The Osawatomie area sits at approximately 860 feet above sea level in eastern Kansas, with four distinct seasons including humid summers and moderately cold winters. RV camping options near Osawatomie typically experience temperature ranges from 20°F in winter to 90°F in summer, with spring and fall offering milder camping conditions between 50-75°F. Most campgrounds in the area are accessible year-round, though some seasonal flooding can affect low-lying sites during spring.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pony Express RV Park features two stocked ponds on its property where campers can enjoy fishing. "Campground is off the road with 2 ponds. They also have some llamas as a small zoo," notes Michele W. about the Pony Express RV Park.
Explore historic sites: Independence, Missouri is just 40 minutes from many rv sites near Osawatomie, Kansas and offers significant historical attractions. "We had some time to kill and made the rounds to various places. The Truman Library, the Community of Christ Church, the downtown theater and court house are all interesting and worth a look," shares Shari G. about staying at Campus RV Park while exploring the area.
Sporting events: Many RV campers use local parks as bases for attending Kansas City sports games. "Great spot especially to attend Chiefs Game," explains Kelly D. who stayed at Campus RV Park. The proximity to Arrowhead Stadium makes it convenient for sports fans.
Lake recreation: Rutlader Outpost RV Park provides easy access to Hillsdale State Park and lake. "You're also very close to Hillsdale State Park," mentions Laura H., noting the park's additional advantage of having "a tornado shelter" unlike the state park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of shower and bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were clean, the showers very hot, and the laundry room was tidy!" reports Shari G. about her stay at Walnut Grove RV Park.
Friendly staff: Staff helpfulness ranks high in camper satisfaction at rv campgrounds near Osawatomie. "Great friendly staff. Level concrete sites. We're in #22 - with wifi access point right here. 66m down, 24m up," shares Kevin H. about Campus RV Park, appreciating both the service and technical amenities.
Pull-through sites: The convenience of pull-through sites is frequently mentioned in reviews. "The gentleman at the desk was exceptionally pleasant... I made it known that this was our first time and he put us in a pull-thru spot, which was a huge relief," explains Justin G. about his first-time camping experience at Walnut Grove RV Park.
Storm shelter access: Several campgrounds provide storm shelters, a valued safety feature in this tornado-prone region. "Full hook-ups and a bath/shower house (which doubles as a storm shelter)," notes Vincent H. about Shady Acres RV Park.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer spacious sites while others place RVs close together. "Spacing is a little tight and the surrounding views are meh at best," observes Justin G. about Walnut Grove RV Park, while Rutlader Outpost RV Park offers "Sites: 30' wide, 60' long and level."
Falling walnuts can stain vehicles: At certain times of year, walnut trees drop nuts that can damage RV exteriors. "I was awakened to a startling noise... By the time we left, everything was covered (stained) tarnish brown. The park is in a walnut grove hence its name," warns Shannon G. about her experience at Walnut Grove.
Train noise affects some locations: Train horns can disrupt sleep at certain campgrounds. "Only issue was trains blowing their horns during the night," mentions Carolyn M. about her stay at Campus RV Park. Wayne B. confirms this: "Trains nearby can be loud with their horns but it's close to airport which was necessity for me."
Cell service and WiFi quality: Internet capabilities vary by location. "WiFi worked very well," reports Kelly D. about Campus RV Park, while at Rutlader Outpost, "Cellular: service was good, able to stream video, work, Facebook, etc."
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly options: Many rv parks near Osawatomie welcome pets with designated areas. "They had a dog run which was not fenced but provided some grass for the pups," notes Shannon G. about Walnut Grove. Vincent H. mentions that Shady Acres has "2 ponds on the property and a community picnic shelter."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Some campgrounds offer unique animal encounters. "They also have some llamas as a small zoo. We only stayed overnight August, 2017," shares Michele W. about Pony Express RV Park LLC.
Seasonal tree frog activity: Unique wildlife sounds create memorable experiences for kids. "There also was a strange noise coming from the trees... After searching, I found that it was tree frogs and it was their call. So if you are there in September listen and you will hear them, they love the walnut trees," advises Shannon G.
Picnic areas and community spaces: Several campgrounds offer community gathering spots. "2 ponds on the property and a community picnic shelter. 15 RV spots that are graveled with a fire ring and picnic table at each," describes Vincent H. about the family-friendly setup at Shady Acres RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Premium sites worth the upgrade: At some parks, paying for premium spots provides better experiences. "We did pay for the premium pull through site, so we had more room. Everything worked great," recommends Mary about Walnut Grove RV Park.
Long-term vs. short-term areas: Parks often have different sections for different stay durations. "The spaces are very tight in the travelers section and more spread out in the long term section," explains Laura H. about her extended stay experience at Walnut Grove.
Seasonal pricing considerations: RV parks in the area often adjust rates throughout the year. "Rates as of April 2020 (from their site): DAY RATE: $45.00, CLUB RATE: $40.00 (Good Sam's, FMCA, AAA, Military), WEEKLY: $215, MONTHLY: $575 Back In, $700 Pull Through," details Laura H. about Jayhawker RV Park.
Gated night security: Some parks offer additional security features. "Gated community at night (owners give you code if you leave and come back at night)," explains Vincent H. about Shady Acres, providing peace of mind for RVers concerned about security.
