Watkins Mill State Park Campground
Great place to camp
I went with my daughter. We had a wonderful time! It was a nice clean campsite well cared for. Just what you want for camping.
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lazy Liz Katy Trail Horse and RV Campground offers horse camping accommodations near Kingsville, Missouri with electric hookups and water access for equestrians. The facility features dedicated areas for horses, fire pits, picnic tables, and basic toilet facilities. The campground maintains a pet-friendly policy that extends to equine visitors, with ample space for both horses and riders. Trails accessible directly from the campground provide riders with varied terrain options. The campground stays open year-round for horse enthusiasts seeking consistent access to riding opportunities. Sites can accommodate both tents and RVs, with electric hookups available for campers requiring power.
Positioned along the historic Katy Trail, this horse-friendly campground grants riders direct access to one of Missouri's premier long-distance trail systems. The Katy Trail's relatively flat, converted rail-bed provides excellent terrain for riders of all experience levels. Trailer parking accommodates various sizes, allowing horse owners convenient access to both their animals and riding routes. Campers report positive experiences with the trail access, noting the convenience of riding directly from their campsites without having to trailer to trailheads. Firewood is available on-site, eliminating the need for campers to transport their own. The rural setting minimizes light pollution while still providing necessary amenities for equestrian camping experiences. Advance reservations are recommended during peak riding seasons when equestrian campsites fill quickly.
"Nice little campground tucked away just outside Kansas City. Close to everything but far enough that it’s still really camping. Cell service on AT&T and Verizon are great."
"We just started the check in process and the staff is so great and helpful that I've already added this place to favorites and hope to return next time I'm in Missouri"
"This state park is a hidden gem in central Missouri. It has something to offer everyone in the family. There are several small lakes and plenty of hiking trails to keep everyone busy."
"We stayed one night traveling through Missouri. A limited number (25) of campsites are open during off season, which was fine since there were just two other campers."
Available this weekend
from $14 - $46 / night
"this little off the beaten path camp ground his paved roads, boat access for 2 areas 1 near the damn which closes a gate after 10pm, we use the other area near the conservation station(although ive never"
"Was a nice little off the way spot with a couple camping spots on the lake. The grass/clover was super soft to walk in bare foot no stickers. Great spot for families."
"Watkins mill SP is located a short distance from Kansas City off I-35 near Kearney. The park has a large lake that you can fish and boat as well as multiple hiking options."
"This place offers peace and quiet outside of a small town with close by amenities. Clean and helpful staff"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 - $40 / night
"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. "
"We often find ourselves in a field with port-a-potties instead of lakeside with views. Not bad for what it is, I do wish they had more options."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
"Located in east central Kansas on 2600 acre Lake LaCygne (cooling reservoir for KCPL coal-fired power plant). No swimming or skiing allowed, only fishing boats."
"Tucked in campsites with full hook ups. Great spot for kids to play but also great for couple wanting a spot. Bathhouse is really clean with hot water"
"Loved this location (lot70). Spacious and not too close to any other spots. Short walk down to the water. Easy in and out with water available."
"Steps from the lake. Staff was friendly."
"Nice spacious spots, lake views, friendly campers. Great Hosts! Clean and well maintained. Our favorite spot for camping at Truman Lake. Close to boat launch."
"It’s not nearly as busy as the state park which is awesome!!"
Available this weekend
from $14 - $40 / night
"I have had a great experience and the campground host is very nice and friendly and you can't be the price and they have shower that is air conditioned and 2 outhouses and they Katy trail entrance is right"
"We stayed in our rv while riding the Katy trail easy check in process. Free use of washer and dryer. Shower was great. Felt super safe here. Nice and quiet. Would definitely recommend to anyone."
from $10 - $25 / night
"Lots of riding trail miles and lake."
from $10 - $21 / night
I went with my daughter. We had a wonderful time! It was a nice clean campsite well cared for. Just what you want for camping.
I have had a great experience and the campground host is very nice and friendly and you can't be the price and they have shower that is air conditioned and 2 outhouses and they Katy trail entrance is right through the field and to the right and they have a sign and then there is a park right on the Katy trail just after you leave the campground. I love sitting on the porch at the red barn.
Paved roads with some paved campsites and some gravel campsites. Clean bathrooms with separate, private showers. Coin operated laundry. 3.8 mile paved lake trail with easy rating.
We stopped here for one night on our trip from Texas to Iowa - very nice campground! It’s well kept, clean, and nice facilities. The site wasn’t very level, but other than that, it was great.
Beautiful place, decent privacy, first night was great then multiple questionable people took primitive camping sites around us that were tent/car living and made us very leary of leaving our site. Was quiet until they came in, then lots of "short term visitor" traffic every 15 minutes through the night.
Pretty nice campground, decently large, has showers, a small store open from time to time, and a swimmers beach
Quite cute little place can see jets 💸 by over . Clean restrooms and a dump station tons of wildlife and trails
Had booked for over a Thursday-Sun stopover when heading out west. Had site C14 which has a beautiful view of the water but no direct access due to the brush between the campground and lakeshore. Hosts are super friendly and accommodating. Had to extend my stay for a few days due to truck issues and it was no problem booking the same site. No issue with mosquitos, but some days the flies were prolific. Showers are just okay, no bench in the handicap stall. All of the washers were out of order and I was told that they were not going to be replaced.
Was a nice little off the way spot with a couple camping spots on the lake. The grass/clover was super soft to walk in bare foot no stickers. Great spot for families. Not the worst for bugs but mosquitoes can’t be helped. Toilets could use a good cleaning but weren’t the worst I still used em. Some broken glass on the beach but over all was a good spot to camp
Kingsville, Missouri sits in western Missouri's diverse terrain, with elevation around 800 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with humid summers reaching 90°F and winter lows averaging 20°F. Camping options extend beyond traditional sites, with specialized facilities catering to equestrians accessing regional trail systems.
Kayaking on area lakes: Lake Jacomo in Fleming Park provides rentals for paddlers exploring calm waters. "The kayak rentals were available for Lake Buteo - kayakers were out on the lake, and the lake has a trail all around it. Nice trail," shares a visitor from Knob Noster State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk bring active wildlife viewing opportunities across the region. "There is loads of wildlife to see and aren't much scared of humans, raccoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, deer, owls and much more," notes a camper at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to preserved historical sites. "If you like history, take a tour of the woolen mill part. Very cool," recommends a visitor to Watkins Mill State Park Campground.
Solitude and disconnection: Several campgrounds offer breaks from connectivity. "No internet, no cell, no problem. Great beach with a beautiful view," reports a camper at Berry Bend, describing the peaceful atmosphere.
Night sky viewing: The rural nature of campgrounds enables stargazing. "The stars were beautiful, the 'sites' were spacious and well spread out, and there is lots of shade," explains a visitor at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping.
Clean facilities: Many locations maintain quality amenities despite rural settings. "They had the cleanest facilities I have ever seen," notes a camper at Long Shoal, highlighting the well-maintained bathrooms and showers.
Equestrian accommodations: Multiple horse campgrounds near Kingsville, Missouri provide specialized facilities. "We stayed in our rv while riding the Katy trail easy check in process. Free use of washer and dryer. Shower was great. Felt super safe here," reports a visitor at Lazy Liz Katy Trail Horse and RV Campground.
Seasonal restrictions: Some conservation areas limit camping during hunting seasons. "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," warns a visitor to Montrose Conservation Area.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for common wildlife interactions at regional campgrounds. "Raccoon have taken over the park. And the state workers have done nothing. I had my 2025 subaru crosstrek there and they put scratches all over my car and tore the window seal out," cautions a camper at Knob Noster State Park.
Water conditions: Lakes in the region vary in quality and clarity. "Shallow muddy water but it does attract wildlife. A bit of road noise but tolerable," reports a visitor about Montrose Conservation Area.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. "Vault toilets were absolutely disgusting, thankfully we brought our own toilet paper," notes a camper at Montrose, while others praise facilities at different parks.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Several locations offer safe cycling options for children. "Great place to make memories. It is a great place for the grandkids to ride their new bikes on the level smooth campground road in safety," recommends a visitor to Watkins Mill State Park.
Archaeological activities: Engage children with regional history. "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," suggests a camper at Montrose Conservation Area.
Site selection for safety: Consider road proximity when choosing family sites. "Only negative is that some sites are right on the road, so kids can dart out at any time...just be careful!" cautions a visitor to Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park.
Electric-only sites: Plan water and waste management accordingly. "Sites are level, electric only with easy access to fresh water and dump station as you enter the facility," notes a visitor to Long Shoal.
Tree coverage variations: Research specific loops for shade preferences. "Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy," explains a camper at Hillsdale State Park.
Road conditions: Some access roads may challenge larger rigs. "You could definitely get a big rig in and out of here on the looped gravel roads," confirms a visitor to Montrose Missouri Conservation Area, providing valuable information for RV travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kingsville, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kingsville, MO is Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park with a 4-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Kingsville, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Kingsville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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