Crow's Creek Campground features dedicated horse riding facilities with direct trail access from the campsite area. The park offers excellent riding opportunities with trails that connect to paved paths circling Smithville Lake. Campers can stay in sites that allow viewing of the horse barn, though some loops are located farther from equestrian areas for those sensitive to barn noise at night. The campground maintains clean shower facilities and offers firewood for purchase.
What to do
Lake activities: At Watkins Mill State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and swimming. According to one camper, it's a "great place to fish, kayak. Bike ride." The park features "paved walking/biking trail, fishing, swimming and even history lessons."
Hiking trails: The trails at Wallace State Park Campground offer varied terrain and distances. One visitor notes, "The trails around Wallace are fantastic. From a casual stroll around the lake to a more vigorous hike up the hill this park provides it all." Another mentions "winding nature trails" among the park's attractions.
Horse riding trails: For equestrians seeking horse campgrounds near Blue Springs, Missouri, Camp Branch Campground provides trail access and lake views. A camper reports, "The bike trail is about 3 steps away from our site," referring to multi-use trails that accommodate horses.
What campers like
Private sites: Weston Bend State Park Campground offers secluded camping areas. A reviewer notes, "Both times, we had site 26, one of the few basic sites. While some of the other sites were very close to each other, this one is relatively isolated. It's big too." Others appreciate the "lots of space between sites."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise bathroom cleanliness across several parks. At Knob Noster State Park Campground, reviewers note "sparkling clean showers" and state that "the bathhouse has been newly renovated." One camper calls it "the nicest campground bathrooms I've ever used."
Lake access: Sites with water views are highly sought after. At Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping, campers enjoy "great shade, are spaced nicely apart, and are a quick walk to the lake! Amazing sunsets!" Another visitor mentions, "Close to water. Shaded sites in some areas."
What you should know
Weather considerations: In the Blue Springs area, storms can affect camping experiences. At Lake Jacomo, one camper noted, "Hard to give an accurate account for our stay due to it raining basically the entire time." Prepare for sudden weather changes.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly after dark. As one visitor mentioned, "Wildlife was abundant in the evening. We saw many deer, frogs and squirrels. At dark, nature sounds were unbelievable with songs of bullfrogs, owls, and flying creatures of all sorts. Be sure to bring bug repellant."
Site selection: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Weston Bend State Park, campers recommend particular sites: "Site 26 is the most private" while at Crow's Creek, a visitor advised: "The full hookup sites don't have a view of the lake. This is why we chose an electric only site."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. One reviewer at Watkins Mill State Park mentioned a "bustling playground" among the amenities, making it "a great place to make memories."
Biking opportunities: Paved roads and trails make for safe cycling with children. At Camp Branch, a camper noted, "Trails and roads within the campsite are paved, so it's great for bikes and scooters." This makes for easy recreation without leaving the campground.
Swimming options: Families appreciate designated swimming areas during summer months. However, note that at some parks, like Watkins Mill, "the swim beach has been closed because of excessive vegetation growth," so check current conditions before promising swimming to children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. At Lake Jacomo, an RVer warned, "We camped in our 39' diesel pusher, had to use lots of wood to level everything up, including extending one of our jacks to the maximum and causing it to throw an error message."
Hookup variations: Campgrounds offer different hookup options. At Smiths Fork Recreation Area, visitors appreciate that it "offers Electric (30 & 50 amp), Water (2) and Sewer at every campsite. At just $30 per day it is a steal!" At Crow's Creek, a camper noted they "chose an electric only site and used a spigot in the campsite to fill our tank."
Seasonal water shutoffs: Be aware of seasonal changes to services. One RVer at Crow's Creek mentioned, "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."
