Campgrounds and RV parks near Waverly, MO

History and archaeology are the main draw at Van Meter. A hand-dug earthwork called the Old Fort and several burial mounds lie within park boundaries, and the area's Native American history is interpreted inside the visitor center through exhibits and a large mural depicting the life of the Missouri Indians. The park also features hiking trails, an 18-acre lake for fishing, a campground, and the Oumessourit Natural Area, which consists of a freshwater marsh, fens, and bottomland and upland forests. At Knob Noster State Park, two small lakes, Buteo and Clearfork, and Clearfork Creek are open to fishing, with channel catfish, crappie, bass, and bluegill the most common catches. The park rents kayaks on site Wednesdays through Sundays during the season, and life jackets are included. The Great Escape RV and Camp Resort adds family amenities on site, including a pool, dog park, playground, and stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing.

The Missouri State Parks on-season runs mid-April through October. The Van Meter campground is open year round, with reservations available April 15 through October 31, and water and showers available April 15 through October 31. The showerhouse is closed during the off-season, November 1 through April 14. Off-season stays are possible, but expect reduced services and cold-weather prep. At Knob Noster, reservations are offered April 15 through October 31, with walk-up availability in the off season, and water and showers are available April 15 through October 31. Spring and fall bring moderate weather, with the park's woodlands especially scenic in October. Camping is offered year round, but water is limited to a frost-free spigot near the visitor center from November through mid-April, and winter campers should come prepared for freezing temperatures and precipitation. Summer is peak season, with warm nights, full interpretive programming, and higher weekend demand. Weekends often mean a nearly full campground, so book ahead, especially around holidays. Fall foliage typically peaks in October across west-central Missouri.

Site types vary widely in the area. Knob Noster State Park offers basic, electric, and sewer/electric/water campsites, two organized group camps, and a special-use camping area with eight campsites. Sites 1 through 25 feature 50-amp electric service, while electric sites between 30 and 71 have 30-amp service, and converter devices are not allowed on 30-amp sites. Van Meter has basic and electric campsites, with no water or sewer hookups at individual sites and no dump station on site, though one is available in nearby Marshall. Roads inside Van Meter include narrow stretches with sharp turns, so drivers should take it slow and watch for low-hanging branches and potholes on the gravel roads leading to the campsites. Camping is limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period at any one park or historic site. State parks recommend no more than two dogs per campsite, and pets must be supervised and kept on leashes no longer than 10 feet at all times.