Best Tent Camping near Westphalia, MO

Several tent camping options exist within a 30-mile radius of Westphalia, Missouri, with both free and reservable sites available in conservation areas and river access points. Scrivner Road Conservation Area, Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area, and Fredericksburg Ferry Access offer primitive tent camping with basic amenities and river or lake proximity.

Most tent sites in the Westphalia region are primitive with minimal facilities. Fire rings are common at most locations, but campers should bring their own water as drinking water is rarely available. Vault toilets can be found at sites like Ben Branch Lake and Osage-Tavern Access, but facilities are basic. Roads to several campgrounds include gravel sections, with some requiring careful navigation during wet conditions. A review mentioned, "Vault toilets available. Quiet. No water, hook ups or picnic tables, but fire rings. Town of Linn a 20 minute drive to get supplies." Sites are typically first-come, first-served with no reservation system at conservation areas.

Many tent campgrounds near Westphalia provide direct water access, with Osage-Tavern Access, Fredericksburg Ferry Access, and Paydown Access offering river proximity for fishing or swimming. Grass coverage is common at locations like Fredericksburg Access, providing comfortable tent sites with moderate tree cover. One camper noted that "Fredericksburg Access is a free campground with about 10 primitive sites. Grassy coverage with a mix of gravel or grass pull-ins. Lots of trees but still great stargazing at night." Sites can become busy during summer weekends, especially at popular river access points. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at conservation areas, though campers should properly store food due to local wildlife activity. Several locations offer hiking trails, with Scrivner Conservation Area featuring equestrian trails and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

Best Tent Sites Near Westphalia, Missouri (21)

    1. Pikes Camp

    1 Review
    Jefferson City, MO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "Has a shaded grassy area for camping. No power vault toilets. Be prepared for some neighbors and young visitors through the night."

    2. Water Mountain

    1 Review
    Owensville, MO
    14 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Lots of open space to camp and plenty of area to hike or use an ATV. Also it’s on the river which is nice!"

    3. Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Portland, MO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 897-3797

    "Vault toilets available. Quiet. No water, hook ups or picnic tables, but fire rings. Wish people would understand pack in pack out and not leave trash! Otherwise very peaceful experience."

    4. Rollins Ferry Access

    1 Review
    Westphalia, MO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    5. Paydown Access

    1 Review
    Vienna, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 897-3797

    "The police drove by around 11 pm which had us wondering if some people hang out and party there on occasion. No electric for your camper, but a great spot when the weather cooperates."

    6. Osage-Tavern Access

    1 Review
    Tuscumbia, MO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 346-2210

    "Has 1 bathroom and place for trash. Right along the river so nice if your looking for water. I arrived at 6 on a Saturday (post labor day) and plenty of sites available."

    7. Fredericksburg Ferry Access

    2 Reviews
    Portland, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 897-3797

    "Drive was safe in our heavy converted camper van. No off road vehicle or AWD needed.

    Ground is very level and not super rocky so this is a great site for tents."

    8. Scrivner Road Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Russellville, MO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "This Missouri Conservation area is a Swiss Army knife of rugged of the path camping. Rivers, Lakes, Gun range, Horses and hiking can all be enjoyed here."

    9. Helds Island Access

    1 Review
    Portland, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 897-3797

    10. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Educational Scout Camps

    5 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 449-7402

    "When I arrived, I noticed that there were a ton of beautiful primitive trails besides the well-constructed boardwalks. And I also learned that there were even more caves, such as Connor's Cave."

    "Great trails for biking and hiking and the creek is perfect for cooling off. However, this place can get really really busy."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Westphalia, MO

3 Photos of 21 Westphalia Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Westphalia, MO

419 Reviews of 21 Westphalia Campgrounds


  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2020

    Daniel Boone Conservation Area

    Quiet and out of the way

    There are 10 or so primitive tent sites and an area that will accommodate about a dozen RV’s. There are no services here and no hook ups, but it’s free. The primitive tent sites are spread out along the main road through the conservation area, which means that in the daytime you will get road noise and dust, but its pretty quiet at night. Only a couple have picnic tables, but all seemed to have at least a level spot for the tent and a fire ring. I noticed some sites had a bit of trash in the fire rings, probably from day use or partiers. There is no trash service, so plan to pack out your trash. The best site (already taken, too bad) was set on the edge of the woods next to a fishing pond. The campers that were there let me take some pics of their site since it was so pretty. The only downside to that site was its proximity to the RV lot and their generators. There are some nice hiking trails here to explore.

  • Pamela B.
    Aug. 1, 2023

    Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area

    Primitive Free Camping

    Vault toilets available. Quiet. No water, hook ups or picnic tables, but fire rings. Wish people would understand pack in pack out and not leave trash! Otherwise very peaceful experience. Had service of at least 2-3 bars entire time. Town of Linn a 20 minute drive to get supplies.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2020

    Little Lost Creek Conservation Area

    Great hiking, choose your site carefully

    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. But what the sites are lacking is made up for with scenery and hiking, and it is free. The conservation area is closed to camping during various hunting seasons(I ran into a hunter scoping out his turkey hunting spot for the following week’s hunt). There is a great hike down into a valley with the actual Lost Creek at the bottom, completely worth the hard hike back up out of the valley. The campsite has room for a couple tents(no RV’s here), some great trees for hammocks, a primitive fire ring, and a picnic table. Since you are right next to the parking lot, you will see some traffic during the day with hikers, birders, and others, and there is no privacy for your campsite. Bring everything, including a cat hole shovel, and pack everything out.

  • K
    Aug. 12, 2022

    Camp Takimina

    Beautiful quiet campground in Columbia MO!

    We stayed at Camp Takimina on our first shakedown trip with our Popup camper.  It was amazing.  It was about 5-10 minutes from I-70, super easy to get to. The camp was quiet, private, and peaceful.  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.  We brought our dog and two children and the had an absolutely fabulous time!  We hiked a lot in the woods, played in the creek, and had plenty of time and space to figure out our new to us popup camper.  There aren't actual spots for to park in, it is just a big gravel lot with a couple designated areas for campers if the lot is full (it wasn't full at all).  We reserved Arrow Hill also, which is a huge site right next to the parking lot, so we had a campfire ring to cook on.  Most of the firepits have benches that surround them, which was very handy not to have to move chairs around all the time.  The tent sites were huge- easily would fit multiple tents at each site, and we will absolutely be back to tent camp, and with the popup too!

  • Julia V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Had everything we needed

    Basic tent site, potable water was right near our site. Bathrooms were clean. There were some families staying nearby but overall was a quiet stay.

  • Jaxsen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2023

    Fredericksburg Ferry Access

    Beautiful River Access & Grassy Grounds

    Fredericksburg Access is a free campground with about 10 primitive sites. Grassy coverage with a mix of gravel or grass pull-ins. Lots of trees but still great stargazing at night. We even saw a few meteors!

    We went on a late July weekend and only 1 other small group was there. It had just rained but wasn't too mucky. Drive was safe in our heavy converted camper van. No off road vehicle or AWD needed.

    Ground is very level and not super rocky so this is a great site for tents. There are vault toilets but no sinks nor dumpsters, so plan ahead for hygiene and waste. Toilets are on flat ground, handicap accessible, and gender neutral. Likely to be a much tougher trip if you used to full hook-up RV camping/glamping, or require showers, but perfect for primitive camping!

    The region: 45m to nearest Walmart or tractor supply, so plan ahead. Food, fire starter logs, and lighter fuel available at Thriftway (about 30 min), firewood and ice at Casey's, and McDonald's all in Linn (all 30m) if you need anything.

    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. If you enter the water, be mindful that boats may pass as you try to cross.

    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. It is swift enough to carry you downstream of your target even for good swimmers, so plan for this, especially for your swim back upstream (recommend walking upstream past dock then floating back across to dock). It's also deep in the center so you're not going to be able to cross with dry items unless you have a container that is waterproof.

    Again, it's a wider and quick river, so we had to help our dog across. Took 5-7 min there and 15 to get back (with dog. Mind the rocky/brush areas just downstream of the dock, saw some snakes.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2021

    Danville Conservation Area

    Quiet, safe stay

    Stayed here for 4 nights and enjoyed my stay. There are 7 camp spots, most having fire rings (no tables). During the 4 nights, only a single night were there 3 campers. All other nights consisted of myself and another chapter. I imagine this place never gets full but you could be very close to other campers if completely full. There is a single vault toilet that was mostly clean and stocked with TP. During the day, 2-3 cars would head down the hill towards the trail and always left before dusk. Very quiet stay and enjoyed walks down the gravel path with the pup. There is no water, electricity or trash so please pack out your trash. There are trees everywhere so I wasn’t able to completely optimize my solar but was able to still get sun. I had between 2-3 bars of 5G via AT&T and could work efficiently. Definitely would stay again!

  • Curtis M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2018

    Binder Park Campground

    close to home

    137 acre lake with great fishing, offering rv hookups and basic tent sites with a pavilion and privys

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2024

    Danville Conservation Area

    Watch out for ticks

    Lovely wooded spot. There are about 6-8 sites. Can back in a camper. Outhouse building. Only had one other camper. Shaded, wooded. We had a lovely night but woke up covered in ticks! Lots of ticks here. We ride our motorcycles here to tent camp. Sites are close. Fire rings , no picnic tables.


Guide to Westphalia

Tent camping near Westphalia, Missouri offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from serene riverside sites to more active locations, there's something for every type of camper.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Paydown Access, you'll find a secluded area perfect for a peaceful getaway, with fires allowed and toilets available.
  • Scrivner Road Conservation Area features free camping with no permit required, along with vault toilets and a variety of wildlife to observe.
  • Fredericksburg Ferry Access offers grassy grounds and vault toilets, making it a comfortable choice for primitive camping.

Tent campers should check out the natural beauty

  • The picturesque setting at Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area provides a quiet atmosphere with fire rings and plenty of wildlife to enjoy.
  • Water Mountain boasts open spaces for camping and hiking, along with river access for those looking to explore the water.
  • Helds Island Access features well-maintained grass sites and a boat launch, perfect for those wanting to spend time on the water.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy fishing and swimming at Osage-Tavern Access, where you can set up camp right along the river.
  • Pikes Camp offers a shaded grassy area ideal for relaxing after a day of exploring the nearby trails.
  • For a more adventurous experience, visit Rollins Ferry Access, where you can enjoy boating and fishing, though be mindful of the lively atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Westphalia, MO is Pikes Camp with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Westphalia, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.