Find adventure on the open road when you combine your favorite mode of transportation with outdoor camping. With over 50 state parks, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Mark Twain National Forest, the Show-Me State has plenty of scenic outdoor wonders for you to discover on your motorcycle camping adventure. Ride the open road on your bike, cook over an open campfire, pitch your tent under the stars and explore the outdoor recreational opportunities the state of Missouri has to offer.
Campgrounds
It's always a good idea to know in advance where you will set up camp each night. Whether you plan to visit the Missouri River in the northern region of the state, the Mississippi River to the east or the Ozarks in the south, you'll find plenty of private, national park and state park campgrounds at which to spend the night.
You'll find both developed and primitive tenting sites at the Ozark National Scenic Riverways' parkland. Reservations are accepted at 35 of the 50 state parks, but all maintain some first-come, first-served sites.
There is also a two-night minimum stay required by state parks over the weekend. You'll also find nine KOA campgrounds with modern amenities scattered throughout the state, some located close to major cities such as St. Louis, Branson, Springfield and Kansas City (see Reference 2).
State Parks
On your motorcycle camping excursion to the Ozark Mountains, you can paddle the riverways or explore the many caves and springs in the area. While camping at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, you'll enjoy hiking the 12 trails through the woodlands surrounding the lake or touring Ozark Caverns.
In northeastern Missouri, you'll find Mark Twain State Park in the Salt River Hills. This park offers campgrounds, a host of water-related activities as well as six miles of hiking trails. While here, you can visit Mark Twain's birthplace approximately a quarter-mile up the road. (see Reference 3).
For the History Buff
Missouri's Cape Giradeau County is rich with Civil War history. While camping at Cape Camping & RV Park, you can visit Fort D, one of four forts built in 1861, just west of the Mississippi River Bridge. Or, head out on your motorbike and visit the Trail of Tears State Park which commemorates and serves as a peaceful memorial to the more than 3,000 Cherokee who died on a forced relocation (see Reference 4) between North Carolina to Oklahoma.
The interpretive center offers maps, paintings and memorabilia that depict the crossing of the Mississippi which claimed up to one-fourth of the men, women, children and elders forced to march. After a day hiking and touring the state park, you can swim a few laps at the campground pool or spend a few hours fishing by the pond.
Kansas City
Make your home base Kansas City East/Oak Grove KOA campground and set out to explore Missouri's largest city. You'll find plenty to keep you busy and active, including a self-guided walking tour of the city's historic library district, (see Reference 5) a visit to the Truman Library and Museum or the Kansas City Zoo, and a tour of the only Harley Davidson factory location where Harleys are made from start to finish.
Grab a healthy bite to eat at local hotspots such as Thai Place or Hien Vuong before heading back to the campground. Or, stop at GreenAcres Market for some organic produce and other foods for a healthy picnic.
Great Rides
You can ride down Highway 79, part of the Great River Road, which follows the Mississippi River and head towards St. Louis. A 30-mile stretch along this highway has been designated a U.S. Scenic Byway as it travels atop limestone bluffs and offers you views of the mighty Mississippi.
While in St. Louis you can explore Grant's Farm, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery or the ancient Native American civilization relics at Cahokia Mounds. Walk across one of the world's longest pedestrian/biking bridges at Old Chain of Rocks Bridges. Find yourself a campsite along Old Route 66.
Member Comments