- Battle of Athens State Historic Site
The best camping in Battle of Athens State Historic Site, MO
Explore Civil War history and riverfront landscapes at this park in northeastern Missouri.
The best camping in Battle of Athens State Historic Site, MO
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Battle of Athens State Historic Site adventure.
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Alexandria
November 2025
2 nights at Quiet Country Farmland
What a beautiful experience! My husband and I had the perfect getaway at the little red cabin. Betsy and Dan were awesome hosts and made sure we had such a good time. Waking up to views of the sunrise over the pond and sheep in the nearby field was magic.
We cooked all of our meals over the campfire and stargazed at night. I asked about animals and Dan was kind enough to take us on a tour of the farm! What a cool experience. We also made sure to stop in town on our way out to grab some of their meat at the Trading Co. to take home. Can’t beat the price or quality! Don’t miss that awesome shop with all kinds of local treats!
We took advantage of the coffee and popcorn provided and the cozy blankets for the campfire at night. We love camping but also love having heat and a cozy bed to sleep in. This was the perfect middle ground.
Make sure you bring all of your cooking and cleaning items if you plan to make meals there. There were disposable cups, plates, utensils, etc. provided.
The PERFECT place to relax and recharge. We can’t wait to visit again!
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Asher
October 2025
1 night at Quiet Country Farmland
From the second that I arrived Dan and Betsy were the absolute best hosts anyone could ask for. The cabin offered a quiet and cozy experience along with an amazing outdoor experience. Stunning views mixed with a calming atmosphere made an incredible stay. Not only was this experience delightful because of the distance into the country, it was amazing because it is a fully functional farm. Dan was able to give me a complete tour of the farm which included : horses, sheep, pigs and cows. He has a world class facility and the best part is he let me purchase %100 grass fed lamb and beef. Overall the stay was absolutely fantastic and I will continue to come back to learn more about where my food is grown and made and find a calming stay where I know I can connect with nature!
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Mel
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Tent camping was great. beautiful creek. We took back two sites so we had plenty of room to spread out. Pit toilet is by the geode mine area so take the site before the bridge if that's important to you.
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Mel
August 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Got there early and took the back two sites so tents were farthest back from the one other site in the vicinity and we used the fire and picnic table in the other one. The creek is beautiful and all solid rock in the creek bed so you can hunt for all kinds of cool fossils and geodes without getting muddy. The only pit toilet is up by the gate/entrance where the geode mine is so if you're thinking you want to be close than take the first site before the little bridge but be aware people showing up to the geode mine early in the morning might make noise with their pickaxes.
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Kyle & Nola
August 2025
15 ft travel trailer
Site 6 was well shaded. The single bathroom/shower was a short walk from our campsite. The door is propped open so no code is needed. Friday night the campground was fairly deserted. It got more lively the next night! The mosquitoes were fairly aggressive until the breeze came up on Saturday. Unfortunately, the pool closed last weekend. I was glad we found that out when we called before we arrived. (We booked our site, #6 but the confirmation recorded it as #1 so we called to check on that and were told that it is a glitch but not to worry.). We appreciated the free firewood since the site is a bit more than we usually spend. There were street lights and cameras nearby. Disc golfers came through every so often. There was fairly regular foot and car traffic below our site. We explored Keokuk and Hamilton. Be sure to check out the view from Rand Park!
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Jager
August 2025
Tent
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.
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Cj
July 2025
Tent
We
Loved the place. We were the only people camping... definitely primitive camping!!! But that is what we were looking for. Clean, safe. Talked to some people who were digging on land and they found bucket full of geodes..... definitely going back!!!
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S
Sammy
July 2025
Tent
With kids
This was nice enough, because we were able to use the pool shower and bathroom. Very quiet and beautiful campground. Lots of cars coming and going but not bad enough to not enjoy this spot.👍🏻
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Teresa
July 2025
35 ft fifth wheel
Great camper spots, nice and clean, and quiet. Enjoy camping here when we can
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JODI
July 2025
27 ft fifth wheel
Wildcat City Park Campground is clean and well maintained. Did not have any issues. Other campers were courteous, no loud music/noise even with it being a holiday weekend.
Some tree branches near drive need to be trimmed. Understand why the shorter hose on the dump station, but it could be a bit longer.
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Daimon
July 2025
Tent
Small simple camp with pool and nice trails, very clean and lots to do in the surrounding towns
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Jessica
June 2025
Tent
With kids
Amazing geodes, peaceful site full of frog and cricket songs.
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Tara
June 2025
32 ft Class A
With kids
We enjoyed our trip. Loved the walking trails, the park for the kids. Was disappointed that the pool was not accessible except 1 to 6 as we weren't able to utilize it at all. We booked site 3 but on our confirmation it said site 1, which was fine but thee were no other campers there so we were confused to why that occurred. Over a very nice area and we would visit again
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Tim
June 2025
16 ft car
We had a relaxing evening! The campsite was clean, included a picnic table, fire ring, and a trash can. Right next to the creek, close enough to hear a small waterfall all night long. While you may hear the occasional vehicle off in the distance, the site is secluded and private. Minutes away from food and convenience stores, as well as the Mississippi River. You can dig for geodes on the property, and we found plenty of good ones.
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Michael
May 2025
Tent
Group trip
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!
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Jacob
May 2025
Tent
Group trip
Super nice and really helpful really cool area super cool fish
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Lesa
May 2025
16 ft car
It is rustic so is quiet, and surrounded with woods with a stream next to your camp. Trash cans present. Enjoyed nature. Great time.
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Kristen
May 2025
Tent
With pets
Loved camping next to the creek and exploring! The site was clean and well maintained.
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Doreen
April 2025
15 ft travel trailer
Nice camping spot and it was quiet close to bars and restaurants
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Paige
January 2025
Tent
We had a fantastic visit at Johnny's place. We were the only ones there since it was a cold Thursday in January but we will definitely go back. The sites are well spaced with fire pits and picnic tables. Ours was right on the creek which had been frozen but the water running under the ice was beautiful.
The space is close to houses which we could see because the leaves are off the trees but it felt like we were far away. It was so peaceful. I read reviews of dogs barking in the distance which we did hear but we also heard some coyotes, lots of owls, some raccoons getting in a kerfuffle, and the sounds of so many birds.
The spots were pretty level and shaded but we were able to set up our solar panels. We traveled in our Jeep with roof top tent and set up our annex room and awnings plus our privacy potty tent away from the site. We did not use the bathroom that's on site.
Great that there are trash bins available.
Overall I totally recommend the place and look forward to making it a regular spot to get away to.
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Other options near Battle of Athens State Historic Site
The best camping in Battle of Athens State Historic Site, MO guide
Overview
About
If you are a Civil War buff—or someone seeking a classic campout—Battle of Athens State Historic Site is for you. Located along the Des Moines River, this northeastern Missouri park is practically in Iowa. Though a peaceful retreat today, these grounds saw the northernmost battle west of the Mississippi during the Civil War, when 2,500 soldiers battled with muskets, bayonets, and cannons. Interpretative programs help tell the tale. The Mill Trail meanders through ruins from the 19th-century town of Athens. In addition to river frontage, the park has a small lake for fishing and boating.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for big rigs: The Battle of Athens Campground’s 50-amp sites are better for motorhomes and larger RVs.
- Best for rustic camping: For a classic campout, choose a non-electric site at Battle of Athens Campground.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- This park offers basic and electric campsites, including both 30-amp and 50-amp hookups.
- Advanced reservations are not offered at this park, as all sites are first-come-first-served.
- Walk-up reservations are generally available.
- The campground is open year round.
- Camping is limited to 15 days out of any 30-day period.
- Showers and water are available April 15 through October 31.
When to go
Each spring, the woodlands at Battle of Athens State Historic Site spring to life with green leaves filling the trees and wildflower colors popping on the hillsides. The weather is generally cool through April before warming for summer, with highs sometimes topping 90 degrees in July and August. High humidity is possible through the summer season before breaking in the fall, which ushers in cooler temps in late September. The fall colors peak in October. If camping in the winter months, prepare for freezing temperatures, occasional snows, and limited amenities onsite.
Know before you go
- The shower house is one mile from the camping area and is available April 15 through October 31.
- The camping area has vault toilets.
- Water spigots are not located at individual sites.
- During the off-season, water is available at a frost-free spigot in the camping area.
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