Camping options near Wheatland, Missouri include several Corps of Engineers campgrounds along Truman and Stockton Lakes, with sites located approximately 35-45 minutes from town. The region features rolling Ozark terrain with elevations ranging from 700-950 feet and seasonal temperature variations that affect camping comfort. Water recreation dominates the area's camping scene, with most campgrounds offering lake access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Hawker Point on Stockton Lake provides excellent fishing access from numerous lakefront sites. "The lake is clear and has good fishing," notes Dean D. The campground features "heavily shaded" sites with "cliffs to jump from, and close proximity to town if you are craving some ice cream," according to Charlotte B.
Berry picking: At B Berry Farms & Co., campers can pick seasonal berries right near their sites. Nick S. mentions, "We enjoyed picking black berries right next to our campsite to have with breakfast in the morning." The farm includes blackberry and blueberry fields with picking typically available from June through September.
Kayaking: The calm waters of Stockton Lake provide ideal conditions for paddling. Lea B. from Hawker Point describes, "The walk to the lake was about 50 yards and a little steep but we managed to carry two kayaks down and up without too much trouble, and it was totally worth the effort because it was as if we had our own private cove."
Swimming: Several campgrounds offer swimming beaches with clear water. At Orleans Trail, "The sandy swim beach is clean and fun, even off-season," according to Kenna P. The beach area is maintained throughout the camping season from May through September.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently praise the spacing and privacy at Hawker Point. "Many sites are well spaced and shaded," says Nikki M. Another camper, Lea B., describes their site as "completely private" with "lots of level places for tents" and "plenty of trees for our hammocks and clothesline."
Quiet atmosphere: For those seeking peace away from more crowded campgrounds, Montrose Missouri Conservation Area offers tranquil dispersed camping. Sav notes that "the 'sites' were spacious and well spread out" and Mark D. adds, "Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations."
Water views: Many campers value direct lake access from their sites. At Berry Bend, Carol R. appreciates the "nice spacious spots, lake views" and mentions "lake is accessible from many sites." For horse campers, these lakefront sites can provide water access for horses after trail rides.
Wildlife viewing: The conservation areas around Wheatland offer abundant wildlife observation. Sarah describes Montrose Conservation Area: "There is loads of wildlife to see an arent much scared of humans, racoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, dear, owls an much more."
What you should know
No dedicated horse facilities: While horse camping is permitted at conservation areas near Wheatland, no permanent equine facilities exist. At Montrose Conservation Area, the large grassy areas work for portable corrals, but as Mark D. notes, there are "no specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables."
Limited shower facilities: Many campgrounds have minimal or no shower facilities. At Hawker Point, Dean D. mentions, "The bath houses leave a little to be desired. You have drive half a mile to get to them." Some horse campers bring solar shower bags as alternatives.
Seasonal considerations: Water levels and campground operations change seasonally. At Orleans Trail, Kenna P. advises, "My family has been camping here in October- after winterization, thus no water." For horse campers, the fall season offers more comfortable riding temperatures.
Hunting restrictions: Conservation areas have seasonal closures or restrictions. At Montrose, Leni K. warns, "There is no camping allowed after October 15 due to hunting season. This was not on the website and was not seeable in dust when arriving late."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for children: Riverfront Campground provides family-friendly water access. Jason W. notes, "The float trips on the Niangua are gorgeous. I recommend going on a weekday to avoid the crowds." Their concrete pads make for easier setup with kids.
Playground availability: Some campgrounds include play areas for children. Ken K. mentions that Riverfront has "a playground and a large area in the middle of the loop for playing. The river has a couple nice gravel bars for swimming."
Activity planning: B Berry Farms offers family-oriented amenities beyond camping. James G. reports, "The farm is beautiful and trails are a wonderful walk through some beautiful nature. There is a bathroom on site and beautiful campsites with all that is needed for a great stay!"
Educational opportunities: Local conservation areas provide learning experiences. A visitor to Montrose mentioned, "One of the locals stopped by my site to look for arrowheads. Apparently, she has found a lot in the area so that's a good activity if the kids are bored."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: For larger RVs and horse trailers, Long Shoal offers more accessible sites. Dan F. notes, "Sites are level, electric only with easy access to fresh water and dump station as you enter the facility."
Water and electric hookups: Campgrounds vary widely in available hookups. At B Berry Farms, Angela M. cautions, "We knew from the start there was only 30 amp service and no sewer, so we can't complain about that. But for smaller RVs and boondockers, this is a charming getaway."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require careful site selection for larger rigs. At B Berry Farms, one RVer reported, "The one site suitable for large RVs is not very level. We have a 40' Renegade Verona and it took 6 tries to find a place near the hookups where our auto-level would find a good position."
Fill tanks before arrival: Due to limited water hookups at many horse campgrounds near Wheatland, preparation is essential. Carman S. advises Hawker Point visitors, "Fill your rig with water before you go. There are no water hookups."
