Lewis and Clark campground reopens after Missouri River flooding

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. - Water marks from Missouri River flooding of 2011 are still visible in the campground at Lewis and Clark State Park, but conditions are all but back to normal now.

The park, located in Buchanan County, Mo., has slowly been reopening since flood waters forced its closure in June 2011. Last Wednesday, the campground made the park complete just in time for Labor Day weekend.

"We came flying down here Thursday morning to see what sites were open and went back to town, pulled the trailer down, been here ever since," said Ronda Stanart of St. Joseph.

She is one of many excited patrons.

"Some people have been checking in almost weekly throughout the summer. Locals wanting to come and camp," park superintendent Amber Terry said.

The whole campground was covered with water and mud. The cleanup started last September and lasted nearly an entire year.

"We still have some sites that need a little bit of work as far as getting gravel in and planting grass," Terry said.

Full-service camping is available at Lewis and Clark until October 31.