Watkins Woolen Mill State Park And Historic Site — Attraction in Excelsior Springs

Went camping during the past week with my best friend to get away from the City, people & enjoy nature, fishing, relaxing & had a wonderful time. Needed a break from our jobs as well. The only thing we were upset about, is the lady on the golf cart coming down every 20-30 minutes to check on us from morning until late night, when we were the ONLY ones camping during 3 out of the 4 days we were there. It was very annoying as we've been camping ALOT the past several years. We have no need to be constantly checked on when we Always go by State Park rules & we have never been checked on so many times as we were at Watkins Mill. We never leave a mess. We are very respectful, quiet & we have Never ever had someone come down every 30 minutes to check on us when we're doing absolutely nothing wrong but camping, cooking our own food, & we even have our own personal tent with our own bathroom so we don't have to walk back & forth to the restrooms. If you're looking for peace & quiet during your stay, I advise going to Wallace State Park, as they would only check on us once a day. If we ever have a problem, or see anyone else doing things they shouldn't, we turn it in. Not to be party poopers, we just want everyone else to have a great camping experience as we usually always do. Unfortunately, we will not be going back to Watkins Mill as we are grown women, & were celebrating my best friends 50th Birthday week by getting away from everything & being alone, & camping as we always have for years & I'm almost 49. Pomme de Terre & Truman Lake's campsites were flooded so bad this year & we didn't want to go & get infected by things left over from the flooding all summer. So we thought Watkins Mill would be great. We were wrong. My own Mother & Father never even checked on me that much so we felt like we couldn't even have a relaxing time since we were treated like children. I will not be going back to the Beautiful Watkins Mill, only because of all I mentioned above. Very sad because it's definitely Beautiful there, fishing is great & a beautiful calm lake to fish. But being treated as we were toddlers, when one of us is 50 & I'm almost 49, I do NOT need another Mother, as I have a wonderful one already. I would give Watkins Mill 5 stars, but because we were constantly bothered by her golf cart rounds, waking is up when we tried to nap, we will not be going back. Also sad because we go camping about 10+ times per year, & usually there's a group of 12 of us that rent 3-4 campsites. This time it was just 2 of us, & our guard dog that doesn't even bark unless danger is near us. Guess Pomme de Terre & Truman Lake, & Wallace State Park is where we will go from now on & not Watkins Mill. Their ice is $5 & it's a 20 lb bag, but all other State Parks we've been to only charge $2 for a 10 lb bag, which is all that's...

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park, located in Lawson, Missouri, offers visitors a blend of history and outdoor recreation, with its beach being a notable highlight. The beach area provides a serene and family-friendly environment, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoyment.

The beach is situated along Williams Creek Lake, a 100-acre body of water that is ideal for swimming, fishing, and boating. The sandy shore is well-maintained and clean, providing a comfortable place to lay out towels and enjoy the sun. The shallow waters near the shore are safe for children, while deeper areas allow for more adventurous swimming.

Amenities at the beach include picnic tables and nearby restrooms, enhancing the convenience for families and groups. The presence of shaded areas and nearby trails means that visitors can easily transition from sunbathing to hiking or picnicking.

One of the unique aspects of Watkins Woolen Mill State Park is its historical context. After spending time at the beach, visitors can explore the preserved 19th-century woolen mill and the Watkins family home, both of which are part of a National Historic Landmark District. This combination of recreational and educational opportunities makes the park a multifaceted destination.

Overall, the beach at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park is a charming spot that offers a peaceful retreat with the added bonus of historical exploration. Whether you're looking to swim, relax by the water, or delve into Missouri's history, this park provides a well-rounded and...

We’ve camped here several times, I will never come here again. We called ahead to verify water at campsite, and main bathrooms were open and motorized scooters are allowed (we were VERY CLEAR). Once we arrived, none of these things were true. After packing for the entire weekend with our kids, dogs, and gear. Our kids were told it’s a “law” they cannot ride their scooters. However, WT drunk and stoned adults can…they can drink and smoke all day and night. And ride around on scooters with no helmets. But my kids are not allowed to with safety gear. Good to know the park and “State Troopers” prioritize monitoring polite well mannered children trying to enjoy family time rather than drunk drugged out obnoxious white trash. And don’t bother asking for help from the “camp hosts”. Apparently they can cover their signs with trash bags and then not answer questions or even acknowledge your presence by looking up. While they have running water at their site… The park apparently has some arbitrary date to turn on water. Rather than a warm weekend in mid April. They wait until a random Tuesday a few days later because of date,...