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.

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

4.30

1.1K reviews

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

Top 16% in MOSpring

CReport Card

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

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 16% in MO

Identified as best season: mild weather, 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.

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

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

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

Winter Activities

Water Sports

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Questions & answers

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

Tips from campers

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Reviews

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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 1118 reviews

What Campers Love

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

Based on 1118 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 1118 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 1118 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 1118 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 1118 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 1118 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 1118 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

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

Based on 1118 reviews

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Go if

You want full-service lakeside camping with room to spread out and easy lake access for boating.

Skip if

You need pristine facilities or guaranteed level RV pads in all weather conditions.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.0

(13)

John C. Briscoe Group Use

20642 HIGHWAY J, MONROE CITY, MO 63456-9359

John C. Briscoe Group Use sits on Mark Twain Lake near Monroe City, Missouri, operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers for group reservations only. The small facility offers electric hookups, hot showers, and a playground, designed for multi-family gatherings of up to 30 people during the summer season. Campers use the site as a base for boating, swimming, and fishing on the 18,600-acre reservoir.

Ray Behrens

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