The best camping near Thousand Hills State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Thousand Hills State Park adventure.

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

Popular ways to camp

Top-rated campgrounds near Thousand Hills State Park

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Escape to North River Glamping

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2200 acres · Shelbyville, MO
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.
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$30
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Ubuntu Treehouse

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Rutledge, MO
This was built by a single mom who wanted to build a 100% green house with zero formaldehyde, toxins or chemicals. A house that would be among the trees high up in the air and could give you a birds eye of the land at the edge of this beautiful community. It is not complete yet but it's a truly serene place that is magical in every way.Learn more about this land:PLEASE READ THE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION BEFORE BOOKING!!! Welcome to the peaceful Ubuntu treehouse, located at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, an intentional community of about 50 people focusing on environmentally friendly living. The glamping style off grid treehouse (NO wifi / NO electricity / NO reception) is set at the very edge of a vineyard and an organic farm within the community with sunset views that will not be rivaled. Ubuntu is the perfect place to have a getaway to recharge, have a meditation retreat or quiet reading time. Enjoy a swim in the pond, hike the multiple walking paths or bird watch in the surrounding 280 acres of pure nature.Built 100% green with no chemicals of any kind, it's covered in windows on all sides for extreme light and is immersed deep in nature. Take a break from electricity, wifi and cell reception and instead listen to sounds of birds and owls and watch bats, fireflies and stars from the deck.The Ubuntu treehouse is 500sq feet of open space furnished with a Cali King organic bed, an additional floor couch and an air mattress if needed. Although there is no running water, there will be water containers provided for cooking or hand washing. There is a kitchen with a small stove and ice box as well as any dishware, cookware and basic spices you might need as well as a huge selection of teas and snacks. Also you will have games, books, dart board and a hammock to enjoy. Outside you will find an enormous deck to sun bathe, do yoga or just lounge around and watch birds. The closest neighbors next to the house run the organic farm that have chickens, cows, goats, turkeys, pigs and ducks which you might hear during your stay. Ubuntu is about 12 feet off the ground and it has no railings on the stairs or around the deck so those who are scared of heights might not fare well. It feels HIGH when you get up there. The building is all wood and the inside space is loosely divided by some fabric tapestries into one bedroom area and lounge. The house is not complete and there is no insulation or wood stove so for now it's good for warmer months or those who feel they are polar bears :) The exterior landscaping is far from finished and the area around Ubuntu is a mix of wild overgrown weeds and the Ubuntu Treehouse is also rough around the edges but the magic of the place is there, if only you are ready for it.Guest accessUbuntu is about a five minute walk back from the public parking area here at Dancing Rabbit (I will have a cart available to get your luggage there!), as you cannot drive the car all the way to the house. UBUNTU AMENITIES: NO Electric. NO Internet. NO Running water. Bedding: I'll have clean bedding on the bed upon your arrival. Lights: solar lights and headlamps provided Kitchen: Basic stove, ice box, cooking utensils, dishes. Sink: Portable hand/dish was station (bucket underneath must be emptied!) Drinking water: A Berkey system will be available Bathroom: There is a composting toilet in the treehouseDANCING RABBIT ECOVILLAGE: Ubuntu Treehouse is located at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, an intentional community of about 50 adults. We're ecologically oriented, so there's a lot of alternative sights to see and experience while here. Many houses use timber framing, strawbale, cob, or otherwise green construction techniques. Folks who live here focus on conservation and a mindfulness of the natural world around us, and we encourage guests to do the same, as you're inclined.A stay in the Ubuntu treehouse can include a short 30 min walking tour of Dancing Rabbit upon your arrival (please arrange this ahead of time), alternatively we can just check you in and you can explore on your own. (Remember to stay off private property, and keep to the gravel paths within the village). By staying here, you'll get an interesting window into a radical and dynamic environmental experiment.OTHER THINGS NEARBY:ZIMMERMAN'S GROCERY/DINER: Three miles from the village is the amazing Zimmerman's Grocery store and diner. This is a comprehensive Mennonite run operation. They package most of the dry goods themselves. Lots of tinctures, salves, and herbal treatments. The place is open from 8-5 Mon thru Sat and serves classic diner comfort food.RUTLEDGE MEAT MARKET: If you like meat or cheese, you're in the right spot. This small town country butcher shop is very friendly, affordable, and offers top quality simple food.TRAILS: The village is located on a 280 acre land trust that includes a few miles of trails through prairie and woodland.SWIMMING: Just on the edge of the village is a nice swimming pond. (1 min walk from the treehouse). Adult and child swimmers are often naked (no need for alarm). On the sandy "beach" is a small floating dock, a few wooden chairs, and a drying platform under an osage tree. This swimming hole is quite popular during the warm season.Checking in after dark can be difficult for all parties, and is not recommended.Other things to noteYou will lose reception BEFORE you arrive here, so make sure you are prepared with directions. Most do not get service anywhere in the village.
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$90
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Papa's Alpacas Camping Paradise

4 sites · RVs, Tents520 acres · Green Castle, MO
Learn more about this land: Papa's Alpacas Camping offers 20 acres of rolling open hills. Full hookups are available. Very secluded location with breathtaking views away from any traffic or distracting noise. Star gazing at its best! Experience feeding the alpacas and sheep or shopping the on farm gift shop full of everything alpaca.
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$25
 / night

The best camping near Thousand Hills State Park guide

Overview

About

While northern Missouri isn’t known for its hills, Thousand Hills State Park has lots of them, hence its name. These rolling green mounds surround the waters of Forest Lake. Recreational opportunities abound, from hiking and biking to paddling and fishing. One surprising find is the preserved petroglyphs visitors can explore under an interpretive shelter. In addition to campsites, the park offers several deluxe cabins with lake views and full amenities, including kitchen and bathrooms. The town of Kirksville is nearby, offering restaurants, shopping, museums, and more.

Notable campgrounds

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. The park’s campsites are most likely to fill in the summer months, especially on holidays and weekends. You should find good availability other times of year.
  2. Reservations may be booked on the Missouri State Park website or phone line.
  3. Reservations open 12 months in advance.
  4. While Campground 2 is open year round, Campground 1 is only open April 1 through October 31. 
  5. Water and showers are available April 1 through October 31, but potable water is available at Campground 2 for filling your freshwater tank in the offseason.

When to go

Sweet summertime is when the waters of Forest Lake beckon to visitors, with temperatures warm enough for swimming. Expect some heat and humidity at the peak of summer. Spring is generally chilly, with the days warming up in May. Fall is a scenic time of year for fun on—but not in—the waters, as the surrounding hills reach peak autumnal colors in October. Winter is the quiet season, with occasional freezing temperatures and snow or ice. Watch the forecast and prepare ahead.

Know before you go

  • This park has a robust marina, offering short-term and long-term dock slip rentals. 
  • The marina also offers kayak and canoe rentals.
  • A city permit is required on private boats launched in the park.
  • Some campsites are not level. Larger rigs need to select sites with care. The online campsite listings provide details about the extent of the slope.
  • An accessible fish dock and the Forest Lake Trail are convenient for visitors with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility issues.
  • The 10-mile Thousand Hills Trail is a popular option for mountain biking.

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