29 Best Places to Camp Near Kansas City (Kids-Friendly Spots)

Walnut Grove RV Park

Merriam, KS

Walnut Grove offers great camping amenities like 50 sites with full hookups, internet, a community area, a dog park, restrooms, and laundry. They can accommodate up to 65 ft RV’s and are close to many fun family-friendly attractions!

Suncatcher Lake and RV Park

Leavenworth, KS

The Suncatcher campground is tucked away on the outskirts of KC. If you think the best places to camp are quiet, this may be the camping spot for you.

This RV park offers full hookups for campers. This RV park is also pet friendly so, you can camp with your pets too! Stays are by reservation only and tent camping is not allowed.

Deer Creek Valley RV Park

Topeka, KS

Located just off I-70, Deer Creek is a more high-tech RV park with concrete flooring throughout the park, an onsite restaurant, an in-ground pool, automatic restrooms, showers, and even a concrete storm shelter. If you come with kids you can feel safe knowing that they have a security gate at the entrance and for a bit of fun they also have a playground.

Campus RV Park

Independence, MO

Campus RV is open all year round with full hookups, wifi, and concrete pads and they are Big Rig friendly, if you need that sort of thing. Shower, shelter houses, a recreation field, and laundry facilities are also available for use.

This RV camping spot is also pet-friendly! They have a dog run available for animals under 50 lbs and must be leashed otherwise.

Blue Springs Campground

Blue Springs, MO

The Blue Springs Campground is less than five minutes from Blue Springs Lake, so you can stay and play! This camping spot includes traditional amenities (picnic tables, showers, restrooms & grills), as well as a playground and laundry facilities.

While this site has fewer spots than other Jackson County campgrounds, there is more variation in options. Choose from electric only, electric and water, full hookups & premiere hookups.

Cost: Starting at $30

Trailside RV Park

Grain Valley MO

Trailside offers RV camping sites with full hookups, restrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, and wifi. They have a snack station, and a free pool, with dining and shopping areas nearby. There are also walking trails available for outdoor lovers!

Pet-friendly camping is available too, with some restrictions. This location is known for short and long-term stays.

Riverfront Park Campgrounds

Leavenworth, KS

This local camping spot is located in Leavenworth, KS, and is accessible for RVs and tent campers!

Riverfront Park offers picnic tables, shelters, grills, and clean showers and restrooms. There is plenty of space at each camping spot to enjoy quality family time plus your family pet is welcome as well (must be leashed)!

Smith’s Fork Campground

Smithville, MO

Smith’s Fork is a quiet camping site on the lake. The area features standard camping with fire rings and full-service restrooms/showers. Each site also has electricity and water. Pets are welcome at your site but leashes are required. Short-term stays of up to 14 days are allowed in a 21-day period.

Lewis and Clark State Park

Rushville, MO

This park is a quiet little gem with rustic camping features on the lake. This park has access to restrooms, fishing, hiking, boating, and a playground for kids. It is also scenic for bird watching of many types. This is affordable for families and it is a stone’s throw from Atchison KS, just across the lake.

Perry Landing Campground and RV Park

Oskaloosa KS

Perry Landing offers site accommodating tent and RV sites and they also offer hobo huts for those looking for something a little different. Shower houses, boating, and trails are also available at this location. They also feature camper storage and a convenience shop in case you forgot anything.

Lake Shawnee Campground

Topeka, KS

This campground features basic amenities such as RV and tent sites with electrical hookups and a natural swimming area. They also have a pavilion, picnic areas, shower facilities, and a playground for kids. Additional parking for boats comes with a fee as well as the opportunity to purchase ice and firewood. A shelter house is also available for use with restrictions.

Oak Grove KOA

Oak Grove, MO

This KOA camping site comes with a little bit of extra fun. Not only do they offer tent camping but cabins are available for use too. Full amenities are available along with a saltwater pool, gift shop with chocolate dipped cones, do a little mining for treasure and even hop on the giant jumping pillow. This location is pet friendly with dog runs. Here you can even find mini golf, wifi, cable TV, and special campground programs.

Lake Jacomo

Lee’s Summit, MO

Lake Jacomo Campground is the perfect camping spot for tents!

With plenty of open space for you and your family to enjoy nature and spend quality time together, Lake Jacomo has picnic tables, grills, restrooms/ showers, and playgrounds. Your family can spend an entire weekend camping in a tent here…

There are basic campgrounds, as well as electric hookups for tent camping. You can find affordable camping options for any budget!

Cost: Starting at $24

Longview Campground

Lee’s Summit, MO

This campground in Lee’s Summit is the biggest in Jackson County. There are 113 campsites, which include electrical hookups, tent camping sites & access to tons of amenities.

Kids can swim at the beach, boat, fish, or play on the playground. There are also biking and walking trails at Longview Lake. You must make a reservation ahead of time, especially during peak season.

Cost: Starting at $24

Camp Branch/ Crows Creek Campground

Smithville Lake, MO

Both of these campsites are adjacent to Smithville Lake in Missouri. These camping spots offer trails, shoreline camping, showers and laundry facilities, firewood, grills, and picnic tables. So, these camping spots offer beautiful views for you to camp next to.

You can pitch your own tent in their spacious camping ground, as well as park your RV.

Atchison County Lake

Atchison, KS

The Atchison County Lake campground is one of the only free, local campsites right outside Kansas City…if you are willing to go without a few amenities.

While this camping site is primitive, (no electricity or bathrooms) you can find yourself enjoying the great outdoors! The campsite provides fire rings for campers, designated swimming areas as well as a leashed pet-friendly atmosphere! No RVs permitted.

Basswood Resorts

Platte City, MO

This camping resort is one of the best places to camp near Kansas City. They have a variety of family-friendly amenities such as a splash ground, outdoor swimming pool, walking trails, and themed weekends.

The campground offers full hookup for RV sites and the option to stay in the Basswood Resort Inn is a fun alternative option for your get-away. The inn features cabins with full hotel-like amenities such as cable TV, WIFI, and more.

Worlds of Fun Village

Kansas City, MO

Did you know that WOF has its own overnight stay resort? While this isn’t your typical camping spot, they offer cabin rentals for you to enjoy while you visit WOF and OOF!

This is definitely “luxurious camping”…These cabins and cottages come with full amenities such as water, showers, beds, kitchen dining areas, and grills. They also have a store so you don’t have to bring anything if you don’t want to ‘rough it’. You are also welcome to stay in your own RV. The best part is that you are within walking distance from the parks so no need to find additional parking, just enjoy the rides!

Hoot Owl Hill

Paola, KS

This one is for the Moms out there. Glamping FUN! Hoot Owl Hill is the glamping destination where they do the hard work for you. They offer relaxation, pampering, nature, and WINE! You can “glamp” in a tent while sleeping in a bed or enjoy the Hoot House cabin.

You can lounge in cozy inflatable beds and relax at the fire nearby. But this isn’t a solo adventure. Glamping will all your gal pals is where it’s at as you all share the space together with a night of fun!

Shawnee Mission Park

Shawnee, KS

You can find fun camping in Kansas too! There is a great park complete with camping sites, a playground, a marina, a beach, and a live theater.

Every June Shawnee Mission Park joins the country in the Great American Campout with some special amenities during your stay. For $30 for a family of 4, you can bring a tent and camp on the theater in the park grounds for one night and included in your stay is a live theater show and fun after-show activities plus admission to the beach and paddle boats for the next day. For more details or to sign up visit the Great American Campout page.

Kansas City West/Lawrence KOA

Lawrence, KS

The KOA in Lawrence features full camping tent and RV sites as well as cabins for your camping fun. Additionally, they also have a jumping pillow; peddle bikes, kid-friendly activities, and even themed events all season long. There is a shop for goodies and necessities as well as a fire pit, dog park, game room, outdoor movies, and more!

Jellystone Park

St. Louis/Branson, MO

What once was a childhood favorite is now one of the coolest camping places around! If you and your family are up for a mid level road trip then you will want to head to Jellystone Park!

With one located in St. Louis and one in Branson, Jellystone park is one of the best places to camp! They offer tent camping, RV parking and they even have cabins you can book. This camping spot includes a pool, play grounds, nature trails, wifi and more! There are also a lot more fun features.

Clinton State Park

Lawrence, KS

Located a few miles outside of The University of Kansas, this state park is the perfect camping spot! Clinton State Park has open fields for tent camping, picnics, and playgrounds. Clinton State Park even offers cabins, bike and hiking paths, swimming areas and multi use recreational areas.

Perry State Park

Ozawkie, KS

Located between Lawrence and Topeka, Perry State Park is perfect for fishing, hiking or just enjoying the scenic views. You can camp out and enjoy the marshes or plan a trip to go fishing!

Hillsdale State Park

Paola, KS

Hillsdale State Park has over 12,000 acres of wildlife and park areas. You can enjoy camping (specific campsite areas),  long scenic hikes and fishing! This is Kansas’ newest reservoir and it is great for the entire family. If you are looking for to camp in a state park, this is a great place to check out…

Big Lake State Park

Craig, MO

Campers visiting Big Lake can choose between tent camping or hooking up the old RV!

Along with enjoying nature, this campsite offers fishing, boat and kayak rentals, two playgrounds, picnic areas and a pool! Big Lake State Park is one of the best camping places in Missouri!

Knob Noster State Park

Knob Noster, MO

As one of the best places to camp in Kansas City, Knob Noster State Park offers a wide variety of activities the whole family can enjoy. From multiple campsites to hiking, fishing, equestrian trails, kayak rentals, play grounds, educational events and more! This state park may be a bit of a drive out of the metro, but it is definitely worth it!

Wallace State Park

Cameron, MO

Just a short drive from Kansas City, this park offers basic tent camping and electric hookups for your RV.  Wallace State Park also offers hiking, fishing in their 6 acre lake, boating and special educational resources as well. You can even enjoy hot showers and clean bathrooms.