Best Tent Camping near Garden City, MO

Tent camping options near Garden City, Missouri provide access to several established sites for primitive overnight stays. Farrington City Park in Windsor offers tent camping facilities with basic amenities, while Bledsoe Ferry in Warsaw, approximately 30 miles southeast of Garden City, provides riverside tent sites. Most locations in this region of western Missouri are situated near water features including lakes and rivers, making them popular destinations for outdoor recreation.

Most tent campgrounds in the Garden City vicinity feature minimal amenities, requiring self-sufficiency from campers. Sites typically have dirt or grass surfaces with limited site preparation. Tent Sites at Milo Farm, located north of Garden City, offers walk-in tent access with drinking water, picnic tables, and designated fire rings where campfires are permitted. Firewood is available on site. Many surrounding public lands maintain primitive tent areas where campers should pack in water and supplies. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with summer temperatures frequently reaching above 90°F, making tree cover and shade important considerations when selecting sites.

The tent camping experience near Garden City provides opportunities for quiet recreation and nature observation. One camper noted that Farrington City Park is "beautiful, well maintained" with "helpful and friendly" staff. Sites throughout the region offer varying levels of privacy, with some locations experiencing light traffic noise from nearby roads. Primitive tent setups in the area often provide access to fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Shawnee Bend near Warsaw permits pets, allowing tent campers to bring their dogs along for outdoor adventures. Several locations including Windsor Crossing Park in Clinton require reservations, while others operate on a first-come basis. Most tent areas accommodate small groups, with limited options for larger gatherings or extended stays.

Best Tent Sites Near Garden City, Missouri (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Garden City, MO

1 Photos of 9 Garden City Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Garden City, MO

311 Reviews of 9 Garden City Campgrounds


  • Freya
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Quail Run Campground — Hillsdale State Park

    Relaxing place to camp and enjoy nature

    All in all I really enjoyed tent camping at one of the primitive sites! My dad and I used two separate tents, each of which are six person tents, and it was easy to fit both on the campsite. I didn’t love the fire ring because the wall was pretty high and the grill part didn’t have adjustable height so that limited the height of the fire we could build when we wanted to cook over it. The nearby vault toilet was just OK, it was about as clean as a vault toilet could be but there was no way to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands nearby. The shower house with flush toilets, which was a little further away, was clean but didn’t have any hand soap, it only had hand sanitizer which was a disappointment.

    Those were really the only drawbacks to this campsite though! Everything else was lovely. I liked that there was a small camp store nearby with firewood for purchase during operating hours. The scenery was very nice and even though there were a lot of RVs in their section of the campground, I didn’t hear any noise coming from their air-conditioning thanks to the distance between that section and the primitive section.

    Being almost completely surrounded by the lake was so serene and we got to hear and see a lot of wildlife. The only other thing to know about this spot on the campground is that if you’re going to the primitive sites, you will have to park nearby and then walk the rest of the way with your gear. At the site I was in that was only a couple of yards but other ones were further away.

    Also, a note about spiders: there were way more than I’ve ever seen while camping before, so if large amounts of them bother you I suggest you not camp here in October! Most of them were small, but seeing them so often was still kind of gross. Such is life when camping though!

  • B
    Jun. 3, 2025

    Lazy Liz Katy Trail Horse and RV Campground

    Great place

    We stayed in our rv while riding the Katy trail easy check in process. Free use of washer and dryer. Shower was great. Felt super safe here. Nice and quiet. Would definitely recommend to anyone. I noticed bicycle tent campers here and on a rainy night they were able to set up tent in barn to stay dry.

  • Jordan B.
    Jun. 7, 2020

    Louisburg Middle Creek State Fishing Lake

    Peaceful near KC

    I car camped here for one night early this spring and will definitely come here again. There was a big RV parked next to me, some other car campers, and then a group of tent campers. The sites are right on the lake and the vault toilet was clean. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and they are spaced out nicely. There was a decent amount of traffic to and from the floating boat dock but it still wasn’t too noisy.

  • D
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Raccoon Ridge — Harry S Truman State Park

    Shaded, Quiet and close to the lake!

    Site 36 with 30A & 120V. Public Water Spigot about 50’ away. No Sewer or Water connections at Raccoon Ridge. Plenty of dead kindling and wood around to burn. Asphalt drive with concrete pad. Picnic table, fire/grill ring, hook post w/ recycle bag attached. BEST Site is 38 which puts trailer door parallel with a 180 lake view. Heavy wooded with shared paths to lake or cove. Marina is within 1 mile by water or 15 minutes by car. Ice, Beer and necessities at Puddle Jumpers Bait Store about 10 minute drive. Hosts were great and did cleaning daily. Showers and Dump Station at top of hill few hundred yards away. Let shower water run about 3 minutes before the warm water kicks in. Swim beach is on other side of cove or about a 5 min drive. Dump Station has 4 Waste Holes, two Non-potable water spigots/hoses and one Fresh Potable Water hose and both sides have slight incline on dump tank side. Downtown Warsaw is about 15 minutes away with tourist antique shoppes, bars, ice cream shoppes and the historic Joe Dice Suspension Bridge. The Truman Dam is about same distance away. T-Mobile service with 2-3 bars, no WIFI; but HotSpot worked for ROKU. Keep food and bait inside as raccoons rule at night. Be CAUTIOUS of Red Ticks that are VERY tiny… you’ll want plenty of DEET! Flies were biting like crazy, some mosquitoes and LOTS of May Flies. You’ll see Bald Eagles, raccoons. deer, squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, turtles and FISHING near wooded edge of cove is Bass and Crappie haven!!! Also Geocaching near by!!!

    We will return and hopefully get site 38!

  • Joe G.
    Jun. 29, 2022

    COE Harry S Truman Reservoir Long Shoal Park

    Great Place

    Just got back after 2 days there.  Sites are spaced a good distance apart, nice clean lots with fire ring, picnic table and 30 amp.  The flush restrooms are cleaned everyday and very nice.  I picked site 69 which overlooks the lake and was less than 30 yards from water edge.  Site very from 100% sun to 100% shade so you have a lot to choose from.  Highly recommend it to anyone will will be back soon.

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Sunflower Campground — Hillsdale State Park

    Very Clean and Very Relaxing

    The Park: We love this park, it’s massive, and really pretty. They have so much to do (listed below). Sunflower Loop is our favorite and has full hookups. There are more primitive loops as well. It is ADA accessible. There was not a tornado shelter as of 2018. This is one thing that should be mandatory given its proximity and being further away from potential shelter. Excellent camping on the lake. Lots of water activities available.

    Sites: level, clear, easily accessible. Sunflower loop is widely spaced and plenty of room for larger RVs.

    Cellular: decent cellular signal.

    Amenities: Amphitheater Bath House Bicycling Boat Ramp Boating Canoeing Kayaking Campground Host Camping, Equestrian Camping, Improved Site Camping, Primitive Church Comfort Station Dock, Boat Dump Station, Camper Dump Station, Marina Fire Rings Fishing, Park Lake Fuel, Boats Golf Grills Gun Range Hiking Hiking Trail Horseback Riding Hunting Information Booth Jet Skiing Laundry Marina Mountain/Trail Bicycling Park Lake Parking Picnic Area Picnic Shelter Picnic Tables Playground Rentals, Boat, Motorized Rentals, Jet Skis Reservoir Restrooms Shelters Showers Skiing - Water Swimming, Park Lake Telephone Toilet, Pit/Vault Trails, Bicycle Trails, Equestrian Trails, Hiking/Walking, Easy Trails, Mountain Bike Walking Water Access, Park Lake Water Skiing

  • Mark D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    Enjoyed Our Stay

    Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables. Pit toilets are as expected.

    Shallow muddy water but it does attract wildlife. A bit of road noise but tolerable. Perfect for our one night stay.

  • Leni K.
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Wild Turkey Ridge — Harry S Truman State Park

    In The Thick of Nature, Great Tent Camping Off Season

    We came just at the start of season, so we took advantage of a family spot to relax and get some extra privacy. There were maybe 5 other campers in Wild Ridge, and it was a ridge coming in, narrow roads leading into the peninsula.

    Vault toilets were well kept, and well light at night.

    We hiked to check out the other campsites that were also well spaced for privacy.

    There was a desire line down to the lake, with a rocky shore to walk, the beaches themselves a bit wider.

    We had a nice clearing to set up at our location, likely used for a second tent that lended well to privacy.

  • Devin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2022

    Sparrowfoot

    Beautiful and quiet

    This campsite is beautiful. Loop B is much quieter with fewer guests. Loop A is a little more busy. Loop A: 2 smaller loops of campsites. A17,18,19 are very close to a little walkway that goes down to the lake. These spots are very hot and sunny in the morning, but shaded in the afternoon. Loop A has 1 set of nonflushable toilets that were surprisingly clean. Loop B: this is where the shower house and flushable toilets are. Showers were clean and water was hot. Showers had good water pressure. Loop B also has the playground which is right behind site B47. It’s a newer playground and all equipment was nicely maintained. There are no swings. Only complaint is that there are no benches or picnic tables at the playground so bring your camping chair if you plan to stay awhile. Further past Loop B the road turns to gravel and there is a parking lot with a walkway to the lake. This offers some small bluffs with deep water for jumping off. If you walk further around the corner to the right, it turns into a nicer “beach” style area with few rocks, although the mud can be a little thick after it rains. When we were here (July) the lake was pretty muddy but I’m not sure if it’s always that way or not. It was also pretty low, but still had plenty of fun and kayaked through all the little coves.


Guide to Garden City

Tent camping destinations near Garden City, Missouri include several primitive sites that provide access to central Missouri waterways and recreational lands. Seasonal considerations impact camping experiences, with spring flooding sometimes limiting site availability along the Osage River basin. Summer humidity levels typically exceed 70% during June through August, creating challenging camping conditions without proper shade and hydration.

What to do

Water recreation at Truman Lake: Campers staying at Bledsoe Ferry in Warsaw can access multiple boat launches and fishing spots along Truman Lake. "Awesome," notes camper Sarra W., who found the location "a great place for the family" when visiting with children.

Bird watching opportunities: Spring and fall migrations bring diverse waterfowl to the wetlands near Windsor Crossing Park in Clinton. The park's location near conservation areas allows campers to observe herons, egrets, and occasionally bald eagles from established viewing platforms.

Historic trail exploration: Cyclists camping at primitive sites can connect with the 240-mile Katy Trail. "Rolled through on the Katy in early spring" mentions one tent camper about his stay, noting the interesting local traffic including "a number of horse-drawn buggies that came through in the early evening."

What campers like

Secluded woodland sites: At Tent Sites at Milo Farm, the walk-in tent areas provide privacy not found at more developed campgrounds. The 22 designated tent sites include amenities like drinking water access points and designated fire rings, allowing for primitive camping with basic conveniences.

Small-town park atmosphere: Local municipal parks often provide tent camping with community amenities nearby. Prospect City Park offers tent camping with access to the surrounding small town facilities, making it convenient for overnight stays during regional travel.

Budget-friendly options: Most tent camping areas near Garden City maintain affordable rates between $8-15 per night, with some municipal parks offering free or donation-based camping. Sites typically accommodate 1-4 person tents with vehicle parking nearby.

What you should know

Seasonal flooding concerns: Spring rainfall frequently causes water level fluctuations at riverfront camping areas. Sites near Warsaw may experience limited availability from March through May when Truman Dam releases impact shoreline camping.

Limited facilities: Most tent-only sites near Garden City lack modern amenities. Sterett Creek Marina camping areas provide water access but no toilets or drinking water, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies.

Rural road access: Many primitive camping areas require navigation on unpaved roads that become difficult during wet conditions. Four-wheel drive vehicles prove beneficial for accessing remote tent sites during rainy periods, particularly at conservation areas.

Tips for camping with families

Safety considerations: When tent camping with children, select sites away from water hazards during spring high-water periods. Campers report the best family tent camping near Garden City, Missouri includes sites with level ground and shade trees for protection from summer heat.

Educational opportunities: Shawnee Bend near Warsaw welcomes pets and provides access to interpretive trails where children can learn about local wildlife and habitats. The tent camping area connects to nature paths suitable for all ability levels.

Weekend planning: Local campsites fill quickly during summer holiday weekends. Reserve family-friendly sites 2-3 weeks in advance, particularly for Friday and Saturday stays between Memorial Day and Labor Day when regional campers seek water access.

Tips from RVers

Alternative tent options: Many RV campers at Rabbit Ridge Primitive Campground in nearby Paola, Kansas report setting up tents alongside their vehicles for children or additional guests. The campground offers both electric hookups and designated tent areas with picnic tables.

Hybrid camping setups: RVers recommend tent campers utilize sites with electric service during hot summer months. Small portable fans powered by site electricity significantly improve tent comfort when temperatures exceed 85°F, which occurs regularly from June through September.

Water access points: Vehicle-accessible water sources prove crucial for tent campers during hot weather. Sites located within 100 yards of potable water make heat management more practical, especially when multiple days of camping are planned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Garden City, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Garden City, MO is Farrington City Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Garden City, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Garden City, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.