Cottonwoods RV Park

The Great Outdoors

The area surrounding Cottonwoods RV Park offers an abundance of natural areas to explore. The most notable recreation area nearby is Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Rocheport. With 17 different units covering 26 square miles, the refuge features observation decks, hiking trails, and hunting areas so visitors can get a taste of the region's wilderness. Spotting birds like red-tailed hawks or hummingbirds flying through the air or beavers and turtles by the water is all a possibility at this beautiful refuge.One of the most popular parks in the county is Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, just south of Columbia. This is a tremendous place to spend the day, with hiking trails leading to scenic views that’ll take your breath away. Thrillseekers will want to check out the park's namesake rock bridge, which is part of the park's cave system. Encompassing over 2,200 acres, the state park also offers mountain biking, horseback riding, interpretive programs, and picnic areas so you can choose your own adventure.You might also want to make your way down to Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Kaiser. With plenty of bodies of water to test your fishing prowess, Missouri’s most popular state park is great for fishing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Keen spelunkers can tour the Ozark Caverns, where you'll discover unique geologic formations, an underground waterfall, and elusive cave-dwelling critters. The whole family can experience the Ozark Caverns on a child-friendly tour.

Exploring the Area

The fun doesn’t end once you leave the wilderness. Take the short drive into Columbia, affectionately nicknamed "Como" by the college-town locals. Intrepid travelers can try different flavors of American cuisine or indulge in a tasting at the area's wineries and breweries. After your meal, you could check out one of the best escape rooms in the country, or look for more cultured entertainment at the Museum of Art and Archaeology. Some highlights of a tour here include pottery and clothing from ancient South American civilizations to religious sculptures dating back to the first century BC. With thousands of ancient artifacts from all over the world on display, you never know what you might see in the permanent and rotating exhibitions.Another popular tourist attraction is the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. Visitors flock here to experience everything from the prison cells to the ghosts. A two-hour history tour will entertain you with tales of breakout attempts, riots, and more. Perhaps you’d rather delve into the paranormal with a two-hour tour, or take it to the next level with a three-hour ghost hunt with EMF meters.Military history buffs will want to add Museum of Missouri Military History to their itinerary. Check out the outdoor exhibits, where you can see massive weapons of war like the F-4 Phantom II fighter, the Sherman tank, and the F-15 Eagle fighter. Inside, you'll find many more artifacts spanning multiple military conflicts, from the Revolutionary War all the way to the tools of today.These attractions just scratch the surface of fun things to do near Cottonwoods RV Park. Rent a motorhome in Columbia and start planning your adventures in the Cave State.