4.61394 reviewsPrice
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
On-season typically ...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Pets Allowed
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
On-season typically ...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Pets Allowed
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Learn more about alerts →Watkins Mill State Park And Shs Campground
26600 Park Road N., Lawson, MO 64062-8939, United States
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Families and cyclists who want easy lake access close to KC. The paved loop around the 100-acre lake is the main draw, fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish is reliably good, and the Watkins Woolen Mill tours add a half-day of something different. Weekday visits avoid the weeken
Hookup campers or RVers who need a dump station will find nothing here on that front. Uneven sites mean leveling blocks are often necessary, late arrivals have run into gate access problems, and summer beach closures from bacterial advisories aren't uncommon, so swimming plans ne
Camper Report Card
Rated higher than 61% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 157 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.
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Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.
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Summer is the best time to visit because the 100-acre lake is warm for swimming, boating, and peak fishing, and campground amenities (water and showers) are fully available. Expect daytime highs generally in the mid-70s to low 90s°F (around 75–90°F / 24–32°C) with warm evenings in the 60s; afternoons can bring brief thunderstorms. Trails and the paved lake loop are ideal for biking and evening wildlife viewing, but be prepared for higher weekend crowds from nearby Kansas City and seasonal bugs. Spring through mid-October is popular but fills quickly on weekends. Off-season (November through March) offers a quieter, more rustic experience without water or showers. Check the park's swimming page before visiting; hot weather can trigger bacterial advisories that close the beach.
Best season: warm lake for swimming, boating, peak fishing; full amenities available Apr–Oct.
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Picnic sites and picnic shelters are available at the park. A boat launch is provided (10 HP limit). Playground and interpretive programs are listed on the park page.
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