Best Tent Camping near Watson, MO

The Missouri River valley surrounding Watson, Missouri offers several primitive tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground, located approximately 25 miles east in Missouri, provides dedicated tent-only sites surrounded by mature trees. Other tent-friendly options include Hoot Owl Bend, a dispersed camping area along the Missouri River, and Pony Creek Lake in Kansas, which features primitive tent camping on a mowed flat section in the southwest area of the lake.

Most tent campgrounds in the Watson area feature basic amenities with varying levels of maintenance. Tent sites are typically set on grass or dirt surfaces with minimal grading. Campers should bring their own water at locations like Hoot Owl Bend and Ross County Park, which lack potable water sources. Bathroom facilities range from well-maintained shower houses at Mozingo Lake to basic outhouses at Wirth Brothers Lake that "could be kept up better," according to visitor reviews. Seasonal flooding affects riverside campgrounds, particularly Brownville Riverside Park, which experienced significant flooding in 2019 and again in 2024, making it temporarily unusable.

Walk-in tent sites provide the most secluded camping experiences in the region. At Wirth Brothers Lake, campers noted the grounds are "off the beaten path and has camping spots that offer some seclusion from other people." Tent campers at Mozingo Lake appreciate that sites are "actually surrounded by trees" rather than being placed in open fields. Ross County Park offers what one visitor described as a "nice out of the way location with no services of any kind," making it ideal for backcountry tent camping experiences. When camping at Hoot Owl Bend in July, visitors recommend avoiding setting up tents under mulberry trees to prevent berries from dropping on tents. The area also attracts bird watchers due to its riverside location and relative quiet.

Best Tent Sites Near Watson, Missouri (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Watson, MO

7 Photos of 11 Watson Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Watson, MO

259 Reviews of 11 Watson Campgrounds


  • Michelle V.
    Aug. 19, 2020

    Hackberry Hollow Campground — Indian Cave State Park

    Great for car camping

    Just car tent camped here with my fiancé and dog over the weekend. We had many camp sites to choose from because it’s back to school time in NE (timing, timing, timing)! Basic tent sights are first come, $15 a night. The park offered firewood ($6) and ice for sale. Lots of hiking trails with different levels of difficulty and elevation. Most drive up camp sites have outhouses nearby. We sometimes drove up to the group tent sites where they have clean bathrooms, running water and showers (need quarters for shower). We had a great time and enjoyed being surrounded by all the lovely trees. Staff were friendly and the park was clean. Only bummer is the steps to the “cave” is still closed.

  • Sarah H.
    Sep. 19, 2016

    Big Lake State Park Campground

    Clean and Friendly off I-29

    My husband and I tent camped one night at this park. We arrived around 8 pm and even though the office was getting ready to close, the woman behind the counter was very kind and helpful. She helped us with finding our spot and with getting firewood. Our basic tent site was lakeside and had a fire pit and picnic table. The site was so well maintained it was hard to find small sticks for kindling.

    The grounds have private bathrooms with toilets and showers. There are two nice playgrounds and a swimming pool. Most campers were enjoying fishing in the small lake. Kayaks were available to rent for a small fee. Kids enjoyed riding bikes around the flat roads.

    This is a great spot off I-29 to set up camp and have a rest. It's also a good spot to take young kids fishing.

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Nice Trails

    This is a great weekend spot not much to do around the park. The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between. There are 2 campgrounds, the one north of the highway is a horse campground but required. There are nice trails in this area. The campground on the south is more of a tent site. There are vault toliets, no showers. A lot of great trails o this side. All campsites include a picnic table and fire ring.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2018

    Sabetha Lake

    Nice fishing lake-beautiful view

    Sebetha lake is located a few minutes from the town of Sebetha and is a nice area for camping. The camp sites are Electric and Water on gravel. For Rvers There is a group of campsites when you first come in which are not shaded very well, but there are some scattered sites around the lake that are nicely shaded. We were in site 14 with our door facing the lake. What a beautiful view! We had a fire ring, a raised grill, picnic table, and trash barrel. The grounds are well maintained. For primitive camping there are sites scattered around lake which woul make good single or group sites. There is a cement bathroom by the permit station which has vault toilets and was not something I would feel comfortable using. It looks as if they would be the Emergency shelter. It would take a really big emergency for me to go in them. Outside the bathrooms were 2 nice picnic tables under a shelter.

    The lake offers boating, canoeing, jet skiing, nice nature trails, bird-wildlife viewing, scenic drive,and beautiful lake views. There was hardly any traffic going by our area so it was mostly quiet with an exceptional train in the distance. All and all a nice experience.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2018

    Wirth Brothers Lake

    Primitive camping off highway 50

    Worth Brothers Rec Area is located west off Highway 50 on 733 road on gravel. It is a primitive camping area - no hook ups. It has a few fire rings, and raised grills. There are picnic table and a covered group picnic shelter. There is drinking water, bathrooms, playground, archery, and a swimming beach. $5 a day or $15 for annual permit.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2018

    Auburn Recreation Complex

    FREE TENT CAMPING- on the edge of town @ the Auburn RV Park

    RV and tent campers only $15 a night with hookup. TENT CAMPING IS FREE! 10-night maximum. Dumping station. Water and electrical. The restrooms are quite a ways away. No showers available.

    The town has some decent shopping, such as the Catholic thrift store which is so well set up it could be mistaken for a decent antique store, and a local clothing store with unique items.

    The disc golf course in town is challenging and well laid out.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Really good hiking trails

    Stayed one night on Sept 4. Camped at site 35 in the non-equestrian campground; non-electric fee $15. Parked van on the grass at this site. Like nearly all of the sites in this campground, this site was close to the campground road. Overall, I felt that the campsites were all bunched together - offering no privacy and spacing between sites. The shower house was closed during our visit. Water was also turned off at the wayer pumps in the campground. There was one single vault toilet available for all of the campers; it was reasonably clean. Wayne, the campground host, was nice & helpful. There is a self-serve firewood station in the campground; cost is either $5 or $10, depending on the amount of wood you purchase. The campsites have a picnic table & metal fire ring. I wasn't too pleased with this campground, but I was very happy with the nearby hiking trails within the park. It's a pretty state park with hills & lush forest. The day use areas looked great. I recommend those traveling along I-29 to stop at this park - not necessarily for the camping, but for the hiking. Had some T-Mobile 4G service.

  • Daniel  B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2018

    Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    Ranger Review: Midland X-Talker T51VP3 Radios at Louisville Lakes SRA

    Campground Review

    I stayed in this Louisville Rec area a few nights, moving around to three different areas of this HUGE campground are nestled in Nebraska. My plan was to spend a few days taking advantage of the many amenities and activity options this area appeared to have, and I since this is a popular destination option many are considering, I sought to provide a review of the grounds from the perspective of someone who is considering staying in the west, central, or east area of the grounds. This review is for the west area.

    General Info on this overall campground

    This is a state-funded park, so non-Nebraska plated cars have an additional fee. A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds. Near the central lake ("Lake 2") there is a small shop which has a market where basic kick knacks and firewood are available. This is also where you can rent boats like canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards for hrs, half and daily rates. There is a trail in the woods running parallel to the North Platte River. The path is in a heavily wooded area, so no lakeside views, just a nice, quiet hike with the very occasional hummm of a mosquito. There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park. In summer, it was common to see people wading across the river as it was neither a fast moving current nor deep. This is a Rec area, so day use is also an option. There are numerous locations for picnics, including Grills, and for fishing in the lakes from some roof-covered docks. Coin-operated showers (takes quarters, change machines take $1 and $5 bills) and full-service, ADA-friendly bathrooms scatter the park as well. There is a play area in the center which has a basic jungle gym. Each site has at least a picnic table and a fire pit. All tent sites are park and walk. If you want to have your car next to your picnic table, you need a padded spot. Each area of the park has these options, as well as electrical, then RV. Most sites are reservable and there are some allocated for first come, first serve. Gates will close at 10pm so make sure your road trip stops before they do. Also, packing earplugs is a must, but it won't completely help you. There is a train that goes very near the grounds - the track basically borders the south side of the campgrounds - and it needs to use its horn while passing through, which happens A LOT.

    Central location-specific Info

    The harsh part of being located here is if you are looking for any kind of spot that accommodates a flat plot, like sites 206 - 236, you are butted up against the train tracks and that train is LOUD! You will have no chance of a solid night's sleep since the train uses its horn very often. I was in campsite 11 another night, literally as far away from the tracks as possible and wore ear plugs and there was no avoiding it - I was waking up at 5am no matter what. This is the place you want to camp if you are tent camping. The reserve sites or tucked away from a lot of the more family-friendly activities, so you'll get some reprieve from that energy, plus can have some spots that are very close to the N Platte river's edge.

    Ranger Review

    I was given a pair of the Midland X-TALKER TV1P3 Walkie Talkies to test out from Midland. Since they come with a hands-free option with a compatible accessory, I also got a pair of the AVPH3 Surveillance headsets.

    These came in handy (pardon the pun) when I was biking with a friend and skiing. By hooking in the headset to the side of the radio it allowed me to leave the radio in the bag, run a wire and clip a little mic with a talk on/off button to my jacket, then put a little earpiece in around my ear that was out of the way of my helmet. This also protected the radio from debris, as water is easy to collect on electronics when skiing and dust when biking.

    • Watch the video review below

    These radios aren't big, but they're packed with a lot of features. I personally love the weather scan capability. It locks into the NOAA weather broadcasts to deliver you a forecast. This is very useful while you are on a backpacking trip or in my case doing some kayaking because it helps me plan my routes and assess risk for my activities. They also charge through micro USB if you don't want to pack the included charging cradle (AC powered), so recharging them on the go is pretty simple since you already pack those cables and a portable USB power bank for other electronics.

    The 28 mile range is a bit of a stretch (pardon the pun) but this is up to 28 miles. It worked fine for me over some densely forested lakes 2 miles away and even further over open water. I had these up at my cottage in Northern Ontario with me and I was able to get reception on these when I kayaked from one family friend's cottage from ours 8 miles away. It was getting crackly at that point but there is A LOT of interference over that distance so I was shocked they worked at all.

    They have 22 channels and 38 privacy codes, so it's easy to create your own network and stay uninterrupted. I also got these working with another pair of radios I had, so they work with other brands. There are some other features, and the product support on their site is great. hey have a reference guide and a user manual to learn how to operate things like the quiet mode - if so inclined.

    Overall Pros

    • Weather Alert channel
    • 28 mile range
    • Clips included
    • Clips included, help with Hands-Free option
    • Long battery life
    • 22 channels & 28 privacy codes. Can work with other radio brands.
    • Silent operation

    Overall Cons

    • None really. It has so many features so to avoid getting lost in the technical stuff, I recommend downloading the product spec sheet to get the gist. It covers nearly everything. The real techies may want to check out the user manual.
  • Daniel  B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2018

    Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    Ranger Review: Matador NanoDry Shower Towel & FlatPak Toiletry Bottle @ SRA

    Campground Review

    I stayed in this Louisville Rec area a few nights, moving around to three different areas of this HUGE campground are nestled in Nebraska. My plan was to spend a few days taking advantage of the many amenities and activity options this area appeared to have, and I since this is a popular destination option many are considering, I sought to provide a review of the grounds from the perspective of someone who is considering staying in the west, central, or east area of the grounds. This review is for the east area.

    General Info on this overall campground

    This is a state-funded park, so non-Nebraska plated cars have an additional fee. A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds. Near the central lake ("Lake 2") there is a small shop which has a market where basic kick knacks and firewood are available. This is also where you can rent boats like canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards for hrs, half and daily rates. There is a trail in the woods running parallel to the North Platte River. The path is in a heavily wooded area, so no lakeside views, just a nice, quiet hike with the very occasional hummm of a mosquito. There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park. In summer, it was common to see people wading across the river as it was neither a fast moving current nor deep. This is a Rec area, so day use is also an option. There are numerous locations for picnics, including Grills, and for fishing in the lakes from some roof-covered docks. Coin-operated showers (takes quarters, change machines take $1 and $5 bills) and full-service, ADA-friendly bathrooms scatter the park as well. There is a play area in the center which has a basic jungle gym. Each site has at least a picnic table and a fire pit. All tent sites are park and walk. If you want to have your car next to your picnic table, you need a padded spot. Each area of the park has these options, as well as electrical, then RV. Most sites are reservable and there are some allocated for first come, first serve. Gates will close at 10pm so make sure your road trip stops before they do. Also, packing earplugs is a must, but it won't completely help you. There is a train that goes very near the grounds - the track basically borders the south side of the campgrounds - and it needs to use its horn while passing through, which happens A LOT.

    Central location-specific Info

    I personally this this area has the best spots on the grounds. I was loving campsite 11. I had a river-side view to a nice sunset and sat at my picnic table and watched fireworks go off on the other side of the river (4th of July long weekend). These sites are also furthest from the train, which isn't really helping all too much because it's loud anyway, but you're also away from all the noise of the main rec area and central market. Less kids in this area for that reason as well.

    Ranger Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am sometimes given products to test and this time I am testing the FlatPak Toiletry Bottle and the NanoDry Shower Towel (large).

    The NanoDry Shower Towel

    I have other travel towels, but nothing this size that is this light, this packable, and this quick drying. It's a total keeper. Well, I actually forgot it at a different campground a few days later, but it's something I am happy to pay to replace. I would wake up, have a shower, lay out the towel on the picnic table, and 10 min later it was dry. Speaking of really cool, let me take a sec to talk about the carry case. It's this silicone thing that comes with a carabiner, so I can hook it outside my bag if it's still wet to keep it away from other stuff but also let it air dry a bit.

    Overall Positives

    • Towel has a loop near the middle to hang in shower stalls or hang dry
    • Very absorbent fabric. 2.3x it's own weight in water, to be exact. I didn't think the large size (47 x 24 inches, 142 grams) was going to be enough material to dry me after a soak, but it was.
    • NanoDry fabric dries soooo fast.
    • Antimicrobial coating so there's no mildew build up
    • Silicone case clips to anything and keeps it away from your other items in case it's not quite dry

    Overall Negatives

    • I forgot it at a campground a few days later

    The FlatPak Toiletry Bottle

    I decided to get a few of these guys to solve a few pain points. Usually 'travel size' anything is a little pricier compared to the 'economy size' option, so now I just leave bigger bottles of things like shampoo at home and fill up one of these. Secondly, it's a case that's crazy light so you're pretty much taking whatever liquids, gels, and pastes you use with you with as little added weight possible. It's a travel accessory, so it should be TSA approved, and it is.

    Overall Positives

    • Snap loop makes it easy to attach these to toiletry and day use bags for outdoor adventures, weekend trips, or a gym session.
    • The screw top opening is easy to remove and wide enough to make it easy to fill
    • There's a place to write a note about the contents of the bag so you don't wind up brushing your teeth with hand lotion.
    • It's waterproof, so go ahead and use it in the shower

    Overall Negatives

    • Because of it's compact size and weight design, it's going to be near impossible to clean out completely after use, so get enough for each category of your liquids, gels, and pastes. Sure, one sunscreen vs another is totally reasonable when it comes time for a refill, so all I'm saying is get the 3 pack because you'll like these things and you'll want one for your toothpaste, another for sunscreen, one for shampoo, another for conditioner, maybe you use shower gel, and maybe everyone else you camp with is going to need them now too.
    • I didn't buy enough
    • Only comes in 1 color

Guide to Watson

Tent camping near Watson, Missouri includes several primitive sites situated along the Missouri River and its tributaries. Seasonal considerations play a significant role in site selection, with spring bringing higher water levels that limit access to some riverside locations, while summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F with high humidity. Winter camping remains possible at year-round facilities like Wirth Brothers Lake where campers will find minimal amenities but generally uncrowded conditions.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Jayson H. describes Ross County Park as "one of my favorites to go fishing and drink a few," noting that the park features multiple ponds that make it ideal for day trips or overnight camping. The park lacks formal facilities but provides a peaceful setting for anglers.

Disc golf access: The newly developed course near Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground offers tent campers additional recreation. According to Sayler O., "if you like disc golf than this is the place to go, there is a brand new 18 hole course right next to the camp!"

Bird watching: Located along the Missouri River, Hoot Owl Bend provides excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. One camper specifically noted that "This spot would be great for bird watchers" due to its riverside location and relative seclusion from heavily trafficked areas.

Beach activities: Family-friendly sand beaches at Kirkmans Cove Recreation Area complement the camping experience. Caitlin R. mentions, "We enjoy Kirkman's for the sand beach and boating," highlighting the recreational water access that makes this spot popular during summer months.

What campers like

Seclusion from crowds: Campers appreciate the privacy available at Wirth Brothers Lake where Becky D. notes it "is off the beaten path and has camping spots that offer some seclusion from other people." This makes it suitable for those seeking quieter camping experiences away from busier campgrounds.

Wooded tent sites: Unlike open field camping commonly found in the region, Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground provides sites with natural shade cover. One camper appreciated that "the tent camping sites were actually surrounded by trees," noting this as a distinguishing feature compared to other area campgrounds.

Remote location options: Kory K. describes Ross County Park as a "Nice out of the way location" and "nice place to get away from people," underscoring its appeal for campers seeking minimal interaction with others while enjoying basic outdoor experiences.

Flat terrain for tents: At Pony Creek Lake, the designated primitive camping area provides practical setup space. Shannon G. notes the camping area "is a mowed flat section" located in the southwest area of the lake, making it conducive to comfortable tent placement without extensive site preparation.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping options near Watson offer minimal amenities. At Pony Creek Lake, Heidi H. advises, "if you're a stickler for following the rules, you better be prepared to be completely self contained," noting that the officially designated camping area is "nowhere near any facilities."

Wildlife encounters: Nocturnal wildlife activity may affect light sleepers at dispersed sites. Carter G. reported at Hoot Owl Bend, "I did hear animals huffing and saw some shadows run next to the truck at like 2am," though this didn't detract from the overall experience.

Varying regulations: Camp regulations differ significantly between sites. Gordy Y. cautions about Hoot Owl Bend that "sign says area closed 10pm-4am, so camping of any kind seems unallowed," highlighting the importance of verifying current regulations before arrival.

Post-flood conditions: Flooding impacts riverside camping areas on a recurring basis. John A. observed at Brownville Riverside Park that "the river has flooded it out as of June 28, 2024 and it will likely be unusable for at least the remainder of this season," demonstrating how weather events can unexpectedly eliminate camping options.

Tips for camping with families

Playground considerations: When camping with children, note the variable quality of play equipment. At Kirkmans Cove Recreation Area Campground, Caitlin R. mentioned "One disappointment is the play ground which is dated and not much to offer," suggesting families may want to bring alternative activities.

Walking path access: Families benefit from nearby recreational trails at Mozingo Lake. Sayler O. noted "There are walking paths and a couple of playgrounds around the lake close enough to walk to but far enough away they wont ever be a bother," making this location suitable for active families.

Campsite placement: When using tent sites at Hoot Owl Bend during summer, Donner N. advises "don't put your tent under it you will have mulberries dropping on you in July," providing practical guidance for avoiding natural nuisances that might affect children's camping experience.

Water safety preparation: Sites near water bodies require additional supervision. Shannon G. notes Wirth Brothers Recreation Area includes "a swimming beach" among its amenities, reminding families to prepare accordingly with appropriate water safety equipment.

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Several campgrounds have terrain constraints affecting larger vehicles. Shannon G. describes Wirth Brothers Lake as "located west off Highway 50 on 733 road on gravel," indicating potential access issues for larger RVs on unpaved roads.

Limited hookup options: RVers should prepare for self-contained camping at most Watson area sites. Tony B. noted at Brownville Riverside Park that "there pretty much isn't anything other than land," highlighting the need for self-sufficiency with power, water and waste management.

Unofficial camping patterns: RVers should observe actual usage patterns rather than relying solely on official designations. At Pony Creek Lake, Heidi H. observed "I regularly see folks camping in other areas, it may not actually be a problem," suggesting flexibility in site selection despite limited official RV accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Watson, MO is Brownville Riverside Park with a 2.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Watson, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.