Tent camping near Troy, Missouri offers a range of options within an hour's drive through rolling hills and deciduous forests. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60-70°F range. The area features several conservation areas with primitive camping facilities where campers must bring their own supplies.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Vandalia Community Lake, primitive tent sites sit near a quiet fishing lake. One camper noted, "Gorgeous little lake. Vault toilets. Our camp fire ring was shaped like a heart! Probably not on purpose but we liked it. Very quiet. Lots of fishing."
Mountain biking trails: Klondike Park offers technical mountain bike sections within the park. A reviewer mentioned, "One other really cool thing about Klondike is there are several technical mountain bike sections that are located in the park. Bring your mountain bike and have a go!"
River access activities: Fredericksburg Ferry Access provides boat ramp access to the Gasconade River. A camper explained, "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."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Campers at Vandalia Community Lake report peaceful nights with interesting wildlife. One visitor remarked, "Very quiet. Lots of fishing. And we actually saw the cat!" referencing a known stray cat in the area.
River watching: Dupont Reservation Conservation Area offers Mississippi River views directly from campsites. A camper described it as having "sites fronting the river, shaded by trees. Mix of campers, fishermen and hunters. A few trains at night but not many."
Stargazing opportunities: The open skies at Fredericksburg Ferry Access provide excellent night viewing. According to a review, "Lots of trees but still great stargazing at night. We even saw a few meteors!"
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent camping areas near Troy require self-sufficiency. At Little Lost Creek Conservation Area, "there are single campsites on both the north and south ends of the conservation area, and none of them have any amenities- no water, no vault toilet or outhouse, no firewood for sale."
Seasonal closures: Conservation areas may close for hunting seasons. One camper at Little Lost Creek noted they "ran into a hunter scoping out his turkey hunting spot for the following week's hunt."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise. At Dupont Reservation, campers report "A few trains at night but not many" while camping along the Mississippi River.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and trails: McCully Heritage Project offers family-friendly amenities. A visitor shared, "I just love the bridge across the pond. We had a picnic and the kids got to play on the playground equipment."
Swimming considerations: Fredericksburg Ferry Access requires caution for water activities with children. A reviewer warned, "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."
Site selection for privacy: At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, different camping areas offer varying levels of privacy. One camper advised, "Sites 52-75 are much more treed and have a private feel to them. It seems this is where most of the tent campers like to be."
Tips from RVers
Site lengths and access: Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park has limitations for larger vehicles. A reviewer noted, "Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around. The camp hosts we encountered are very helpful and have a list of site lengths and can tell you which ones are appropriate for large RVs."
Campsite selection: For tent camping near Troy, selecting the right site matters. At Klondike Park, a visitor shared, "Second time camping here. Much better spot this time, since I could pull right up to the spot, site 26. Last time we were in spot 22. 22 is a long ways from the bathroom and parking lot."
Seasonal amenities: Bathroom and shower facilities often close during off-season. At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, "the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn't open until the spring. During the winter the only water spigot is available located near the camp hosts at site #36."
