Camping options near Elwood, Kansas span both Missouri and Kansas, with most facilities located within a 30-minute drive. The region sits along the Missouri River valley at approximately 800 feet elevation, creating a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in this area close water connections from late October through early April due to freezing temperatures.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 5 small lakes at Basswood Country RV Resort provide catch-and-release fishing without requiring a license. One camper noted, "You could fish in the lakes and didn't even need a license. We watched kids get excited as they caught fish after fish."
Family activities: Amusement parks nearby when staying at Worlds of Fun Village, where the campground offers "discounted tickets when staying at the campground and parking for the parks was included. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are internally connected, making it easy to walk between the two."
Outdoor recreation: Walking trails and pond access at AOK Campground where one visitor mentioned, "The dogs enjoyed all the extra room, grassy areas, and small trail to explore." Some campgrounds even provide kayaks for guest use on small ponds or lakes.
What campers like
Clean facilities: AOK Campground & RV Park maintains excellent bathroom facilities according to multiple reviews. One camper stated, "Very, very clean bathrooms and laundry. Hosts present and helpful. Would stay again without hesitation."
Spacious sites: A Country Charm RV Park offers "level sites" with "good hook-up access" and includes "a nice picnic table and fire ring at each site." A visitor noted it's "peaceful and quiet" despite its small size.
Swimming pools: Several RV sites near Elwood, Kansas feature pools for summer recreation. At Basswood Country RV Resort, campers appreciate the "swimming pool and splash park" along with "organized activities such as arts and crafts, fishing contests, duck races and frozen t-shirt contests in the pool."
What you should know
Highway noise: Several campgrounds near Elwood are close to major highways. At AOK Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The only reason it isn't getting 5 stars is the proximity to the freeway, you can hear it very clearly (jake brakes and all) continuously."
Airport proximity: Basswood Country RV Resort is on the flight path for Kansas City International Airport. As one camper described, "The campground is on the final approach for the airport, so you get to see a lot planes flying overhead, which you don't even notice cause they are quieter than they used to be, and I think they shut down flights around 10pm."
Long-term residents: Many RV parks in this area have sections dedicated to permanent or long-term residents. At Beacon RV Park, a reviewer observed, "A lot of full timers here, not really anywhere to park (have room for about 1 vehicle). Owner had to have the neighbors move their vehicles just to be able to back into spot."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities for children: Worlds of Fun Village has excellent facilities for kids. A visitor mentioned, "The camp ground pool is huge and fun for the kids on non park days. The campground is all paved and perfect for scooters and bikes for the kids."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds or are near public recreation areas. At A Country Charm RV Park, "City pool and playground across the street" make it convenient for families with children.
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds organize special weekend events. As one Basswood Country visitor shared, "Every weekend there are organized activities such as arts and crafts, fishing contests, duck races and frozen t-shirt contests in the pool, and a Saturday evening outdoor movie."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: At Love's RV Hookup-St. Joseph MO, RVers should note the utility setup challenges. A reviewer advised, "The utilities are at the far backside of the pad and based on our rig's configuration with the wet bay towards the front, we needed 25' or more of hose and electric cord."
Site selection strategies: When staying at Worlds of Fun Village, one RVer recommended, "Row 1 (sites 1-20) is along a busy highway with semi truck noise 24 hours a day. I recommend either paying more for the pull-through (further from the road) or the back in sites 69-82 in row 3."
Level site considerations: Most RV sites near Elwood, Kansas are gravel, but quality varies. At Sharp RV Park, a visitor noted it has "some concrete pads, some gravel" and mentioned it was "easy in and out, close to St Joseph." This makes it practical for overnight stays when traveling through the area.
