How much does camping cost at Ray Behrens?

Camping fees at Ray Behrens range from $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. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

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.

Can I have a campfire at Ray Behrens?

Fire policies at Ray Behrens: Firewood restrictions are in effect to prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

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, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ray Behrens

4.30

1.1K reviews

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

Top 13% in MOSpring

StargazingSummer Destination

Featured in:Spring Camping Missouri

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

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 Ray Behrens Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

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 Ray Behrens Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

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

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

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

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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 13% in MO

Spring called best season: wildflowers, wildlife activity, pleasant temps, strong positive reviews.

Planning Tips

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

About Ray Behrens

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

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

Check-in

4:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

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.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo specific details provided.

Cancellation PolicyLate cancellations for individual campsites incur a $10 fee plus forfeiture of the first night's fee if canceled after 12:00 AM local time on the day before check-in.

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

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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

Activities you can enjoy

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.

Biking

Boating

Beach activities

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRecent reviews highlight flooding issues during storms and muddy conditions.

Fire PolicyFirewood restrictions are in effect to prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours begin at 10:00 PM.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available, including trash pickup schedules as observed by some users.

Camp HostNo specific details provided.

Cell CoverageCell phone reception is noted to be inconsistent across the campground. Multiple users expressed concerns about poor coverage, particularly for AT&T users.

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.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

1.1K reviews

Satisfactory

Ray Behrens is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% 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 1117 reviews

What Campers Love

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

Based on 1117 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 1117 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 1117 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 1117 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 1117 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 1117 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 1117 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

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

Based on 1117 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Boaters and anglers who want full hookups, a dump station, and quick marina access on a big Missouri lake. Spring weekends in April and May hit the ideal window: wildflowers, active wildlife, and temps in the 60s-70s before the crowds show up. Bring leveling blocks, many RV pads

Skip if

Restroom cleanliness is a persistent complaint across reviews, with broken fixtures and poor upkeep reported regularly. If clean showers are non-negotiable, this one may frustrate. AT&T users will also struggle with cell coverage across all three loops.

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20642 HIGHWAY J, MONROE CITY, MO 63456-9359

$30.00 - $100.00 / night

Frank Russell Campground sits near Clarence Cannon Dam on Mark Twain Lake, offering 67 RV sites with full hookups and concrete pads. Sites run $24-30 per night and range from standard to extra-large, some double-wide. The campground includes modern shower facilities, an archery range, a fishing pond, and a native garden area. At 702 feet elevation, it's positioned among the rolling hills and bluffs of northeast Missouri's lake country.

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Camper Cabin Lodging

37352 Shrine Road, Florida, MO 65283-2127, United States

Mark Twain State Park's camper cabins sit in the oak-and-hickory forests above Mark Twain Lake, about 30 miles north of Mexico, Missouri. Visitors praise the peaceful, heavily wooded setting and clean facilities. The park offers six miles of trails, two four-lane boat ramps, and a swim beach (though it's a fair distance from the cabins). Expect basic lodging. Bring your own bedding and kitchen items.

37352 Shrine Road, Florida, MO 65283-2127, United States

Badger Campground sits in a wooded loop above Mark Twain Lake, offering 25 electric sites under a mature hardwood canopy. Reviewers consistently praise the shaded, well-spaced sites and clean facilities, though some pads slope enough to require leveling blocks. The campground draws families looking for quiet lake access and forest trails without the noise of full-hookup RV resorts.

Mark Twain State Park

Coyote Campground sits in the Salt River Hills of north-central Missouri, providing direct access to Mark Twain Lake and its 6+ miles of hiking trails. The terrain includes bluffs over the lake and wooded stands of oak, hickory, and maple. Campers consistently praise the lush, well-maintained sites and helpful camp hosts who patrol for check-in.

37352 Shrine Road, Florida, MO 65283-2127, United States

Puma Campground sits on wooded bluffs above Mark Twain Lake in north-central Missouri's Salt River Hills. The campground offers spacious, shaded sites. Many with lake views. Along with clean shower facilities, friendly hosts, and access to ranger programs and lake activities. Sites aren't perfectly level, so bring leveling blocks.

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Pine Ridge Recreation Area, Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

Pine Ridge Recreation Area sits within Mark Twain National Forest near New Bloomfield, offering eight campsites spread across a small loop. Sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Fees run $15 per night. The campground accommodates tents and RVs up to 34 feet, with spacious gaps between sites. Over a hundred feet in some cases.

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Robertsville State Park Campground

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Robertsville State Park sits along the Meramec River and Calvey Creek in eastern Missouri, where wooded campsites and river bluffs meet productive fishing waters. Reviewers praise the quiet, tree-covered sites, helpful hosts who sell ice and firewood, and clean facilities. Though ticks are common and some sites lack water hookups. Electric hookups and a dump station serve RV campers, while tent campers enjoy reasonable privacy among the hardwoods.

115 Meramec Park Drive, Sullivan, MO 63080-4271, United States

Nestled along the winding Meramec River, this beloved Missouri park invites you to explore towering wooded bluffs and venture into the shadows of Fisher Cave with nothing but hand-held lights to guide your way. With over 13 miles of trails threading through the landscape and comfortable accommodations ranging from modern campsites to cozy cabins and motel rooms, you'll find the perfect base camp for your adventure.

Campgrounds

Mark Twain Lake

Ray Behrens

From Recreation.gov

Official information for Ray Behrens from the federal Recreation.gov facility record.

Overview

Ray Behrens is a scenic campground and recreation area, conveniently located on the southeastern shores of Mark Twain Lake. Here, visitors can enjoy the perks of the campground, go boating on the lake or explore the area's historic attractions.

Twain, the legendary author, was born in a village beside the lake and grew up in a town about 20 miles down the road.

Recreation

Mark Twain Lake provides countless opportunities for outdoor recreation – boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking, camping, hiking and hunting to name a few.

Facilities

Ray Behrens Campground has three loops: Deer Run, Little Bluestem and Cedar Ridge. All campsites come with electric hookups. Showers and accessible flush toilets are in close proximity of every site. The park also features a marina and playgrounds.

Natural Features

The Salt River flows through rolling hills of north-central Missouri, where it is dammed to form the 18,000-acre Mark Twain Lake. A variety of recreation areas surround the lake, including the Mark Twain State Park.

Nearby Attractions

Beside the lake is the village of Florida, where Mark Twain was born. Twenty-five miles east is the town of Hannibal, where visitors can tour the author's boyhood home.

Directions

<p>From Hannibal MO, travel west on Highway 36 for 17 miles, turn south onto Route J and go 12 miles to the campground.</p> <hr />

Phone: 573-735-4097
Email: marktwaininfo@usace.army.mil

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.