The best camping near Knob Noster State Park

While Knob Noster State Park attracts visitors with a landscape of woodlands along a scenic creek, keeping your eyes on the skies just might pay off with unique sightings of military aircraft, including the B-2 Stealth Bomber, which depart from neighboring Whiteman Air Force Base. In the park, visitors can enjoy various recreational opportunities—toss a line into one of the small lakes or Clearfork Creek, or set out to explore the park's seven trails before settling into the year-round campground.

• Best for hikers: This park provides two backpack camps along the McAdoo Trail.
• Best for camping with friends and family: Knob Noster Campground offers six designated family sites with two sites and a shared space.
• Best for peace and quiet: Sites 52 through 70 are located on a loop further from campground facilities.

1. Campsites open may be reserved up to 12 months in advance.
2. Reservations may be made on the Missouri State Parks website and or by calling the phone line. 
3. Reservations are offered April 15 through October 31, with walk-up availability in the off season. 
4. Water and showers are available April 15 through October 31.
5. Electric sites only offer 30-amp service, and the use of converter devices is not allowed. 
6. Sites listed as “basic” do not have electric hookups.

Due to the number of outdoor activities, warm weather brings most visitors to the park, peaking during the summer months. Spring and fall offer moderate weather, with the park’s woodlands being particularly scenic in October. Camping is offered year round, but water is limited to a single spigot November through mid-April. During the winter months, go prepared for freezing temperatures and precipitation.

• Knob Noster State Park offers onsite kayak rentals Wednesdays through Sundays. Life jackets are included.
• A number of trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Check trail maps and pamphlets for designated-use areas. 
• A slate of interpretive programs is offered from April through October.
• The park does not have a boat launch, though small watercraft and electric trolling motors are allowed on the two lakes.
• Two orienteering courses have been set up in the park, providing a unique way to interact with nature.
• The Pin Oak Slough Natural Area showcases the landscape of an oxbow slough in the park.
• Campground reviews warn of rogue raccoons. Avoid leaving food outside.