Equestrian camping in western Missouri offers direct trail access and specialized facilities for horse owners. The area surrounding Garden City lies in the western prairie region at approximately 850 feet elevation, characterized by rolling hills and open grasslands. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions for trail riding.
What to do
Trail riding on Katy Trail: Montrose Missouri Conservation Area provides access to riding trails with natural terrain. "This little off the beaten path camp ground has paved roads, boat access for 2 areas... 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 camper Sarah.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Berry Bend offers shoreline fishing access where campers can catch bass and crappie. "Great fishing, lake is accessible from many sites," reports Carol R., who found the campground "clean and well maintained."
Kayaking and canoeing: The region's lakes provide paddling opportunities with rental equipment available at some locations. At Hillsdale State Park, "There are kayaks and canoes to rent, there is a great marina, fishing, and tons of water access opportunities for private kayaks," according to Jamie S.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Long Shoal features well-spaced sites with natural buffers. Angela F. mentions, "The spots were nicely wooded and spaced. This is now our second favorite place for camping. They had the cleanest facilities I have ever seen."
Wildlife viewing: The conservation areas around Garden City host diverse wildlife. At Montrose Conservation Area, visitors can observe "loads of wildlife to see that aren't much scared of humans, racoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, dear, owls and much more," according to Sarah's review.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently note the well-maintained restrooms at area campgrounds. At Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, Fawn W. states, "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 limitations: Some conservation areas have restricted dates. At Montrose Conservation Area, "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," warns Leni K.
Water conditions: Lake quality varies by location. Lee F. notes about Montrose Conservation Area: "The lake is really just a mud bog, so not very appealing unless you came to duck hunt."
Cell service variability: Digital connectivity is limited in some camping areas. At Knob Noster State Park Campground, families should prepare for possible disconnection as many sites have limited reception, which could affect planning for horse-related activities.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: The conservation areas provide excellent nature learning experiences. At Montrose Conservation Area, one local visitor noted, "One of the locals stopped by my site to look for arrowheads. Apparently, she has found a lot in the area so that's a good activity if the kids are bored."
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Several parks offer safe cycling opportunities for children. GW C. notes about Lake Jacomo, "Like the other Jackson county campgrounds the convenience of being close to home was nice and because of the rain made it easy to run and grab a pizza."
Water safety preparation: When camping with children near lakes, be aware of water conditions. At Linn County Park, Ryan R. mentions, "Lots of trees lots of wildlife. Had deer walk right through the campground when we were there," providing wildlife viewing opportunities for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric sites are available at most campgrounds, but full hookups may be limited. At Hillsdale State Park, campers note "Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy."
Site selection: At Long Shoal, Dan F. reports, "Sites are level, electric only with easy access to fresh water and dump station as you enter the facility," making it convenient for RV campers requiring these amenities.
Weather considerations: The region experiences sudden storms in spring and summer. At Lake Jacomo, GW C. shares, "Hard to give an accurate account for our stay due to it raining basically the entire time. When it wasn't raining the sites were nice and spacious and relatively level. Made for easy set up and break down."
