Campgrounds in Overland Park, KS typically experience hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and occasional severe thunderstorms between April and June. Most campsites in this region sit at elevations between 800-1,100 feet above sea level with predominantly flat terrain. Winter camping remains available at several year-round facilities, though water hookups may be winterized from November through March at certain locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Blue Springs Lake Campground offers excellent fishing access with boat ramps nearby. One camper noted, "We had a great stay. The sites were well situated such that you felt you had plenty of privacy. Beautiful Lake, with fishing, and boating."
Historical sites: When staying at Campus RV Park in Independence, visitors can explore regional history. A reviewer mentioned, "We stayed for the night to break up our journey. If the weather would have been warmer, it would have been a very bikeable area, too. The Truman Library, the Community of Christ Church, the downtown theater and court house are all interesting and worth a look."
Hiking trails: Weston Bend State Park Campground provides hiking options through wooded terrain. A camper shared, "Weston Bend State Park has an amazing hiking trail system within the park! Even one paved trail! We greatly enjoyed our visit and can't wait to go again!"
Archery practice: Russell Crites Primitive at Hillsdale State Park features specialized archery facilities. According to a visitor, "It also has a great bow range for siting in and practicing with your bow. You can even climb towers to practice shooting from 'tree-stand' elevations."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Blue Springs Lake Campground receives praise for its maintenance. "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. Bathrooms were incredibly clean and the camp hosts or some of the nicest ones I've ever encountered!" shared one camper.
Privacy between sites: Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park offers more secluded camping options. A reviewer stated, "It was easy to get to, beautiful overlooking the lake, and was clean. The hiking trails were overgrown and no longer accessible."
Convenient location: Walnut Grove RV Park provides excellent access to regional attractions. "We stopped here for the night and had a great stay. Only 10 minutes away from Joe's original Kansas City BBQ (super delicious)," noted one camper.
Value for money: Peculiar Park Place receives high marks for its affordability and amenities. "Perfect for short stopping or long stay because the Campground is close to the interstate. We come back again," reported a satisfied guest.
What you should know
Site spacing: At Walnut Grove RV Park, sites can be quite close. A camper explained, "The spaces are very tight in the travelers section and more spread out in the long term section. Many sites in the park were occupied by storage and the owners never showed up."
Weather considerations: Summer storms can impact camping conditions from late spring through summer. Concrete pads at larger campgrounds provide better stability during wet weather.
Noise factors: At Worlds of Fun Village, location impacts your experience. "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," advised a camper.
Reservation policies: Most campgrounds near Overland Park require reservations during peak season (May-September), especially on weekends. Many campgrounds accept same-day reservations during weekdays if space is available.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When selecting a campsite, consider proximity to play areas. A camper at Blue Springs Lake Campground shared, "the sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating."
Swimming options: Crappie Cove Campground at Hillsdale State Park offers water recreation. "Crappie Cove has the best sites, and it is very close to the kayak/boat ramp and the swimming beach," noted a visitor.
Security features: Look for campgrounds with controlled access. One camper at Blue Springs Lake noted, "We felt very safe here since they require an access code to get into the gate."
Shade availability: For summer camping, seek shaded sites. "Only downside was the lack of big trees for shade through part of the park. Next time I know where to reserve," advised a Blue Springs Lake Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Be prepared for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. A visitor to Blue Springs Lake Campground explained, "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."
Dump station access: When departing larger campgrounds, timing matters. "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," advised an RVer at Blue Springs Lake.
Site selection for big rigs: For larger vehicles, pull-through sites offer easier access. At Walnut Grove RV Park, one camper noted, "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."
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds in Overland Park KS. A camper at Campus RV Park reported, "Great friendly staff. Level concrete sites. We're in #22 - with wifi access point right here. 66m down, 24m up. It was so good (and the park is full) I did not bother testing my mobile plans."