Several RV parks near Kansas City, Kansas offer concrete pads for larger rigs with most operating year-round despite seasonal weather fluctuations. Winter visitors can find accommodations in Independence and Merriam while summer travelers enjoy access to water recreation at nearby lakes. Cell service remains reliable across most Kansas City area campgrounds regardless of season.
What to do
Amusement park access: Worlds of Fun Village provides direct access to both Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun theme parks. "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," notes John L.
Fishing opportunities: Basswood Country RV Resort features five small lakes where fishing is permitted without a license. "You could fish in the lakes and didn't even need a license. We watched kids get excited as they caught fish after fish," shares Shannon G. The resort was historically a favorite fishing spot of President Harry S. Truman.
Walking trails: The campgrounds surrounding Kansas City offer walking paths suitable for all fitness levels. "Roads going up higher past us were a little rough but made for great walks with kids," comments Brandi D. about Lake Paradise Resort, while other parks connect to urban trails systems for longer hikes.
What campers like
Convenient urban access: Campus RV Park provides quick access to downtown Kansas City attractions. "Just 30 minutes to downtown Kansas City and maybe 15 minutes to arrowhead stadium, this campground is ideal for being close to everything that Kansas City offers," notes Wendy T., highlighting the balance between camping and urban access.
Clean facilities: Visitors 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 Campus RV Park. Most campgrounds feature modern restrooms with reliable hot water and well-maintained laundry facilities.
Pool amenities: Lake Paradise Resort offers an exceptionally large swimming pool. "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," describes Julie B., noting that campers receive two free daily passes to the pool per night of camping.
What you should know
Highway noise: Many RV sites near Kansas City, Kansas sit close to major highways and railroad tracks. "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," advises John L. regarding Worlds of Fun Village.
Airport proximity: Basswood Country RV Resort lies under the flight path for 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," explains Brian A.
Variable site quality: Site quality can differ significantly within the same campground. "We got a spot under the trees. Laundry and bathrooms were clean. The road in camp was rough so drive slow," notes Larry M. about Owl Creek Market and RV Park, while other campers report similar differences between premium and standard sites.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule 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," shares Tori G. about Basswood Country RV Resort's family programming.
Choose sites with play areas: Walnut Grove RV Park provides designated pet and play areas. "They had a dog run which was not fenced but provided some grass for the pups," reports Shannon G., while other reviewers note available recreational facilities for children including basketball courts and playgrounds.
Reserve waterfront sites: Sites near water features often provide natural entertainment for children. "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. Kids found tons of frogs and snails to play with," shares Brandi D. about her family's experience at Lake Paradise Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: When booking, consider the specific location within the campground. "Pay more for the pull through you'll have tons of parking even if your rig is big. Our rig is 44 ft and we parked two 2500's on the pad no problem," advises E C. at Worlds of Fun Village, highlighting the value of premium sites for larger rigs.
Urban camping considerations: Walnut Grove RV Park offers proximity to city amenities with corresponding trade-offs. "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 knew it would be hard to find a place that would allow a same day reservation," shares Jayme J., noting that the staff was accommodating for last-minute arrivals despite the holiday weekend.
Cell service and connectivity: While cell service is generally good around Kansas City, WiFi quality varies by campground. "WiFi is laughable," notes Kris M. about Trailside RV Park, while other campgrounds provide more reliable connections. Business travelers and remote workers should verify connectivity options before booking.