Weston Bend State Park is located north of Kansas City on the Missouri side of the Missouri River. The park covers over 1,100 acres of wooded terrain with varying elevations allowing for scenic overlooks. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer highs can reach 90-100°F with high humidity. Most campgrounds in the area are open seasonally from April through October, though some like Walnut Grove RV Park operate year-round.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Clinton State Park offers multiple fishing spots around its large lake. One visitor noted, "There are several ponds you can fish from. My kids love that" at Suncatcher Lake Campground, which features a private lake where fishing doesn't require special permits.
Hiking variety: The terrain around Lansing provides both wooded and open trails. At Clinton State Park, "an abundance of hiking all around the camps" awaits visitors, plus "disc golf, archery range" for activity alternatives when taking breaks from trail exploration.
Water activities: Kansas lakes offer boating options beyond fishing. At Riverfront Park, campers can access the Missouri River for various water sports. One camper described the experience as having "an amazing view" with opportunities to "kayak/paddleboard" to reach certain campsites.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Blue Springs Lake Campground, "the entire place was spotless, the sites were far apart enough that you didn't feel like your neighbors were on top of you" and "bathrooms were incredibly clean."
Helpful staff: Camp hosts receive consistently positive mentions across multiple locations. At Riverfront Park Campground, guests appreciate that "the hosts Curtis and Christina are absolutely awesome people and very good camp hosts!"
Privacy options: Campgrounds offer varying levels of seclusion. At Weston Bend State Park, site #26 stands out as "relatively isolated. It's big too" according to reviews, making it ideal for campers seeking more separation from neighbors.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience frequent train traffic. At Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, campers report trains "passed by really loudly all night long" with one reviewer noting trains coming "every thirty minutes or so... ALL NIGHT LONG!"
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures can make tent camping challenging. Multiple campgrounds report summer highs between 90-100°F with high humidity, making morning or evening activities more comfortable.
Reservation timing: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Clinton State Park, "electrical sites sold out weekends so mid week may be your best bet" according to regular visitors.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Basswood Country RV Resort provides extensive family activities with "several ponds you can fish from... Nice play area for kids as well as themed weekends with lots of activities planned that kids can do." One visitor called it "a great place to take the kids/grandkids."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for younger visitors. Blue Springs Lake Campground has "many prime locations near the playground for our kids" which helps keep children entertained.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites near campgrounds provide learning experiences. Fort Osage National Historic Landmark and Missouri Town near Blue Springs Lake Campground were described as "a nice way to spend a rainy kind of day" by families staying in the area.
Tips from RVers
Leveling needs: Many campsites in the area require leveling equipment. At Walnut Grove RV Park, sites are "on gravel and level with FHU" but some locations at other campgrounds "slopes to the passenger side and downhill toward the road, so we used a few levelers."
Hookup accessibility: Full hookups vary by location. At Walnut Grove, "hookups were very easy to access" while other campgrounds may have utilities "located middle-back on the site" requiring extension cords or longer hoses.
Space considerations: RV sites offer varying amounts of room. One reviewer at Walnut Grove noted "spacing is a little tight" while others mentioned "the poor guy had no room to get in his truck after we put out our slides."
