Camping around Kansas City's rolling hills and forested areas gives visitors proximity to both urban amenities and scenic lake settings. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,100 feet above sea level with campgrounds distributed throughout the area's numerous reservoirs and state parks. Most public campgrounds near Kansas City maintain consistent campfire policies but differ in their reservation windows and winter operating schedules.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: At Weston Bend State Park Campground, the trail system provides various hiking options with scenic overlooks of the Missouri River valley. "The hiking trails were overgrown and no longer accessible" at Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park according to one camper, making Weston Bend a better option for hikers.
Historical tours: Camp near Independence for easy access to historical sites. Campus RV Park puts you within walking distance of downtown Independence attractions. One reviewer noted, "Independence has some cool stuff to check out and has a very midwestern, small-town feel to it, even though it is basically a suburb of the greater Kansas City area. There is a lot of charm and some interesting architecture in the immediate area."
Water recreation: Blue Springs Lake Campground offers boating and fishing opportunities on its adjacent lake. A reviewer mentioned that while "You can't see the lake from the campground, and there was some road noise from morning commuters... overall it's a nice stop for a night or two."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many Kansas City area campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Watkins Mill State Park Campground, campers appreciate the "Clean facilities include plenty of stalls and sinks, separate showers and laundry. Well lit and accessible."
Private site spacing: Campgrounds like Blue Springs offer good site spacing. One camper noted, "The sites were well situated such that you felt you had plenty of privacy. The staff was nice but since entrance time and exit time are both 2:00 we had to wait for our spot to open which was difficult."
Security features: Security measures vary between campgrounds. Blue Springs Lake Campground provides "an access code to get into the gate" according to one reviewer who noted, "We felt very safe here since they require an access code to get into the gate."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Water access may be affected by season at some campgrounds. At Crow's Creek Campground, one camper reported, "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."
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly during summer months. One Crow's Creek visitor recommended specific timing: "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."
Tree coverage variation: Campgrounds differ significantly in tree coverage. Crow's Creek has "One big downside... the lack of trees—there's maybe one tree per tent site and even fewer around the RV spots. Shade is minimal, and there's really no sense of being in the woods."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds close to camping areas. At Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, campers can find "many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating."
Kid-friendly activities: Paved pathways at Crow's Creek provide safe areas for children's activities. A camper mentioned, "The roads and trails are nice for scooters and bikes. Fairly close to the water and playground; within walking distance."
Theme park proximity: For families seeking entertainment options, Worlds of Fun Village offers unique benefits. One visitor noted, "The theme park offered discounted tickets when staying at the campground and parking for the parks was included. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are internally connected, making it easy to walk between the two."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Many sites throughout the area require leveling equipment. At Walnut Grove RV Park, "the spot was on a slight hill- but wasn't terrible to level out. Would stay here again."
Big rig access: Campgrounds differ in their ability to accommodate large rigs. At Campus RV Park, "Many back in sites with 4 pull through sites. We stayed in pull through site #3," though the reviewer noted train noise during the night.
Hookup placement: The placement of utilities varies between campgrounds. At Blue Springs, one RVer noted "The utilities were located mid-to-rear on the site, and we had no trouble reaching them. The site slopes to the passenger side and downhill toward the road, so we used a few levelers."
