Boating & Sailing
Multiple lake access points and marina facilities make Smithville Lake a popular destination for powerboats, pontoons, sailboats, kayaks and other watercraft.
Dealer Near Smithville, MO
Lake Life Meets Small-Town Missouri
Smithville, Missouri
Historic Main Street. More than 7,000 acres of water. Two lakeside golf courses. Miles of trails, marinas and parks—all connected to a growing Northland community that still feels unmistakably like Smithville.
A Northland Lake Community
There's More to Smithville Than a Spot on the Map
Smithville sits along the U.S. 169 corridor north of Kansas City, where a historic Missouri town and one of the region's largest recreational lakes come together.
For longtime residents, Smithville is still the community centered around Main Street, schools, local businesses, parks and familiar neighborhoods.
For boaters, anglers, golfers, campers and visitors from across the Kansas City area, the name Smithville is often immediately followed by one word: Lake.
Both identities belong here.
Historic Downtown Smithville preserves the architecture and small-town scale of the community's past, while Smithville Lake, Paradise Pointe Golf Complex and the surrounding recreation areas give residents something few Kansas City suburbs can match.
Chuck Anderson Ford is proud to serve Smithville families from our nearby family-owned Ford dealership in Excelsior Springs.
Before There Was a Lake
The History of Smithville, Missouri
Long before Smithville became known throughout Kansas City for boating and recreation, its story began along the Little Platte River.
1822
The Smith Family Arrives
Humphrey and Nancy Smith came west from New York with their family and settled along the Little Platte River. There, the Smith family established Smith's Mill, the first water-powered flour mill in Clay County.
1830s
Smith's Mill Becomes Smithville
As more families and businesses arrived, a town site developed around the mill. The settlement known as Smith's Mill gradually became Smithville.
1868
Smithville Is Incorporated
Smithville was officially incorporated on July 6, 1868. Agriculture, commerce and transportation continued shaping the community through the remainder of the nineteenth century.
1979
Smithville Lake Changes the Landscape
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began impounding Smithville Lake in October 1979. The project dramatically changed the geography surrounding the community and created what would become one of the Kansas City area's major recreation destinations.
2014
Historic Downtown Receives National Recognition
The Downtown Smithville Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing the architectural and historical significance of the city's traditional commercial center.
Today
A Growing Northland Community
Smithville continues to grow as part of the Kansas City Northland while its historic downtown, lake, parks and locally owned businesses help preserve the identity that makes the city different.
The Heart of Smithville
Historic Downtown Smithville
Smithville's downtown tells the story of the community before the lake, highways and newer neighborhoods expanded the city's footprint.
Main Street and Bridge Street remain lined with historic commercial buildings that create a walkable downtown district filled with local shops, restaurants, services and gathering places.
The Downtown Smithville Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, recognizing the historic commercial area that developed through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
New investment has continued alongside preservation. Streetscape projects have added pedestrian improvements, lighting, sidewalks and public spaces while maintaining the scale and appearance that give downtown its character.
Courtyard Park and downtown events create reasons to return throughout the year, while the Smithville Main Street District works to preserve, promote and strengthen the heart of the community.
Small-Town Character
From Main Street to the Lake
One of Smithville's defining features is how quickly its different personalities come together.
Historic Main Street
Downtown provides locally owned businesses, restaurants, community events and the traditional architecture of a Missouri town that has been here for generations.
Smithville Lake
Minutes away, the landscape opens to thousands of acres of water, parks, trails, campgrounds, beaches and marinas.
The Kansas City Northland
U.S. 169 connects Smithville south toward the Kansas City metro, while Missouri Route 92 connects the community east toward Kearney and Excelsior Springs.
The Lake That Defines the Community
Smithville Lake
Smithville Lake is more than scenery. It has become part of everyday life in Smithville and one of the community's strongest connections to the rest of the Kansas City region.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began impounding the lake in 1979. Today, Smithville Lake covers approximately 7,200 acres and includes roughly 175 miles of shoreline.
Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, kayaking, sailing, hiking, biking and wildlife viewing draw visitors throughout the year.
Clay County Parks manages major recreation areas surrounding the lake, including campgrounds, trails, swim beaches, boat ramps, marinas, shelters and other facilities.
Spend enough time in Smithville and the lake becomes more than a destination. It's where people fish before work, launch the boat on Saturday morning, camp with their families or watch the sun go down after a summer day on the water.
7,200 Acres A major lake serving recreation, flood control, water supply and wildlife management.
175 Miles Approximately 175 miles of shoreline surround Smithville Lake.
2 Marinas Marina facilities provide access for boaters enjoying the lake.
Year-Round Fishing, trails, wildlife and other recreation continue well beyond the summer boating season.
Golf With a Lake View
The Outlaw & The Posse at Paradise Pointe
Smithville golfers don't have to choose between a great golf course and a great view of the lake. Paradise Pointe Golf Complex offers both.
Located along Smithville Lake, Paradise Pointe is home to two 18-hole public golf courses: The Posse and The Outlaw.
Both courses take advantage of the rolling terrain and lake setting, but they offer different playing characteristics.
The Original Course
The Posse
The Posse is Paradise Pointe's original 18-hole course and features bluegrass fairways, rolling terrain and views across the Smithville Lake landscape.
The combination of elevation changes, water, natural areas and mature surroundings gives the course a distinctly Northland feel.
18 Holes
The Outlaw
The Outlaw features zoysia fairways, large greens and its own collection of Smithville Lake views.
Together, the Outlaw and Posse give Smithville a public golf destination capable of offering two full 18-hole experiences in one lakeside complex.
The names Outlaw and Posse are a nod to the Jesse James history of this part of Clay County—another small connection between Smithville, Kearney, Excelsior Springs and the larger history of the Northland.
More Than Boats & Birdies
Outdoor Recreation Around Smithville
The lake may get top billing, but Smithville's outdoor lifestyle extends well beyond the water.
Fishing
Smithville Lake has long been a destination for anglers from throughout the Kansas City region, whether fishing from a boat, shoreline or one of the lake's access areas.
Trails
Clay County's park system around the lake provides extensive trail opportunities for walking, running, cycling and enjoying the natural landscape.
Camping
Campgrounds around Smithville Lake turn a day on the water into an entire weekend outdoors without leaving the Northland.
Swimming
Camp Branch Beach and Little Platte Beach provide designated swimming areas during the recreation season.
Smithville Lake Beaches ›Nature & Wildlife
The Smithville Lake Nature Center, primitive trails and surrounding habitats give visitors opportunities to learn about Missouri wildlife, native plants and the natural environment.
Smithville Lake Nature Center › A Town That Has Changed Without Losing Its Identity
Life in Smithville, Missouri
Smithville has changed considerably from the small mill town that developed along the Little Platte River nearly two centuries ago.
The arrival of Smithville Lake transformed recreation and the local landscape. U.S. 169 brought easier access to Kansas City. New neighborhoods and businesses expanded the community beyond the historic downtown.
But there are still plenty of reminders that Smithville isn't simply another suburban development.
Main Street still matters. Local businesses still know their customers. The water tower remains part of the skyline. Friday nights, community events, days at the lake and weekends on the golf course all become part of what it means to live here.
That's the kind of community Chuck Anderson Ford understands. Our dealership has called nearby Excelsior Springs home since 1974, and we've spent more than five decades serving customers from small communities throughout this part of Missouri.
Your Nearby Family-Owned Ford Dealer
Chuck Anderson Ford Serving Smithville, Missouri
Smithville drivers don't have to head deep into Kansas City when they're looking for their next Ford. Head east across the Northland and you'll find Chuck Anderson Ford in Excelsior Springs.
Chuck Anderson and his family purchased our dealership in 1974. More than five decades later, we're still family owned and proudly serving drivers from Smithville, Kearney, Liberty, Lawson, Excelsior Springs and communities throughout the Kansas City Northland.
Smithville customers come to us for new Ford trucks and SUVs, quality pre-owned vehicles, automotive financing, Ford maintenance, repairs and genuine Ford parts.
And the way people use their vehicles in Smithville makes Ford a natural fit.
A truck might tow the boat to Smithville Lake on Saturday and head to a jobsite Monday morning. An Explorer might spend the week running between work, school and activities before being loaded for a family camping trip. A Bronco might spend most of its time commuting but still be ready when the pavement ends.
Whatever you drive, our goal is to provide the straightforward, relationship-focused experience that has kept Chuck Anderson Ford part of this region for generations.
Visit us at 1910 W Jesse James Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 .
Trucks & SUVs for Lake Life
Ford Vehicles for Smithville, MO
Smithville drivers may commute like the rest of the Northland, but weekends here often involve trailers, boats, bikes, golf clubs, camping gear and plenty of time outdoors.
Ford F-150
Whether you're towing recreational equipment, tackling projects around the house or driving to work every day, the F-150 offers configurations designed around how truck owners actually use their vehicles.
Shop Ford F-150 ›Ford Explorer
Three-row seating and versatile cargo space make the Explorer a strong fit for Smithville families balancing school, sports, commuting and weekends around the lake.
Shop Ford Explorer ›Ford Bronco & Bronco Sport
Ford's Bronco family gives Smithville drivers choices that work for everyday Northland driving while keeping adventure-ready capability close at hand.
Shop Ford SUVs › Spend a Day in Smithville
Things to Do in Smithville, Missouri
Whether you're visiting for the weekend or have called Smithville home for years, there is plenty to do without heading south into Kansas City.
Explore Historic Downtown
Walk Main Street, support local businesses, grab something to eat and explore Smithville's historic commercial district.
Smithville Main Street District ›Spend the Day on Smithville Lake
Launch the boat, fish, kayak, swim, walk the trails or simply find a place along the shoreline and enjoy the view.
Clay County Parks ›Play the Outlaw
Tee it up on the Outlaw Course at Paradise Pointe, featuring zoysia fairways, large greens and views of Smithville Lake.
Paradise Pointe ›Play the Posse
Experience Paradise Pointe's original course, with rolling terrain, bluegrass fairways and a setting shaped by the lake.
Book a Tee Time ›Camp Near the Lake
Turn your lake day into a weekend with camping opportunities available within the Smithville Lake recreation area.
Smithville Lake Recreation ›Visit Chuck Anderson Ford
Shopping for a Ford or need service? Follow Missouri Route 92 east across the Northland to Chuck Anderson Ford in Excelsior Springs.
Ford Dealer Near Smithville › Local Information
Helpful Smithville, Missouri Resources
- City of Smithville – official city services, community information, events and local resources.
- Explore Smithville – city information about downtown, Smithville Lake, parks and the community.
- Smithville Main Street District – Historic Downtown Smithville businesses, events and community information.
- Clay County Parks & Recreation – Smithville Lake camping, trails, marinas, beaches and recreation.
- Paradise Pointe Golf Complex – home of the Outlaw and Posse golf courses.
- Smithville Lake Nature Center – nature exhibits, wildlife, native plants and educational opportunities.
Smithville Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Smithville, MO
Which Ford dealer offers lease deals near Smithville, MO?
Chuck Anderson Ford is a convenient option for Smithville drivers looking for Ford lease opportunities. Our family-owned dealership in nearby Excelsior Springs can help eligible customers review current Ford lease programs, available manufacturer incentives and financing alternatives on qualifying new Ford vehicles. Lease programs can vary by model, term, mileage allowance and customer eligibility. Smithville shoppers can review our current Ford incentives, explore our Ford dealer near Smithville page or browse our new Ford inventory.
Where can I get auto financing with bad credit near Smithville?
Smithville-area drivers with challenged credit can apply for auto financing through Chuck Anderson Ford in nearby Excelsior Springs. Our finance team works with multiple lending sources and welcomes customers with excellent credit, challenged credit, limited credit history or credit they are rebuilding. Approval and available terms remain subject to lender requirements, but past credit challenges do not necessarily prevent you from financing a vehicle. Visit our Finance Center or explore our Smithville Ford dealership page to get started.
Is Chuck Anderson Ford a good option for first-time buyers near Smithville?
Yes. Chuck Anderson Ford is a good option for first-time vehicle buyers near Smithville, including customers who may have limited or no established auto-loan history. Our finance team can review the complete application and work with available lending sources to identify options that may fit the buyer's situation. First-time buyers can also learn how vehicle price, down payment, trade equity, loan term and credit can affect the transaction. Visit our Finance Center to explore financing resources and begin an application.
Where can I find new Ford inventory near Smithville?
Smithville shoppers can find new Ford trucks and SUVs at Chuck Anderson Ford in nearby Excelsior Springs. Available models may include the Ford F-150, Maverick, Ranger, Super Duty, Explorer, Expedition, Bronco and Bronco Sport. Our Ford dealer near Smithville page provides locally relevant shopping information, while our live new Ford inventory shows current vehicles. If you do not see the configuration you want, our team can also help with incoming inventory, vehicle-location options or eligible factory orders.
Does Chuck Anderson Ford use no-haggle or upfront pricing?
Yes. Chuck Anderson Ford uses transparent, market-based upfront vehicle pricing designed to make shopping straightforward. Rather than making Smithville customers spend time negotiating simply to reach a competitive selling price, our goal is to price vehicles fairly and clearly from the beginning. That makes it easier to compare vehicles, incentives, trade values and financing as parts of the complete transaction. Learn more about our pricing approach on the Chuck Anderson Ford pricing and deals page.
Where can I trade in a vehicle near Smithville?
Chuck Anderson Ford appraises trade-ins for Smithville-area customers at our nearby dealership in Excelsior Springs. Our team considers factors such as mileage, condition, equipment, current market demand and expected reconditioning when evaluating a vehicle. Trade equity can then be applied toward an eligible new or used vehicle, or you can discuss selling your vehicle directly to us. Learn more through our trade-in resource center or begin online with our vehicle trade-value tool.
Where can I find certified pre-owned Ford vehicles near Smithville?
Smithville shoppers can find Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles at Chuck Anderson Ford in nearby Excelsior Springs. Eligible Ford vehicles must meet applicable certification requirements and pass a comprehensive multi-point inspection before receiving certified status, providing additional warranty and ownership benefits compared with a typical used vehicle. Certified inventory changes as vehicles are sold and acquired, so the easiest way to see current options is to browse our Ford Certified Pre-Owned inventory or use our Vehicle Finder for a specific model.
Where can I shop for dependable used vehicles near Smithville?
Chuck Anderson Ford offers pre-owned cars, trucks and SUVs for Smithville-area shoppers from our nearby Excelsior Springs dealership. Our changing inventory includes Ford vehicles along with models from many other manufacturers, providing choices across different price ranges, mileage levels, body styles and capabilities. Used vehicles are carefully evaluated before being offered for sale. Visit our used vehicles near Smithville page for locally focused information or browse our current used inventory online.
What is Smithville, Missouri known for?
Smithville is best known for Smithville Lake, Historic Downtown Smithville and Paradise Pointe Golf Complex. The community combines lake recreation, boating, fishing, camping, trails and golf with a traditional downtown and convenient access to the Kansas City Northland.
How big is Smithville Lake?
Smithville Lake covers approximately 7,200 acres and has roughly 175 miles of shoreline. The lake provides recreation, flood damage reduction, water storage and habitat for fish and wildlife.
What can you do at Smithville Lake?
Popular activities include boating, fishing, swimming, sailing, kayaking, camping, hiking, cycling, wildlife viewing and picnicking. The recreation area also includes marinas, swim beaches, campgrounds, trails and other park facilities.
What golf courses are in Smithville, Missouri?
Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville is home to two 18-hole public courses: the Outlaw and the Posse. The complex also includes a four-hole Academy course.
What is the Outlaw golf course?
The Outlaw is one of the two 18-hole courses at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex. It features zoysia fairways, large greens and views of Smithville Lake.
What is the Posse golf course?
The Posse is Paradise Pointe's original 18-hole course. It features bluegrass fairways, rolling terrain and lake views.
Is there a historic downtown in Smithville?
Yes. The Downtown Smithville Historic District includes the community's traditional commercial center around Main and Bridge streets. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
How did Smithville, Missouri get its name?
Smithville traces its name to Humphrey and Nancy Smith, who settled along the Little Platte River with their family in 1822. The Smith family established Smith's Mill, and as a town developed around the mill, the community eventually became known as Smithville.
Is there a Ford dealer near Smithville, Missouri?
Yes. Chuck Anderson Ford is a family-owned Ford dealership in nearby Excelsior Springs. Smithville customers can shop new Ford vehicles and used cars and trucks or visit the dealership for financing, Ford service and genuine Ford parts.
How do I get from Smithville to Chuck Anderson Ford?
One of the primary routes from Smithville toward Chuck Anderson Ford is Missouri Route 92 east across the Northland toward Kearney and Excelsior Springs. Use your preferred navigation app for current traffic and exact turn-by-turn directions.
Where is Chuck Anderson Ford located?
Chuck Anderson Ford is located at 1910 W Jesse James Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 .
Smithville to Excelsior Springs
Keep Your Ford Shopping in the Northland
Chuck Anderson Ford has been family owned since 1974. When you're ready for your next Ford, looking for a quality pre-owned vehicle or need a service department you can trust, make the drive east from Smithville and experience a different kind of dealership.
Chuck Anderson Ford
1910 W Jesse James Road
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
Sales: 816-648-6419