Best Camping in and Near Watkins Mill State Park

100% (8 reviews)

Explore history and scenery just minutes from the heart of Kansas City.

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Stay at a public campground in Watkins Mill State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Watkins Mill State Park

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Milo Farm Sacred Land

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres · Buckner, MO

Milo Farm was established organically a few years ago. The energy at Milo so amazing we wanted to share! There's a story behind the sacredness of this land, Loni can share that with you if you ask! There are 5 different ecosystems at Milo, all which hold their own magic!🪄 The lodge was built then the camping sites, then the Hippie Trailer, which is located near the west woods near the Fairy Forest. Then the Bunkhouse was established, it's just past the barn on the north end of the property. The lodge, where the Airbnb and pool are is centrally located on the land. We rent out the lower level guest quarters for non-campers. It has two saunas. There are 2 stocked ponds, miles of trails, pool, Zen garden, farm animals and more. Feel the energy of the sacred land. Find the vortexes here! Bless Mother Earth and spend some time in nature at this magical place Great for the spiritually minded with several meditation spots and portals. Ask about availability of the art golf cart rental if interested. Loni can take you on a guided history, nature and meditation hike if you sign up for that. There are events happening some weekends you can participate in. Loni is a spiritual intuitive and can do a reading using the Milo Farm Oracle cards she created! Ask for availability of these things. Milo has a lot to offer! Located in Eastern Jackson County MO, just 30 minutes from downtown Kansas City & 20 min from the sports stadiums.

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Seven Oaks

10 sites · RVs, Tents92 acres · Edgerton, MO

Seven Oaks is our home. There are 40 acres of hardwood timber on the Platte river and 10 acres of grass and wildflowers; Miles of rustic trails for hiking or biking, some appropriate for hayrides; picnic table and a 300 sq. ft. treehouse with hammocks for relaxation; Play a game of Cornhole; Fish in our pond or the Platte river. Kayak available but must use life vests. We are 15 minutes from Smithville lake boat ramp. We are limiting the 40 acres of timber to five groups of campers to provide privacy and seclusion for all. Topside RV/Camper Site includes the newly refurbished 28 ft. camper that sleeps 4 comfortably. The Hickory Forest RV/tent site has water and RV power hookups available. The lower level has three other tent camp sites available. WARNINGS! Hazards on our property include, but are not limited to: Biting insects, wild animals, dead fall trees (especially on the river bottom), slick and muddy approach to the river. In general, keep in mind you are camping in a timber and nature happens!

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Big River Ranch

8 sites · RVs, Tents1600 acres · Lexington, MO

At Big River Ranch, you'll always find something to do. From fishing to enjoying the 20 miles of riding trails the Ranch has to offer you'll never get tired of it. - Enjoy views of the Missouri River from the 100 foot elevation of the bluffs. - Over 20 miles of horse riding and UTV trails. - Diverse habitat of deciduous forests, cedars, and pines, wildflowers, ponds, streams, and rolling hills.

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Treloar Ranch

10 sites · RVs, Tents28 acres · Bates City, MO

We can’t wait to welcome you to Treloar Ranch. We have 28 beautiful acres for you to enjoy. RV electric and water hookups are available towards the back of our property. Enjoy the evening sitting under a tree lit with lanterns and a fire pit. You will have a view of our horses and donkey in the pasture with a sunset backdrop. Come enjoy the peaceful country not far from the major highways!

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Perdue Homestead Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Edgerton, MO

Nestled in historic Platte County, Missouri, our property provides an rural agritourism experience off-grid out in the natural environment. We are 20 minutes from historic Weston, MO, 30 minutes from historic St. Joseph, and 30 minutes from downtown Kansas City. We are a 420 friendly property. Campers must comply to all Missouri regulations. Under no circumstances should visitors trespass over to any of the neighboring properties. We have had multiple campers trespassing across the fence to the neighbors property. Neighbors are nice people but because of the multiple incidents and damage done to fences and their property, they did notify me that they will prosecute. Thank you for respecting this policy.

Beacon Farm Ministries

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Saint Joseph, MO

Pitch a tent or park a camper or small RV on our nonprofit farm. We have 5 acres of pasture/garden and 15 acres of woods in the River Bluffs of NW Missouri. Find a place in a meadow to star gaze and watch the moon, or hike into the woods for a secluded camping experience. Beautiful rolling hills, wildlife, wild flowers, peace and quiet are just a few of the perks in this rare location next to the Bluffwoods Conservation Area. Be prepared to get your hands dirty with this listing. All campers have the opportunity to volunteer one hour per day while staying at Beacon Farm. We are a nonprofit Christian ministry planting God's love one seed at a time. Donating organic produce to those in need here in Saint Joseph. Your hour of volunteer time each day could consist of harvesting veggies, weeding, stacking wood, milking goats, or any number of other things, depending on the time of year you are here. We look forward to meeting you and hearing where your travels have taken you. Located near here: Bluffwoods Conservation Land -- runs along our property Grocery Store, Gas station, and Cafe 10min back towards town (about 5 miles) Lewis and Clark Sate Park about 20 min from us Weston Bend Sate Park about 40 min from us Wallace state Park an hour from us Watkins Woolen Mill State Park 70min from us Big Lake State Park an hour away

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Harmony Lake Farm Park & Playground

30 sites · RVs, Tents45 acres · Wellington, MO

Harmony Lake welcomes you to our Farm. We are proud to be a registered member of Missouri Agritourism. Agritourism connects our guests with the great outdoors via Farm Stay. We hope you enjoy your stay at Harmony Lake Farm. We are walking distance to Harmony Lake: a private 12-acre lake for fishing, swimming and paddle boats. Our lake is home to record large-mouth bass and Missouri's longest free-floating walkway leading to a private island. We are located just 15-minutes from the highway and one hour to sites and attractions of Kansas City. We are 15-minutes to Lexington historic district or Odessa. We have a variety of tent and RV sites for your party to choose from so just reach out if you would like clarification on anything. Campfires and pets are allowed and all sites have access to bathrooms, a shower, bins, and an outdoor grill house.

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Inntirety Forest Healing Center

5 sites · Lodging5 acres · Edwardsville, KS

Transform Your Story Into A Fairytale. Reawaken Your Inner Child & Reconnect With Your Authentic Self In A 5-acre Enchanted Forest. The Inntirety Healing Center is a wilderness retreat and glamping area in Kansas City, KS. It offers a path for awakening your body, heart, and mind and restoring harmony with life through self-discovery and emergence into the senses. Inntirety is a forest restoration project powered by love, and it will forever be a work in progress! The camping areas and trails leading to them are groomed, finished, and regularly maintained. Please consider that Inntirety is not in the 'luxury' camping category, as this is not our intention. We try to integrate into the natural setting and provide an intimate and immersive experience by combining earthing, exploration, play, and discovery. We have beautiful and unique amenities, including a forest barrel sauna, a wood fire-heated clawfoot tub flower bath experience, a mini zipline, an outdoor shower, and hanging tree pods. Finally, enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast, which you can self-prepare! We supply homemade waffle mix, oatmeal, fresh fruit, coffee, and tea. This land holds so much history, and unfortunately, prior inhabitants used a small area within this beautiful forest as a dumping ground for old appliances, car parts, and other retired debris. We are carefully working on removing and restoring this space as we can. As a nod to the prior inhabitants of this land, we are carefully collecting any artifacts found and reintegrating them into our building projects or transforming them into found-object art pieces. 10 minutes from The Legends, Speedway, and American Royal(coming soon). 10 minutes from Azura Amphitheater & Renissance Festival Grounds. 20 minutes from Downtown Kansas City, Historic River Market KC, The Crossroads. 20 minutes from Overland Park Convention Center. We are a substance, alcohol-free area for many reasons. A bottle of wine or something to sip on by the fire is acceptable, but Inntirety is a place of healing and exploration. Thank you for observing this request. We live on the property in the main house. Google Maps is mildly accurate, but it is like saying we are located at our neighbor's property. The house is green and has a wrap-around deck. If you aren't sure, please feel free to text me. We want to acknowledge that Inntirety Healing Center is on the traditional, ancestral, and current home of Native Americans, Indigenous, and First Nations people. We ask you to join us in acknowledging the many tribal groups from our area, including the Jíwere, Kaw/Kansa, Otoe-Missouria, Shawnee, and Kickapoo tribes. We honor the elders, both past and present, and this calls us to continue to learn their stories and how to be better stewards of the land we occupy. Camping/Glamping Sites We have four glamping areas: two bell tents, a vintage pop-up camper, a tiny treehouse cabin, and a more primitive camping area with a tee-pee-style tent. Each site has a firepit or chiminea. If it is unsafe to burn, we will let you know. If conditions are dangerous for burning, each site has a mini BBQ grill. It is very important to keep your door zipped or shut. We try our hardest to keep bugs out so you are comfortable within. Each site has insense, and this is a magical bug detourant. Inntirety Cafe / Lounge Mini-Kitchen Area If you don't feel like cooking or preparing your morning coffee at your site, you can use the community mini-kitchen area in the Inntirety Cafe. There are cooking utensils, a 2-burner electric stovetop, a French press, an electric kettle, and pots and pans. There is also a water station within the kitchen area. There is complimentary coffee, tea, creamer, sugar, butter, cooking oil, and a few other items for cooking. Please clean up the area if you decide to use the community mini-kitchen. * We do not have running water inside the community area, but a sink is set up near the Forest Sauna for washing dishes. Inntirety Lounge Our community lounge is located within the Inntirety Cafe. Inside, you will find books, games, art supplies, and more. You are welcome to cool off, chill out, and relax during your stay. If you would like to borrow a book, game, etc., to return it to your campsite, please return it upon leaving. Solar Shower Just outside of the Forest Sauna is a solar shower with a small changing area. We have a water warming station near the outdoor sink to use for your shower. Inside the cafe, there is a laundry basket you can place your laundry in after you are done. Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are in a basket by the shower. Solar Shower Instructions: If you want a warm shower, plug in the water heater near the sink. It takes about 1 hour to heat the water. Fill the white bucket with water. Walk over to the solar shower area and place it on the cinder blocks. Put water pump in the bucket. To turn on the pump, press the button for 3 seconds first and then once to activate. Groomed Trails The Inntirety forest has a groomed trail about a 3/4 mile loop. If you go off the trail, please be aware that you will probably get poison ivy, ticks, and other things you might not want to bring home as a souvenir. Please stay on the trails. Zip Line We have a 100ft zip line that guests are free to use. Please sign a waiver in the lounge before usage. Forest Spa Add-Ons: Wilderness Barrel Sauna Please let us know if you would like to use the sauna. It takes some time for it to heat up. Further instruction is at the sauna. We will ask that you sign a liability release if you want to use the sauna. Claw Foot Tub Flower Bath in Forest If you want to experience the magic of soaking in a clawfoot tub in the middle of the forest, you must book ahead of time. It is a little process, as the tub is heated by fire and filled with a hose. Two options for forest bathing are available in the 'extras' section. Private Yoga/Meditation Session 1.5-hour long meditation & yoga session with breathwork. Private Silent Retreats 3, 5, 7-day private retreat customized experience. Hammocks

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Old Goat Farm

1 site · Tent5 acres · Bates City, MO

Learn more about this land:Pitch a tent in our pasture with our cute friendly goats and enjoy a panoramic view of the countryside. Or, if you prefer, RV camping is available close to the main road. there is one 30 amp hook up available with water no sewer. We are a small goat dairy with chickens and ducks and lots of wildlife with a peaceful countryside to enjoy. Campers are welcome to join in with farm chores and activities or just sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet.

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Forest Retreat & Spa

4 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Kansas City, KS

*NEW UPDATE construction work is complete - easier access to camping/RV site #1 with level clearings at site #2 & #3. one acre fenced dog run for four legged campers - can access with a 4 wheel drive or dispersed camping to relax under the stars with your your furry friend.* 8 acres of Foraging orchard with a meandering creek - close to city attractions Learn more about this land: Forest Retreat Located 10 min from downtown and 7.5 miles from Legends ( home of Sporting KC! ), this historic farmstead boasts 8 acres of foraging orchards, a meandering creek and a bevy of sweet hens. (Free eggs :) Multiple campsites available : Forest Garden - ( 2 campsites ) Autumn Olive grove - ( 4 campsites ) Stoney Creek - ( 1 campsite ) Meadow Pass - ( 3 campsites ) One acre fenced dog run (drive in) RV site with water and electrical hook up (RV and campers 18' and under please)

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Green Acres at Red Brick Farmhouse

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents185 acres · Higginsville, MO

A quiet country retreat nestled in the picturesque rural outskirts of Higginsville, Missouri. Our yard consists of 3 acres of a 180-acre farm in which we have three RV sites with water and electric hookups, two camping sites and one on-site travel trailer for rent. Wifi is available at all sites, except for Site 3. Green Acres at Red Brick Farm is located just 50 miles east of Kansas City off of I-70 at Exit 49. Once you are off of I-70 your drive is less than 8 minutes away on all blacktop roads. At Exit 49 there is also a Pilot Station for RV fuel ups. Site 2 is on gravel with 30 amp hookup and water, preferably best for RV’s and trailers 25’ and under. Site 1 and Site 3 are on gravel with a 20/30/50 amp hookup and water, best suited for larger RV’s and trailers. We would prefer your travel trailer or RV length to be 35’ or under. You may choose your site location, but due to the small amount of sites we have we may have to alter your choice. This is so we can accommodate our guests in the best way possible, depending on the size of each rig. If you are towing a vehicle or pulling a trailer your total length should be 55’ or under. We will not accept Triple Axels. Site 4 and site 5 are for tents, pop ups, very tiny trailers and are in flexible locations. A 20 amp standard outlet can be provided for site 4 and site 5. For your use is a shower, toilet, and bathroom sink in our farmhouse basement. Please arrive before dusk, so you don’t disturb other campers. Site 6 Is the on-site travel trailer, ‘Ain’t She Cute’. No Pets are allowed when reserving ‘Ain’t She Cute’. The vintage style travel trailer is completely renovated and decorated with collectibles and antiques and is available for booking. It is furnished with a queen size bed, tiny kitchen, TV, wifi, and full size, not trailer size, bathroom. The trailer is for 2 guests, but an additional guest may sleep on the daybed, preferably a child or small adult. We live onsite in our 1920’s Prairie Style home which is also Red Brick Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast with three Guest Rooms available for booking. To find out more about our other lodging choices, contact us at Red Shanty Cafe in Higginsville, Missouri. At your disposal, is the use of our outdoor furniture, a large yard to walk around in, a fire pit, a BBQ grill, and even a tire swing. You are welcome to take a stroll along the winding country road or sit and relax and view the landscape with our dozens of mature shade trees, and surrounding row crop fields and pastures. Our restaurant, Red Shanty Cafe and BBQ, is located in the town of Higginsville, about 5 miles from Red Brick Farmhouse. Red Shanty Cafe is open Weds and Thurs, 11am - 8 pm and Fri and Sat, 11am - 9pm. There is also a great little breakfast diner, called Michelle’s Place located just 3 miles from the Farmhouse in Mayview, Missouri. Interested in sightseeing we are a short drive from Confederate State Park, Missouri Veteran's Cemetery, and several Civil War sites. In addition to historic sites, numerous of Missouri's finest wineries and orchards are just a 10 to 30 minute drive from our location. You may also want to take a drive or ride on the Old Trails Scenic Byway, Route 24 for a car or motorcycle tour that will reset your pace from city life. We truly hope you enjoy midwest living when visiting Green Acres at Red Brick Farmhouse. For the skilled driver of a RV or travel trailer, going around our circle driveway has not been a problem. We have witnessed a 55 foot truck and travel trailer combination do it with ease. When departing your stay please go slow, swing wide and stay on the gravel. Also have your companion help guide you around the circle drive. More about us: The proprietors of Red Brick Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast, ‘Ain't She Cute' and Green Acres at Red Brick Farmhouse RV and Campsites are Annette Meinershagen Dittmer and also on the broom closet staff is her husband, Kenton Dittmer. After working in several restaurants and becoming a Home Economics teacher, she came to the realization that she loved teaching Foods. Annette gained much inspiration from her mother and father in developing her gift for hospitality; preparing and serving meals for events and parties over the years. Along with her husband, Kenton, (a very talented building contractor) they have done much renovating of their 100 year old prairie style home and their original restaurant, Red Shanty BBQ and Roadside Cafe, located in Higginsville. Since opening the restaurant in 2008 Annette wanted to fulfill her dream of running a Bed and Breakfast, so in 2015 the venture began. In 2016 she added ‘Ain’t She Cute’ and the RV and camping sites. Annette and Kenton, natives of Higginsville, live on the property. More about the farm: Our quiet country retreat, in the picturesque rural outskirts of Higginsville, Missouri, has been in our family for four generations. Currently farming the land has been minimized just to row crops, but there was a time when there was a team consisting of a mule, named Jamie and horse, named Dan that tilled the soil for the crops. There were milk cows and the generations before me used a separator for the cream and milk. They had pigs, chickens, and another horse named Clipper that my mother road to school. They had several vegetable and fruit gardens and even planted peanuts. There are remnants of the old buildings that once stood on the farm. The old chicken house foundation is located near the current fire pit and a hand dug well is covered by an old tractor tire we use for our compost. The small shed in the back corner of the yard was once a pump house, a playhouse, then a chicken house and now a Junque house. There once was a barn, a silo, a feed lot, an outhouse, and a hog shed. There were old tires, iron wheels, brick piles, and a gas tank on stilts. There was a screened in porch, beautiful hydrangeas and still a wonderful front porch. There were lots and lots of large pecan and walnut trees. At one point there were over 60 wonderful shade trees in the yard. We have lost some, but still enjoy many of the trees my grandfather planted. My mother, her siblings and parents moved here in the early years of WWII. During that period of time her brother died flying over Germany fighting for us. Our children lived all their grade school and high school years in this Red Brick Farmhouse. Some winters were so terribly cold in this old house it was almost miserable. I love this old house and it is truly been a labor of love. Again, Thank you, Kenton and Annette

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Wit’s End

2 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Altamont, MO

Learn more about this land: Dry camp in a grassy field surrounded by trees or down by the pond area. Fish and perhaps see the horses stroll by. Plenty of wildlife visits daily.

The best camping near Watkins Mill State Park guide

Overview

About

Watkins Mills State Park is one of those parks that is truly an unexpected gem. VIsitors rave about the 4-mile lake trail that circles the 100-acre lake at the park’s center. Williams Creek Lake provides scenery and recreation, offering fishing, boating, and swimming. Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site is connected to the park, and it tells the story of 19th-century life in Missouri, with a well-preserved home, mill, and other historic sites. If the bustle of the big city becksons, venture into Kansas City to find museums, nightlife, foodie-approved restaurants, and more.

Notable Camping Spots

Best for group camping: Watkins Mill Campground’s family sites have paired camping pads with communal spaces.
Best for big rigs: Watkins Mill Campground has a handful of sites with 50-amp hookups.
Best for a classic campout: Watkins Mill Campground’s basic campsites are perfect for tent camping.

Tips for snagging a campsite

A handful of sites are open year round. The majority are open April 15 through October 31.
Reservations are accepted for dates between April 15 through October 31.
Showers and water are available April 15 through October 31. Potable water is available at a single spigot in the off season.
Weekend reservations require a two-night stay (Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday).
Reservations open 12 months in advance. This park may require advanced reservations, especially for holidays and summer weekends.
This park offers basic and electric sites. Water and sewer are not available at individual sites.

When to go

Summer is the busiest, with warm weather and visitors enjoying the outdoor activities. Spring is pleasant, with trees budding in May. Fall generally has good weather, and the park’s woodlands are particularly beautiful, with colors peaking in October. While a handful of sites are available in the winter, visitors will find limited services and may encounter freezing temperatures.

Know before you go

This park has a camping gate that locks each evening at 9pm during the regular season and 8pm during the off season. Campers must arrive before the gate locks.
Bring your bike—or your horse. The park has trails with access for bicycling and horseback riding.
In the summer, grab a swimming suit and take advantage of the swim beach.
A boat dock and boat launch are available on Williams Creek Lake.
Visitors may register for the opportunity to go metal detecting in specified areas of the park, a unique activity only offered at a handful of state parks in Missouri.