Situated 45 minutes northeast of downtown Kansas City, Smithville Lake spans 7,200 acres with multiple camping areas spread around its shoreline. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and August, with humidity levels often above 75%. Most campgrounds near Kansas City close for the season between late October and early March, with water systems winterized after the first hard freeze.
What to do
Biking on paved trails: At Camp Branch Campground, riders can access over 5 miles of paved pathways around Smithville Lake. "The bike trail is about 3 steps away from our site. Only downside is it is only electric hookups," notes Savannah T. in her review of Camp Branch Campground.
Fishing access: Smith's Fork Recreation Area provides convenient fishing locations with boat rentals available. "You can rent a boat for a half day or full day with advanced notice! There is a really nice walking/riding trail that goes all through the park," writes Steven N. about Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping.
History tours: Watkins Mill State Park offers camping combined with historical exploration. "If you like history, take a tour of the woolen mill part. Very cool," shares Josh P. The park maintains a historic 19th-century textile operation with guided tours available Wednesday through Sunday during peak season.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Wallace State Park features secluded camping areas with natural barriers. "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," writes Erin P. about Wallace State Park Campground.
Clean shower facilities: Weston Bend State Park maintains exceptional washroom facilities. "These are the cleanest bathrooms and facilities that I have been to I think maybe ever. The camp hosts were super nice," notes Lauri J. in her review of Weston Bend State Park Campground.
Designated hammock areas: Perry State Park offers dedicated hammock camping zones. "They have dedicated hammock sites!" reports Darius C., providing a unique option for hammock campers seeking alternatives to traditional tent camping.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have significant slope issues requiring extensive blocking. At Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, "Sites run from 20/30/50 amp, some with FHU's... had to use lots of wood to level everything up, including extending one of our jacks to the maximum and causing it to throw an error message," warns Susan J. in her review of Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park.
Water system shutdowns: Smithville Lake campgrounds sometimes shut off water without notice during early or late season cold snaps. "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," reports Bridget U. about camping at Crow's Creek in October.
Noise considerations: Some loops stay quieter than others. "The tent site loops were almost empty during our July visit... One big downside for me was the lack of trees—there's maybe one tree per tent site and even fewer around the RV spots," notes Sayler O. about Crow's Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Crow's Creek Campground provides easy access to play areas. "Fairly close to the water and playground; within walking distance. The roads and trails are nice for scooters and bikes," shares Brittnie T. in her review of Crow's Creek Campground.
Weekend noise levels: Several campgrounds become noisier during peak season. "We love it when it is still kind of off season like Easter weekend and after labor day. We have small children and it can get pretty rowdy during the summer," advises Robin R. about choosing camping dates at Crow's Creek.
Lake safety: Hillsdale State Park offers supervised swimming areas during summer months. "This campground is close to home for us, but we love it as a quick get away. It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake," notes Jason W. about Hillsdale State Park.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Smith's Fork Recreation Area provides complete connections at every site. "We don't stray very far from the KC Metro (50 mile radius). Of everywhere Smith's Fork is the only one (so far) that offers Electric (30 & 50 amp), Water (2) and Sewer at every campsite. At just $30 per day it is a steal!" shares Don M.
Camp host assistance: Weston Bend State Park offers helpful site selection guidance. "Camp hosts were super nice stop by to make sure that I was all set up and didn't need any help," reports Lauri J., highlighting the value of knowledgeable on-site staff for RV campers needing assistance.
Site spacing considerations: Watkins Mill State Park provides well-separated RV locations. "The campsites are shaded and pretty secluded," notes Brandi F., offering privacy even with larger rigs.
