Camping sites near Independence, Missouri offer a mix of suburban convenience and outdoor recreation, with most campgrounds situated within 10-30 miles of downtown. The region sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with rolling terrain around several reservoirs and lakes. Most campgrounds in this area feature concrete pads rather than gravel, making them suitable for camping even after rainfall when mud might otherwise be an issue.
What to Do
Explore historical sites nearby: At Crow's Creek Campground, campers can easily access nearby attractions. One visitor mentioned, "We could walk right down a grassy hill to the trail along the lake. We had lots of grassy space around us to set up and play yard games. Trails and roads within the campsite are paved, so it's great for bikes and scooters."
Visit Fort Osage Historic Landmark: Located near Blue Springs Lake Campground, this historical site makes for a perfect rainy day activity. A camper noted, "Rainy weather for the most part but did take time to go to the Fort Osage National Historic Landmark and Missouri Town which is part of the Jackson County Parks & Rec. Nice way to spend a rainy kind of day."
Take advantage of urban proximity: When staying at Walnut Grove RV Park, you're perfectly positioned to explore Kansas City. "It's all about the location and supply and demand... It's right by several major highways and is very centrally located. Tons to do nearby if you're not from the area; In all directions from where this is!"
What Campers Like
Spacious, well-maintained sites: Campus RV Park in downtown Independence gets praise for its convenient location and amenities. A visitor remarked, "Great little spot right in downtown Indep... it's a great little place! Just 30 minutes to downtown Kansas City and maybe 15 minutes to arrowhead stadium, this campground is ideal for being close to everything that Kansas City offers."
Private bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds offer above-average bathroom facilities. At Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, a camper was particularly impressed: "The bathrooms were the nicest campground bathrooms I've ever used - large, clean, and not communal, so you get a sink, toilet, and shower all to yourself."
Water access and recreation: Watkins Mill State Park Campground earns high marks for its lake activities. One visitor shared, "Great park, nice camp sites... very family oriented! lots of great spaces. fishing and walking trail with in a short walk!"
What You Should Know
Train noise at several locations: Campus RV Park visitors mention occasional train horns: "Trains nearby can be loud with their horns but it's close to airport which was necessity for me."
Seasonal water shutoffs: Crow's Creek Park has unexpected service changes in colder weather. A camper warned, "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 and also no sewer at site."
Varying tree cover between campgrounds: Some campgrounds like Worlds of Fun Village have limited shade. One reviewer noted, "The campground did attempt to improve privacy with strategically placed trees and shrubs."
Same check-in/check-out times: Multiple campers mentioned the timing issue at Jackson County campgrounds where both entry and exit times are 2:00 PM, creating delays for arriving campers.
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose sites near playgrounds: Crow's Creek Campground offers good family options. A camper shared, "The sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating."
Look for paved trails: Several campgrounds feature paved paths perfect for kids. As one visitor to Blue Springs Lake noted, "The roads and trails are nice for scooters and bikes. Fairly close to the water and playground; within walking distance."
Check bathroom accessibility: Family-friendly facilities vary between campgrounds. At Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA, a visitor reported, "Our friends stayed in the cabins which are awesome... Very little green space but had a lot of amenities and the cleanest bathrooms!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters for large rigs: At Blue Springs Lake Campground, an RVer with a 40-foot fifth wheel advised, "The site slopes to the passenger side and downhill toward the road, so we used a few levelers. Many sites here are sloped. The premium cement pads seemed to be more level than gravel sites."
Consider exit logistics: The same Blue Springs Lake visitor offered an important tip: "As you exit the park, if you have a big rig, you'll want to stay to the left side of the dump station for a wider right turn out of the park."
Evaluate hookup placement: RVers note variations in utility locations. At Walnut Grove RV Park, a camper observed, "Our site had a 50amp hookup for electric, and water/sewer... the sites are right on top of each other. I would estimate about 6 feet separated our camper from the RV next to us."
