RV camping near Paola, Kansas offers multiple options for motorhome travelers within 30 miles of town. Located in Miami County at an elevation of 860 feet, the area experiences hot summers and moderately cold winters, with peak camping season running April through October. Most campgrounds in the region receive between 40-45 inches of rainfall annually, which can affect site conditions during spring months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 15 minutes from Paola at Walnut Grove RV Park, where you can cast a line in their fishing lake. "There were 2 ponds on the property and a community picnic shelter," notes a camper about the surrounding area's water features.
Kansas City attractions: 40 minutes away from Campus RV Park, giving you access to city amenities while maintaining a campground base. "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," confirms a reviewer.
Water recreation: 25 minutes from several campgrounds at Hillsdale Lake. "Close to Hillsdale Lake for swimming and boating," mentions a reviewer about camping options near the 4,580-acre reservoir that offers water sports and beaches during summer months.
What campers like
Level concrete pads: Many sites at Worlds of Fun Village feature solid foundations. "All RV sites were concrete with 50/30/20 amp, water and sewer. Back-in sites on rows 1 and 3 and pull through sites on row 2," reports one camper who appreciated the layout.
Wooded privacy: Some locations offer more natural settings away from highways. "We had a nice full hookup RV site with a very woodsy feel. Well shaded, grass and trees, view of water and nice space around us," shares a visitor at Lake Paradise Resort.
Friendly campground hosts: Staff at multiple locations receive positive mentions. "Great place for a somewhat long stay. Staff are very nice and sweet, there's free WiFi, lots of pull through spots, has a dump station and allows pets," notes a visitor to Walnut Grove RV Park.
What you should know
Campground layouts vary significantly: Some parks have spacious sites while others place units close together. "The sites were very small and close. Our site was not very level. Hookups were fine and worked well," reports a camper at Stadium RV Park.
Weather preparedness: Several campgrounds provide storm shelters due to the region's severe weather potential. "Full hook-ups and a bath/shower house (which doubles as a storm shelter)," notes a camper about safety features at one location.
Site reservations: During peak seasons, especially summer weekends, advance bookings are recommended. "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," explains a reviewer who was fortunate to find availability.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Look for campgrounds with swimming options for kids. "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," details a visitor about Lake Paradise Resort's swimming facilities.
Recreation for children: Some parks offer designated play areas. "The park looks great and has had some great upkeeps. The ice cream shop is so cute and the restaurant is going. We went to a movie outside there and fireworks for Memorial Day weekend," shares a camper about scheduled activities at one location.
Security considerations: Gated access provides peace of mind at select campgrounds. "Gated community at night (owners give you code if you leave and come back at night)," explains a reviewer about after-hours access procedures.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations based on your specific needs. "I recommend either paying more for the pull-through (further from the road) or the back in sites 69-82 in row 3," advises an RVer at Worlds of Fun Village who found noise levels varied by site location.
Internet connectivity: Signal strength varies significantly between campgrounds. "I'm 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," reports a tech-savvy camper at Campus RV Park.
Site dimensions: Verify your rig will fit comfortably. "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 an experienced RVer about site selection at one location.
