How much does camping cost at Ray Behrens?

Camping fees at Ray Behrens are $24 - $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Ray Behrens first-come first-served or reservation?

Ray Behrens accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Ray Behrens before I book?

Yes! Ray Behrens has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

What is the best time to visit Ray Behrens?

Ray Behrens is open April 03 to November 23. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Ray Behrens?

Yes, Ray Behrens has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Ray Behrens have?

Ray Behrens has 200 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Ray Behrens?

Yes, pets are allowed at Ray Behrens. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Ray Behrens?

Ray Behrens offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Ray Behrens?

Popular activities at Ray Behrens include Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ray Behrens

4.33

1.2K reviews

20642 HIGHWAY J, MONROE CITY, MO 63456-9359, USA

Top 14% in MOSpring

Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

CReport Card

StargazingSummer Destination

Featured in:Spring Camping Missouri

Quick Facts

709 ft

Price

$24 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

200 campsites

Season

Reservable season op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

709 ft

Price

$24 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

200 campsites

Season

Reservable season op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Ray Behrens

$24.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Full Hook-Up: $30.00; GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $30.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9...

Group Site Fee$30.00

Get Notified When Available

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Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

573-735-4097marktwaininfo@usace.army.mil

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

20642 HIGHWAY J, MONROE CITY, MO 63456-9359, USA

Ray Behrens

20642 HIGHWAY J, MONROE CITY, MO 63456-9359, USA

Nearby places

Hannibal, MO: 25 miles east

Florida, MO: Nearby

Weather at Ray Behrens

Best Time to Camp at Ray Behrens

Best season: spring. Spring offers the nicest combination of mild weather, blooming wildflowers, and active wildlife—prime conditions for hiking, birding, and early-season boating and fishing. Expect daytime highs typically in the 50s–70s°F (10–25°C) from April into May with cool mornings, lower humidity, and fewer summer crowds. Boat ramps and campground facilities reopen for the reservable season March 28, making April–May ideal for campsite availability and comfortable outdoor days. Peak months: May, April, October, June Avoid: December, January, February, March

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 14% in MO

Identified as best season: mild weather, blooming wildflowers, active wildlife and prime boating/fishing.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 03 to November 23. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Reservable season opens March 28, closes November 17.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Ray Behrens

Ray Behrens sits on the shore of Mark Twain Lake near Monroe City, Missouri, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This very large campground offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and group options with lake access for boating and biking. Spacious sites and lake views draw families and anglers during the seasonal operating window, though some infrastructure shows age.

Ray Behrens Campground provides various camping options, including tent sites, RV sites with full hookups, and group camping facilities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the nicest combination of mild weather, blooming wildflowers, and active wildlife—prime conditions for hiking, birding, and early-season boating and fishing. Expect daytime highs typically in the 50s–70s°F (10–25°C) from April into May with cool mornings, lower humidity, and fewer summer crowds. Boat ramps and campground facilities reopen for the reservable season March 28, making April–May ideal for campsite availability and comfortable outdoor days. Peak months: May, April, October, June Avoid: December, January, February, March

Elevation709 ft above sea level

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sprawls across wooded terrain at 709 feet elevation, where oaks and hickories shade the loops. Mark Twain Lake's 18,000 acres stretch beyond the campsites, created by damming the Salt River. The surrounding landscape shows limestone bluffs and rolling hills carved by ancient geology. Deer, wild turkey, and songbirds move through the understory. Trails wind through valleys and hillsides, offering lake views at intervals. Mornings bring mist off the water, evenings show sunsets over the western ridgelines.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo additional lodging, such as cabins or yurts, is mentioned in the sources.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Stay limited to 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No specific details provided.

Groups

Group sites are available at a nightly rate of $30.00 during peak season.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe campground provides accessible flush toilets and showers near campsites. Reviews also mention the availability of accessible occupant messages.

Site SizeCampsites are spacious and noted by reviewers as providing ample room for camping setups.

PrivacySites are described as spacious and secluded, offering significant privacy due to spacing and surrounding greenery.

Total Campsites200 campsites

Recommended SitesBring leveling blocks as some sites have uneven terrain.

Best CampsitesDeer Run Loop sites get mentioned most often in reviews for lake views. Reviewers note that spacing throughout the campground provides privacy, though some sites require leveling blocks for RVs. Specific site numbers aren't detailed in available feedback, but campers recommend choosing based on proximity to the lake versus shade coverage.

Need help booking Ray Behrens?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Ray Behrens Campground, located on the southeastern shores of Mark Twain Lake, offers a wide variety of amenities catering to diverse camping preferences. Three loops, Deer Run, Little Bluestem, and Cedar Ridge, offer campsites with electric hookups and are equipped with accessible flush toilets and shower facilities nearby. Additional amenities include a marina, playgrounds, picnic tables, fire rings, and fish cleaning stations.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Ray Behrens

Ray Behrens Campground offers a diverse range of recreational activities for campers, including hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The campground is also known for its proximity to Mark Twain Lake and historical attractions, such as the author's birthplace in Florida, MO.

Biking4.0/5Top 13% in Missouri

Biking trails available within campground; described as well-suited for casual riders.

Boating4.0/5

Marina and boat ramp onsite; boating highly encouraged and strongly reviewed.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Common sightings of deer and birds; wooded oak/hickory setting supports wildlife viewing.

Water Sports4.0/5

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Lake vistas, limestone bluffs, wooded loops and good night skies offer strong photo ops.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

Rate Ray Behrens

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From Booking Sources

4.3

1.2K reviews

Recommended

Ray Behrens is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for Ray Behrens Campground are generally positive, with an average sentiment rating of 4.16. Common themes include spacious campsites, well-maintained grounds, and proximity to Mark Twain Lake and historical attractions. Issues with restroom cleanliness, outdated facilities, and poor cell phone service are frequently noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 1183 reviews

What Campers Love

Spacious campsites, beautiful lake views, well-maintained trails, and friendly staff are recurring positive aspects in reviews.

Based on 1183 reviews

Common Concerns

Restrooms and showers are often described as dirty and outdated, with reports of broken fixtures and poor maintenance. Cell phone and internet service are noted as unreliable.

Based on 1183 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific complaints include issues with leveling (e.g., Site 97 causing high steps due to asphalt pad misalignment). Several sites, including 144 and 137, are noted for being well-maintained but...

Based on 1183 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring leveling blocks, especially for RV sites. Prepare for limited cell coverage and poor Wi-Fi connectivity. Consider visiting off-peak seasons to avoid overcrowding.

Based on 1183 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Positive experiences tend to peak in spring and fall, with campers praising the tranquility and natural beauty. Summer experiences often highlight overcrowding and maintenance issues, while winter...

Based on 1183 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Ray Behrens is the 'gold standard' by which we compare all other campgrounds.' 2. 'The trails were nice but a bit risky with large rocks.' 3. 'Beautiful campground with spacious sites. Well...

Based on 1183 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features such as paved trails and accessible facilities are noted positively. However, reviews do not provide specific insights from users with disabilities.

Based on 1183 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but several reviews noted issues with loose dogs and lack of enforcement of leash rules.

Based on 1183 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Ray Behrens

$24.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Full Hook-Up: $30.00; GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $30.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9...

Group Site Fee$30.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

573-735-4097marktwaininfo@usace.army.mil

Go if

You want a roomy, well-maintained site close to lake access and nearby historical sites, and you don't mind rustic restroom facilities.

Skip if

You need reliable cell service, modern restrooms, or a perfectly level pad without checking your site number first (97, 144, 137 have known issues).

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Campgrounds

Mark Twain Lake

Ray Behrens

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 21% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 848 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade B.Campsites
Grade B.Value
Grade B-.Cleanliness

Watch-outs

Grade C-.Scenery
Grade C.Safety
Grade C.Things to do

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Missouri grades overall

About Mark Twain Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Ray Behrens, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Offers a blend of picturesque natural resources and modern recreation facilities to suit everyone. Three campgrounds boast shaded full hookup and electrical sites. The 18, 600 acres of water has a reputation as a great crappie and bass lake. Just 30 minutes from historical Hannibal, Mo (hometown of Mark Twain). Clarence Cannon Dam features a power plant display. The David C. Berti Shooting Range is located below the dam in the Warren G. See South Spillway. Northeast Missouri offers visitors an abundance of diverse recreational possibilities.

Directions

Located 28 miles southwest of historic Hannibal, MO and 120 miles northwest of St. Louis, MO.

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Ray Behrens

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Ray Behrens

Campground Map

Weather at Ray Behrens

Best Time to Camp at Ray Behrens

Planning Tips

About Ray Behrens

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Ray Behrens?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Ray Behrens

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Nearby alternatives

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How campers graded it

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Directions

Explore related camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Ray Behrens

Best Time to Camp at Ray Behrens

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Ray Behrens?

Amenities available

Things to do at Ray Behrens

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Nearby alternatives

Puma Campground

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