Camping near Warrensburg, Missouri is primarily concentrated within a 30-mile radius of the city, with elevations ranging between 700-850 feet above sea level throughout the region. Most campgrounds offer partial or full hookups for RVs, while tent campers have limited primitive options. The area experiences temperature swings of 40-50 degrees between day and night during spring and fall camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Buteo at Knob Noster State Park offers kayak rentals and fishing without additional permits. "There are a couple of small lakes, one of which has kayak rentals. Several hiking trails. I have stayed here before and never encountered any problems If you want a quiet relaxing campground, this may be for you," notes JoAnn P.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide opportunities to observe native wildlife, though raccoons are frequently active around campsites. "Raccoon have taken over the park... About 40 in my camp the whole week making us scared. I stayed in my car the whole 7 days," cautions Angela D. about her experience at Knob Noster State Park.
Local exploration: Visit the historic Fort Osage National Historic Landmark when staying at Blue Springs Lake Campground. "Beautiful Lake, with fishing, and boating. Rainy weather for the most part but did take time to go to the Fort Osage National Historic Landmark and Missouri Town which is part of the Jackson County Parks & Rec. Nice way to spend a rainy kind of day," shares Shirley M.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature concrete pads with good spacing between sites. At Blue Springs Lake Campground, "The sites were well situated such that you felt you had plenty of privacy. The staff was nice," according to Shirley M.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of shower houses and restrooms. Nicole B. says about Knob Noster State Park: "Really pretty place. Campground wasn't too crowded. Parking spots at each site. Bathhouse was very clean. Would come back."
Small-town charm: Mayview RV Park offers an affordable option with proximity to local businesses. "Small town charm, CHEAP! $20/night including full hookups! Town population only 600. There's a bar & grill and a brunch cafe around the corner from the RV park," reports Phil R.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures can reach above 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. "We spent 5 nights. The campground filled up on the weekend but it was very quiet," notes JoAnn P. about her stay at Knob Noster State Park.
Reservation needs: Weekend availability is limited during summer months at most campgrounds. Jim S. mentions about Knob Noster: "We stopped late without reserving when our original plan fell through, but found a primitive site just fine. Nature programs were fun and informative, and the campground was relatively quiet."
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report issues with raccoons, particularly after dark. Kelsie L. shares about Knob Noster State Park: "Beautiful secluded campsite - amenities were clean. Kayak rentals were available for Lake Buteo... We did have a problem with Raccoons, but with our site being on the very edge of the sites I think that may be inevitable."
Weekend crowds: Lake Paradise Resort and other area campgrounds experience higher occupancy Friday through Sunday. "We camped here in September 2020. There are nice spots right by the lakes with big trees for shade... Quiet and well spaced," notes Brandi D.
Tips for camping with families
Look for nature programs: Several parks offer educational programs on weekends. At Knob Noster State Park, Jim S. shares: "Nature programs were fun and informative, and the campground was relatively quiet."
Consider amenities: Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA offers family-friendly facilities. "Great place to set up for the night, clean bathrooms, a nice fire pit, and plenty of room to set up a tarp for the rain. Not too much privacy as there's not very many trees around and the sites are close together but otherwise a great campground!" says Nicole D.
Test equipment nearby: Local campgrounds serve well for first-time camping experiences. John J. explains: "Our first camping weekend this year, only 1 mile from home. Testing our 24' Forrest River Salem Cruise Lite pull behind camper systems, support supplies and food supply inventory. It was a spectacular weekend with our of town and our of state family."
Tips from RVers
Accessibility: Most Warrensburg area campgrounds accommodate larger RVs with pull-through sites. At Great Escape RV Park & Campground, Maggie C. notes: "Just stopped for one night on our way east. Friendly host checked us in. Nice dog park with bench and shade. All sites are FHU. They offered to move us to a pull thru, but I picked our site based on proximity to the dog park."
Leveling considerations: Be prepared with leveling blocks as many sites have slight slopes. "The site slopes to the passenger side and down hill to the road, so we used a few levelers. Many sites here are sloped. The premium cement pads seemed to be more level than gravel sites," mentions MickandKarla W. about Blue Springs Lake Campground.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are available at multiple campgrounds, but locations vary by site. "Great option, clean and well ran. Quiet and I will stay again!" says Daniel K. about Blue Springs Lake Campground.
