Camping sites near Edwardsville, Kansas range from suburban RV parks to lake-front properties within 30 miles. The region sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with average summer temperatures reaching the mid-90s and winter lows typically dropping to the 20s. Weekday camping offers more availability at popular sites, with significantly higher occupancy rates during summer weekends when lake access becomes a priority for many campers.
What to do
Fishing in multiple lakes: Clinton State Park provides diverse fishing opportunities with a surprising variety of catch. "Saw eagles, turkey vultures, and possible osprey," notes one visitor at Prairie Clover Campground, who appreciated the wildlife viewing combined with fishing at the marina inlet.
Hiking trail systems: The trail networks throughout the region offer varying difficulty levels and terrain types. At Weston Bend State Park Campground, campers find "an amazing hiking trail system within the park! Even one paved trail!" Most trails are accessible year-round, though muddy conditions prevail after rain.
Theme park access: For families wanting to combine camping with thrill rides, some campgrounds provide direct amusement park access. "The camp ground pool is huge and fun for the kids on non park days. The campground is all paved and perfect for scooters and bikes for the kids," reports a visitor to Worlds of Fun Village who appreciated having entertainment options beyond the campsite.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Mid-week stays offer a more peaceful experience with higher site availability. A visitor to Crow's Creek Campground recommended: "We have stayed in this campground too many times to count. We love it when it is still kind of off season like Easter weekend and after labor day. We have small children and it can get pretty rowdy during the summer."
Proximity to urban amenities: The convenience of camping near city services appeals to many visitors. As one camper at Blue Springs Lake Campground noted, "If you're wanting to camp where you are close to city amenities, this is the spot for you... You can't see the lake from the campground, and there was some road noise from morning commuters but overall it's a nice stop for a night or two."
Campground security measures: Several campgrounds implement security features for peace of mind. "We felt very safe here since they require an access code to get into the gate," mentioned a tent camper at Blue Springs Lake Campground, highlighting the controlled access that many visitors appreciate when camping in the suburban Kansas City region.
What you should know
Train noise affects several locations: Railroad proximity impacts sleep quality at multiple campgrounds. A camper at Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA warned, "This is a lovely campsite but we'll sadly never stay here again - because trains passed by really loudly all night long - it finally stopped at about 5am."
Seasonal water shutoffs: Late-season campers should confirm utility availability. One Crow's Creek camper explained their experience: "We stayed in October and due to unseasonably cold weather they shut off water with no notice and halfway through our stay. Ended up leaving early since we had no water and also no sewer at site."
Limited shade at many sites: Tree cover varies significantly across campgrounds in the area. A visitor to Campus RV Park noted that "The spaces are smaller although it is in a nice area where it's shady," but this isn't true at all locations, with many offering minimal tree coverage for summer heat protection.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Choose sites near play areas for convenience with young children. A camper at Blue Springs Lake Campground shared: "This was our first visit to this campground. The sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids."
Weekend activity programs: Several campgrounds offer organized children's events. A regular at Basswood Country RV Resort described how "Every weekend there are organized activities such as arts and crafts, fishing contests, duck races and frozen t-shirt contests in the pool, and a Saturday evening outdoor movie."
Noise level considerations: Family campers should strategically select areas based on ambient noise. One parent at Suncatcher Lake Campground appreciated the quieter setting: "About a 10 minute drive to town, but a perfect spot in the country. Very well maintained park with a beautiful view of the pond right out the door!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Research specific site numbers before booking. An experienced RVer at Weston Bend State Park advised: "Most sites are back in, there are 2 pull through sites and 2 family sites. Firewood is available for sale on the honor system near the camp host."
Leveling challenges: Many campsites require adjustment equipment. "The site slopes to the passenger side and downhill toward the road, so we used a few levelers. Many sites here are sloped. The premium cement pads seemed to be more level than gravel sites," noted one RV camper at Blue Springs Lake describing the terrain challenges.
Water access variations: Hookup availability differs significantly between sites and seasons. A visitor to Prairie Clover Campground explained: "We stayed in Campground 1 in one of the primitive sites. There were many sites to choose from even through there were quite a few campers here during the middle of the week. It was a bit of a hike to the water but the bathrooms were clean."
