Weston Bend State Park

Location: Platte County, MO (NW Kansas City Metro)
Terrain: wooded, rolling hills, borders Missouri River
Size: 1,133 acres
Modern Campsites: 37 (basic & electric)
Phone Reservations: yes
Online reservations: yes
Link: Weston Bend State Park

Weston Bend is a perfect park for couples. It has a single loop with electric sites that meander up a well-kept blacktop to the top of a hill, where the basic sites take over. Basic campers get to enjoy the best views and the best woods! Most sites are in shade and the ones on the east side of the road (as you enter) border a small stretch of woods that are very popular for mushroom hunters in spring. That's right -- I said morels. Missouri parks do allow the harvest of mushrooms and fruits only, so no digging. But really, if you love the thrill of the hunt, WBSP is a great spot. Do beware-- ticks love this place, too.

WBSP doesn't have much to explore -- some nice hike & bike trails, tobacco barns and a beautiful overlook. Fishermen can try their luck on the Missouri River. But I think the best part of WBSP is not what's in it -- rather, what's around it. You can drive about 6 miles to the town of Weston and spend a nice afternoon antiqueing and shopping the shops. My favorite candle maker in the whole wide world is in Weston -- 5B & Co. Candles. Also, visit Red Barn Farm and Vaughn's Orchard, both of which are just 3-4 east of the park.

The showerhouse in the park is located at the bottom of the camping loop and is usually very clean. There is another toilet further up the loop, closer to the basic camping. Water here is plentiful, with spigots and working water fountains. The pads are spacious -- there is one site that has full hookups because it's the "host" site. However, in three years I have never seen a host in the campground. Fees are picked up by DNR employees, who are quite friendly. There is no playground in the campground, although there is elsewhere in the park. There is also not much of a park office here, no museum or interpretive center. As I mentioned, Weston is great for couples who want peace and space. You don't see many kids here and I wouldn't recommend trying to entertain a tribe of them for the weekend unless you are planning excursions outside the park.

The best time to visit WBSP is in the spring for mushrooms or in the fall to visit the orchards and see the beautiful leaves. In other months, you can go across the river to Leavenworth, KS to see the fort and federal prison or to Atchison, KS. Either way, WBSP is a great little place to unwind.

April 2005 update- they are adding electrical hookups to most of the formerly unimproved sites and reservations are now available on the Missouri State Parks website. Also looks like there is now a camp host.

3/5 Stars