The best river, stream, or creek camping near Canton

·

Camping by the river in Canton means you can pick from over 440 tent sites, each with a mix of flowing water, shaded banks, and easy access to swimming spots. Average sites run about $32 per night, but you can snag a riverside spot for as little as $20. You'll find camps with toilets, showers, and pet-friendly policies, so bringing your dog is no problem. The top picks? Railroad creek camp ground (46 reviews) sits right along a quiet stretch of river perfect for a morning dip. Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) puts you close to wildlife-watching trails, and Jensen Woods Camp (1 review) has wide-open spaces for snow sports in winter. Canton’s river camps draw regulars for a reason—you get running water, cool shade, and plenty to do without fighting crowds. Pack for wet shoes and keep your binoculars handy; you never know what’ll pop up along the riverbanks.

99% (65) 22 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Canton

Railroad creek camp ground

1. Railroad creek camp ground

95%
(67)
20mi from Canton · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
Learn more about this land:Come enjoy primitive camping while you commune with nature and hunt geodes and fossils in the famous Keokuk Geode region. Property is within close proximity to Nauvoo, Illinois and within a very short distance to the Mississippi River. The camping area is level ground and surrounded by trees. The property has a hillside geode mine on it and there is a creek running through it that has a lot of geodes in it.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night
Whitetail Tent Camping

2. Whitetail Tent Camping

100%
(11)
45mi from Canton · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey! Learn more about this land: Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people)  You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing.  You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on.  If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite.  If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Escape to North River Glamping

3. Escape to North River Glamping

100%
(4)
29mi from Canton · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Settle into The Grove at North River Ranch, a lovely glampground on our 2200 acre working regenerative ranch. Look out on the pond, under the shade of oak, maple and honey locusts. Hike a trail through forested paths, around beautiful wide pastures. Look for protected birds on our Audubon Certified property, and observe deer, fox, beavers and other wildlife in their natural, balanced environment. Enjoy quiet, restful sleep in furnished platform tents with quality linens and handcrafted quilts under beautiful, unobstructed starry skies.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Nauvoo State Park

4. Nauvoo State Park

100%
(2)
State park 30mi from Canton · 30 sites
Situated peacefully on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, historic Nauvoo State Park has nature lovin’ folk jumping for joy at the sight of an expansive lake and sandy, mile-long shoreline. Take in some of the best views the park has to offer on the Locust Lane Trail. A 1.5-mile loop, the path winds around the lake, through the woods, and over prairie flower dotted hillsides. The campsites are many and the accommodations are vast. From spacious, individual sites, to a youth group area, all are centrally located and hook you up with VIP access to all adventurin’ possibilities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Battle of Athens State Historic Site

5. Battle of Athens State Historic Site

State park 33mi from Canton · 29 sites
Explore Civil War history and riverfront landscapes at this park in northeastern Missouri.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Jensen Woods Camp

6. Jensen Woods Camp

100%
(1)
36mi from Canton · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Welcome to your new favorite camping oasis. Sitting on 550 acres, Jensen Woods Camp is a serene, secluded environment offering RV sites, bunkhouse rooms, treehouses, a rustic A-Frame cabin, and a lodge equipped with a small kitchen, a commercial kitchen, free WiFi, board games, foosball, washer/dryer, and more! We offer swimming and fishing ponds, archery, kayaking, and 15 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. (Trails are closed during hunting seasons.) Trails are closed until 1:30pm April 14- May 15, 2025.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$25
 / night
Weinberg-King State Fish & Wildlife Area

7. Weinberg-King State Fish & Wildlife Area

100%
(1)
State park 34mi from Canton · 19 sites
Listen to the chirp of songbirds as you meander along the rolling hillsides at the Weinberg-King Fish & Wildlife Area. Autumn olive trees and honeysuckle dot this 772-acre slice of land, where a wide variety of hunting and fishing would have just about anyone game. We recommend that horse-lovers flock here, for they will find refuge in the 30 miles of bridle trails and a special campground for equestrian campers. Whether you're interested in kicking back at the 4-acre pond or just keeping an eye out for deer and fox squirrels, we have a feeling you'll be restored and rejuvenated after your stay.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
Mark Twain State Park

8. Mark Twain State Park

State park 47mi from Canton · 97 sites
Once home to a famous author, this park helps you write your own adventure tales.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

9. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

State park 47mi from Canton · 82 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Geode State Park

10. Geode State Park

100%
(1)
State park 49mi from Canton · 168 sites
Discover Geode State Park's serene lake and lush trails.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

Camping by the river in Canton means you can pick from over 440 tent sites, each with a mix of flowing water, shaded banks, and easy access to swimming spots. Average sites run about $32 per night, but you can snag a riverside spot for as little as $20. You'll find camps with toilets, showers, and pet-friendly policies, so bringing your dog is no problem. The top picks? Railroad creek camp ground (46 reviews) sits right along a quiet stretch of river perfect for a morning dip. Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) puts you close to wildlife-watching trails, and Jensen Woods Camp (1 review) has wide-open spaces for snow sports in winter. Canton’s river camps draw regulars for a reason—you get running water, cool shade, and plenty to do without fighting crowds. Pack for wet shoes and keep your binoculars handy; you never know what’ll pop up along the riverbanks.

99% (65) 22 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Canton

Railroad creek camp ground

1. Railroad creek camp ground

95%
(67)
20mi from Canton · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
Learn more about this land:Come enjoy primitive camping while you commune with nature and hunt geodes and fossils in the famous Keokuk Geode region. Property is within close proximity to Nauvoo, Illinois and within a very short distance to the Mississippi River. The camping area is level ground and surrounded by trees. The property has a hillside geode mine on it and there is a creek running through it that has a lot of geodes in it.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night
Whitetail Tent Camping

2. Whitetail Tent Camping

100%
(11)
45mi from Canton · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey! Learn more about this land: Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people)  You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing.  You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on.  If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite.  If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Escape to North River Glamping

3. Escape to North River Glamping

100%
(4)
29mi from Canton · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Settle into The Grove at North River Ranch, a lovely glampground on our 2200 acre working regenerative ranch. Look out on the pond, under the shade of oak, maple and honey locusts. Hike a trail through forested paths, around beautiful wide pastures. Look for protected birds on our Audubon Certified property, and observe deer, fox, beavers and other wildlife in their natural, balanced environment. Enjoy quiet, restful sleep in furnished platform tents with quality linens and handcrafted quilts under beautiful, unobstructed starry skies.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Nauvoo State Park

4. Nauvoo State Park

100%
(2)
State park 30mi from Canton · 30 sites
Situated peacefully on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, historic Nauvoo State Park has nature lovin’ folk jumping for joy at the sight of an expansive lake and sandy, mile-long shoreline. Take in some of the best views the park has to offer on the Locust Lane Trail. A 1.5-mile loop, the path winds around the lake, through the woods, and over prairie flower dotted hillsides. The campsites are many and the accommodations are vast. From spacious, individual sites, to a youth group area, all are centrally located and hook you up with VIP access to all adventurin’ possibilities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Battle of Athens State Historic Site

5. Battle of Athens State Historic Site

State park 33mi from Canton · 29 sites
Explore Civil War history and riverfront landscapes at this park in northeastern Missouri.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Jensen Woods Camp

6. Jensen Woods Camp

100%
(1)
36mi from Canton · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Welcome to your new favorite camping oasis. Sitting on 550 acres, Jensen Woods Camp is a serene, secluded environment offering RV sites, bunkhouse rooms, treehouses, a rustic A-Frame cabin, and a lodge equipped with a small kitchen, a commercial kitchen, free WiFi, board games, foosball, washer/dryer, and more! We offer swimming and fishing ponds, archery, kayaking, and 15 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. (Trails are closed during hunting seasons.) Trails are closed until 1:30pm April 14- May 15, 2025.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$25
 / night
Weinberg-King State Fish & Wildlife Area

7. Weinberg-King State Fish & Wildlife Area

100%
(1)
State park 34mi from Canton · 19 sites
Listen to the chirp of songbirds as you meander along the rolling hillsides at the Weinberg-King Fish & Wildlife Area. Autumn olive trees and honeysuckle dot this 772-acre slice of land, where a wide variety of hunting and fishing would have just about anyone game. We recommend that horse-lovers flock here, for they will find refuge in the 30 miles of bridle trails and a special campground for equestrian campers. Whether you're interested in kicking back at the 4-acre pond or just keeping an eye out for deer and fox squirrels, we have a feeling you'll be restored and rejuvenated after your stay.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
Mark Twain State Park

8. Mark Twain State Park

State park 47mi from Canton · 97 sites
Once home to a famous author, this park helps you write your own adventure tales.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

9. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

State park 47mi from Canton · 82 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Geode State Park

10. Geode State Park

100%
(1)
State park 49mi from Canton · 168 sites
Discover Geode State Park's serene lake and lush trails.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field