Camping options near Overland Park range from tent and RV sites to yurt accommodations, most within a 30-mile radius. Seasonal conditions vary with humid summers reaching 90°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing, making spring and fall popular for camping. Smithville Lake and Hillsdale Lake provide water recreation opportunities with multiple campgrounds offering different levels of amenities and access.
What to do
Hiking with lake views: Lake Jacomo-Fleming Park offers accessible trails with scenic vantage points. "Just a walk away from a beautiful lake and your stay here is a perfect get away from the city lights," notes Rylan B. The park maintains several walking paths suitable for different ability levels.
Fishing opportunities: Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping provides direct lake access for anglers. According to Steven N., "These RV spots have great shade, are spaced nicely apart, and are a quick walk to the lake! Amazing sunsets!" The area permits both shore fishing and boat access with rentals available.
Biking on paved trails: Watkins Mill State Park Campground features paved cycling paths around the lake. "Great place to make memories," writes Jolie C. The bike trail connects to the campground and circles the entire lake, allowing for rides of varying distances.
Water recreation: Camp Branch offers swimming and boating options for campers. "We had a short walk to the lake for fishing, and the loop had a restroom. We were able to enter the swim beach without having to pay extra," explains Nikki S. Kayak and canoe rentals are seasonally available at several parks.
What campers like
Private, shaded sites: Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park receives praise for its natural setting. Susan S. describes it as "a couple miles down a secluded drive, nestled back in the woods right on the lake. Lots of trees, nice shower house. Camp host is friendly and laid back." The electric/water sites near the lake are particularly sought after.
Clean bathroom facilities: Weston Bend State Park Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "These are the cleanest bathrooms and facilities that I have been to I think Mabye ever. The camp hosts were super nice stop by to make sure that I was all set up and didn't need any help," reports Lauri J. Several reviewers note the cleanliness of shower areas.
Proximity to Kansas City: Most campgrounds sit within 30-45 minutes of Overland Park, making them convenient for short trips. "Hillsdale is a nice place to camp that isn't too far out of the city. Decent accommodations and nice camp sites near the water front," writes Myles R. This accessibility allows for easy day trips back to the city if needed.
Full hookup options: Multiple sites offer complete services for extended stays. Don M. notes about Smiths Fork, "Of everywhere Smith's Fork is the only one (so far) that offers Electric (30 & 50 amp), Water (2) and Sewer at every campsite. At just $30 per day it is a steal!"
What you should know
Noise considerations: Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA has train noise issues. "There was a light from a nearby cabin lighting the whole tenting area, and the trains were one right behind the other… ALL NIGHT LONG! Every thirty minutes or so, a train passed by. It wouldn't be so bad, but it was LOUD!" warns Myron C. Site selection matters for light sleepers at several area campgrounds.
Weather preparedness: Summer storms can cause rapid changes to camping conditions. "Hard to give an accurate account for our stay due to it raining basically the entire time," notes GW C. about Lake Jacomo. Spring and fall camping typically offers more stable weather patterns.
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites, especially those with yurts or by water, require advance booking. For yurt camping in Overland Park, Kansas area, reservations are essential during peak season (May-September). Some campgrounds only accept reservations through their official websites.
Limited winter facilities: Off-season camping means reduced services at most parks. "Think if we visited during summer our experience would have been better. We stayed in October and due to unseasonably cold weather they shut off water with no notice," reports Bridget U. about Crow's Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA offers structured recreation for children. "If you are traveling with kids this is a terrific place to stop because there are lots of things to keep kids busy like a playground and pool," explains Dyle K. Activity schedules are posted at the camp office.
Choosing appropriate campsites: For those with small children, site location matters. "Only negative is that some sites are right on the road, so kids can dart out at any time...just be careful!" advises Steve C. about Lake Jacomo. Request sites away from main roads when making reservations with children.
Yurt camping advantages: Yurt accommodations near Overland Park provide an excellent introduction to outdoor experiences for families new to camping. The structures include beds, electricity and climate control while maintaining a connection to the outdoors.
Quieter campground sections: For families seeking less crowded areas, Crow's Creek offers alternatives. "We have started staying here last couple of years. Nice big spots with electric only. It is quite a ways to shower house but much quieter than other campgrounds on Smithville lake. More family friendly," shares Robin R.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. "The only draw back to this site is that our spot was 13" unlevel. Luckily we had several blocks of wood to help level our camp out," reports Caitlin R. about Camp Branch. Bringing leveling blocks is advised for most area campgrounds.
Full hookup availability: Electric-only sites are common at state parks, while private campgrounds typically offer water and sewer connections. About Watkins Mill, Jason C. notes, "Camp ground is great. There are 2 shower houses, 1 new one torwards the front and one in the farthest loop." Dump stations are available at most parks.
Winter camping considerations: For yurt camping near Overland Park, Kansas in colder months, verify which facilities remain open. "We only go to KOA if I am camping with the kids. It is worth the price if only because of the clean bathrooms and kid friendly activities," writes Darius C. KOA locations typically maintain year-round operations.
Campsite spacing: Reviews frequently mention proximity between sites. "The RV loops were packed and felt really crowded, while the tent site loops were almost empty during our July visit," describes Sayler O. about Crow's Creek. Requesting end sites or checking campground maps before booking can help secure more private spaces.
