Long Branch Campground

The Great Outdoors

Choosing to book an RV in Macon County is equal parts of a desire for small-town charm and for beautiful natural settings. Long Branch Reservoir might not be natural, but it serves as a home for dozens of wildlife species, which shouldn’t be too hard to spot as you wander its glorious trails. Pershing State Park, a little to the west of Long Branch, is another popular hangout for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its well-trafficked hiking trails that cut through bottomland forest and prairies that are emblematic of the region. The 1.5-mile wooden boardwalk is exceptionally popular with birdwatchers.Looking for a great rail trail to put some miles on your bicycle? The city of St. Joseph has an amazing trail system that extends for almost 15 miles throughout the city. The whole route is paved and relatively flat, making it a great option for those wanting to get back into the saddle after a long period of not riding.Covered bridges are the sort of thing you visit while touring New England, but northern Missouri has a fair number of them too, and you could definitely make a scavenger hunt out of them when you rent a camper near Long Branch Reservoir. One of the closest is at Union Covered Bridge State Historic Park outside the town of Paris. The bridge is fairly unassuming, but it’s one of only a few remaining examples of its Burr-Arch Truss style.

Exploring the City

The town of Macon is only a couple of miles from Long Branch Campground, and where you’ll spend most of your time when you’re not hanging out at the RV campground. It’s a small town with a charming atmosphere with locally-owned shops, mom-and-pop diners (this is Missouri, try the BBQ), and a community theater (the Maple Repertory) that puts on some fantastic shows. As a tourism hub for the region, it’s also where you’ll find gas stations, repair shops, and a visitor center where you can get some help building your itinerary.Train enthusiasts should mark out a day to visit the town of La Plata, a short distance to the north. Its location has made it a railroad hub since its inception, and it’s where you’ll find the Exhibition of Amtrak History. It consists of just two material-handling cars (boxcars) filled with memorabilia from the railroad’s storied past, but there’s even a model train set up in one.If you’re a fan of niche museums, you’ll probably also like the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine near Kirksville. It’s considered the birthplace of the field, which focuses on manipulating joints and massaging muscles to heal the body. The museum traces the history of the specialty back to the middle of the 19th century when osteopathy and modern medicine were emerging from the chaos that was charlatans and snake oil salesman.While not recommended as a stand-alone attraction, if your sightseeing journey includes a drive west on Highway 139, be sure to stop in Sumner, where Maxie “the World’s Largest Goose” statue is located. The 40-foot by 60-foot Canada goose is the sort of crazy sight that road trips are made (the world’s largest pecan statue is close by in Brunswick). Stop by, take a few pictures, and marvel at the small-town Americana.Wineries abound in northern Missouri, and it’d be a shame not to visit a few if you consider yourself a vino aficionado. Even if you don’t, the wines that come from Missouri have a unique taste not found in the mass market brands typically made in California, so it’s worth trying a few while you’re in the area.