Watkins Mill State Park

We were surprised to find out none of the campsites have water- then again, we're pretty new to this. We had 50 amp electric for this price. No state park entry fees. Not super private but plenty of room and everyone was very friendly while we were here. Lots of kids biking on the weekend. Nice and clean- showers were hot. Bathrooms were probably average campsite bathrooms. Lots of trees. I'm sure this place is very muddy when it rains. Four mile mile pretty easy bike trail accessible from camp ground. We had a great time! We were able to get fast LTE service while here.

We had a wonderful time during our recent camping trip at Watkins Mill. It was our third or fourth time camping at the park. The park rangers are extremely hospitable and keep a watchful eye on the campground. There is a 4 Mile, paved path that runs the perimeter of a small Lake. It's great for running, biking or bird watching. There are also a few extraordinary landmarks nearby. The Jesse James Museum and Watkins Mill is less than a 10-minute drive from the campsite. I highly recommend reserving a campsite in either loop two or three. Preferably in the cul-de-sac. Happy camping!

Great camp hosts, arrived in the dark they helped us back in to our site. Very clean bathroom and showers. the most beautiful paved walk around the lake. Already on our list for next years travels.

Photo on net showed this as level and long for our fifth wheel. Three layers of boards under one side and ran out of boards. Large limb fell out of tree in middle of night, no wind or storm. Glass damage. Camp here at your own risk. Large acerage but trees too close. Suggest call and let them pick your site. Photos are not accurate. Staff excellent. GPS not accurate to the location.

Overall this is a nice campground which seems to serve as a convenient weekend getaway for Kansas City urban dwellers. The first 2 cul-de-sacs (1-11 & 14-34) were mostly car campers, pop-ups, smaller trailers, and tear-drop campers. The last loop/cul-de-sec (40-93) had some class A and all the larger trailers and 5th wheels, which on this July Friday and Saturday seemed pretty crowded. Sites were of variable length, width and degree of levelness. Site 21 for our class C worked out just fine. The cul-de-sac sites seem to have the most space around them. It was getting dark when we arrived and the campground staff was making the rounds and were very nice. They allowed us to get set up and brought us our post paperwork. Even though I had a 1-night reservation they seemed to think I was staying for 2. I paid $23 plus the $8.50 fee for the one night. I had to use the call center to make the reservation because I found out two things about Missouri campgrounds - many require 2-night minimum (not unusual I guess) and some don't allow a Saturday departure. That along with not being able to make an online reservation less than 3 days before arrival sent me to the call center. They were helpful in finding a park that would allow a 1-night stay and it worked out fine. Water was spread throughout the park, the shower buildings looked clean and modern, the playground really nice, dump station very functional and the park well maintained and clean. The best parts of the park were the trail around the lake, the numerous access points to the trail and picnic areas, and the museum/house/mill historical site at the north end of the park. NOTE: there is a 12'6" underpass just before the Mill site (if heading north) on Park Road. All the signs point to the park EXIT being to the south (main entrance) onto Jesse James Farm Road / NE 161st Road but there is also a gated entrance from the north (Watkins Road) off of County Road MM. The museum has excellent displays of the history of the Watkins family and the mill. A path takes you to the fully restored house and mill. The grounds are beautifully maintained with volunteers in period dress providing tours and demonstrations. The museum is free but tours require a ticket and alternate between the house and mill on the hour.

Man, it was loud, too! LOL Nice Mo S.P.. Great hot weather place to go just North of Kansas City, Mo.. They have a lake w/swim beach, fishing and trails galore. None of the sites have water or sewer but it's available. The shower houses and restrooms were spotless and functional. The camp hosts were helpful, hardworking and friendly. The Mo website lists Wi-Fi in the park but when I asked the host about it she laughed. It does not exist. Most of the driveways are nicely graveled but fall off sharply on both sides. Be careful after dark. Plenty of things to do in the immediate area. Oh yeah, the $8.50 fee to do my own, on-line reservation irks me.

Am 78 years old, camp out of a small van. This is a nice, friendly place to spend a night, passing thru.

This is one of our favorite state parks to visit when we are in the Kansas City area. It's about 30 minutes north of downtown KC. This state park has mostly shaded and spacious RV sites. They only offer electric at the site, but there is a dump station and water at the entrance to the park. The restroom and shower facilities are clean and the camp hosts are always around if you need anything. Watkins Mill offers that peaceful campground feel, yet close to shopping and restaurants. We will definitely return again :)

Nice quiet park. Hosts were friendly, locals were nice and the town was close. No water at sites and the fact the beach was covered in mean geese and what they leave behind cost it some stars.

We stayed two nights and we’re pleased with the campground overall. The sites could use some leveling, but we liked how the sites were payed out - we didn’t feel like the sites in our section were stacked on top of each other. Close access (about 49 min drive) to Kansas City. We would stay here again.