This 656-foot-elevation campground sits on the Des Moines River where Union troops held off a much larger State Guard force in 1861. The site preserves battlefield buildings, including the cannonball-scarred Cannonball House, and offers wooded campsites a mile from the river. With 149 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, visitors praise the maintained trails, ranger-led tours, and secluded sites.
The official page confirms camping is available at the historic site but does not specify campsite types (tent, RV, primitive, group or cabin) for this location.
Historical Significance
In August 1861, roughly 500 Union soldiers repelled nearly 2,000 pro-Southern Missouri State Guard troops here in the northernmost Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi. The site preserves the Cannonball House (hit during the fighting), the Thome-Benning House, and Athens Mill foundations. Rangers lead tours of the buildings during staffed hours, and the park hosts battle reenactments periodically.Weather and SeasonsFall brings the best conditions: daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-70s°F, cool nights between 35 and 50°F, and peak foliage along the river. Fishing picks up as water temperatures drop, and the campground quiets down compared to summer. On-season services run April 1 through October 31, offering full hookups and showers through October. Spring and summer work well for exploring trails and attending periodic battle reenactments. Electric hookups stay available November through March for off-season campers, though water and showers shut down. Winter sees fewer visitors and a quieter experience.
Natural Features and SceneryMature hardwoods shade the campground and historic grounds, creating wooded habitat that contrasts with the surrounding agricultural land. A mile of Des Moines River shoreline runs along the property, accessible by trails that wind through riparian zones. The mix of forest cover and open battlefield terrain supports varied birdwatching. In fall, the wooded areas and river corridor turn color, making trail walks especially scenic. The landscape feels like an island of green in farm country. River access is gentle, and the trails connect the campground to the battlefield and historic structures without steep climbs.
Scenic ViewsScenic river views along trails to the Des Moines River and wooded vistas around the historic buildings and campground areas.