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Best Tent Camping near Platte City, MO

549 Reviews

Tent camping options near Platte City, Missouri include several established conservation areas and parks offering primitive sites. Agency Conservation Area and Bonanza Conservation Area provide free tent camping with minimal amenities, while Woodridge Park in nearby Kansas offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with more facilities. Hamilton City Lake, approximately 40 miles east, provides peaceful lakeside tent camping in a natural setting.

Most tent sites in the region feature basic setups on gravel or natural surfaces with limited amenities. Woodridge Park stands out with potable water access and vault toilets, while conservation areas like Agency and Bonanza typically lack facilities entirely. Tent campers should prepare for self-sufficient camping by bringing water, waste disposal bags, and all necessary supplies. Missouri conservation areas generally restrict camping to designated gravel parking areas, with citations issued for setting up elsewhere. One visitor to Bonanza Conservation Area noted, "It is against their rules to camp anywhere but on a gravelly parking lot. We camped just off the road and got a citation."

The walk-in tent sites at Woodridge Park offer greater privacy and a more immersive backcountry experience than the drive-in options. These sites are spread along a trail system that provides seclusion even when the campground is busy. The primitive tent camping areas feature established fire rings but require campers to pack in all supplies. Seasonal considerations include muddy conditions after rain, particularly on trails leading to backcountry tent sites. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "There are so many spots you can set up at on the trail that nobody went to. Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!" Hamilton City Lake provides a quieter alternative with lakeside tent camping and good fishing opportunities directly from campsites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Platte City, Missouri (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Platte City, MO

11 Photos of 8 Platte City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Platte City, MO

549 Reviews of 8 Platte City Campgrounds

  • Sarah H.
    Sep. 18, 2016

    Wallace State Park Campground

    Popular Park Tucked Away In The Hills

    My husband and I tent camped overnight at Wallace State Park. Woodsy tent camping sites were spacious and private. Large camping pads are lined with wood chips and are comfortable enough to sleep on without an air mattress. Covered picnic tables have an extra shelf for storage convenience. Even after setting up the tent and camping chairs there was still enough room for lawn games or for little ones to run around.

    Wildlife was abundant in the evening. We saw many deer, frogs and squirrels. At dark, nature sounds were unbelievable with songs of bullfrogs, owls, and flying creatures of all sorts. Be sure to bring bug repellant.

    Campground 1 had clean vault toilets, but the bath house near Campground 2 was even better. Showers were clean and in their own stalls with locking doors, shelves and ample hooks. The water got nice and hot and the shower heads were even and held good pressure. This bath house was seriously the best one we have ever visited and we have used dozens.

    For entertainment, there was a bustling playground, winding nature trails, horseshoes, lake swimming, and fishing. There was also a well kept laundry house with a dishwashing sink attached. Campground hosts and park rangers were friendly and busy keeping the park in great shape. Overall, this is a really nice place to camp!

    Gear Review: Lighthouse 250 Lantern and USB Power Hub We decided to try out our GoalZero lantern instead of our usual larger lantern. The lantern is compact enough to fit in a small bag with other electronics and is very light in weight. This saved us a little extra room which is a bonus since we take all of our camping trips in a tiny little Prius C. The Lighthouse 250 would be a good contender for bringing along on a backpacking trip, but you would want to pad it with some kind of protection as it seems that some parts might not hold up to a lot of banging around.

    We used the lantern 2 nights in a row without charging it and the battery life indicator still had over 1/4 of its power left. On this same charge, wee tested the phone charger by hooking up an iPhone 4 to charge for 10 minutes with the light on full turbo. The 10 minute charge boosted the phone's battery 12%. The hand crank charger was a little awkward, but would be sufficient in a pinch. Had we needed more power, we could have easily plugged the attached USB cord into our car charger. We don't usually pony up for electric sites, so on extended excursions, the Nomad 7 Solar Panel is a gadget we would consider purchasing.

    The directional lighting feature of the lantern came in handy for having dimmer light closer to sleeping times and brighter light for reading/boardgames in the tent. In the end, we will definitely bring the Lighthouse 250 lantern with us on future trips, and will leave our bulky older lantern at home.

  • Leni K.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    Wallace State Park Campground

    Good Weekend Getaway

    Campground 1 is the ideal tent grounds. Heavily wooded some with better coverage than others. Campground 2 is the most spaces RV site. Campground 3 had five total sites in an open area. No privacy at all. Campground 4 was a tighter RV set up. All campgrounds share one very updated showerhouse, which did lead to some lines at the showers Sunday, but the trade off for quality bathroom is appreciated. All campgrounds and day use areas are also connected by a series of trails, so you're not far off from getting to a hike at any point. Campground 1 has four walkins that range from 80 to 300 yards in, starting with 28 closest and 31 farthest out. We stayed at 31, and whole remote, during the day picked up sounds clearly from other sites and at night the highway was pretty clear. Overall though the seclusion tradeoff was nice and it was an easy adjustment for us as car campers. We had a raccoon visitor who is a frequent flyer, while he got away with some hotdogs, we adjusted and ensured he didn't get additional treats. The main showerhouse was closer than the vault toilet on 1, which was still really well maintained. Overall crowds here seemed very respectful of quiet hours, space on trails and made for an improved stay. Camp hosts were always available and polite and friendly. Trails were maintained. Definitely would return again, to a similar site as a walk in.

  • Whitney L.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    Bluffwoods Conservation Area

    lovely, quiet camping near St. Joe’s MO

    Love this little area for camping! It’s well maintained, quiet, easy to access, has lots of grass for the dogs to play and we always see wildlife. People often leave trash so be sure to leave no trace so it stays nice for all to enjoy <3

  • Leni K.
    May. 24, 2021

    Weston Bend State Park Campground

    Okay Campground for Tenting

    Campground is great overall, with a walkable trail just past the showers, clean restrooms and easy to access sites. There are only 3 basic tent sites, making it hard to nab. #4 had a decent amount of privacy, however most other electric sites do not. As an electric site, there was not a lot of ground space for tents, we settled on gravel with reflectix to buffer the ground. Check in was easy, and in walking distance. Site was pretty noisy, even after hours, a few kids running around with speakers on blast definitely were less than optimal.

  • Leni K.
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

    Relaxing Car/Tent Camping Spot

    Pros Off-season was quiet Open bathrooms were nice and well kept. Easy access to trails Lots of wildlife, vultures, deer, etc. Well marked and plenty of them spots Marina was a quick bike ride away and had a lot to offer during the season. Primate loops had some good spacing and tree cover, along with views of the lake. Inner loops not so much Potable water available year round. Was drinkable.

    Cons Signs marked closed bathrooms but not the closest open bathrooms. One per campsite was still open with heat and electric. Weirdly all vaults were closed Office and hosts were unavailable so we had to leave for Casey's for firewood. While before the season, someone told us it's typically impossible to get firewood because the office is usually closed. Signs to the entrance to park and n avigation were pretty small, impossible to read at night, not lit. Electric parking pass only issued one day pass at a time. Would do the paper pass across the parking lot next time. Spacing is definitely a bit crowded for tent camping privacy this time of year. Will be curious to see how it feels in the summer/fall.

  • Lady Phyre ☆.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Pony Express Lake Conservation Area

    Pony Express is amazing!

    You can camp in one of several little inlets and nooks. It's a Fish & Game preserve with camping and fishing spots all around the lake. Many with picnic tables and most with vault toilets. It's on my top 10 list of best primitive/dispersed camping locations. Only con is the vault toilet at the inlet I camped in. It was unusable with fetus nearly to the top. I think some unscrupulous person put trash in it then other used it probably without knowing. Very bad etiquette! Be sure to bring your own camping toilet and/or check the vault toilet before setting up. I didn't see very many RVs but several vans, trucks, and cars were there. The wildlife is predominantly water fowl.

  • R
    Aug. 3, 2016

    Wallace State Park Campground

    Wallace State Park in Cameron, MO

    There are mixed RV and tent camping sites, including primitive and walk in sites. You can get water and electric at most sites. Each campground has an iron fire ring with a grill attached.

    There are nice hiking trails. Trails are well marked. There three levels to choose from based on distance.

    There is also a small lake to fish or swim in. The lake for it's size, had some nice fish.

    The community shower and bathroom houses are not air conditioned. The floors are slab cement, but the park staff clean them daily.

    Overall, I think that campgrounds are decent.

  • T
    Jul. 9, 2023

    Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

    Easy Camping, For Our First Time

    It was busy and noisy up until quiet hours, super family friendly, the camp sites are quite large and spread apart. The showers & bathrooms were nice! Many spots to choose from, we were lucky to grab one with tree cover making it feel like we were really out in nature. Lovely park and campground.

  • P
    Oct. 23, 2018

    Pony Express Lake Conservation Area

    Small campground, free, on the lake.

    It's in the Conservation Area of Missouri on Pony Express Lake. Easy to get to. Gravel road to the camp areas. Very small. Only 7 or 8 sites. We had a van. There was an RV there and a tenter. Picnic table and fire ring. There is a boat landing further down the gravel road past the campground, different finger of the lake. Fishing. Pit toilet, no water or hook ups for RVs. Very quiet place and of course, you can't beat free!

Guide to Platte City

Platte City, Missouri, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. From serene conservation areas to well-equipped parks, there’s something for everyone.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Enjoy a free stay at the Agency Conservation Area, where you can set up camp in a small gravel area surrounded by trees for shade.
  • The Atchison State Fishing Lake provides a primitive camping experience with the added bonus of nearby fishing opportunities.
  • For a more developed experience, Scott Creek Campground features electric hookups, picnic tables, and clean restroom facilities.

Tent campers should check out Bonanza Conservation Area

  • The Bonanza Conservation Area offers a unique camping experience with multiple sites available, perfect for those seeking a quiet retreat.
  • Campers can enjoy the scenic views and wildlife at Hamilton City Lake, although amenities are limited.
  • For those looking for a peaceful spot, Tent Sites at Milo Farm provides a beautiful setting with drinking water and firewood available.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Explore the trails and creek features around Agency Conservation Area for a day of hiking and wildlife observation.
  • Fishing enthusiasts can take advantage of the serene waters at Atchison County Lake, making it a great spot for a relaxing day by the water.
  • The wooded trails at Woodridge Park offer excellent hiking opportunities, perfect for families and groups looking to explore the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Platte City, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Platte City, MO is Agency Conservation Area with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Platte City, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Platte City, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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