Campgrounds and RV parks near Conway, MO

Trout fishing is the headline activity. Bennett Spring State Park is one of Missouri's four trout parks and home to a state hatchery, with the catch-and-keep season opening every March 1 at 6:30 a.m. Daily trout tags are required, and three fishing zones each carry their own lure regulations, from fly-only water below the hatchery dam to bait-permitted stretches downstream. The Niangua River offers canoe, kayak, raft, and tube floats from spring through early fall. Multiple outfitters near the park handle shuttles and rentals. On land, the park has multiple hiking trails, a nature center, a dining lodge, and an Olympic-size swimming pool that runs from Memorial Day through mid-August. Route 66 heritage stops in Lebanon and small-town diners round out rainy-day options.

The catch-and-keep trout season at Bennett Spring runs March 1 through October 31, and this window drives demand across the region. March opening weekend, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day are the busiest dates, and reservable state-park sites can fill months out for those periods. A winter catch-and-release season also runs from the second Friday in November through the second Monday in February, Friday through Monday only. Summers are warm and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, making them peak float-trip season on the Niangua. Late spring often brings the year's heaviest rainfall and occasional high water that can shut down float outfitters briefly. Fall is quieter, with cooler nights, low humidity, and strong color through October. Winter camping is possible but limited. At Bennett Spring, Campground 1 is open year-round, though water at individual campsites is available April 15 through October 15. Many private outfitters shift to reduced hours from October into spring.

Private RV parks along I-44 near Conway typically offer full hookups, pull-through sites, laundry, and Wi-Fi geared to overnight travelers. Big-rig access is generally straightforward from the interstate exits. At Bennett Spring State Park, five campgrounds offer a mix of basic, electric, and sewer/electric/water sites, and the park can accommodate RVs up to 65 feet. Campground 1 sits near the spring with level pads, while Campgrounds 2 through 5 require significant uphill travel and sit in more wooded terrain. A dump station, showers, and a camp store are on site during the main season. Cell service is generally reliable near the interstate and reaches most of Bennett Spring. Pets are welcome on leash at both private parks and the state park, with a recommended limit of two dogs per site and leashes no longer than 10 feet.