Watkins Mill Campground

Kearney, Missouri - a town few have heard of, and even fewer would be able to place on a map, though, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the state and a suburb of bustling Kansas City. It’s also the birthplace of famed outlaw Jesse James, which is celebrated with a festival every September. Most importantly, though, it’s a great place to go camping with an RV, especially if you choose a campsite at Watkins Mill State Park.

Sites at Watkins Mill Campground have electrical hookups, or none if that’s what you’d prefer. There are also showers, a dump station, laundry facilities, and drinking water, making this one of the easier places for RV camping in western Missouri. Some sites even have parking pads able to accommodate up to an 80-foot-long rental motorhome.

The state park is centered around Watkins Mill, a 19th-century wool mill, which has been preserved in near perfect condition since its closure near the turn of the century. A tour through the building reveals a massive steam engine along with all the milling equipment of the time. Next to the mill is a 100-acre lake that’s popular with swimmers. A great cycling path weaves its way through the park too - you can rent a set of wheels in some of Kansas City’s northern suburbs.