and a couple of cars just turned around at the end of the road. We went fishing for a little bit. My husband caught a couple of small fish and also got some lures untangled from a tree so win!! It says no swimming here, unfortunately, because when we're visiting it's crazy hot. We didn't see any signs about camping at all, but looking it up online, there are apparently 3 camp sites here operated on a first come first serve basis with no formal registration required. So, free is awesome! Lots of trees! No bathroom on this side of the lake as we've seen.
ScoutThis is an RV park at the county fairgrounds. $25 gets you full hookups. It's clean and safe. Not a lot to do nearby. But it's perfect for a place to stay while you're traveling and want a break for a night or two.
Sumner, Missouri sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level in north-central Missouri, characterized by rolling hills and bottomland forests along the Grand River watershed. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures ranging from 50-70°F. Winter camping remains available at several parks though services may be limited during colder months.
Hiking trails and boardwalks: Pershing State Park offers several trails including a unique boardwalk experience. "The Boardwalk trail - 1 1/2 miles of boardwalk through forest. Just beautiful!" according to Theresa H. The park features wetland prairie ecosystems unusual for Missouri.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing locations exist throughout the area's conservation lands and lakes. At Long Branch State Park, the fishing is reportedly excellent. "The marina is very nicely set up for handicapped accessible fishing from the fishing dock," notes Carissa H., adding that the lake is large enough for various water activities.
Historical exploration: Visit historic sites within short driving distance of campsites. "We also visited nearby LaClede where John J. Pershing's boyhood home is. Very informative and interesting," reports Theresa H. The Arrow Rock historic town is also accessible from regional campgrounds.
Campground tranquility: Van Meter State Park provides a peaceful camping environment. "The campground is one circular lot with I think around 18 spots. Some are basic just for tents and some have water and or electric," explains Nathan P. Many campers mention the quiet atmosphere at this location.
Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife observation opportunities. "Woke up with a little friend in our tent lol wife was not pleased. All in all abundant wildlife and a calm cool getaway," reports Josh S. about Van Meter State Park. Birdwatching is particularly popular at several locations.
Budget-friendly options: Several conservation areas offer free camping with basic amenities. At Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area, campers appreciate the value. "This is my favorite free camp ground. No showers or electric sites, however, the grounds are well kept, its quiet and has an awsome lake," notes dwminph. Free sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables.
Bug protection essential: Insect populations can be significant, especially near wetland areas. "Clean, well cared for campground. The even numbered sites are really big and back up to big open grassy area with shade trees. The odd numbered sites are smaller and may hold water after a rain, but more private. Bring plenty of bug spray. The campground is right by a marsh and it is REALLY buggy," warns Jill T. about Van Meter State Park.
Seasonal service changes: Some parks reduce services during off-season months. "Electric $21 in season. $19 off season. Off season starts Nov 1. Water is turned off," notes Sue B. about Pershing State Park's fall camping conditions. Verify available amenities if camping outside summer months.
Site selection considerations: Crowder State Park offers varied site types but quality varies. "While I loved our camping spot, this park was just OK for me. The grounds and restrooms are nice, and it's much smaller than most parks. We stayed in electric site #19. It's nice because it's a pull through site with no neighbors on either side," explains Meaghan S.
Playground proximity: Select sites near recreational facilities for convenient family access. "Our site was right across from the playground, which was quite busy, but things quieted down and by 10pm everyone was on best behavior," reports Staci I. about Crowder State Park, which also maintains strict enforcement of quiet hours.
Beach access: Arrow Rock State Historic Site offers fishing opportunities with nearby swimming areas. "There is a small fishing lake in the camp ground," notes Dina L. Long Branch State Park provides a "nice swim beach with sand" according to Jolie C.
Site privacy: Family camping benefits from more isolated sites at several parks. "I reserved a walk in site and it was totally worth it. It's a very short walk into the site, it's even visible from the parking lot. The site is right on the water with beach access so there's no need to drive to the crowded beach area to swim!" reports Adriana W. about Long Branch State Park.
Leveling challenges: RV campers should be prepared for uneven sites at some parks. "Pad is asphalt but not necessarily level," warns Muffy Clark G. about Crowder State Park. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds.
Full hookup availability: Limited parks offer complete RV services in the region. For RVs requiring full hookups, Lodder Up & Camp provides these amenities. "This is a great park in a small town. The park seems newly built or remodeled. It was very clean. Some sites have concrete pads and others are rock. Sites seemed level despite there being a lot of elevation change within the park. Utilities were in great shape," reports Jeff C.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between parks. "Nice place for a quiet getaway, downside if any is no TV reception, cell phone service is 4g," notes Steve W. about Crowder State Park, while Arrow Rock has "no cell phone service really" according to Dina L.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sumner, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sumner, MO is Fountain Grove Conservation Area with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sumner, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 dog-friendly camping locations near Sumner, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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