Smithville Lake area offers horse-friendly camping with designated equestrian sites across multiple campgrounds. The lake spans 7,200 acres with 175 miles of shoreline, providing abundant water recreation opportunities. Most equestrian campsites maintain separation between horse trailers and standard camping areas for comfort and safety.
What to do
Fishing from shore or boat: Watkins Mill State Park Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities with a stocked lake. "Great place to fish.kayak. Bike ride. Clean campsites and bathrooms," notes Will E.
Hiking on established trails: The trail system around Smithville Lake connects multiple recreation areas. At Weston Bend State Park Campground, "Hiking and overlooks nearby. This is a nice campground to visit Leavenworth from. Very clean showers," according to Roger W.
Mountain biking on dedicated paths: Several trails encircle Smithville Lake with varying difficulty levels. "The bike trail is about 3 steps away from our site. Only downside is it is only electric hookups," reports Savannah T. about Camp Branch Campground.
Boating and water sports: Launch facilities are available at multiple points around Smithville Lake. A visitor to Camp Branch notes: "We enjoyed all the covers on the lake so we could anchor out and swim!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Wallace State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "I love how many of the basic sites are secluded or at least mostly separate from other sites. Many have treeline surrounding so your site is closed off from others, ensuring some privacy," mentions Erin P.
Clean facilities: The maintenance of bathhouses and shower facilities stands out at many campgrounds. "The shower house is new and they have an updated playground for the kids," notes Chad K. about Wallace State Park.
Proximity to Kansas City: For equestrian camping near Independence, Missouri, the convenient location is a major advantage. "Close to Kansas City so it makes a great quick getaway. Clean, friendly, and right next to Smithville Lake," says Lawrence W. about Smiths Fork Recreation Area.
Level camping pads: Several campgrounds feature well-constructed sites. "The basic sites feature a level framed pad that could accommodate a large tent," reports a visitor to Wallace State Park.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Heavy rainfall affects trail conditions, particularly for horse riders. "Due to unseasonably cold weather they shut off water with no notice and halfway through our stay," reports Bridget U. about Crow's Creek Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "We have started staying here last couple of years. Nice big spots with electric only. It is quite a ways to shower house but much quieter than other campgrounds on Smithville lake. More family friendly," explains Robin R. about Camp Branch.
Seasonal accessibility: Campground amenities change throughout the year. "During the camping season this campground has nice large shower houses and clean bathrooms. They sell ice and firewood at gates," notes Charlotte B.
Site selection tips: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "We have stayed in this campground too many times to count. We love it when it is still kind of off season like Easter weekend and after labor day," advises a regular visitor to Crow's Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park offers family-friendly facilities. "Both electric and primitive sites are available. The bathrooms are the nicest campground bathrooms I've ever used - large, clean, and not communal," shares Fawn W.
Trail difficulty considerations: Select appropriate trails based on children's abilities. "There are mixed RV and tent camping sites, including primitive and walk in sites. There are nice hiking trails. Trails are well marked. There three levels to choose from based on distance," explains Reece G. about Wallace State Park.
Safety near roads: Monitor children closely in some campgrounds. "Only negative is that some sites are right on the road, so kids can dart out at any time...just be careful!" warns Steve C.
Quieter camping times: For families seeking less crowded experiences, timing matters. "We have small children and it can get pretty rowdy during the summer. We have chosen to go to other campgrounds during peak season," advises Robin R.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping provides comprehensive services. "This is full hook up. They have both 30 and 50 amp. Close to 169 hwy. Perfect for families with young children," notes Robin R.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling equipment. "Some campsites are a 13" unlevel. Luckily we had several blocks of wood to help level our camp out," shares Caitlin R.
Electric-only considerations: Some campgrounds offer limited hookups. "The full hookup sites don't have a view of the lake. This is why we chose an electric only site and used a spigot in the campsite to fill our tank," explains Julie B.
Dump station capacity: Multiple services are available for waste disposal. "Camp hosts were very nice and friendly. My wife and I camped here two weeks ago and this place is pretty nice," reports DAngelo W.
