Camping options near Edwardsville, Kansas cluster around the Kansas City metropolitan area, with sites situated within a 30-mile radius of town. The region experiences humid continental climate with hot summers and moderately cold winters, creating camping opportunities year-round with peak season running April through October. Proximity to interstate highways means most camping areas have convenient access but may experience noticeable road noise, particularly during weekday commute hours.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Paradise Resort offers several small fishing lakes where catch-and-release is popular. "We camped here in September 2020. There are nice spots right by the lakes with big trees for shade. Kids found tons of frogs and snails to play with," notes one visitor to Lake Paradise Resort.
Visit Kansas City attractions: Worlds of Fun Village provides direct access to the adjacent amusement park. "The theme park offered 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," explains a camper who appreciated the convenience.
Explore historical sites: Independence has several historical attractions within walking distance of camping areas. "It's within walking distance of everything in town... Independence has some cool stuff to check out and has a very midwestern, small-town feel to it, even though it is basically a suburb of the greater Kansas City area," shares a visitor to Campus RV Park.
What campers like
Swimming pools: Many campgrounds in the area feature swimming pools that help during hot Kansas summers. "The pool is renovated and very nice. It is very large, zero entry, up to mostly around 5 ft deep with a small area that was 9ft; there is a children's area with a sprinkler," reports a visitor describing Lake Paradise Resort.
Level, concrete pads: Deer Creek Valley RV Park offers well-maintained sites that RVers appreciate. "Clean level concrete pads with hook ups that worked! A pool that was warm enough to get all the way into (but still truly refreshing!) and a well organized check in with a great list of local trades people included," notes a satisfied camper.
Camp stores with extras: Several parks offer well-stocked stores with specialty items. At Owl Creek Market and RV Park, campers can find unique products: "Nice camp store with selections of sausage and cheese. Also, small selection of wine," mentions one reviewer who appreciated these offerings.
What you should know
Train noise affects some sites: Multiple campgrounds in the area experience railroad noise. "Only issue was trains blowing their horns during the night," notes a visitor to Campus RV Park, while another camper at Trailside RV Park mentions "Noise. Mostly from the highway, but also trains and air traffic."
Airport proximity: Campgrounds north of Kansas City experience aircraft noise. "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 be, and I think they shut down flights around 10pm," shares a visitor to Basswood Country RV Resort.
Security varies by location: Some campgrounds offer additional safety measures. "They have the property gate guarded at night which is another nice feature," notes a camper at Deer Creek Valley RV Park, while Campus RV Park is described as "in a nice area."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. "Kids loved playing on the playground in the morning while we packed up. Plenty of grass and a little dog run area too for our pup," writes a visitor to Deer Creek Valley RV Park who appreciated these amenities.
Weekend activities: Some parks organize regular events for children. "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," explains a long-time visitor to Basswood Country RV Resort.
Shade considerations: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds. "There are nice spots right by the lakes with big trees for shade. Roads going up higher past us were a little rough but made for great walks with kids," notes a Lake Paradise Resort visitor, while others mention that some parks offer minimal shade.
Tips from RVers
Premium site options: At Walnut Grove RV Park, spending more for premium sites provides additional space. "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," shares a satisfied camper.
Trade resources available: Some campgrounds maintain lists of local repair services. "Our engine light came on that day, so it we really appreciated having that resource," notes a Deer Creek Valley visitor who benefited from the campground's list of local trades people.
Capacity for large rigs: Walnut Grove RV Park accommodates oversized vehicles with specific sites. "I would recommend staying at the premium pull through sites the other back-in sites are rather small. I like the location it's close to where I was working and close to downtown so lots of things to do in the area," advises an RVer who stayed at the park.
