Smithville Lake
Northland Kansas City's big backyard — open water, quiet coves, two swim beaches, three marinas, and more campsites than any other park in the county. 30 minutes from downtown KC.
Know before you go
Updated 7:00 AM · Saturday, October 3 Prototype dataLake level
Normal pool
Sample condition
Water quality
Beaches open
Tested biweekly in season
Boat ramps
Partial
Sample: Crows Creek lanes reduced
Campgrounds
Open
Reserve through WebTrac
7,190
acres of water at normal pool Per U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
175 mi
of shoreline to explore Per U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
752
campsites across two campgrounds
80.5 mi
of walking, biking & equestrian trails
On the water and off
Boating
Five boat ramps, rentals at the marinas, and open water past every cove.
Fishing
Crappie, bass, walleye and catfish waters, plus an ADA-accessible fishing dock.
Beaches
Two sand beaches, open May 1 – Sep 15, 8:30 AM to sunset. No lifeguards.
Trails
37 miles paved, 11.5 miles of singletrack, and 32 miles of equestrian trail.
Equestrian
A 32-mile horse trail network with an equestrian camping area and stalls.
Golf & disc golf
A 38-hole championship complex at Paradise Pointe plus three disc golf courses.
Nature Center
Year-round programs and exhibits at the Smithville Lake Nature Center.
Camping
752 sites from full-hookup RV pads to primitive tent loops at two campgrounds.
More to do
Dog park, trap range, playgrounds, hunting areas, and an RC aircraft field.
Campgrounds
Reservation guidelines
Camp Branch
East side, near the main office, marina and beach. Walk to the water on Bonebender Trail.
200 electric (50-amp) 146 unimproved
Crows Creek
North shore camping close to the Crows Creek trail system and quiet coves for paddlers.
91 water/electric 181 electric 134 unimproved
Group & equestrian camps
A group camp area with four covered shelters, plus an equestrian camping area with horse stalls on the trail network.
4 picnic shelters Horse stalls
Check-in 1:00 PM, check-out 11:00 AM (Sundays 5:00/3:00). Two-night minimum on weekends. Quiet hours 10 PM – 6 AM. See rules & regulations for full policies.
Beaches & marinas
Camp Branch Beach
Open · sampleEast side, across from the main park office. Showers, changing rooms, restrooms. May 1 – Sep 15, 8:30 AM to sunset.
Little Platte Beach
Open · sampleWest side off 180th Street, reachable by the Little Platte Trail. Near the marina, golf complex, and Woodhenge.
Camp Branch Marina
17201 Paradesian · 816-407-3400. Boat rentals, covered slips, and a bait shop on the east shore.
Paradise Pointe Marina & Sailboat Cove
3008 NE 180th St · 816-407-3425. West-shore marina plus dedicated sailboat moorage at Sailboat Cove — 452 covered slips lakewide.
Trails around the lake
Open the Trails ExplorerFrequently asked questions
What are campground check-in and check-out times?
Monday through Saturday, check-in is 1:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM. On Sundays, check-in is 5:00 PM and check-out is 3:00 PM.
Is there a minimum stay for weekend camping?
Yes — weekend reservations require a two-night minimum. The maximum stay is 15 days within any 30-day period.
How many people and tents are allowed per campsite?
Up to six people per site, with two tents or one tent plus one camper. Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Can I bring my own firewood?
Firewood must be burned on site and should not be transported out of the park — this slows the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer.