Best Tent Camping near Smithville, MO
Tent campsites around Smithville, Missouri include several primitive options with minimal amenities. Conservation areas like Agency and Bonanza provide free tent camping opportunities with basic setups. Hamilton City Lake offers a more peaceful setting with lakeside tent camping and fishing access, while Tent Sites at Milo Farm provides 22 designated tent sites with amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and firewood.
Most tent campgrounds near Smithville feature gravel parking areas that serve as the designated camping zones. At Agency Conservation Area, camping is restricted to a small gravel pullout area with tree coverage for shade. Bonanza Conservation Area similarly limits camping to gravelly parking lots, with citations issued for setting up elsewhere. A visitor commented, "It is against their rules to camp anywhere but on a gravelly parking lot." These conservation areas typically lack facilities, with no toilets, trash service, or drinking water available. Campers should bring all necessary supplies, including water and waste disposal bags.
The tent camping experience varies significantly across locations. Hamilton City Lake provides a more natural setting with shaded tent sites directly adjacent to the water. One camper noted that "there are two known dispersed sites, and while they're basic, they're free and offer a great natural setting." Fishing opportunities are abundant, with reports of bluegill, crappie, and bass catches. Many conservation areas have restricted hours, with Agency Conservation Area reportedly closed from 10 PM to 4 AM. For tent campers seeking more amenities, Riverfront Camping Club offers tent sites with drinking water, electric hookups, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. These tent campgrounds typically experience low crowds, especially on weekdays, making them good options for campers seeking quieter places to tent camp near Smithville.
