Campgrounds and RV parks near New Franklin, MO

New Franklin sits in Howard County in central Missouri, along the Boonslick corridor just north of the Missouri River and roughly twenty miles west of Columbia. The town is close enough to Interstate 70 for easy RV access and works well as a base for exploring the Katy Trail, the Missouri River bluffs, and the historic river towns of the Boone's Lick region. Campground options in the immediate area range from state-run historic sites to private riverside parks. Arrow Rock State Historic Site, a short drive northwest, is operated by Missouri State Parks and sits inside the Arrow Rock Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. Finger Lakes State Park, north of Columbia off Route 63, is one of only two ATV parks in the Missouri state system and pairs camping with off-road trails, lakes, and a swim beach. Private options include Coopers Landing Campgrounds on the Missouri River south of Columbia, Cottonwoods RV Park closer to town, and the MRVSEA Camping area at Bradys Showgrounds, an event-oriented site used during shows and rallies.

Missouri State Parks sites, including Arrow Rock State Historic Site and Finger Lakes State Park, are reserved through the Missouri State Parks reservation website or by calling 877-ICampMO (877-422-6766). Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance, expanded from the previous six-month window. Unreserved sites are assigned by the park ranger on a first-come, first-served basis, and walk-up registration is possible when sites are not booked. Coopers Landing Campgrounds, Cottonwoods RV Park, and the MRVSEA Camping area at Bradys Showgrounds are private operations booked directly with the operator. Coopers Landing takes RV site reservations by phone, and the Bradys Showgrounds camping area is generally booked around scheduled events at the showgrounds.