Kansas City camping opportunities span across both Kansas and Missouri sides, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds are located within an hour's drive of the metropolitan area, with the highest concentration near lakes and reservoirs. Weather patterns typically include afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, when humidity levels frequently exceed 80%.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Near Crow's Creek Campground, visitors can access Smithville Lake for various fishing spots. The nearby Smithville Lake offers boat-in fishing access in several coves. "Our visit was perfect. it was quite and clean. not very many campers when we went. plenty of firewood to forage out of the timber line. they even sell it and ice at the front entrance," one camper noted.
**Hiking trails: Weston Bend State Park Campground features an extensive trail system with varying difficulty levels. The park includes a paved accessible trail, making it suitable for all ability levels. According to a visitor, "Weston Bend State Park has an amazing hiking trail system within the park! Even one paved trail!"
**Water recreation: Blue Springs Lake Campground provides swimming and boating options from May to early September. The lake is approximately 720 acres and allows fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. A reviewer mentioned, "Beautiful Lake, with fishing, and boating."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Blue Springs Lake Campground, where sites are designed to provide adequate separation. "The sites were well situated such that you felt you had plenty of privacy. The staff was nice but since entrance time and exit time are both 2:00 we had to wait for our spot to open," reports one camper.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Kansas City area generally maintain high cleanliness standards, particularly in shower and restroom areas. "The bathhouse was newer and in good condition plus there's a laundry in one of the restroom buildings," notes an RVer who stayed at Blue Springs Lake Campground.
Level sites: Campus RV Park offers concrete pads that provide stable foundations for camping setups. The park is located in Independence, about 25 minutes from downtown Kansas City. "Level concrete sites. We're in #22 - with wifi access point right here. 66m down, 24m up," shared a satisfied camper.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Some facilities close during winter months or operate with reduced services. Most state parks maintain year-round access, but water may be shut off during freezing temperatures. A camper at Crow's Creek Park reported, "We stayed in October and due to unseasonably cold weather they shut off water with no notice and halfway through our stay. Ended up leaving early since we had no water."
Reservation requirements: Holiday weekends and summer Fridays/Saturdays typically fill up 2-3 months in advance at popular campgrounds. Many parks use a 6-month reservation window for securing specific sites. "We made a last minute decision and decided to stay somewhere near KC after a long cross country trip. With it being Memorial Day weekend, we new it would be hard to find a place that would allow a same day reservation," shared a visitor.
Airport noise: Basswood Country RV Resort, located north of Kansas City, experiences regular aircraft noise due to proximity to Kansas City International Airport. "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," explained one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and dedicated children's activities, particularly during summer weekends. "The camp site were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating," reported a visitor to Blue Springs Lake Campground.
Weekday camping for quieter experience: Family campers often recommend midweek stays to avoid crowds and noise that can occur on weekends. "We have stayed in this campground too many times to count. We love it when it is still kind of off season like Easter weekend and after labor day. We have small children and it can get pretty rowdy during the summer," advised a regular visitor to Crow's Creek Campground.
Swimming access: Worlds of Fun Village provides a large swimming pool that's particularly appealing to families with children. "Super cute big facility. Built on a hillside adjacent to the amusement and water park. The camp ground pool is huge and fun for the kids on non park days," noted a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Space constraints: Several RV parks near Kansas City have limited space between sites, particularly those closer to the urban core. "It's all about the location and supply and demand. It was very over priced for the tiny amount of space you get and subpar wifi. Thank God our neighbor was nice because the poor guy had no room to get in his truck after we put out our slides," shared an RVer at Walnut Grove RV Park.
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds in the area require significant leveling equipment due to uneven terrain. "One of the 3 Jackson County campgrounds, but the most in level sites in any of the parks. Sits on top a hill, the sites are cut into the hillside so vary from small tent sites, to RV sites. We camped in our 39' diesel pusher, had to use lots of wood to level everything up."
Big rig access: Walnut Grove RV Park in Merriam accommodates larger RVs with full hookups and pull-through sites. Located just off Interstate 35, it provides easy access for larger vehicles. "We stopped here for the night and had a great stay. Only 10 minutes away from Joe's original Kansas City BBQ (super delicious). We did pay for the premium pull through site, so we had more room."
