Campgrounds and RV parks near Bethany, MO

Outdoor activity in the area centers on the two nearby state parks. Crowder State Park offers more than 17 miles of hiking, biking, backpacking, and equestrian trails through forested, rugged terrain, plus fishing and boating on 18-acre Crowder Lake. Kayak and canoe rentals are available seasonally, and the lake holds channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. No gas-powered motors are allowed on the lake. Nine Eagles State Park, a short drive north into Iowa, has 9 miles of hiking trails including a 3-mile loop around the lake, a 7-mile horse trail that opens to snowmobiles in winter, and a 64-acre lake with a sandy beach, boat ramp, jetty, and fishing docks. Only rowboats and electric motors are allowed on the water. Closer to town, Bethany itself offers everyday services, dining, and easy interstate access for day trips.

Camping seasons in this part of the Midwest are shaped by cold winters and hot, humid summers. Crowder State Park's campground is open March 1 through November 30, with reservations offered April 15 through October 31. Showers and running water are available during that reservation window, and a single frost-free spigot at Campsite 10 supplies potable water in the off-season. Non-reserved sites can be taken on a first-come, first-served basis when open. Nine Eagles State Park's campground is closed each year from November 1 through March 31. Peak operation runs May 1 through October 15, with shoulder weeks in April and late October. Water and shower buildings are typically on during the peak period and shut down around mid-October depending on weather. Summer weekends fill quickly at both state parks, especially around holidays. Spring and fall bring smaller crowds, cooler nights, and a higher chance of wet weather or early frost, so RVers should watch forecasts and confirm which facilities are open.

Crowder State Park has around 40 RV sites, a mix of basic and electric with a handful of water, sewer, and electric sites, plus family campsites, platform tent sites, and a group area. Pads are relatively level and mostly concrete or asphalt, restrooms and showers are modern, and a dump station and laundromat are on site. Generators are not permitted in the campground without park manager approval. Nine Eagles State Park has three developed campgrounds with 68 sites total, 28 with electric hookups, modern showers, restrooms, and a trailer dump station. Parking pads are gravel and narrow, so leveling blocks are useful, and back-in and pull-through sites are available. Both parks are pet-friendly with leash rules, quiet, and shaded in many areas. Cell coverage can be spotty in the wooded valleys, so download maps in advance.