The best camping near Clinton with hiking

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With its location on Truman Lake, Clinton is a summertime hotspot in western Missouri. However, thanks to its 55,000 acres of surface water, it has enough room for everyone. You’ll never feel crowded, making this a prime location for relaxing, fishing, boating, and paddling. After some fun on the water, head downtown to stroll the square. Historic buildings and Victorian architecture add to the charm. Private RV parks and glamping rentals are found across the region. The Army Corps of Engineers and the town of Osceola operate public campgrounds on Truman Lake, offering dry camping, as well as tent and RV sites with partial and full hookups.

94% (322) 59 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Clinton

Fangthorn Forest

1. Fangthorn Forest

100%
(50)
25mi from Clinton · 1 site
In the 1840's there was a trading post on the property known as Lick Skillet because the owner would set the pans out at night for the dogs to lick. Today, we call it Fanthorn Forest and it's our dream, our haven and our home. We love sharing our farm with others and allowing them the same experience of peace and tranquility we get from the land. Learn more about this land: Located only 50 miles SE of Kansas City, MO!  We have woods and pasture with Settle's Ford Wildlife area (fishing and hiking available) 1/4 mile away. Camping is primitive with only an outhouse and no shower facilities. There are MANY thorn trees, so hikers must have proper footwear.  Fire ring, wood and a grate for cooking are provided.  Livestock encounters are also available with owners in attendance.  All proceeds are put back in the farm to care for the animals and the land. Parking area is at the end of the driveway and a cart is provided to take your gear across the bridge. We love kids and will provide lawn darts or any other games we have available if requested.  Please visit our website at fangthornforest.com for more information.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from 
$32
 / night
Sawmill Hollow Creek

2. Sawmill Hollow Creek

100%
(123)
26mi from Clinton · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Campsite - A private 1.5 acre campsite with a firepit (and plenty of wood to burn in it) and direct access to the Lake of the Ozarks. The campsite connects to a 1-mile trail around the perimeter of the 54-acre property. Guests have access to several kayaks for enjoyment of a secluded inlet of the lake. RV site - We also provide an RV hook-up site completely separate from the campsite with access to the mentioned amenities (trail, kayaks, canoe, paddleboat, etc.). See photos for directions to the sites and a map of the perimeter trail.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$60
 / night
Annie's HIDEOUT Musicians Camp

3. Annie's HIDEOUT Musicians Camp

96%
(49)
40mi from Clinton · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Pitch your tent on one of two wooded islands or back in woods by the creek. Opened new hiking trail up creek cross bridge, down opposite side. Badminton, fishing, paddle boats, hillbilly swimming pool. Second Saturday musician night from 6-9 pm. Stage, PA, drums, mics, amps, dance floor. Learn more about this land:
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Knob Noster State Park

4. Knob Noster State Park

100%
(1)
State park 28mi from Clinton · 35 sites
Named for the small hills rising out of prairie flatlands, this park is a mid-Missouri retreat.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Pomme de Terre State Park

5. Pomme de Terre State Park

100%
(4)
State park 42mi from Clinton · 239 sites
Enjoy a peaceful lake retreat at this Missouri park with diverse camping experiences.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
D'Ranch at Clearwater

6. D'Ranch at Clearwater

100%
(149)
41mi from Clinton · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
D'Ranch at Clearwater is a small, 40 acre hobby farm located on the north side of the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri. What started as a simple love of backyard chickens has now become a dream farm for Tracey Durant and her husband Theodore. Nestled in the valley between two forest covered hillsides, and running adjacent to Clearwater Creek on the east and the lake on the south, D'Ranch could not have been a more perfect location for the Durants to plant their roots and get their feet wet. While they continue their love of backyard chickens with their small egg and hatchery operation know as HeebyJeeby Chickens, they have expanded their interests to an array of friendly farm animals including horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, and an occasional turkey or two. 
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$15
 / night
Von Holten Ranch Century Ranch

7. Von Holten Ranch Century Ranch

100%
(98)
37mi from Clinton
Von Holten Ranch was originally in 1906 by David Von Holten's great grandfather.  David is the 4th generation to own the family farm.  David and Brandy married in 2005.  Brandy Von Holten is an avid horsewoman.  They quit their jobs, bought the family farm, and opened an equine trail riding facility and fully functioning camping facility.Learn more about this land:Winery nearby, horses and mules visible, heated and air conditioned guest shower house, creek that runs year round, mostly wooded, private firepits.Von Holten Ranch is on a century farm, meaning that the land has been in the same family for over 100 years. It is also home to a rustic wedding barn and an equine trail riding facility. We are considered the gateway to the Ozarks. The deer are plentiful and easily viewable, especially in the open fields.
4 Modern Cabins with full kitchens

8. 4 Modern Cabins with full kitchens

80%
(10)
17mi from Clinton
Learn more about this land:4 modern cabins with full kitchens/queen beds/wifi. Half block from Katy Trail State Park and Rock Island Spur. Cycle, hike, nature, Amish community.

With its location on Truman Lake, Clinton is a summertime hotspot in western Missouri. However, thanks to its 55,000 acres of surface water, it has enough room for everyone. You’ll never feel crowded, making this a prime location for relaxing, fishing, boating, and paddling. After some fun on the water, head downtown to stroll the square. Historic buildings and Victorian architecture add to the charm. Private RV parks and glamping rentals are found across the region. The Army Corps of Engineers and the town of Osceola operate public campgrounds on Truman Lake, offering dry camping, as well as tent and RV sites with partial and full hookups.

94% (322) 59 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Clinton

Fangthorn Forest

1. Fangthorn Forest

100%
(50)
25mi from Clinton · 1 site
In the 1840's there was a trading post on the property known as Lick Skillet because the owner would set the pans out at night for the dogs to lick. Today, we call it Fanthorn Forest and it's our dream, our haven and our home. We love sharing our farm with others and allowing them the same experience of peace and tranquility we get from the land. Learn more about this land: Located only 50 miles SE of Kansas City, MO!  We have woods and pasture with Settle's Ford Wildlife area (fishing and hiking available) 1/4 mile away. Camping is primitive with only an outhouse and no shower facilities. There are MANY thorn trees, so hikers must have proper footwear.  Fire ring, wood and a grate for cooking are provided.  Livestock encounters are also available with owners in attendance.  All proceeds are put back in the farm to care for the animals and the land. Parking area is at the end of the driveway and a cart is provided to take your gear across the bridge. We love kids and will provide lawn darts or any other games we have available if requested.  Please visit our website at fangthornforest.com for more information.
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from 
$32
 / night
Sawmill Hollow Creek

2. Sawmill Hollow Creek

100%
(123)
26mi from Clinton · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Campsite - A private 1.5 acre campsite with a firepit (and plenty of wood to burn in it) and direct access to the Lake of the Ozarks. The campsite connects to a 1-mile trail around the perimeter of the 54-acre property. Guests have access to several kayaks for enjoyment of a secluded inlet of the lake. RV site - We also provide an RV hook-up site completely separate from the campsite with access to the mentioned amenities (trail, kayaks, canoe, paddleboat, etc.). See photos for directions to the sites and a map of the perimeter trail.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$60
 / night
Annie's HIDEOUT Musicians Camp

3. Annie's HIDEOUT Musicians Camp

96%
(49)
40mi from Clinton · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Pitch your tent on one of two wooded islands or back in woods by the creek. Opened new hiking trail up creek cross bridge, down opposite side. Badminton, fishing, paddle boats, hillbilly swimming pool. Second Saturday musician night from 6-9 pm. Stage, PA, drums, mics, amps, dance floor. Learn more about this land:
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night
Knob Noster State Park

4. Knob Noster State Park

100%
(1)
State park 28mi from Clinton · 35 sites
Named for the small hills rising out of prairie flatlands, this park is a mid-Missouri retreat.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Pomme de Terre State Park

5. Pomme de Terre State Park

100%
(4)
State park 42mi from Clinton · 239 sites
Enjoy a peaceful lake retreat at this Missouri park with diverse camping experiences.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
D'Ranch at Clearwater

6. D'Ranch at Clearwater

100%
(149)
41mi from Clinton · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
D'Ranch at Clearwater is a small, 40 acre hobby farm located on the north side of the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri. What started as a simple love of backyard chickens has now become a dream farm for Tracey Durant and her husband Theodore. Nestled in the valley between two forest covered hillsides, and running adjacent to Clearwater Creek on the east and the lake on the south, D'Ranch could not have been a more perfect location for the Durants to plant their roots and get their feet wet. While they continue their love of backyard chickens with their small egg and hatchery operation know as HeebyJeeby Chickens, they have expanded their interests to an array of friendly farm animals including horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, and an occasional turkey or two. 
Toilets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
$15
 / night
Von Holten Ranch Century Ranch

7. Von Holten Ranch Century Ranch

100%
(98)
37mi from Clinton
Von Holten Ranch was originally in 1906 by David Von Holten's great grandfather.  David is the 4th generation to own the family farm.  David and Brandy married in 2005.  Brandy Von Holten is an avid horsewoman.  They quit their jobs, bought the family farm, and opened an equine trail riding facility and fully functioning camping facility.Learn more about this land:Winery nearby, horses and mules visible, heated and air conditioned guest shower house, creek that runs year round, mostly wooded, private firepits.Von Holten Ranch is on a century farm, meaning that the land has been in the same family for over 100 years. It is also home to a rustic wedding barn and an equine trail riding facility. We are considered the gateway to the Ozarks. The deer are plentiful and easily viewable, especially in the open fields.
4 Modern Cabins with full kitchens

8. 4 Modern Cabins with full kitchens

80%
(10)
17mi from Clinton
Learn more about this land:4 modern cabins with full kitchens/queen beds/wifi. Half block from Katy Trail State Park and Rock Island Spur. Cycle, hike, nature, Amish community.

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

The best camping near Clinton with hiking guide

Where to go

Harry S. Truman State Park

Named for the Missouri-born president, Harry S. Truman State Park offers recreation and camping accommodations on Truman Lake. The onsite marina, swim beaches, and ample shore access make it easy to hit the waters. Six campgrounds provide tent and RV campsites, with some electric hookups available.

Knob Noster State Park

Knob Noster State Park is 30 minutes north of Clinton. It preserves woodlands and prairies along a creek, with scenic hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Two lakes provide waters for fishing and paddling. RVers will find basic and electric sites, while tent campers can choose from the developed campgrounds or primitive backpacking campsites along the McAdoo Trail.

Kansas City, Missouri

While downtown Kansas City is more than an hour northwest of Clinton, it is close enough for a day trip (or for camping at the many RV parks sprinkled across the southern suburbs). The city offers a fantastic array of museums, with art, history, sports, and music as focal points. The reinvigorated downtown is an energetic spot for shopping and dining. In addition to the private RV parks, public campgrounds can be found nearby, primarily centered on Lake Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake.

When to go

With the lake at the center of the action, Clinton’s peak season is summer. The refreshing waters offer a break from Missouri’s heat and humidity. However, spring and fall are also beautiful times for a boat tour, as long as you stay on the water instead of hopping in it. Fall brings a burst of color to the region’s woodlands. Winter is generally not the best time for camping, unless you come prepared for freezing temperatures and bouts of snow and ice.