St. Joseph, Missouri camping options extend beyond the city limits, with RV sites available within a 40-mile radius. Located along the Missouri River at approximately 800 feet elevation, the area experiences hot summers and cold winters with seasonal camping availability typically running March through October. Most campgrounds in the region maintain gravel pads with varying degrees of shade coverage.
What to do
Fishing without a license: At Basswood Country RV Resort, campers can fish in five small lakes without needing a Missouri fishing permit. "You could fish in the lakes and didn't even need a license. We watched kids get excited as they caught fish after fish," notes Shannon G.
Family activities: The area offers structured weekend entertainment for children. "Every weekend there are organized activities such as arts and crafts, fishing contests, duck races and frozen t-shirt contests in the pool, and a Saturday evening outdoor movie," explains Tori G. about the programming at Basswood Country RV Resort.
Visit Missouri Star Quilt Company: RVers staying in Hamilton can access famous quilting stores. "Small (15 Spaces) RV park located 1/2 mile from the Missouri Star Quilt Co. Most likely the reason why people come to Hamilton," reports Bill B. about A Country Charm RV Park.
What campers like
Convenience to attractions: The proximity to amusement parks makes some campgrounds practical bases for family adventures. One reviewer at Worlds of Fun Village noted, "Easy walk to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, with some back-in sites offering tremendous views of downtown KC. Kids loved the fireworks at Worlds of Fun in the evenings, and could be seen from our pad."
Private bathrooms: Several campgrounds feature individual bathroom facilities. "Bathrooms were top-notch. Every campground should have the same set up. Handicap accessible, all in one in same room. So great if you have kids or someone with a disability," writes Mary D. about A Country Charm RV Park's facilities.
Pond access: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites away from highway noise. "Traveling through on a cross country trip. Needed a spot to camp from my motorcycle. I was given a giant secluded spot by the pond, separate from the RV area," reports Stephanie B. about her stay at AOK Campground & RV Park.
What you should know
Airport proximity: Some campgrounds lie under flight paths for nearby airports. "The campground is on the final approach for the airport, so you get to see a lot planes flying overhead, which you don't even notice cause they are quieter than they used to be, and I think they shut down flights around 10pm," explains Brian A. about Basswood Country RV Resort.
Tent restrictions: Not all RV parks accommodate tent camping. One frustrated traveler at A Country Charm RV Park reported being turned away: "Its not tent friendly owner was a total a hole towards this bikepacker 'this is a rv park im not loosing my license over a tent.'"
Early morning sprinklers: Unexpected irrigation systems can disrupt outdoor gear storage. At Love's RV Hookup-St. Joseph, campers were surprised by unannounced watering: "We did not know that starting around 6:00 AM the sprinklers came on and all of their gear got wet. The sprinklers also make mud puddles at the dog park entrance."
Tips for camping with families
Check pool hours: Swimming pools at campgrounds near St. Joseph typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day with varied daily hours. "The camp ground pool is huge and fun for the kids on non park days," notes Jennifer H. about Worlds of Fun Village.
Look for paved paths: Some campgrounds provide better surfaces for children's recreational equipment. "The campground is all paved and perfect for scooters and bikes for the kids," adds Jennifer H. about the same location.
Consider off-season visits: Families seeking quieter experiences may prefer shoulder seasons. "Stopped here on our way south for spring break. The amusement park was not open yet, so the campground area was relatively quiet and the price for full hookups was not bad," explains Deb M. at Worlds of Fun Village.
Tips from RVers
Check utility placement: The location of hookups can require longer than standard connections. At Love's RV Hookup-St. Joseph, "The utilities are at the far backside of the pad and based on our rig's configuration with the wet bay towards the front, we needed 25' or more of hose and electric cord."
Request interior spaces: Highway noise affects perimeter sites at many rv sites near St. Joseph, Missouri. "Row 1 (sites 1-20) is along a busy highway with semi truck noise 24 hours a day. I recommend either paying more for the pull-through (further from the road) or the back in sites 69-82 in row 3," suggests John L. about Worlds of Fun Village.
Pay for pull-through sites: Larger rigs benefit from premium spaces with more parking room. "Pay more for the pull through you'll have tons of parking even if your rig is big. Our rig is 44 ft and we parked two 2500's on the pad no problem," advises E C. about camping at Worlds of Fun Village.
