Smithville Lake Camping – The Best Guide to RV Campgrounds

Smithville Lake camping is one of the best outdoor experience that one can have! Smithville Lake, north of Kansas City, is a beautiful place for families and outdoor enthusiasts to unwind in the summer and fall. 7,200-acre Smithville Lake has more than 175 kilometres of shoreline. The Smithville Lake camping area, which is only 20 miles from Kansas City, offers a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Activities include:

• Fantastic fishing from shore or from a boat.
• Two marinas with full service and boat rentals.
• Two swim beaches.
• 777 campsites.
• One marina for sailboats only.
• A dockside restaurant.
• Reservable shelters.
• Two public 18-hole golf courses inside the Paradise Pointe Golf Complex.
• Four-disc golf courses.
• 25 miles of walking and biking trails.
• A 26-mile trail.

Smithville Lake Camping is perfect for campers from Kansas and Missouri because of its proximity to the Kansas–Missouri border.

Kansas City Trapshooters Association, managed geese hunts, youth and ADA white-tail deer and wild turkey hunts, and a determined 2,300-acre native grassland regeneration project are all located here and can be enjoyed while Smithville Lake Camping.

Explore the many relaxed and family-friendly campsites that are close to Smithville Lake. Consider one of these top 8 Smithville Lake camping locations for your upcoming camping trip close to Kansas City.

1. Crow’s Creek Campground

Address: 4601 Crows Creek Road, Smithville, MO 64089

Phone: 816-407-3400

Clay County Parks and Recreation manages Crow’s Creek Campground, which is close to Smithville Lake and one of the best campsites for Smithville Lake Camping. Bring your horse for the vacation since this location welcomes equestrian campers. You can either bring your own tent or an RV and set up camp further inland, else you can do both.

At Crows Creek, near Smithville Lake and Route E, there are 415 camping spaces available. At Crows Creek, tent and RV sites are available, several of which have power and water hookups. Each site has a picnic table and grill, and firewood and ice are also provided.

Numerous locations along the shoreline have quick access to hiking paths. The campground has convenient shower and laundry facilities. Sites in groups of ten or more may be reserved. Swimming, motorcycling, hiking, and fishing are among the local activities. This is a well-liked Smithville Lake camping location with 415 sites, so be prepared to socialize there.

2. Basswood Country RV Resort

15880 Interurban Rd, Platte City, Missouri

Phone: 816-858-5556

The award-winning campsite Basswood Campground is the spot you need to be on your next outdoor holiday. The main reason is its handy location close to the Kansas City airport and just a short drive from downtown Kansas City. The resort is located on a 73-acre country estate. It offers gorgeously private, lakefront accommodation, a camp at Basswood Country RV Resort in Platte City, Missouri, a playground for kids, an excellent walking track, and an outdoor theatre makes it one of the most adored campground for Smithville Lake Camping.

This campground offers all the family-friendly activities you could possibly want. You and your loved ones will make lifelong memories while enjoying themed weekend activities, a pizza shack, live entertainment, and a swimming pool. For your RV journey, Basswood offers WiFi, electric, water, and sewer hookups.

Utilize the two picnic areas, community room, playground, and laundry facilities. Fish in stocked lakes, or cool down in the splash pad and outdoor pool. The spotless showers, roomy worktops, and oversized mirrors are located in the main building.

A private lake stocked with catfish, bass, crappie, bluegill, and carp is available for fishing on a catch-and-release basis. No license is necessary. Fishing is free for registered guests, and day passes are offered to visitors. For a beautiful day on the Basswood lakes, stock up at the Country Store on live bait and boating supplies.

3. Watkins Mill

Waltus Watkins built his land and little village over almost 50 years. The 3,600 acres included a stately residence, a three-story woolen mill, a fruit-drying shed, a smokehouse, a brick kiln, a sawmill, a gristmill, and acres of meticulously maintained orchards and farmland. Church and a brick schoolhouse are also nearby.

Many old structures have been rebuilt to recreate a farm from the 1870s. The animals and flora have also been added. Visitors can observe an 1870s family living, working, and playing at the location during the summer thanks to its Living History Farm Program.

Both the Watkins residence and the Watkins Woolen Mill are open for tours. The mill is the only textile mill from the 19th century in the area with its original equipment still in place. It is a National Historic Landmark. An insight into the Watkins family and their varied commercial endeavors is provided in the tourist center.

A day of outdoor entertainment can be coupled with a bit of history. There are swimming and fishing options at Williams Creek Lake. A 3.75-mile paved bicycle trail circles the lake. A picnic shelter and sites provide an excellent location to relax or eat lunch. The park provides about 100 woodland campsites for overnight visitors.

Camping At Watkins Mill

Among the 96 campsites at Watkins Mill, 74 have electric hookups. Each site contains a grill, picnic table, lantern hook, and graveled parking pad. The length of parking pads ranges from 38 feet to 80 feet, with the more extended pads being found at power sites.

For campers with impairments, there are five accessible sites—three electric and two primaries. These four campsites can be reserved.

Registered campers have access to two shower houses, a coin-operated laundry, and a sanitary dumping station during the on-season. During the off-season, neither these amenities nor the water is accessible.

During the on-season, a woodlot is open at night for campers to buy wood. The fee collector will provide wood upon request during the off-season. Weekends from April through October and significant holidays from May 15 through September 15 require a two-night minimum stay for reservations.

A primitive camping spot is offered for organized youth groups in the special-use area. These spots have five portions with a picnic table and fire ring each to make up the area. There is no water in the region, only a vault toilet. The cycling trail is directly accessible. Discover this unique heritage site’s vintage equipment and lovely rural grounds while Smithville Lake Camping

Campground Details

• Price: $17-50
• Number of sites: 96
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

4. Green Acres at Red Brick Farmhouse

A tranquil rural getaway sits in the gorgeous rural surroundings of Higginsville, Missouri. The farmhouse has tent and RV sites with water and electric hookups of 20, 30, and 50 amps. Each site is distinctively and generously positioned on the property, offering beautiful locations for a rural stroll. Enjoy country life while unwinding by the fire pit at Smithville Lake Camping.

It is minutes from I-70, the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, the Confederate State Park, and other Civil War sites in central Lafayette County, Missouri. Nearby are numerous of Missouri’s best wineries, orchards, and historical landmarks.

To unwind, ride a bike or take a peaceful stroll around Confederate Park or the backroads. For a car or motorcycle excursion that will help you slow down from city life, take the Missouri River’s Old Trails Road Scenic Byway. You can stop at several agricultural sites along the road, including long-established peach and apple orchards and farm stalls.

The best news of all is that Red Shanty Lodging puts you in the country without you having to travel anywhere. Make rural Lafayette County, Missouri, the location of your upcoming getaway weekend, retreat, or reunion. Most of Missouri’s main cities are close by;

The ideal camping location is Green Acres at Red Brick Farmhouse if you want something intimate and serene. The calm and quiet Green Acres offers you and your family its best feature. Take a stroll around the nearby country roads or unwind in the shade.

To rest and unwind, you can visit nearby wineries or travel along the Old Trails Scenic Byway. The proprietors also run a restaurant nearby where you and your family can eat if you feel like experiencing some Kansas City barbecue.

Camping Facilities

There are two 50/30/20 amp & one 30 amp RV hookups with water & portable dumping in our 3 acres of a 180-acre farm’s yard. Additionally, we provide two campsites with 110 power and a shower and toilet. This is the ideal spot to take in the tranquil surroundings, unwind, and enjoy the yard’s several mature trees that provide shade and the nearby pastures and fields while Smithville Lake camping.

Thanks to the private road, you will have plenty of room to put your RV into place and connect to the water and electricity. Additionally, you will have access to a horseshoe pit, fire pit, barbecue, and outdoor table and chairs.

Campground Details

• Price: $30/$40 per night, plus relevant taxes, year-round.
• Above four tenants, there will be an additional $5.00 per day per tenant charge.
• Number of sites: 6
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

5. Smith’s Fork Campground

The Smithville Lake dam has a full-service campground called Smith’s Fork Campground, with quick access to outdoor activity, hiking trails, and fishing. You can go camping this summer at the enjoyable and family-friendly Smith’s Fork Campground.

Take the kids to Smith’s Fork Park, where there is a tiny playground, or go hiking, fishing, or boating in the local lake and nature areas. Additionally, this location offers on-site showers and facilities along with electric, water, and sewer hookups.

Acres: 250. Estimated developed area: 76.73; undeveloped area: 173.27

The city rents Smith’s Fork Park, a park with more than 250 acres, from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Amenities at the Smith’s Fork Campground

A lighted baseball field, one unlighted baseball field, a fenced-in soccer field area, a lighted football field, two basketball courts, two tennis courts, two restrooms, two concession stands, a skateboard park, a self-supplied driving range, the Smithville Lake Dam Spillway, the Lake Remote Park & Nature Area, and the Smithville Lake Campground are among the amenities.

Full-service camping is available at Smith’s Fork Park Campground. All 84 sites have access to electricity, water, and sewage. On-site restrooms and showers are also available. From April 1 through October 31, the campground is open for Smithville Lake Camping.

Campground Details

• Price: $35
• Number of sites: 82
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

6. Fleming Park/Blue Springs Campground

Address: 22807 SW Woods Chapel Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015

Fleming Park is the ideal area to enjoy fun in, on, or above the water because it has Blue Springs Lake and Lake Jacomo.

Lake area overall: 1,690 acres

7,809 acres are allotted for land.

On Woods Chapel Road, 2 miles east of I-470 and Highway 291. Fleming Park is an excellent place to escape the city without traveling too far, as it is only about 15 miles from Kansas City.

Fleming Park is the biggest park in Jackson County and is the location of Blue Springs Lake and Lake Jacomo. It also attracts a multitude. Fleming Park has more than 1,300,000 visitors each year. For individuals who enjoy socializing, this campground, also known as Blue Springs Lake Campground, is a great place to go paddleboarding. This campground, which is only 20 minutes from Kansas City, is ideal for weekend camping during the summer.

The neighboring walking trails are excellent for hikers of all ages and skill levels. The lake allows campers to go boating or fishing. This is an excellent location for a quick summer getaway; it has restrooms, hookups, and laundry rooms. This can be one of the best option for Smithville Lake camping.

Campsite Amenities

• Premiere – Full Hookup with Concrete Pad: 29 sites
• Full Hookup: 16 sites
• Electric: 23 sites
• Electric and Water: 13 sites
• Total: 81 sites
• Fees
• Full Premiere: $50
• Full Hookup: $40
• Electric and water: $35
• Electric Only: $32

For individuals who enjoy socializing, this campground, also known as Blue Springs Lake Campground, is a great place to go paddleboarding. This campground, which is only 20 minutes from Kansas City, is ideal for weekend camping during the summer.

The neighboring walking trails are excellent for hikers of all ages and skill levels. The lake allows campers to go boating or fishing. This is an excellent location for a quick summer getaway; it has restrooms, hookups, and laundry rooms.

Historic sites, beautiful parks, professional sports, and attractions in Kansas City… Visitors from all over the country love to come to Jackson County!

7. Lake Jacomo – Fleming Park

The campgrounds of Lake Jacomo – Fleming Park are in Lees Summit, Missouri, which is 20 minutes east of Kansas City. With a stunning view of Lake Jacomo, the grounds include camping places for RVs and tents.

Visitors for Smithville lake camping can take a leisurely stroll around the river or visit the local playground and walking paths. Bring your tackle box and fishing stick because fishing and boating are permitted. This section is for campers who prefer to be with other campers when traveling because the sites are close.

Large tree-lined sites are available at Jacomo, along with the following amenities:

• Attendant
• Fire Grill
• Firewood – $7/bucket (outside firewood is not permitted)
• Picnic Table
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Showers

8. Weston Bend State Park

Weston Bend State Park is only a short drive from Kansas City. Visitors here may enjoy quiet picnic areas, expansive views of the Missouri River from the trails and an overlook, and an accessible overlook. The park has a campground and a three-mile paved loop track that leads hikers and cyclists through the forested landscape.

A charming little campground inside the 1,133 acres of the forest makes up Weston Bend State Park. If you go in the fall, stroll along the paths that lead to the wooden overlook, which provides a breathtaking view of the Missouri River. Visit the adjacent historic Leavenworth, Kansas’s first city, during the day, and then head back to your campsite for some relaxation and s’mores-making in the evening.

This park offers camping, picnic shelters, and sporadic picnic areas which makes it one of the best for Smithville Lake Camping. The woodland park is traversed by hiking trails and a paved hiking and biking trail. The most extensive views of the Missouri River in the state can be found from a beautiful overlook that is wheelchair accessible.

The park provides excellent bird-watching opportunities because it is situated along a forested river corridor, particularly during spring and fall migrations.

A campground with contemporary facilities and hot showers, a playground, an open shelter, a covered shelter, and private picnic spaces are available.

Campground Details

• Price: $23-35
• Number of sites: 37
• RV sites: Yes
• Fires allowed: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes

Nearby Attractions – Smithville Lake Camping

The Best Fishing in Missouri – Smithville Lake

Smithville Lake has an abundance of fishing habitats. More people fish Smithville Lake than any other sizable reservoir in Missouri. One of the best fishing lakes in Missouri also happens to be one of the busiest, and with good reason.

This area has constant, excellent fishing for bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, and white bass. That, too, when it is just 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City, is a draw that most fishermen can’t resist. More than 4,000 of the lake’s 7,190 water surface acres were left undeveloped to create the aquatic environment that will likely result in good fishing. Since 1975, the lake has been stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Hunting – Smithville Lake Camping

More than 7,000 acres of the Smithville wildlife management area are open to public hunting. However, in compliance with waterfowl restrictions, about 2,200 acres of land and water in the Honker Cove Refuge close periodically (October 15–January 31). State and federal hunting laws apply to public hunting lands around Smithville Lake.

All the seasons designated by the Missouri Department of Conservation are available for hunting on public land. During open deer seasons, hunters may employ rifles, muzzleloaders, or archery techniques. Hunting ducks, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, quail, pheasants, turkeys, and coyotes are also legal. The open hunting fields permit trapping as well.

Kansas City Attractions

In Kansas City, there is more than meets the eye. Find the city’s hidden gems by exploring KC’s unique attractions, which are open to both residents and tourists. The National WWI Museum and Memorial are worth exploring. At Union Station, follow your curiosity. Follow in the President of the United States’ 33rd term’s footsteps. Learn about the city’s attractions to uncover its charm.

Kansas City is a creative hub. Internationally renowned museums, vibrant gallery areas, and excellent performances paint a vivid picture for residents and guests. 

Diverse entertainment alternatives are available in Kansas City, such as live music at the T-Mobile Center, dive bars on 39th Street, and shopping at Country Club Plaza. You may thoroughly immerse yourself in Kansas City culture by surrounding yourself with various entertainment options. 

Be as generous with your shopping bags as the city’s fountains. A few of the city’s shopping highlights are the boutique shops in Westport, the brand-name favorites at Legends Outlets, and the antique treasures in the West Bottoms.

Many of Hollywood’s most beloved storylines and characters have their beginnings in Kansas City, as you’ll discover when you take a seat in the theatre or the comfort of your home. Some films were filmed here, some were set here, while others were influenced by events whose memory still exist in this place. In any case, a fantastic roster of award-winning films encourages cinema buffs to travel to Kansas City and take in the excitement of the big screen for themselves.

Conclusion

There are many places to camp around Smithville Lake, including these 8 campgrounds. Visit one of these campgrounds close to Kansas City to take advantage of all the natural marvels the Smithville Lake region offers. Check out The Dyrt’s comprehensive list of the top campgrounds near Smithville Lake for even more options.

Camping in Smithville Lake is one of the least expensive and most gratifying activities you can engage in. Because there is sure to be a location that puts you close to the outdoor experience you desire to while away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

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