PRINTTents and trails: Where to go to camp in Columbia
Jakob Berr
From left, Jeanette, Mary and Jeremy Fisk prepare to go on a canoe trip on Bennitt Lake at Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area on May 8, 2009.
May 24, 2010 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Like backyard barbecues and baseball season, camping is a staple of summertime. A camping excursion is a good way to shuck the stresses of everyday life and escape to a simpler, more relaxing world — a perfect weekend getaway for those who have to be back at the office Monday and can’t travel far. Luckily, you don’t have to leave CoMo to find a camping site that offers the kind of experience you want.
Go native
If you’re of the mindset that camping isn’t fun unless you’re roughing it, Three Creeks Conservation Area provides a primitive camping experience: no designated camping sites, no running water and no outhouses. Basically, it’s Man vs. Wild.
Ann Koenig, an urban forester who works for the Missouri Department of Conservation, says Three Creeks is perfect for people who want to be truly immersed in nature. The conservation area, which is owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation, also has trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Campers have free rein of the land, but Koenig says the area is also open for hunting. She suggests campers call or visit mdc.mo.gov to view rules about camping at the site and the different hunting seasons.
Call: 884-6861
Bathrooms: No
RV camping: No
Fishing: Yes
Hunting: Yes
Boat dock: No
Directions: To reach Three Creeks Conservation Area, take Highway 63 5 miles south of Columbia, and go 1.75 miles west on Deer Park Road.
Gone fishin’
Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area is the perfect camping spot for those itching to wet a line. The land features the 48-acre Rudolf Bennitt Lake, where bluegill, crappie, catfish and redear sunfish can be reeled in from the banks or fishing dock. Campers are also welcome to bring their own fishing boat, and there is a disabled-accessible boat ramp.
Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area has 25 designated camping spots (first-come, first-serve) with pull-off areas for cars, fire rings for cooking and hitching posts for horses. It also has a primitive vibe because there isn’t running water, and the only bathroom is located at the lake. For those wanting to sharpen their shooting skills, there is a firearms range. The land is also home to the 12.5-mile Moniteau Wilderness Trail, where bike riders, horseback riders and hikers can explore nature while getting a little exercise. The area is an open hunting ground, and again, Koenig suggests visiting mdc.mo.gov for more information.
Call: 884-6861
Bathrooms: Yes
RV camping: Yes
Fishing: Yes
Hunting: Yes
Boat dock: Yes
Directions: To reach Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area, take Highway 63 19 miles north of Columbia, go 5 miles west on Route F, 2.75 miles north on Route T and .5 miles west on Country Road 2930.
Camp in comfort
Veer off the Katy Trail, and you’ll stumble upon the Katfish Katy Campground just 2 miles from McBaine. Located near the bank of the Missouri River, it’s a great spot to fish and boat, and the site is equipped with a boat ramp. This scenic area is home to forests, birds, frogs and other wildlife easily explored on the Katy Trail.
Katfish Katy is a place for campers looking to enjoy nature without giving up all luxuries. It has restrooms, showers and a convenience store with everything from WiFi and suntan lotion to snacks and beer.
Bruce W. Barnes, campground host of Katfish Katy, says campers should reserve a spot in advance during busier times, such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Thirty-eight campsites are available. Tent camping is $15 per night, and RV sites are $26 per night. To book a space, e-mail Barnes at Reservations@KatfishKaty-Campground.com.
Call: 445-0047
Bathrooms: Yes
RV camping: Yes
Fishing: Yes
Hunting: No
Boat dock: Yes
Directions: To reach Katfish Katy Campground, take 1-70 West to Huntsdale exit, and then go south on Highway O.
For the social camper
For those who think camping shouldn’t involve total seclusion, Cooper’s Landing is a place to interact with others while enjoying the outdoors. It features two sites for RV and tent camping. Not only are there fire rings for cooking but also a Thai restaurant and a country store for people unwilling to lift a finger on vacation.
Cooper’s Landing is on the Missouri River, and a full-service marina, bait store and boat dock provide campers with everything they need to boat and fish. Live music is performed on a riverside stage surrounded by picnic tables. Mike Cooper, campsite owner, says that though Cooper’s Landing has a social atmosphere, it is family-oriented. The gates close at 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. is the start of quiet time.
Cooper’s Landing has showers, a bathroom in the store and portable toilets on the grounds. RV sites are $20 and must be reserved, and tent camping is $10 for two people. Reservations are necessary for groups with more than three tents. No pets are allowed. For more information and to make reservations, visit CoopersLanding.net.
Call: 657-2544
Bathrooms: Yes
RV camping: Yes
Fishing: Yes
Hunting: No
Boat dock: Yes
Directions: To reach Cooper’s Landing, take Highway 63 South and turn right at Highway 163. At the first stop sign, go straight through the intersection onto Highway. N., and turn right on Easley River Road.
