Kansas City camping areas offer a variety of concrete pad and gravel sites with electrical hookups ranging from 30 to 50 amp service. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 800-1,100 feet above sea level, contributing to moderate temperature swings between day and night, even during summer months. Jackson County parks provide multiple camping options within 30 minutes of downtown Kansas City, with most facilities offering year-round accessibility.
What to do
Hiking at Weston Bend State Park: Located 39 minutes from Kansas City, this state park features several trails through mature deciduous forest. "This place was fantastic all the way around. These are the cleanest bathrooms and facilities that I have been to I think maybe ever. The camp hosts were super nice and stopped by to make sure that I was all set up and didn't need any help," notes Lauri J. about Weston Bend State Park Campground.
Fishing at Blue Springs Lake: The multiple lakes in this area provide excellent fishing opportunities without requiring a special license at some locations. "Beautiful Lake, with fishing, and boating," mentions Shirley M. about her stay at Blue Springs Lake Campground. The lake is stocked with several species and offers bank fishing access points.
Historical sites near Independence: Within a 15-minute drive from Campus RV Park, visitors can explore historical landmarks. "If the weather would have been warmer, it would have been a very bikeable area, too," says Shari G. about the area around Campus RV Park, noting that "The Truman Library, the Community of Christ Church, the downtown theater and court house are all interesting and worth a look."
What campers like
Clean bathhouse facilities: Many campers specifically mention the excellent condition of shower and bathroom facilities. "The bathhouse was newer and in good condition, and there's a laundry in one of the restroom buildings," notes MickandKarla W. about their stay at Blue Springs Lake Campground, adding that it's "just east of Kansas City."
Quiet, natural settings close to urban amenities: Several parks balance natural environments with proximity to city attractions. "It's a good camp ground if you are looking to get out of the city," writes Justin C. about Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, which offers a woodland setting just a short drive from Kansas City's eastern neighborhoods.
Well-maintained grounds and spaces: Campers regularly note the cleanliness and upkeep of local campgrounds. "The whole experience was awesome. The entire place was spotless, the sites were far apart enough that you didn't feel like your neighbors were on top of you," shares NomadBrad D. regarding his camping experience at Blue Springs, highlighting the importance of adequate spacing between sites.
What you should know
Train noise affects some campgrounds: Several camping areas near Kansas City experience railroad noise. "Only issue was trains blowing their horns during the night," reports Carolyn M. about Campus RV Park, though she still rated her stay positively despite the noise disruption.
Seasonal walnut staining: Campers staying under walnut trees should prepare for potential staining during autumn months. "During our stay I was awakened to a startling noise and couldn't figure it out until I went outside and saw the walnuts falling onto our camper. By the time we left, everything was covered (stained) tarnish brown," explains Shannon G. about her experience at Walnut Grove.
Airport proximity at some sites: Campgrounds north of the city may experience air traffic. "The campground is on the final approach for the airport, so you get to see a lot of planes flying overhead, which you don't even notice cause they are quieter than they used to be," notes Brian A. about Basswood Country RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly amenities: Several parks offer designated play areas for children. "The sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating," says Chris W. about his family's experience at Basswood Country RV Resort.
Weekend activities at select parks: Some campgrounds provide organized events for families. "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 Tori G. about the family programming at Basswood Country RV Resort.
Seasonal swimming options: Water features provide summer relief for families. "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," reports Jennifer H. about her stay at Worlds of Fun Village.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many Kansas City area campgrounds have sloped sites. "The site slopes to the passenger side and downhill toward the road, so we used a few levelers. Many sites here are sloped. The premium cement pads seemed to be more level than gravel sites," advises MickandKarla W. about Blue Springs Lake Campground.
Dump station considerations: RVers should note specific dump station layouts. "As you exit the park, if you have a big rig, you'll want to stay to the left side of the dump station for a wider right turn out of the park," recommends MickandKarla W., providing useful maneuvering information for larger rigs at Blue Springs.
Premium sites worth the upgrade: For RVers seeking more space, premium sites provide significant advantages. "We did pay for the premium pull through site, so we had more room. Everything worked great, the spot was on a slight hill- but wasn't terrible to level out," shares Mary about her experience at Walnut Grove RV Park, indicating the value of paying for upgraded sites.
