The best campgrounds near Kirksville, Missouri with hiking

Kirksville draws hikers with over 630 camping options that put trails right at your tent flap. The terrain here rolls between oak woods and open fields, with campsites scattered along creeks and tucked beside ponds. Prices start at $49 a night, with an average around $120. Expect showers, pet-friendly spots, and campfires allowed at most sites—essentials after a day on the trail. Locals swear by Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) for its quiet woods, Ubuntu Treehouse (6 reviews) for its quirky treetop perch, and Escape to North River Glamping (1 review) for a plush break after long hikes. Here, you’ll find wildlife-watching and fishing just steps from camp—no need to drive out for a taste of Missouri wild. Pack sturdy boots; the trails here can get muddy after rain, but that’s half the fun.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Kirksville

Kirksville draws hikers with over 630 camping options that put trails right at your tent flap. The terrain here rolls between oak woods and open fields, with campsites scattered along creeks and tucked beside ponds. Prices start at $49 a night, with an average around $120. Expect showers, pet-friendly spots, and campfires allowed at most sites—essentials after a day on the trail. Locals swear by Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) for its quiet woods, Ubuntu Treehouse (6 reviews) for its quirky treetop perch, and Escape to North River Glamping (1 review) for a plush break after long hikes. Here, you’ll find wildlife-watching and fishing just steps from camp—no need to drive out for a taste of Missouri wild. Pack sturdy boots; the trails here can get muddy after rain, but that’s half the fun.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Kirksville

1. Escape to North River Glamping

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44mi from Kirksville · 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.

2. Whitetail Tent Camping

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50mi from Kirksville · 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.

3. Thousand Hills State Park

57 sites · Kirksville, Missouri

Rugged, rolling hills are a surprising find at this northern Missouri park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

4. Long Branch State Park

72 sites · Bevier, Missouri

Hit the beach at this lakefront park in north-central Missouri.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

5. Lake Wapello State Park

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93 sites · Unionville, Iowa

Discover the serene beauty of Lake Wapello State Park.

Pets

Toilets

Showers

6. Pershing State Park

38 sites · Laclede, Missouri

Seek serenity at this quiet park with scenic prairies and waterways.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

7. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

82 sites · Keosauqua, Iowa

Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.

Pets

Toilets

Showers

8. Rathbun Lake

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391 sites · Rathbun, Iowa

Discover Rathbun Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Kirksville

Thousand Hills Campground

3.9mi from Kirksville · 57 sites · Tents, RVs · in Thousand Hills State Park

Long Branch Campground

30mi from Kirksville · 72 sites · Tents, RVs · in Long Branch State Park

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Lake Wapello Campground

43mi from Kirksville · 93 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Wapello State Park

Pershing Campground

45mi from Kirksville · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pershing State Park

Lacey-Keosauqua Campground

47mi from Kirksville · 82 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

Island View Campground

47mi from Kirksville · 188 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rathbun Lake

Buck Creek Campground

48mi from Kirksville · 42 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rathbun Lake

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Prairie Ridge Park Campground

50mi from Kirksville · 55 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rathbun Lake

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

J

Jager

August 2025

Tent

3 nights at Whitetail Tent Camping

Me and my wife really enjoyed our stay at whitetail tent camping. It was a cool setup right next to a beautiful pond and nice and secluded from everything.

M

Michael

May 2025

Tent

Group trip

4 nights at Whitetail Tent Camping

Charles was an awesome host! Helped load up my gear! Gave me some fishing recommendations. Great spot! Super quiet. Great pond to fish in and some pretty cool albino channel cats! Very great experience! Will definitely be coming back!

J

Jacob

May 2025

Tent

Group trip

4 nights at Whitetail Tent Camping

Super nice and really helpful really cool area super cool fish

P

Pete

October 2024

Tent

1 night at Whitetail Tent Camping

This was a delightful, peaceful location and Charles went out of his way to ensure that I arrived safely. My stay coincided with a big wind storm and he not only offered a more sheltered site, but to help pitch the tent if needed. The site was nestled right beside a pond and the gentle lapping of water sent me off to sleep in no time. Up early on the morning, I watched the stars until the sun rise. This was my first stay here, and I am sure it won't be the last.