Rockhaven Park Equestrian Campground

Overview

Rockhaven Park is located on the south side of Clinton Lake, west of the Dam on the Rock Creek Arm of the lake. Rockhaven Park is the trailhead for the South Shore Trails (equestrian and hiking trails on the south side of the lake) and is the only place where equestrians can camp overnight with their horses and mules.

Recreation

Rockhaven Park, first of all, is an equestrian friendly campground. This is Clinton Lake's only campground that allows overnight camping with horses and mules. Approximately one-fourth of the campsites are open to non-equestrian campers, but three-fourths of the campsites are strictly for equestrian campers. There is a "day use only" parking lot for those who come to ride or hike for the day, but not stay overnight. Access to the South Shore Trails is located in Rockhaven Park. The main trailhead is on the north side of the campground, which is a short walk or ride from a campsite or the day use parking lot. In addition to campsites, Rockhaven offers a free first-come, first-serve group shelter, perfect for familiy gatherings and events Bloomington Beach is a short drive away located in Bloomington East Park. Bloomington Beach requires a day use fee, for non-campers, between May 1 and September 30. Bloomington East offers 4 sets of boat ramps with courtesy docks. Launching a Boat requires a day use fee, for non-campers, between April 1 and November 30. Rockhaven has horshoe pits and a playground within the campground. Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, however the best water access is a short drive away in Bloomington East Park 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. Bloomington East Park has three boat ramps within a short driving distance of the campgrounds. These boat ramps (#5, 6 and 7) do require a day use fee, for non-campers, between April 1 and October 31. Visitors enjoy viewing bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake. Rockhaven offers easy access to the South Shore trail but lake offers 3 other trail systems (North Shore, Smokehouse, George Latham Trails) offering hiking and biking all located within a 20 minute drive.

Facilities

Rockhaven Park offers overnight camping for equestrian and non-equestrian campers. There are 24 campsites, 12 which have electrical service (13E-24E). Five campsites (#5-#9) are open to any campers. A total of 19 campsites (#1-#4) and (#10-#24) are for equestrian campers only. All of the sites must be reserved through the Reservation Service. There will be no collections in the campground, all payments will be made through the reservation service. If a camper arrives without a reservation, she/he will need to contact the reservation service, ensure availability, then pay immediately with a credit card over the phone. Reservations can be made, up to six months in advance, over telephone or internet. Rockhaven Park amenities include a waterborne four stall shower/restroom building, a two stall vault toilet, horsehoe pits, picnic shelter, playground, manure bunkers, several corrals, hitching posts and trail access. There are several water hydrants located throughout the campground.

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 clean water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible.

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.