Hanson Hills Campground

The Great Outdoors

Just a short drive away from your campsite at Hanson Hills Campground is the Whetstone Creek Conservation Area near Kingdom City, Missouri. At just over 5,000 acres, there is no shortage of exploratory options in this little Missouri oasis. The area was owned by many families over the past 200 years, but now the Missouri Department of Conservation owns it and cultivates the woodland, prairie, and savanna habitats that were here before. Today, visitors can stroll through these various habitats and see the beginnings of nature reclaiming what once belonged to it. You can also try your luck at catching some local catfish or sunfish in the small stream that cuts through the park.Kingdom City campers looking to learn something new can take a trip to Graham Cave State Park near Montgomery City. Graham Cave, the highlight of the park, was inhabited by humans as far back as 10,000 years ago. Various artifacts have been found, which have helped shed light on how early hunter-gatherers survived in the area. To get a true sense for the world of these early humans, you can head into the Graham Cave Glades Natural Area, which has been preserved to maintain an untouched environment.To experience just a slice of solitude in central Missouri, head to Three Creeks Conservation Area in Ashland. At just under 1,500 acres, you can truly immerse yourself in the wondrous natural playground that is the Show-Me State. Home to Turkey Creek, Bass Creek, and Bonne Femme Creek, Three Creeks is a lush oasis that expertly provides the shelter that Missourian wildlife needs. The area was originally acquired by the Missouri Department of Conservation because of its incredible diversity of plant and animal life. You can explore the conservation area and go on the lookout for some of the more stunning natural sites, such as the river bluffs, or hunt for the remnants of historic homesteads that once presided over the land.

Explore the City

Gearheads will enjoy a day spent at the nearby Auto World Museum. The 18,000-square-foot facility showcases a rotating collection of cars, from one of the original 1909 Ford Model Ts to the revved-up muscle cars of the '80s and '90s. With so much variety under one roof, it’s almost as if you are getting your own little mini-history lesson on the automotive industry.Book an RV in Callaway County, and you can spend part of the day at the National Churchill Museum. On the Westminster College campus in Fulton, Missouri, where Winston Churchill gave the “Iron Curtain” speech, the museum focuses on the life and accomplishments of one of the U.K.’s most famous leaders. You can learn about Churchill and more at this world-renowned museum.Those searching out a peaceful and relaxing day should head to the Shelter Gardens in nearby Columbia, Missouri. The five-acre botanical garden provides just the respite you need during your travels. You can let the babbling of the small waterfall carry you away, marvel at the rock garden, or just try to learn as much as you can about the 15,000 plants at home in the gardens. If you’re traveling in June and July, the garden often hosts small concerts on Sundays for a pleasant way to end the day.When traveling with an RV rental, you may need to refuel before continuing on your journey. You can access gas stations at the nearby intersection of I-70 and Route 54, just east of Hanson Hills Campground. However, the best options for groceries will be in the nearby city of Columbia, though there are a few markets along Route 54.If you’d rather enjoy a night out instead of cooking at your RV site, then search out some of that famed St. Louis BBQ. The grilled spare ribs slathered in tangy BBQ sauce are a great way to end the night. Just be sure to grab some extra napkins!