Dispersed camping sites near Greenwood, Missouri provide rustic accommodations with varying terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities. Most of these primitive camping areas are managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, offering free or low-cost options within an hour's drive of Kansas City. The surrounding countryside features rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and wetland habitats supporting diverse ecosystems.
What to do
Wildlife photography: At Montrose Missouri Conservation Area, campers can photograph diverse wildlife throughout the day. One visitor noted, "the area is surrounded by trees but the area is clean, nice soft grass...there is loads of wildlife to see an arent much scared of humans, racoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, dear, owls an much more."
Seasonal foraging: Gather wild edibles when camping during fall months. At Montrose Missouri Conservation Area, a regular visitor mentioned "theres also blackberries in the fall" making this a good spot for supplementing camping meals with wild foods.
Arrowhead hunting: Search shorelines for Native American artifacts. A camper at Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake shared that "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."
Stargazing: Clear night skies provide excellent celestial viewing. One camper described Montrose as having stars that "were beautiful" with sites that "were spacious and well spread out," making it ideal for nighttime sky observation.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Several conservation areas offer well-spaced camping spots. At Crooked River Conservation Area, visitors appreciate the "mowed area for camping" with sufficient separation between sites.
Accessibility from highways: Most primitive sites are easily reached without specialized vehicles. A camper at Poague Campsite #5 described it as a "great secluded spot, right off the highway. Perfect for what I was looking for to car camp."
Multiple camping areas: Many conservation areas offer different zones for camping. At Montrose, one camper noted "Beautiful Campsites on the opposite side of the boat drops and free," indicating alternatives to the more commonly used areas.
Abundant natural shade: Tree cover provides relief during summer months. One visitor observed that Montrose has "lots of shade" making it comfortable even during peak heat periods.
What you should know
Limited camping seasons: Several areas close during hunting seasons. One camper warned about Montrose: "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."
Stay limits vary by location: Different conservation areas enforce different maximum stays. At Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake, a camper advised, "I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave."
Variable facility maintenance: Expect basic amenities with inconsistent upkeep. One camper reported that Leavenworth's "pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles."
Lack of potable water: All primitive sites require bringing your own drinking water. A camper noted these areas are "as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump, but that's usually rare to find water and a grey dump at a free site."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra clothing: Temperature fluctuations can be significant, particularly in spring and fall. At Montrose, a camper recalled "waking up in the most beautiful place" but mentioned the need for proper gear due to overnight temperature changes.
Bring water shoes: Shallow lakes are common and often have muddy bottoms. One visitor described the water at Montrose as "very shallow most the time its only chest deep out in the middle" and recommended "water shoes" for comfort.
Consider weekday visits: Weekends see increased traffic at most sites. At Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake, a camper observed "very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light. I assume they went fishing at the lake."
Tips for RVers
Loop access for larger vehicles: Some areas have suitable turn-around areas. One Montrose visitor mentioned "you could definitely get a big rig in and out of here on the looped gravel roads."
No designated parking pads: Most conservation areas have informal, open grass areas for parking. A camper at Montrose described "Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations."
Limited big rig accessibility: Many conservation areas have size restrictions. One camper noted Leavenworth is "Not suitable for larger vehicles" due to narrow access roads and limited turn-around space.
