camping???

[guykc]

+1 ollindsay niangua is a fun place great party river slow and relaxing, i prefer hohumm campground down there though since it is a last stop and i think a 14 mile float.

[JRLawrence]

Originally Posted by dirty dog

Smithville lake, not sure about cabins but they have plenty of camp grounds. Camp Gaea is an interesting place if you want to beat bongo drums, pray to mother earth and hang dream catchers. Finding something like your looking for within an hours drive from KC will be tough.

The Missouri Department of Conservation, thanks to a small sales tax that can not be touched by the state administration, or limited by the Handcock amendment, has developed many camp grounds, parks, and recreation areas. In the south, you have trout streams with cabins. In the Northern part of the state you have a couple of areas that are set aside for ducks and geese migration. Great places to stop and observe the wildlife. Many of the area have cabins and camping facilities at low costs. Check the Missouri state parks (some administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and some facilities are joint with the Department of Conservation.

Anyway, Missouri has one of the best programs in the nation. Look at the state Websites.

JR

[DallasRain]

thanks yall...I found a nice quiet resort to chill at near Omaha....yall are awesome!

[JRLawrence]

Originally Posted by guykc

+1 ollindsay niangua is a fun place great party river slow and relaxing, i prefer hohumm campground down there though since it is a last stop and i think a 14 mile float.

Don't miss the trout stream at Bennet Springs State Park. The stream flows into the Niangua.

Sand Springs Motel just outside the park is a very nice motel, or camping, with a cafe that has humming birds feed right at the side window/

The offer canoe trips upstream flowing down to the motel, and from the motel floating down for pickup by their staff. A lot of other canoe renters offer camping also. Try Red Beard's


It is a short trip to Lebanon if you need a larger city.

Best route to Bennet from KC is:
1) South from KCOM to Harrisonville on Highway 71
2) Just south of Harrisonville past the weight station take MO 7 to Clinton
3) At Clinton take13 South toward Springfield but get off just past the truman lake at Collins, MO Highway 54
4) Highway 54 East to Preston, MO to meet Highway 65
(I know this looks like it is out of the way because Hi 54 goes back north, but this is a good federal highway, a few small town to slow down for but a pleasant drive).)
5) Take Highway 65 South from Preston, past Urbans, MO to Louisburg, MO at the state highway 64. to Bennett Springs.

About 1.5 hours drive. I make it in less. Circle J campground and Canoe is good, also the state Riverfront Campground. Cabins are available in the park. Another couple of motels just past Bennet. Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon is out of the 50's decor on old route 66 on the East side of town. Nice people, if you don't mind the 50's yellow, or green tile in the bathrooms. The prices are one of the cheapest around for a clean motel. (I think I paid $49 for a single last year). I am suggesting this because 4th of July is coming up, and the whole area will be booked up. Call for reservations, but you also need to explore and find your way around the area. A great place to visit. See the trout hatchery.

Good luck,

JR