Camping near Macon with campfires
Get a taste of the small town life and great outdoors of northern Missouri.
- Macon
Popular camping styles for Macon
Camping near Macon with campfires guide
Overview
Probably no other town has a supposedly psychic dog as its unofficial town mascot. But that’s just the kind of place Macon is. Jim the Wonder Dog is quite a legend in Macon, and you can visit memorial sites in his honor. This sense of sincerity with a bit of humor fits the easy going town of Macon quite well. Small town pride is evident. The wide open prairies and farmland of northern Missouri surround Macon, providing space for outdoor recreation. In addition to a few private RV parks near town, public campgrounds can be located at the Atlanta Wildlife Conservation Area and the Thomas Hill Reservoir.
Where to go
Long Branch State Park
Sprawling Long Branch Lake forms the heart of Long Branch State Park, with a preserved prairie and savannah creating gentle hills along the horizon. Boating, fishing, swimming, and paddling are popular park activities. The modern campground features concrete and gravel campsites for tents and RVs, with electric hookups and water views available.
Hannibal
Approximately an hour east of Macon, Hannibal is a great little town to explore—focusing on all things Mark Twain. One of Missouri’s most famous native sons, Mark Twain used his life experiences as a boy in this riverfront town on the Mississippi as the inspiration for his works, and you can tour sites related to his life. A number of private RV parks offer full hookups and free wifi, and public campgrounds can be found at nearby lakes.
Columbia
Mid-Missouri’s largest city, Columbia, is an energetic college town. The hip downtown is bursting with shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries, and there’s even nature to explore nearby, at Rockbridge Memorial State Park and the Katy Trail rail-to-trail hiking and biking route. In addition to private RV parks found in the region, public camping is found at Finger Lakes State Park and in Mark Twain National Forest.
When to go
Northern Missouri has more moderate summers than the rest of the state, but warm temperatures and some humidity can be expected. Spring and fall are generally pleasant, though bursts of cooler weather are common. Winters are quite cold, with freezing temperatures, snow, and occasional ice making camping less convenient.
