If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Sumner, look no further. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Sumner campgrounds for you and your tent. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Missouri tent camping excursion.
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 - $60 / night
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.
ScoutWent to set up camp for the MR340 and it was very confusing on where the tent sites were. They have 6 RV sites at the top of the hill and 12 more river side. They say they have 10 tent sites hillside but not posts or map or anything that show its for tents. No website or phone number other then to the City. Even when you call that it never gives you an option for camping. Finally I just ended up taking an RV spot for my tent.
Traveler
Tent camping here was amazjng it has hook up sites as well. Very spacious and nice bathrooms as well as a shower house!! 10/10 would reccomend. Also 12$ for the night... cant complain! If you continue through the park there is a lake you can hike to and a bird viewing area.
Guide
I stayed one night for an activity at the state park the following day. The shower houses had individual, private, large, and very clean facilities. It was not crowded at all. Campground #2 was the smaller of the two campgrounds. The spots seemed more fitting for RV’s vs tent but there were a couple of tents. I slept in my van so it wasn’t an issue for me. I may reconsider visiting this park for tent camping.
Legend
When I stayed at Pershing it felt like an RV park. There were very few tent sites and the bathrooms were not very clean. There is a bad odor coming from the pit toilets like they have not been pumped all summer, the odor permeated through the back part of the campground.
It does have showers and an amphitheater with a few trails and some play ground equipment. On a positive note the grounds were mowed and clean.
Honestly, Long Branch State Park is 40 miles away and is a 5 star park.
Guide
The largest camp area of Arrow Rock is definitely geared towards RVs, but there is a "basic loop" with twelve basic campsites for tent camping. There is a bathroom/shower house very close to the basic loop and the basic loop is well away from the RV area. Right up the road is Big Soldier Lake where you can fish as well. The camp host was helpful in providing firewood and was very attentive of the sites. The campsites are a bit crowded in with each other as there are 12 in the small basic loop, but a few campsites at the back end of the loop provide a lot of area to stretch and spread out into.
TravelerI’ve camped here in a tent as well as a travel trailer and it’s great either way!
Nice camping spots, generally a very quiet campground. The campsites are a bit of a hike from the lake but there is lots to do when you get there. Paddle boats, a beach, several playgrounds for kids, fishing, a marina and a great restaurant.
There are several different trails you can hike or bike.
A great and affordable place to stay in north Missouri.
Scout
its not tent friendly owner was a total a hole towards this bikepacker "this is a rv park im not loosing my license over a tent"
Legend
Long Branch State Park is amazing. It is clean, modern, and all of the amenities of an RV Park. Sounds great if you like to RV or haul a camper, but this park is awesome if you prefer less amenities and like to camp in your tent. For Tent campers there are walk-in campsites that let you pitch your tent right near the beach.
If you have your own boat or prefer a kayak or canoe the lake is big and beautiful. You can even rent kayaks and canoes at the park. They have ice cream and fun for everyone. I interviewed the camp host, Nelma, she had a great one minute video telling all about the park.
Traveler
There are two RV spots with free electrical and water. We camped wIth a tent in the one closest to the tree.... both overlook a cute pond. They aren’t sheltered or hidden from the rest of the park though which was kinda weird when the kids from the baseball field nearby were staring at us putting up the tent.
ScoutBeautiful spot on the lake. Clean campground, full hook-ups. Tent and RV friendly. Will stop here again!
RangerSo, at first glance, small corps of engineers lake and stock Missouri state parks campground. But, we came back and there’s some unique stuff. A small trail that winds through tall grass prairie is great for kids and a cool perspective not much found in state. Also, there’s a sweet backpacking loop on a peninsula that is super rare north of the Missouri River. Quiet, and a great stop off hwy 36.
RangerFound this place traveling thru, nice park with electric, water, picnic table, bathrooms and a great view with a pond and gazebo,, stayed one night, had a couple electric/water sites and places for tents under a nice shade tree
ScoutSmall (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.
RangerGreat hiking trails and helpful hosts. Sites are all very level. Marsh nearby so be prepared for buggy atmosphere. Cool local towns with historic areas. Quiet camp definitely check with programs as there are only a few sites. Trails through marsh on raised platform are awesome. Woke up with a little friend in our tent lol wife was not pleased. All in all abundant wildlife and a calm cool getaway.
LegendPershing SP was a surprise to us. While the campground was small, (39 sites) the park packs a punch. There features a wet land prairie that offers a diverse scene that you would not expect in Missouri. The park has a dated shower house, playground for the kids, a several little lakes that you can fish in. The hiking is fantastic and I would recommend the boardwalk trail to experience what this park is all about.
GuideThousand Hills SP was great. Huge swim beach, lots of trails, pavilions, playground equipment and beautiful views. Park has a full service marina where you can rent kayaks or fill your boat with gas. It also has a restaurant. Restaurant was not a little more upscale. I wouldn’t show up in flip flops and swim trunks. If you don’t have a RV or tent there are cabins to rent as well.
RangerNice calm lake great for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and small motored boats. There are several trails, picnic areas, and play areas for kids. Campground 2 is small and quite with clean shower/bathrooms. Camground 2 Site 58 is a joined drive with no tent space, however you get an isolated area, and has an uneven pad for camper. It has a large patio and picnic table. Campground 1 is much larger with several great sites.
TravelerI stayed in mid November and though the shower houses were closed I had a great time. Spent 3 nights and saw all the area sights, Boonville, Franklin (the start of the Santa Fe trail), the Booneslick salt works ruins and of course the adjacent Arrow Rock State Historic Park. Even traveled west to visit Fort Osage near Independence MO. I had the Pond loop (30amp) campground completely to my self and only a couple hearty tent campers on the 50amp loop. A real gem!
RangerWe camped here over Memorial Day weekend in 2017 - the campgrounds were fairly empty! The area was grassy and open and well maintained. The campground host was incredibly nice and helpful, as this was our fist camping experience in the MO State Park system and we had no idea what we were doing!
The visitors center has some great information and interesting displays about American Indian heritage.
Before leaving, we took the short .10 mile Missouri River Overlook Trail.
We had intended to fish in Lake Woolridge, but the gate was closed already for the night when we arrived.
This is a campground that I have high intentions of returning to.
TravelerThis campground is very nice and offers lots of options,including two different types of electrical sites, basic sites, and walk-in basic sites, they do also have a number of family sites. They offer s firewood vending machine and ice for sale by the camp host. The marina is very nicely set up for handicapped accessible fishing from the fishing dock. Unfortunately the marina store was not open when we visited. We were too early in the year. The swimming beach looks very nice, although it was too cold to use when we were there. Some of the camping sites are more tent friendly than others. Some of them look like it would only be good if you were in a pop-up or a trailer.
LegendLong branch SP located in north central Missouri is a fantastic state park. The campground is well situated on the banks of long branch lake. The walk in sites are 50 feet from the lake and are level. The park has a swimming beach along with boat ramps and as we were told great fishing. The majority of the camp sites have lake views and are far enough from the highway that it is quiet at night. There are several hiking trails, from a prairie hike to a forest hike. The facilities are updated and clean. Talking with the park ranger, this park does fill on up quickly and reservation are recommended.
RangerWe arrived mid week in October without reservations. The campground host was SO helpful in steering us in the right direction both in terms of the campground and there is a Basic loop separate from those with electricity - not very used in October mid week. Bathrooms were centrally located in the campground. The campground is within an easy 1/2 mile of the historic town of Arrow Rock and also a slightly longer hike through woods and leaves and into the Wildlife Refuge to the Missouri River and a landing site. Lewis and Clark and the Santa Fe Trail play into this history here so that's pretty cool too. The Visitor Center at the State Park is really good and tells the story of the area well.
GuideThe walk-in campgrounds (it's about a 50 foot walk from the parking lot to each site) at Long Branch are located off in their own little area at the shore of the lake that offers some pretty good isolation. Although we went at a time when the water was still shut off, there are bathrooms and water available via a very short walk from the walk-in sites April 1-Oct 31. The sites are each very spacious with flat areas and material already laid out for pitching a tent and plenty of trees for throwing up a hammock. Although firewood was stated to be available year round from the vending machine, it was locked up when we went through, but there is a convenience store right across the highway from the lake that sells wood bundles and anything else you might need.
We really enjoyed our time here and we'll definitely be coming back in the warmer months to enjoy some swimming and boating.
Guide
I reserved the site for mid-April at the beginning of March. Campground opens 4/15 and we arrived on opening day. Check process can be done either in person or online upon arrival. Thursday night the campground was practically empty, but by 7pm on Friday night it was nearly full. Ranger offered a list of activities and an extensive list of rules. The campground rules are enforced very strictly, so read them thoroughly. You will be made aware if you are observed breaking one of them. There were 2 nature hikes scheduled for the weekend, I imagine activities will ramp up further into the season. We had a family site, the pad was roomie, "yard" was quite nice and right next door to the "basic" non-electrical sites. So plenty of grassy area for tents. Restroom and shower facilities were quite nice, clean and large enough to handle the the campground at the nearly full capacity of the weekend. There was also a drop latrine at our end of the campground for convenience. There is no sink, but the hand sanitizer dispenser was full. Our site was right across from the playground, which was quite busy, but things quieted down and by 10pm everyone was on best behavior. We are thinking about making this an annual campout.
RangerWe camped out here for the weekend.
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.
The ones on the inside of the circle have more space and are more open but you don't have any privacy. Most spots on the outside of the circle, especially on the north and west sides have more privacy but not as much space.
The grounds are well kept with grass while maintained.
I hiked on most of the trails in one day. I missed the memorial trail and boardwalk. Home that I walked on will maintained. Some of them are more difficult than others but none of them too strenuous.
Note about the lake - Once you get to the parking lot for the lake you'll see nothing but trees. On the east side of the parking lot (next to the state park signage/billboard) there are two trail heads. Take the one on the left. There's a quarter mile hike down to the lake. The way back is mostly uphill. Not too steep, but steep enough you might feel it if you don't do much hiking/walking.
Playground It had a nice playground for small kids including a little play area and some swing sets.
Restrooms There were two bathrooms present. One was a traditional drop toilet. It had a solar fan so surprisingly it did not have any smell. The other bathroom has a shower and the women's had two toilets and the men's had one toilet and a urinal. Everything was clean.
Dog-friendliness We did not take any dogs but we saw plenty of people who had dogs.
Guide
This was my first time out on Bee Trace Trail and I had a great time. Both the hike into the campsite and out the next morning were pretty easy; the back half of the brown loop, specifically the stretch between the backpack camping site and the kayak camping sites, was sometimes frustratingly difficult to follow. I had to pull out my phone several times to get reoriented. That being said, that stretch isn't very long and the rest of the trail presented zero issues for navigation.
The campsite for backpacking is located at the very tip of the peninsula and it's a great spot. There is a camper-made fire ring here, but the regulations(and posted signs) state no fires, so I would be cautious with what you choose to do. The kayak sites are a little more developed, with picnic tables, trash hooks, and iron fire pits/grills, but I'm not sure how they feel about backpackers using those. On the day(s) I went through, I saw only two other people on the blue loop and nobody on the brown. However, I saw tons of boats out on the lake going by and they all had full view of the campsite(I think it would be pretty clear even once the trees are full); something to be aware of if you're looking for a super isolated camp. There is plenty of space to pitch a tent and many trees to choose from for hanging a hammock.
If you're looking to get your feet wet with backpacking(as I was), this is a great spot to do it. If you're a seasoned backpacker and are just looking for a quick out-and-back, I think you would be equally pleased.
Guide
This area is near where I assume MDC stores their equipment, so the area is a bit busy but they have picnic tables and fire rings at the camping sites and they were well maintained (grass mowed, good gravel roads etc.). Not a lot of options for shade but a few :)
Tent camping near Sumner, Missouri offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sumner, MO is Bonanza Conservation Area with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
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