Watkins Mill State Park
Missouri State Park
Write a Review 26600 Park Rd North Lawson, MO 64062 816-580-3387 Reservations: 877-422-6766 Official WebsiteGPS: 39.3917, -94.2605
Overview of Watkins Mill State Park
Last Price Paid: $28
Reported by Kent on 8/21/2023
Longest RV Reported: 32 feet (Class A)
Reported by Thebetzadventures on 1/18/2020
Number of Sites 96
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Elevation 918 ft / 279 m
Max Stay 15
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Watkins Mill State Park
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 816.580.3387
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Reviews of Watkins Mill State Park 13 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 5 Users
Last reported 8/21/2023
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 9/16/2022
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 7/16/2019
“Very Nice State Park”
Reviewed 8/21/2023
| Nightly rate: | $28 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 78 |
| RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This is a very nice well maintained State Park. There were lots of hiking trails with one 31/2 mile paved one around the lake. The shower/Bath house was very clean. Our site was limerock and super unlevel side to side. There were some sites that were paved concrete and I would recommend one of those. There is a very nice museum on site... more
This is a very nice well maintained State Park. There were lots of hiking trails with one 31/2 mile paved one around the lake. The shower/Bath house was very clean. Our site was limerock and super unlevel side to side. There were some sites that were paved concrete and I would recommend one of those. There is a very nice museum on site with a Historic house and woolen mill tour.
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Verizon 5G
Kent would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lots of space, lots of history”
Reviewed 9/16/2022
| Nightly rate: | $23 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 28 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This was our second trip to Watkins Mill, but the first time we stayed long enough to visit the information center and take the tours. A few of the sites in our loop had level concrete pads that were not marked as handicap only, but our site was gravel and sloped enough left-to-right that we maxed out our leveling blocks on one side a... more
This was our second trip to Watkins Mill, but the first time we stayed long enough to visit the information center and take the tours. A few of the sites in our loop had level concrete pads that were not marked as handicap only, but our site was gravel and sloped enough left-to-right that we maxed out our leveling blocks on one side and it sloped enough front to back that our hitch was nearly on the ground. No complaints, though because it was all manageable.
The information center had a diorama that illustrated the site's size and building orientations so when we took the tours, we had a better appreciation for the size of the operation. The center had displays of farm, travel, and manufacturing equipment, but we missed the period actors. There was also a small, working loom for visitors to try out.
We spent $5.00 each for a tour of the house and mill and both of the park rangers were knowledgeable and entertaining. We'll take the tour again the next time we go, but read more about the Watkins family and mill history before the trip to add to the overall experience.
My wife and I work from the road and we connect to ATT and Verizon 4g networks with cellular embedded routers. We had no issues with either service while at the park.
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Verizon 4G
David H would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close to KC, Nice Layout”
Reviewed 4/3/2022
| Days stayed: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 55 |
| RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
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.
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Meandering Minnesotans would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close to KC, Nice Layout”
Reviewed 4/3/2022
| Days stayed: | 2 |
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| Site Number: | 55 |
| RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
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.
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Meandering Minnesotans would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice shaded park”
Reviewed 1/18/2021
| Nightly rate: | $23 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 6 |
| Site Number: | 99 |
| RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
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.
DMG-INC would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great state park close to KC!”
Reviewed 1/18/2020
| Nightly rate: | $23 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 14 |
| RV Length: | 32' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
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 ... more
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 :)
Thebetzadventures would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good Place”
Reviewed 12/26/2019
| Nightly rate: | $17 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Am 78 years old, camp out of a small van. This is a nice, friendly place to spend a night, passing thru.
no would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Abundant shade and squirrels throwing Hickory nuts at our camper.”
Reviewed 7/22/2019
| Nightly rate: | $23 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 75 |
| RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
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 friendl... more
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.
Ducky would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Camping nice, history Amazing! ”
Reviewed 7/16/2019
| Nightly rate: | $23 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 21 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
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 t... more
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.
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T-Mobile 4G
Wandering Pulse would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not level on site 93”
Reviewed 9/18/2018
| Nightly rate: | $23 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 93 |
Overall Rating
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. St... more
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.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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26 reviews
Watkins Mill State Park
Watkins Mill State Park January 17, 2020 / Being Missouri natives, we have been to quite a few of our state parks. When visitin...
........Rolling in a RV - Wheelchair Traveling......: Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site
Waltrus Watkins and his wife, Mary Ann, bought 600 acres of Missouri prairie land in 1839. Over the next 41 years their holdings grew to 3,660 acres where they raised cattle, mules, sheep, horses...
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- playground
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- dump station
- firewood
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Discount Clubs
- Military Discounts
- Senior Discounts
Pets
- pets
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