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Best Tent Camping near Kansas City, KS

521 Reviews

Tent campsites near Kansas City, Kansas range from established campgrounds to more primitive options within a short drive of the metropolitan area. Woodridge Park in Berryton offers free tent camping with both car camping spots in a gravel circle and walk-in tent sites along a trail loop. The park provides clean vault toilets and potable water access, making it a convenient option for tent campers seeking basic amenities. Agency Conservation Area in Missouri also offers free tent camping opportunities, though with more limited facilities.

Tent sites at Woodridge Park are well-dispersed along the trail, creating a sense of seclusion even when the campground is busy. The primitive sites require hiking in with gear, which limits crowds but demands more preparation from campers. Most sites include established fire rings, though campers should verify current fire restrictions before their trip. The vault toilets are generally well-maintained, but visitors should bring their own drinking water or be prepared to treat water from natural sources. During peak seasons and holidays, the drive-in sites fill quickly, so arriving early is recommended for weekend camping.

Walk-in tent locations at Woodridge Park provide a more immersive outdoor experience than the parking area sites. A recent review noted, "The trail is probably easy to moderate and there are an endless number of areas to explore. There are several campsites in the parking lot area and then there are 15 more primitive sites along the trail." The 4.5-mile trail offers moderate hiking with potential challenges during wet weather. Many tent campers appreciate the privacy of these walk-in sites, which feel secluded even when other campers are present. The surrounding area features wooded terrain with lake access, providing opportunities for additional recreation. Campers should be prepared for variable conditions, including potential mud after rain and seasonal insect activity, particularly butterflies in mid-summer.

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Best Tent Sites Near Kansas City, Kansas (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Kansas City, KS

7 Photos of 7 Kansas City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Kansas City, KS

521 Reviews of 7 Kansas City Campgrounds

  • Jennifer F.
    Aug. 21, 2020

    Blue Springs Lake Campground

    A local gem

    A campsite not to far from Kansas City but had a feeling far removed. The campground was super clean and well maintained. Out site was great near the entrance but on top a hill and the perfect tree coverage for shade. One of the best shaded spots in the campground.

  • Tom S.
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Crow's Creek Campground

    A clean campsite on the lake

    I was looking for a decent place to camp near Kansas City during the weekend and found this spot on Smithville Lake. When I camp, I typically do it while on vacation and checking out a national park. This obviously isn't an experience like that. This was the first time I've camped over a weekend in years.

    The campsites are very spacious and there are even places with covered picnic tables. The bathrooms are also clean. If you're not the most adventurous type, you'll like this campground.

    The thing I enjoyed most about this campground was the trail around the lake. The trails are fairly low traffic and there wasn't too much noise coming from boats on the water. It was a peaceful location to camp and enjoy views of the lake.

    Overall, I recommend this as a quick place to go during a weekend if you're in the area and feel like camping. I probably wouldn't stay here for an extended period of time.

  • M
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Watkins Mill State Park Campground

    Great campsite! We enjoyed our stay.

    Clean bathroom and shower facilities. The park and campsite are gorgeous. There's a lake but it's not anything to brag about, and the swimming beach is closed often due to bacteria in the lake.

    It's a short drive from Kansas City and one of my favorite weekenders when the weather is nice. We've always had a great time on our stays.

  • Chad K.
    Jun. 1, 2017

    Watkins Mill State Park Campground

    Fantastic area close to KC

    Watkins mill SP is located a short distance from Kansas City off I-35 near Kearney. The park has a large lake that you can fish and boat as well as multiple hiking options. The historical site is a neat step back in time to the 1800'. The campground is broken up into 3 different areas with plenty of space for campers, RV's and tents. Park features include an updated showerhouse, large playground for the kids and helpful and friendly park staff. Thanks to the staff for giving us an heads up on the raccoons that are bold! Reservations are recommended on holiday weekends.

  • Sarah H.
    Sep. 18, 2016

    Wallace State Park Campground

    Popular Park Tucked Away In The Hills

    My husband and I tent camped overnight at Wallace State Park. Woodsy tent camping sites were spacious and private. Large camping pads are lined with wood chips and are comfortable enough to sleep on without an air mattress. Covered picnic tables have an extra shelf for storage convenience. Even after setting up the tent and camping chairs there was still enough room for lawn games or for little ones to run around.

    Wildlife was abundant in the evening. We saw many deer, frogs and squirrels. At dark, nature sounds were unbelievable with songs of bullfrogs, owls, and flying creatures of all sorts. Be sure to bring bug repellant.

    Campground 1 had clean vault toilets, but the bath house near Campground 2 was even better. Showers were clean and in their own stalls with locking doors, shelves and ample hooks. The water got nice and hot and the shower heads were even and held good pressure. This bath house was seriously the best one we have ever visited and we have used dozens.

    For entertainment, there was a bustling playground, winding nature trails, horseshoes, lake swimming, and fishing. There was also a well kept laundry house with a dishwashing sink attached. Campground hosts and park rangers were friendly and busy keeping the park in great shape. Overall, this is a really nice place to camp!

    Gear Review: Lighthouse 250 Lantern and USB Power Hub We decided to try out our GoalZero lantern instead of our usual larger lantern. The lantern is compact enough to fit in a small bag with other electronics and is very light in weight. This saved us a little extra room which is a bonus since we take all of our camping trips in a tiny little Prius C. The Lighthouse 250 would be a good contender for bringing along on a backpacking trip, but you would want to pad it with some kind of protection as it seems that some parts might not hold up to a lot of banging around.

    We used the lantern 2 nights in a row without charging it and the battery life indicator still had over 1/4 of its power left. On this same charge, wee tested the phone charger by hooking up an iPhone 4 to charge for 10 minutes with the light on full turbo. The 10 minute charge boosted the phone's battery 12%. The hand crank charger was a little awkward, but would be sufficient in a pinch. Had we needed more power, we could have easily plugged the attached USB cord into our car charger. We don't usually pony up for electric sites, so on extended excursions, the Nomad 7 Solar Panel is a gadget we would consider purchasing.

    The directional lighting feature of the lantern came in handy for having dimmer light closer to sleeping times and brighter light for reading/boardgames in the tent. In the end, we will definitely bring the Lighthouse 250 lantern with us on future trips, and will leave our bulky older lantern at home.

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Rutlader Outpost RV Park

    Great Campground

    We’re from Kansas City and there are very few options when it comes to Campgrounds. This is by far our favorite and their rates are very reasonable. We enjoyed our stay, staff was very friendly and the park was clean and easy to get in and out of. You’re also very close to Hillsdale State Park, but this location has a tornado shelter 🤣

    The park: great store, laid out well, gravel sites. Some are back in but most are pull through. Full hook ups- power/water/sewer.

    72 Sites: 30' wide, 60' long and level 24 Sites are pull thru All have 30 & 50 amp service

    You are within 40 minutes of southern Overland Park, and within approximately an hour (depending on traffic) to Kansas City.

    Amenities: Laundry Storm Shelter Showers Meeting room available for RV Rallies (Must Schedule) Fishing Lake

    Cellular: service was good, able to stream video, work, Facebook, etc.

    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 (if not paid by due date, Day Rate will apply.)​

  • Whitney L.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    Bluffwoods Conservation Area

    lovely, quiet camping near St. Joe’s MO

    Love this little area for camping! It’s well maintained, quiet, easy to access, has lots of grass for the dogs to play and we always see wildlife. People often leave trash so be sure to leave no trace so it stays nice for all to enjoy <3

  • Leni K.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    Wallace State Park Campground

    Good Weekend Getaway

    Campground 1 is the ideal tent grounds. Heavily wooded some with better coverage than others. Campground 2 is the most spaces RV site. Campground 3 had five total sites in an open area. No privacy at all. Campground 4 was a tighter RV set up. All campgrounds share one very updated showerhouse, which did lead to some lines at the showers Sunday, but the trade off for quality bathroom is appreciated. All campgrounds and day use areas are also connected by a series of trails, so you're not far off from getting to a hike at any point. Campground 1 has four walkins that range from 80 to 300 yards in, starting with 28 closest and 31 farthest out. We stayed at 31, and whole remote, during the day picked up sounds clearly from other sites and at night the highway was pretty clear. Overall though the seclusion tradeoff was nice and it was an easy adjustment for us as car campers. We had a raccoon visitor who is a frequent flyer, while he got away with some hotdogs, we adjusted and ensured he didn't get additional treats. The main showerhouse was closer than the vault toilet on 1, which was still really well maintained. Overall crowds here seemed very respectful of quiet hours, space on trails and made for an improved stay. Camp hosts were always available and polite and friendly. Trails were maintained. Definitely would return again, to a similar site as a walk in.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2025

    Blue Springs Lake Campground

    Nice County Campground

    Both RV Life Trip Wizard navigation and GPS took us to Campground Rd where there were signs to the camping area. The check in area at this county campground (CG) was a little tight but doable with our 40’ 5th wheel and F450 truck. We proceeded to back-in site 29 with FHUs. The road area was wide, so we had no issues backing into the site. The utilities were place middle-back on the site and we had no problems reaching. The site slopes to the passenger side and down hill to the road, so we used a few levelers. Space between sites varies within the CG. Our site was very close to 30 but we were on the end with a nice yard. Water pressure was decent. There’s no Wifi in the CG. We got 3 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. There are mature trees here, but most sites except a few north perimeter would have a shot for satellite. The bathhouse was newer and in good condition plus there’s a laundry in one of the restroom buildings. This CG is a good option as it's just east of Kansas City. We were here overnight and would stay here again. ChatGPT: First edit, I asked for a more engaging narrative. It did that but took accuracy away from the review. Then I asked ChatGPT to just edit. This version did that and improved the flow, plus kept the facts in tact. Both RV Life Trip Wizard navigation and GPS took us to Campground Rd, where there were signs directing us to the camping area. The check-in area at this county campground(CG) was a little tight but manageable with our 40’ 5th wheel and F450 truck. We proceeded to back-in site 29 with FHUs. The road was wide, so we had no issues backing in. The utilities were located mid-to-rear on the site, and we had no trouble reaching them. 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. Space between sites varies within the CG—our site was very close to site 30, but we were on the end with a nice yard. Water pressure was decent. There’s no Wi-Fi in the CG, but we got 3 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. There are mature trees throughout, but most sites—except a few on the north perimeter—would have a clear shot for satellite. The bathhouse was newer and in good condition, and there’s a laundry in one of the restroom buildings. This CG is a good option just east of Kansas City. We stayed overnight and would return. KJ Edit Both RV Life Trip Wizard navigation and GPS took us to Campground Rd, where there were signs directing us to the camping area. The check-in area at this county campground(CG) was a little tight but manageable with our 40’ 5th wheel and F450 truck. We proceeded to back-in site 29 with FHUs. The road isn't real wide, but we had no issues backing in. However, if there had been a rig in the site right next to us on the driver side, it would have been challenging. The utilities were located mid-to-rear on the site, and we had no trouble reaching them. 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. Space between sites varies within the CG—our site was very close to site 30 and thus, they didn't have much of a yard, but our site had a nice yard. Water pressure was decent. There’s no Wi-Fi in the CG, but we got 3 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. There are mature trees throughout, but most sites—except a few on the north perimeter—would have a clear shot for satellite. The bathhouse was newer and in good condition, and there’s a laundry in one of the restroom buildings. 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. This CG is a good option just east of Kansas City. We stayed overnight and would return.

Guide to Kansas City

Tent camping near Kansas City, Kansas provides multiple options for overnight stays in natural settings. Most campgrounds lie within a 45-minute drive of the city center. The region features rolling hills and wooded terrain with summer temperatures averaging 75-90°F and occasional severe thunderstorms between May and September that can impact camping conditions.

What to do

Lakeside activities: Woodridge Park offers hiking trails that lead to lake access for fishing and swimming. "Beautiful free camping. There's a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail... Site 4 is right on the lake and had a beautiful view of the sunrise," notes Alexandra J.

Trail exploration: The 4.5-mile trail network at Woodridge Park provides multiple hiking options through wooded terrain. "We also love hiking the trail through the woods and by the lake even when we aren't camping—best trail I've been on in Lawrence," according to one camper who found the paths well-maintained even during non-camping visits.

Wildlife observation: The conservation areas around Kansas City host diverse wildlife, particularly during spring and fall migrations. Seasonal butterfly populations are notable at some sites. "We went mid-June, and there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive, constantly swarming us," reports Harmony H. about her Woodridge Park experience.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: The dispersed nature of tent sites at Tent Sites at Milo Farm provides separation between campers. At Woodridge Park, "Camping spots along trail are really spread out and even if every spot is full you still feel secluded," according to Zach C.

Free camping options: Several campgrounds near Kansas City offer no-cost tent camping. "Kansas beauty! The campground is very well groomed, lots of amenities and it is really close to the lake via a short hike in the woods," reports Clay W. about his experience at Woodridge Park.

Established fire rings: Many primitive sites include fire rings for cooking and evening campfires. "Awesome spot for weekend camping. Lots of fire rings available. Well maintained in the main camping area, as well as on the trail," notes James H. about his stay at Woodridge Park.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Primitive camping areas typically have minimal amenities. At Agency Conservation Area, Whitney L. notes: "I'd recommend this site for someone passing through just looking for a free, quiet spot to boondock for the night safely because the gravel parking lot is all you get (as far as land goes)."

Weather considerations: Spring rains can create muddy conditions on access roads and trails. "Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!" warns Carly H. about Woodridge Park.

First-come availability: Most tent sites operate without reservations. "Woodridge is never over crowded unless it's a holiday, so more often than not you could camp the whole weekend and potentially not see another person," explains one regular camper.

Operating hours: Some conservation areas have specific hours. At Agency Conservation Area, one camper discovered: "I guess the area is closed 10pm to 4 pm. Super small gravel parking lot. Moving to different site."

Tips for camping with families

Pack light for hike-in sites: When using walk-in tent sites with children, prioritize essential gear. "It our first time hiking in to a site (lots of work with our regular gear for a family of four, but worth it!)" shares a parent about their Rabbit Ridge Primitive Campground experience.

Consider seasonal insect activity: Plan family trips around seasonal insect populations. "At one point there were seven perched on my husband's back, and one landed in a pancake cooking on the grill. We still had fun, but we'll go earlier or later next time," advises one family about butterfly season at Woodridge Park.

Check site privacy: Family groups often benefit from secluded camping spots. "This is my little families favorite camp ground. We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail. We have myself, husband, son, and dog," reports Nikki S. about her family's experiences at Woodridge Park.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most tent camping areas near Kansas City have minimal accommodations for larger vehicles. Riverfront Camping Club offers some options with 30-amp hookups suitable for smaller RVs, though amenities remain basic.

Gravel access roads: Conservation area access often involves unpaved roads. Whitney L. reports about Agency Conservation Area: "Getting here was easy (Jeep Wrangler + square back pull behind) and the roads leading to the CA were well maintained and not muddy even after a ton of rain earlier in the week."

Vehicle size limitations: Check vehicle restrictions before arriving. Most primitive tent camping areas cannot accommodate larger RVs or trailers due to tight turns, low clearance, and limited parking areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any tent camping locations near Kansas City with swimming access?

Agency Conservation Area offers camping with water access, though reviews suggest it's better for fishing than swimming. For dedicated swimming options, Riverfront Camping Club provides tent sites with river access for swimming during warmer months. The club offers both drive-in and boat-in access, making it versatile for different camping styles. When planning a swimming-focused camping trip, always check current water conditions and safety advisories, as water levels and quality can change seasonally around Kansas City. Also consider that many swimming areas don't offer lifeguards, so proper safety precautions are essential.

Where are the best tent camping locations near Kansas City?

Woodridge Park is highly recommended for tent camping near Kansas City, offering both car camping in a gravel loop area and primitive hike-in sites along a 4.5-mile trail. The hike-in sites are particularly secluded, providing private lakeside spots that rarely feel crowded even on holiday weekends. Another option is Rabbit Ridge Primitive Campground at Hillsdale State Park near Paola, which provides drive-in tent sites with a more traditional state park camping experience. Both locations offer wooded settings that provide shade and natural surroundings, making them ideal for tent campers seeking either easy access or more secluded experiences.

What amenities are available at tent campsites around Kansas City?

Tent campsites around Kansas City offer varying levels of amenities. Tent Sites at Milo Farm provides walk-in sites with potable water access, which is ideal for campers wanting basic amenities while still enjoying a natural setting. Overlook Park offers reservable sites with toilet facilities for more convenience. Many campgrounds in the area typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and basic restroom facilities (often vault toilets). Some locations have potable water available, though this isn't universal. While modern amenities like showers, electricity, and Wi-Fi are less common at primitive tent sites, they may be available at more developed campgrounds or in designated areas within larger parks.

How much does tent camping cost in Kansas City?

Tent camping costs around Kansas City vary widely depending on location and amenities. Woodridge Park offers free tent camping with both car camping and hike-in options, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice. At Marysville, reservable tent sites typically cost $15-25 per night. State parks and conservation areas in the region generally charge $8-15 for basic tent sites, while private campgrounds with more amenities may charge $25-40 per night. Some locations offer discounts for extended stays or during off-season periods. Always check if there are additional fees for extra vehicles, pets, or premium locations with water views or extra space.

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