Leni K.

Kansas City, MO

Joined October 2020

Excellent November Tent Destination

We stayed in the north end of the Choctaw Campground, nearest the converted cabin and heated showerhouse. All facilities (water, toilets, info) were open and working. On arrival we booked a spot and had no issues with internet to do so. Rangers came through daily, but no sign of camp host over the Thanksgiving weekend. We were the only tent visitors until our last night when two additional campers arrived. The trails were great aside from some glass that appeared to wash in a long the lower nature trail, which was a concern for our dog so we went to take the fitness trail back. The sunset view from south of the lodge was worth the wait. Nature Center staff were more helpful than the info center, on top of a super educational and fun tour they held even in the chilly wind. Cons - There seemed to be less parking than spots, waterside spots definitely had signs of being washed out this season around the picnic tables, and overall it was hard to spot some numbers on spots. Spots were mostly crowded, would not come to this site in a peak season.

In The Thick of Nature, Great Tent Camping Off Season

We came just at the start of season, so we took advantage of a family spot to relax and get some extra privacy. There were maybe 5 other campers in Wild Ridge, and it was a ridge coming in, narrow roads leading into the peninsula.

Vault toilets were well kept, and well light at night.

We hiked to check out the other campsites that were also well spaced for privacy.

There was a desire line down to the lake, with a rocky shore to walk, the beaches themselves a bit wider.

We had a nice clearing to set up at our location, likely used for a second tent that lended well to privacy.

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.

Great Secluded Dispersed Camping

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. Thankfully we were not shot! While free, dispersed sites, there are easily established fire pit areas to choose from Vault toilets were absolutely disgusting, thankfully we brought our own toilet paper. Easily accessible car camping. Not too many other campers at the other site where we spotted some RVs. Overall the remote location, gorgeous scenery and with a couple boats makes for a great weekend.

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.

Great RV Stop Over, Not for Tents

RVs themselves weren't loud when there, but you are right in the neighborhood and the nextdoor welder was pretty loud late into the night. Small quiet town made for a great stopover, but next time might look to go further or camp out in a nearby park to feel less conspicuous. There are two tent areas, one by the road in front of the house, the other by the back in front of a cabin. Without knowing if anyone was inside, was a tad creepy setting up close to the cabin.

Dirt Road Gem

Loved it here. The best advantage over dispersed was with dedicated fire rings we were permitted fires during a fire ban. Firewood was $6. Campsites near the bathrooms are near a meadow animals visit at dusk. Our site had some morning visitors on the ridge. Very neat site.

Great Tent Camping

Loved the campground, but would have loved more updated bathrooms. The showers were flooded, which could be the number of people there, but should definitely drain better. Close to the water, beautiful views. The only thing to ruin it was the crowds coming back from boating, loud into the night, and RV that ran it's generator all night. Otherwise would love to come back.

Better Than Staying In Yellowstone

For a single couple, the trade off is huge. Quieter, more privacy, and better views. Wish we'd stayed more nights here than in Yellowstone and will definitely in the future (as well as book a year early to get a water view). Loved how close the bathrooms were with seperate paths through the trees, but wish the doors had latches on bear country. Yes showers are $6, but for the experience? Worth it in comparison to a free shower. With the small campsite there was no wait for showers or the laundry. The store was super well stocked, to the point I'm now willing to forget something to save on room.

Loved Tenting

Tenting inside Yellowstone was a real treat. Facilities all top notch. Wished our tent site had more tree coverage with the heat, hopefully the conservation efforts including keeping hammock ropes off direct contact help to keep the trees healthy. Hope to return again in the future!

Cozy Tent Camping on the Water

30 minutes off 90 along the Missouri river. Situated on a tiny peninsula is the campsite. We opted to camp in an electric site with our tent to be closer to the water since we were in for just one night. With double sites it's pretty tight, however everyone was super quiet while there and we were lucky to have another tent on our double pad. At check-in we were given hand sanitizers, which was nice. Bathrooms were centrally located in the campsite. Tent sites were past the park and playground, did not see where bathrooms were on that end. Definitely would camp here again.

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.

Cute, Small Quiet

We camped the last weekend in September picking a late reservation where kayaks were available for our first tent test run were our main goals, which the site met. Kayaking was wildly available, due to the small lake and difficult launch, we can see why, but still very enjoyable. Site was very sizable for our tent, as most are suitable for campers. Lots of even ground, with decent distance. Facilities could do with some updates, but there were a number of bathrooms on site, spaced so no site seemed far, including the vault toilet and a lot of people masking up while going into bathrooms as well, which was appreciated. Current host was super nice and helpful to first timers. The tiny market has a number of random items, including a collapsible fork which was the only thing we hadn't overpacked, and wasn't overpriced. Fire pits on our site were adjustable, making grilling food easier to control.

Cute, Clean and Quiet

Was only on site for 7 hours, but was very impressed with our spot, the clean, modern shower and bathrooms, and nature (there were turkey feathers from a night visitor when we woke!) We had the best tent site on the grounds, corner spot with decent trees and distance, most other spots are right on top of each other. Case in point, the only place for our car was on the road, no pull off.

Reservations can be made ahead of time online. However day passes have to be purchased in person, cash, on site day of.

Would definitely come back for a longer stay if we could get #4 or #5 for sure.

First to Review
Beautiful little town campsite

Stayed one night, tent only, but water and electric hookups present, along with firepit and picnic table. Reservations have to be made in person, but can be done after hours, picked up at the Police Station box, $20. There's less than 10 sites, one half against the highway, the other backed to the disc golf course and swingset. Sites are a bit close, but on an empty weekend we were spaced well. On a beautiful Saturday it was quiet, and empty of visitors by night, and the sites cleared out early Sunday. Two bathrooms, with a shower each, seem well kept up, but are a bit dated. There was no firewood available, but Casey's nearby had some available. There was also a lot of fallen wood and branches in the area. Would definitely go again if in the area.