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 March 28 - November 17.. 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 Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ray Behrens

4.31

1.1K reviews

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

Summer Destination

Featured in:Spring Camping Missouri

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

709 ft

Price

$24 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

200 campsites

Season

Reservable season op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Book on Ray Behrens Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

709 ft

Price

$24 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

200 campsites

Season

Reservable season op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Book on Ray Behrens Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Ray Behrens

$24.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Electric sites range from $24 to $30 per night during peak season. Group Shelter Electric sites are available for $30 per night.

Standard Site Fee$24.00

Hookup Site Fee$30.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$30.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

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150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

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

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See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.31

Satisfactory

Based on 1.1K reviews

160 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsspaciouslakestaff

"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."

Read all reviews

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

Nearby supplies

No specific details provided.

Best Time to Camp at Ray Behrens

Spring delivers the best conditions. April and May bring daytime highs in the 50s to 70s°F with cool mornings and lower humidity. Wildflowers bloom, wildlife activity peaks, and boat ramps reopen March 28. Summer gets hot and crowded. Fall colors appear in October and early November before the season closes. Campground operations run through November, but spring offers the most comfortable camping and fishing windows before summer heat arrives.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 9% in MO

Spring highlighted for wildflower blooms and top reviews praising tranquility and scenery.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 28 - November 17.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Reservable season opens March 28, closes November 17.
Current Alerts: No specific alerts mentioned.

About Ray Behrens

Ray Behrens sits on the southeastern shore of Mark Twain Lake in north-central Missouri, offering 200 sites across three loops: Deer Run, Little Bluestem, and Cedar Ridge. The campground provides full hookups (electric, water, sewer), hot showers, and a dump station, with nightly fees ranging from $24 to $30. A nearby marina provides lake access.

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

Historical Significance

Mark Twain was born in Florida, Missouri, a few miles from the lake that now bears his pen name. His boyhood home in Hannibal, where he spent his formative years along these same waterways, inspired Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. The Salt River valley provided the setting for his early adventures before the dam transformed the landscape into the current reservoir.

Weather and SeasonsSpring delivers the best conditions. April and May bring daytime highs in the 50s to 70s°F with cool mornings and lower humidity. Wildflowers bloom, wildlife activity peaks, and boat ramps reopen March 28. Summer gets hot and crowded. Fall colors appear in October and early November before the season closes. Campground operations run through November, but spring offers the most comfortable camping and fishing windows before summer heat arrives.

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.

Geological RegionRay Behrens sits within north-central Missouri's captivating tapestry of rolling hills and river valleys, where the ancient Salt River has carved its way through limestone bluffs and fertile bottomlands. This geological masterpiece culminated in the creation of the magnificent 18,000-acre Mark Twain Lake, transforming the landscape into a water recreation paradise. The undulating terrain tells a story millions of years in the making, where prehistoric seas once covered the land, leaving behind the rich soils and dramatic topography that define this scenic corner of the Show-Me State.

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

Site layoutThree loops spread across the property. Sites offer substantial spacing with surrounding greenery for privacy. The terrain requires leveling blocks for many RV spots. Reviewers describe the layout as spacious, though some areas get muddy after rain.

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.

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

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

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.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

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

Active AlertsNo specific alerts mentioned.

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

Quiet HoursQuiet hours begin at 10:00 PM.

Emergency ServicesNo specific details provided.

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

Water FeaturesThe campground is located near Mark Twain Lake, providing ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.

Camp HostNo specific details provided.

Weather at Ray Behrens

Trip Planning Tools

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

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

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

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

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