Camping options near Agency, Missouri range from state parks to private RV facilities, all within easy reach of Smithville Lake. The area's campgrounds sit in Missouri's northern plains region at approximately 850 feet elevation, creating lakeside camping opportunities with minimal terrain challenges. Seasonal considerations are important, as summer humidity often reaches 80% or higher while spring camping may encounter muddy conditions after rainfall.
What to Do
Biking on paved trails: At Watkins Mill State Park Campground, the trails connect directly to camping areas. "Great place to fish.kayak. Bike ride. Clean campsites and bathrooms," notes Will E. The park offers multiple trails through forested landscapes for cyclists of all skill levels.
Fishing from shoreline spots: Shoreline fishing access is abundant around the region's lakes, particularly at non-electric campsites. Roger W. describes Weston Bend State Park: "Hiking and overlooks nearby. This is a nice campground to visit Leavenworth from. Very clean showers."
Lake recreation during summer: The region's lakes offer varied water activities with designated swimming areas. "We had a nice RV site with electric. The best part is the view of and access to the lake! So beautiful and relaxing," shares Julie B. about Crow's Creek Campground, noting "Trails and roads within the campsite are paved, so it's great for bikes and scooters."
What Campers Like
Level, spacious sites: Weston Bend State Park Campground earns praise for its well-designed campsites. One camper notes, "Site Spacing: Very good. Pad surface: Blacktop." Another mentions, "Weston Bend was everything I could hope for. The camp site were small and compact but it was nice."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness is consistently mentioned in reviews. At AOK Campground & RV Park, a visitor reported, "Very, very clean bathrooms and laundry. Hosts present and helpful. Would stay again without hesitation." Similar comments appear across multiple campgrounds.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting. One visitor to Smith's Fork Recreation Area Camping mentioned, "My wife and I camped here two weeks ago and this place is pretty nice. The campground nice and clean with full hook ups at campsite, other campers were friendly, and the camp hosts were very nice and friendly."
What You Should Know
Site selection matters: Look carefully at the site options before booking. At Crow's Creek Campground, one camper observed, "One big downside for me was the lack of trees—there's maybe one tree per tent site and even fewer around the RV spots. Shade is minimal, and there's really no sense of being in the woods."
Seasonal closures: Water systems at many parks shut down during cold weather. "We stayed in October and due to unseasonably cold weather they shut off water with no notice and halfway through our stay. Ended up leaving early since we had no water," a camper at Crow's Creek Campground reported.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise. A visitor at AOK Campground noted, "The only reason it isn't getting 5 stars is the proximity to the freeway, you can hear it very clearly (jake brakes and all) continuously."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and activity areas: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly recreation. A visitor to Big Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The grounds have private bathrooms with toilets and showers. There are two nice playgrounds and a swimming pool."
Safe biking routes: Paved roads make for family-friendly cycling. "Small park but quaint... very family friendly there are not a lot of party people that frequent here," noted a camper at Big Lake State Park. Another visitor added, "Lots of flat roads for biking though!"
Seasonal events: Look for special activities during holiday periods. One camper at Smith's Fork noted, "Camp hosts Janet and Chris went above and beyond making Halloween perfect for our family. Been here several times and they are more than accommodating."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varying hookup configurations. At Camp Branch Campground, a reviewer noted, "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."
Levelness concerns: Check site conditions for RVs requiring level ground. One camper mentioned, "Our spot was 13" unlevel. Luckily we had several blocks of wood to help level our camp out."
Full-hookup options: For those needing complete amenities, specific campgrounds offer all services. A visitor to Smith's Fork commented, "We don't stray very far from the KC Metro (50 mile radius). 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!"
