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Established Camping

Bloomington West

General Overview

US Army Corps of Engineers

Clinton Lake

Overview

Bloomington West is a spacious group campground that sits under an umbrella of trees west of Clinton Dam and Lake in the hills of Kansas.

Recreation

A horseshoe pit, sand volleyball court, playground and softball field are all provided at the campground, making it the perfect spot for entertaining large groups and family functions. However, Clinton Lake is the main attraction, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports. The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake. Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.

Facilities

A horseshoe pit, sand volleyball court, playground and softball field are all provided at the campground, making it the perfect spot for entertaining large groups and family functions. However, Clinton Lake is the main attraction, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports. The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake. Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.

Natural Features

Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop. Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clear water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible. Clinton spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.

Nearby Attractions

The Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area. The Clinton Lake Museum, located within the Bloomington East Park, has information on the history of the region and the Underground Railroad. The cities of Lawrence and Topeka are within a 30 minute drive.

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Location

Bloomington West is located in Kansas

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Lawrence, Kansas, take 6th Street/Highway 40 west for 4 miles. Take a left onto Douglas County Road 442 and go 5 miles to Stull, Kansas, then take another left onto Douglas County Road 1023 and go 6 miles to Douglas County Road 6. Make a left turn on 6 and go 4 miles to Douglas County Road 4. Make a right turn and go 1/2 mile and turn left on the first gravel road. Go 1/4 mile to the park entrance on the left.

Address

1299 E. 600 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66047

Coordinates

38.9233278 N
95.4004917 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups

Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

1 Review

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2017

For your next family outing

A large group of us reserved one of these sites for a big ole campout. Our spot had a shelter with multiple tables, a grill, and a fire pit. We were tucked away and not too close to neighbors. The water was easily accessible from the trail nearby. I definitely recommend this area, especially if you plan on a fun family bbq and camping trip.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bloomington West by Ashley F., September 13, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Bloomington West have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Bloomington West has 30 amp electric hookups and water hookups.

  • Are fires allowed at Bloomington West?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Bloomington West, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Bloomington West have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Bloomington West does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Bloomington West?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Bloomington West. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Bloomington West, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Bloomington West?

    There are 1 campsites at Bloomington West and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts