Watkins Mill State Park

Location: Clay County, MO (NE Kansas City Metro)
Terrain: wooded, low rolling hills, meadows
Size: 1,442 acres
Modern Campsites: 98 (56 electric)
Phone Reservations: yes
Online reservations: yes
Link: Watkins Mill State Park

Watkins Mill is a very popular park and with good reason: it has a lot to offer for families and is one of the closest to the KC metro.

Most of the sites are shaded, roomy and pretty level. My personal favorite is the first site we ever stayed in here, #25. It backs up to the woods and is near a short path to the amphitheater and a showerhouse. Showerhouses are fair, water hookups are plentiful.

The lake is 100 acres, very tame, with a surprisingly long paved path all the way around. Take water if you hike it in summer. There is a swimming beach and plenty of fishing to be found and the whole thing is a short walk from the campground. You'll find lots of walkers and bikers here.

Watkins Mill itself is the greatest reason to visit this park, however. An almost pristine, fully equipped 19th century woolen mill is on the property, along with an 1850s era farmstead, heritage gardens, family cemetery and a pleasant visitor's center with a gift shop and museum. Also on the WMSP property are a church and a schoolhouse and another small cemetery. The mill was run by a salvaged ship's steam engine and it's still there, although rusted beyond repair. The mill tours are inexpensive and worth the price. (You will need to drive to visit these park features).

WMSP is usually very busy, so reservations are really a necessity. A shortage of good camping in the area makes this park very popular. There are also some good day-use county parks nearby if you feel like doing some exploring and the Jesse James farmstead is also a short drive away.

A few miles to the east is Excelsior Springs -- complete with a Wal-Mart and a Price Chopper grocery if you've forgotten something. Excelsior is a cool little town -- be sure to check out The Elms, a turn of the century resort where former presidents and famous notables came to "take the waters". If you go west, you'll hit Kearney, where you'll also be able to get supplies if you need them. While you're there can swing by Mt. Olivet Cemetery and say hello to Jesse himself, if you've a mind to.

4/5 stars