Camping sites near Garden City, Missouri include basic primitive options and developed campgrounds within 35 miles. The region sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with rolling terrain and mixed hardwood forests. Seasonal weather patterns affect camping conditions, with summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F and winter nights often below freezing.
What to do
Fishing at local lakes: Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping offers accessible fishing opportunities with mixed reviews about catches. "The lake is really just a mud bog, so not very appealing unless you came to duck hunt," notes one camper at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping.
Stargazing in less developed areas: Rural camping locations provide excellent night sky viewing opportunities away from city light pollution. A visitor at Montrose noted the stars were "beautiful, the 'sites' were spacious and well spread out, and there is lots of shade."
Canoeing and water activities: Blue Springs Lake Campground provides lake access with canoe and kayak options. "You can't see the lake from the campground, and there was some road noise from morning commuters but overall it's a nice stop for a night or two," mentions a visitor at Blue Springs Lake Campground.
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Many dispersed camping options provide ample room without feeling crowded. At Montrose, a camper described it as having a "Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural areas around Garden City attract various wildlife. "The area is surrounded by trees but the area is clean, nice soft grass, there are pecan and walnut trees so watch out for your heads when its fall," notes a camper at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area.
Clean facilities at established campgrounds: Many campgrounds maintain good bathroom and shower facilities. At Lake Jacomo, a camper mentioned "The bathrooms are the nicest campground bathrooms I've ever used - large, clean, and not communal, so you get a sink, toilet, and shower all to yourself."
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Some conservation areas have unexpected closure periods. "There is no camping allowed after October 15 due to hunting season. This was not on the website and was not seeable in dust when arriving late on a small sign in the bushes," warned a camper about Montrose.
Toilet facilities vary widely: While established campgrounds typically have clean facilities, primitive sites often have basic vault toilets. At Knob Noster State Park, "Bath houses (there are at least 2) have 4 unisex shower pods that are clean and have good pressure. There are no sinks or mirrors, just shower and bench."
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campers report raccoon activity at campgrounds. At Knob Noster State Park, one camper experienced significant issues: "Raccoons have taken over the park... About 40 in my camp the whole week making us scared."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer better family amenities than others. At Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA, a visitor noted "The cabins are awesome" though "the RV sites were right on top of each other so would not great. Very little green space but had a lot of amenities and the cleanest bathrooms!"
Biking opportunities: Flat campground roads provide safe spaces for children to bike. At Knob Noster State Park, a camper mentioned it's "a great park for the grandkids to ride their new bikes on the level smooth campground road in safety."
Local educational activities: Some campgrounds offer nature programs. A camper at Knob Noster noted "Nature programs were fun and informative, and the campground was relatively quiet."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. At Peculiar Park Place, a camper shared they "Had an easy to access pull through site that had 50/30 amp access, water and sewer. Nice landscaping, plenty of place to walk."
Site leveling considerations: Many campsites require leveling equipment. Blue Springs Lake sites were described as "very level" by one visitor, which made "easy set up and break down."
Weather preparation: Seasonal conditions can affect RV camping experiences. A camper at Peculiar Park Place mentioned "We enjoyed it here, but it snowed so we didn't explore the trails while we were there. Our internet worked great through Verizon and ATT, we never tried the park WiFi."
