Camp at Cottonwoods RV Park in Columbia, Missouri

RV Life

Missouri is a lovely state for RVers and there are countless RV parks and campgrounds from which to choose. Whether you’re making a stop on a longer journey or there for the destination itself, you’ll love camping in The Show-Me State. But if you’re looking for one of the best camping spots in the state, try Cottonwoods RV Park.

Located on the outskirts of Columbia, this little park is a peaceful place to spend the night (or more). You won’t be too far away from a fascinating city, but you also have enough distance to enjoy some peace and quiet. There’s a real small-town vibe here, so you’ll get the best of both worlds.

To top it off, this RV park comes very highly recommended. Both campers from within the state and outside it can all tell you that this is a fantastic campground with plenty to offer. Read on to learn how it earned its high ratings!

Overview

Cottonwoods RV Park is located in Columbia, Missouri. It’s on the northern edge of Columbia, close to smaller cities like Prathersville, Stephens, and Switzler. The Missouri River is just a short drive away from the park, but there are also various ponds and lakes in the vicinity.

In the RV park, you’ll find 83 RV sites ready to reserve! All of these are pull-throughs, and they also come with full hookups, picnic tables, concrete patios, and Wi-Fi. You won’t have to rough it when you stay here. The average rate is about $42.70 per night, but this may change based on your vehicle size and the season of the year.

Although there is a 21-night limit for all campers, you can stay here during any season of the year. This practice limits long-term camping so you can rest assured that more spots will always be opening up. To find more information about Cottonwoods RV Park, visit the campground website at cottonwoodsrvpark.com

Amenities

One element that makes this campground stand out is its list of amenities. Although it’s quite budget-friendly, you’ll gain access to several features that are closer to a resort than a campground.

In addition to the full hookups, every guest will have access to bathrooms, shower facilities, and a laundry room. There’s also a dump station on-site so you can perform any necessary RV maintenance during your stay.

But there’s much more than the bare necessities at the Cottonwoods RV Park. For starters, there’s a seasonal outdoor pool that’s open from May–September. But depending on the weather, it can open earlier or stay later throughout the year.

Forgot your goggles or the kid’s pool toys? Just head on over to the camp store to buy new ones! This store stocks all kinds of campground essentials, as well as some items that are just for fun. You can get groceries, drinks, medicine, RV supplies, gifts, firewood, propane, and even a selection of wine and beers from local brewers.

If you want to host a gathering during your visit, there are several places where you can do just that. If you want something indoors, try the meeting room! For a more outdoorsy event, you can always use the lovely gazebo or pavilion.

Additional amenities include:

Recreation room
DVD library
Book exchange
Game library
Exercise equipment
Playground
Horseshoe pits
Basketball court
Reserveable fire pits
Pet area (with dog bags and waste stations)
Food delivery options

As you can see, there is a wide selection of comforts for every guest to enjoy. Family/group camping is encouraged here, and there’s bound to be something for everyone to enjoy. All amenities are maintained and cleaned on a regular basis and the camp hosts would be happy to help you with anything else you may require.

Nearby Activities/Attractions

But it’s not just about where you camp—the surrounding area needs to be worth a visit as well. Luckily, Cottonwoods RV Park puts you in close proximity to a wide variety of activities and unique destinations.

As mentioned above, the campground is close to the city of Columbia. This is the home of The University of Missouri, as well as several attractions (both rural and urban).

Because this city caters to a mix of ages, there are all kinds of activities to enjoy! For instance, adventurous types might love to go on a scavenger hunt around the city, trek through the Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, or delve into the stunning Stark Caverns.

Those who are more indoorsy could try playing a murder mystery escape room, touring the Museum of Art and Archaeology, or shopping through the various antique malls within the city.

Kids will have fun romping around Shyrocks Callaway Farms, gaming at Bonkers Columbia, or playing a round of mini golf at Midway Golf & Games.

For an evening outing, almost everyone could enjoy a trip to a local restaurant or brewery. And Columbia has plenty of these! Some of the local favorites include:

This is a city with a lot to offer, so you may want to camp (and dine out) for a week or more to get the full experience.

Reviews

Now it’s time to look at some reviews. Many people have left feedback on Cottonwoods RV Park and it has earned a very nice cumulative score.

On RV LIFE Campgrounds, it has a total score of 8.5/10 with an almost perfect split between “Good” and “Excellent” ratings. This gives it the distinction of being a highly favorited park in the state of Missouri!

Although the general reception was quite positive, there are a few common complaints that are worth mentioning. Several guests noted that the roads around the park were a little rough and rocky. So be sure to drive carefully as you get in and out! A few of the sites were not leveled as well, but that was generally fixed with camper leveling gear.

The most common drawback was that the sites are quite close together, so some visitors felt pretty cramped. The park is not usually full to capacity so there may be some leeway, but just be warned that you may not have a ton of space at your campsite!

But on the bright side, there are many, many things that this campground does right. For starters, everyone loves the location. They commented that it was great to be close to Columbia, while still enjoying a peaceful and quiet environment. The staff received quite a few shout-outs for being so helpful and friendly as well.

Visitors also complimented the landscaped flowers, trees, and grounds. They also loved the personal touch of the seasonal decorations! If you love camping around the holidays, this is a park that decorates to match the season.