N
Nancy T.
Scout
ScoutVeterans Memorial Park
Safe and Free
Have stayed here twice. It's convenient to I10. No frills, but it's safe and free
Camping near John Redmond Reservoir
John Redmond Reservoir in eastern Kansas offers several established campgrounds for visitors seeking outdoor recreation. The area includes Riverside East, a Corps of Engineers campground along the Neosho River below the dam, providing water and electric hookups for both tent and RV camping. Other nearby options include Kelley City Park in Burlington with electric sites and tent camping areas. Campgrounds in the vicinity typically provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, while some offer additional facilities like drinking water and electric hookups.
Seasonal operation varies significantly among the campgrounds in the area. Many sites at John Redmond Reservoir and nearby Melvern Lake operate seasonally, typically from April or May through September or October. Water access is a primary draw for visitors, with opportunities for fishing, boating, and shoreline activities. Some campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Facilities are generally well-maintained but vary in age and condition. As one visitor noted about Riverside East, "It's very quiet. Trails are nice and plenty of critters."
The camping experience near John Redmond Reservoir combines water recreation with natural surroundings. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful atmosphere as a major appeal. Campgrounds like Riverside East offer quiet settings along the water, while Turkey Point at nearby Melvern Lake provides spacious sites with shade trees. According to one camper describing Turkey Point, "The camp hosts have always been very accommodating. Well maintained and facilities are very clean. Most of the sites are not real close to one another and some are right on the water." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turkey, and various bird species. Fishing is popular below the dam and in the reservoir itself. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities and offer some degree of privacy between sites.
Best Camping Sites Near John Redmond Reservoir (104)
1. COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East
2 ReviewsLebo, KS3 milesWebsite+1 (620) 364-8613"Northwest of Burlington, Kansas, you'll find a quiet campsite along the east side of the Neosho River, just below the John Redmond Reservoir Dam."
"Trails are nice and plenty of critters."
2. Kelley City Park
2 ReviewsLebo, KS6 milesWebsite+1 (620) 364-5334"We had finished eating dinner and noticed a car sitting down the driveway so my dog and I circled around behind the car and discovered it was a police car."
3. Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE
10 ReviewsLyndon, KS19 milesWebsite+1 (785) 549-3318$25 - $78 / night
"Clean facilities, quiet camping, great fishing lake, and nice bike paths."
"Beautiful well-kept park with gorgeous trails, beach, lots of shade, and quiet camping. We’ve been here three times now and just love it. Outlet park is below the dam."
5. Eisenhower State Park Campground
10 ReviewsLyndon, KS20 milesWebsite+1 (785) 528-4102$10 - $85 / night
"The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well."
"This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. At the end of May, it was almost empty. We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water."
6. Turkey Point
4 ReviewsLebo, KS17 milesWebsite+1 (785) 549-3318$16 - $200 / night
"Gravel hiking trail, too. This was our very first trip in our brand new r v. It is only about an hour away from our house, but we will be back!"
"Turkey Point is on the North side of Melvern lake. We have been going to this campground for about 10 years. The camp hosts have always been very accomodating."
8. Arrow Rock - Melvern Reservoir
3 ReviewsFort Supply Lake, OK17 milesWebsite+1 (785) 549-3318"Another great place in Kansas. We managed to book this place on the start of Labor Day Weekend because of a last minute cancellation and we were extremely lucky to get this place last minute."
"easy access to the lake. facilities can be dirty"
9. Coeur D'alene
2 ReviewsLyndon, KS18 milesWebsite+1 (785) 549-3318$16 - $28 / night
"They do not close the gates so you can enter but no access to facilities, water or electric. Campground slopes to the river so very few level sites."
Recent Camping Photos near John Redmond Reservoir
42 Photos of 104 John Redmond Reservoir Campgrounds
Joyce R.
COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East
Alyssia D.
Arrow Rock - Melvern Reservoir
Juliana H.
COE Melvern Lake Turkey Point Park
Cindy K.
Eisenhower State Park Campground
Tanner P.
Carbolyn Park
Joshua M.
Pomona State Park Campground
Jim H.
Lake Garnett City Park - North Lake Park
Kevin C.
Woodson State Fishing Lake
Jordanna B.
Cedar Park
Fred S.
Lake Georgia Sue
Joyce R.
Basecamp Flint Hills
Loren L.
Osage State Fishing Lake
Recent Reviews near John Redmond Reservoir
173 Reviews of 104 John Redmond Reservoir Campgrounds
Teresa T.
LegendBates Grove Park
Adorable, but I see nothing that indicates you can camp here
This park is cute. It's well located to downtown into the trail that takes you over to the tall grass preserve. But I see nothing that indicates you can camp here. I would camp here if when we're allowed. There is a basically up portable toilet. Some tables some trash and great displays in the falls, but I literally see nothing that indicates you can camp here.
- Teresa T.Legend
Swope Park
Small town park
This park is adorable. The r v spots are literally just parking spots in the sun with electric and water. There is somebody who clearly lives there. It isn't clear to me how you pay or who you pay. Maybe that person takes payment, but if you needed a place to stay, it would suffice for that.
- Daniel K.
TravelerLyon state fishing lake
Basic but good
No amenities, boon docking fishing is good dont park on the grass
- PPaula K.Traveler
Emporia RV Park
Helpful
We got caught in a 50mph gust wind storm. Needed a place to get off the road. Called and they found a place for Us.
- cclint C.
GuideChase County Fishing Lake
Camp on the water
Not a bad spot and mostly clean. Dispersed camping directly on the lake. I didn’t fish, but there are big fish jumping. Downsides are that you can hear the highway and there isn’t much for hiking or running trails.
- DDavid N.Scout
Richey Cove
Richey Cove Camp Grounds.
Reasonably priced at 23$ per night…including electricity.Covered picnic table and trees😁 A view of the lake from just about every site. Clean enough showers and toilet facilities. Camp just was very nice and helpful.
- JJames M.Guide
Cedar Park
Beautiful area.
Great area, friendly guests even the kids showing up on the weekends were well behaved. One vault toilet they maintain the best they can. Area is patrolled by Park Rangers and law enforcement, not sure if local, county, or state. While there the park placed plaques marking site numbers and eventually they will add a kiosk that will have a QR code for payment, they were not sure what the fee would be (free for now). The sites are huge and not right on top of each other, they offer a picnic table, fire ring, and a gravel parking spot for your camper or grassy areas for tents. Very dusty roads getting here but worth it. Watch out for wildlife, deer, turkeys, and vultures are always on the roads including the pup that chases you're truck, just down the road from here, lol. Hope this helps, Happy camping you all!
robert B.GuideOsage State Fishing Lake
Nice lake view
Just got to the site, so far so good. Easy in for a Ford transit.
Guide to John Redmond Reservoir
John Redmond Reservoir sits within the rolling prairies of eastern Kansas, covering approximately 9,400 acres with 58 miles of shoreline. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, typically peaking in spring and early summer when camping is most popular. Campsites around John Redmond Reservoir operate primarily from April through October, with some facilities closing earlier depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing below the dam: The Neosho River area below John Redmond Dam provides excellent fishing opportunities. At COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East, Joyce R. notes it's a "quiet campsite along the east side of the Neosho River, just below the John Redmond Reservoir Dam."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife populations. At Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE, Anna P. reports, "Saw deer and turkey" during their stay, making it ideal for nature photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer maintained walking paths. At Riverside East, visitors appreciate the accessible nature trails, with Ryan M. mentioning, "Trails are nice and plenty of critters."
Water recreation: When water conditions allow, swimming and boating are popular. Teresa D. describes Melvern Lake as having "beautiful well-kept park with gorgeous trails, beach, lots of shade, and quiet camping."
What campers like
Peaceful environment: Many campers value the quiet atmosphere. Norman S. at Riverside East notes, "Nice quiet place. Only 4 campers here including the host."
Spacious campsites: Sites typically provide good separation between neighbors. At Turkey Point, Carman S. explains, "Most of the sites are not real close to one another and some are right on the water."
Clean facilities: Despite varying age, facilities are generally well-maintained. At Melvern Lake, Margo M. observed, "Shower house was cleaned regularly."
Star gazing: Rural Kansas offers excellent night sky viewing at many campgrounds. Juliana H. at Turkey Point reports they "had an INCREDIBLE view of the stars at night."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Many facilities close during colder months. Coeur D'alene operates "May 1 to September 30," while some sites like Arrow Rock have similar seasonal restrictions.
Reservation challenges: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. Joyce R. cautions about Outlet Park: "The only problem is that it's very hard to get reservations, as they fill up fast."
Facility age: Some campgrounds show signs of aging. Norman S. notes about Riverside East: "Seems to have been put on the back burner by the Corp of Engineers, not much maintenance or repairs."
Water quality concerns: Lake conditions can vary throughout the season. Anna P. mentions that at Melvern Lake, "The water was pretty gross for swimming and rocky."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds available: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. At Kelley City Park, Deb Z. mentions it "has a playground" making it suitable for families with young children.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have additional security measures. Lee G. notes that at Kelley City Park, police "keep a close watch on the park because it's safe and they want to keep it that way."
Water activities for kids: When conditions permit, swimming beaches provide recreation. Randall J. at Arrow Rock - Melvern Reservoir advises, "Most of the shoreline is jagged rock and without water shoes or crocs it's not worth it."
Camp host assistance: On-site hosts can provide help and information. Carman S. shares that at Turkey Point "The camp hosts have always been very accommodating."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary in size, shade, and levelness. Randall J. recommends "Best RV spot is #25 - extremely shady" at Arrow Rock - Melvern Reservoir.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are common, but full hookups are limited. At Coeur D'alene, Kristen notes they offer "RV hookups, benches, shelter areas, bathrooms, showers" and more.
Off-season access: Some areas permit free camping during off-season periods. Amy W. reports about Coeur D'alene: "Stayed here off season for free. They do not close the gates so you can enter but no access to facilities, water or electric."
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities. Kelley City Park has "a dump station" according to Lee G., making it convenient for RVers requiring this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the designated camping areas at John Redmond Reservoir?
Where are the designated camping areas at John Redmond Reservoir?
John Redmond Reservoir offers several designated camping areas. The primary camping area is Riverside East, located northwest of Burlington along the east side of the Neosho River, just below the dam. For additional options near the reservoir, Drake Park provides drive-in camping with toilet facilities. Both locations offer peaceful settings with water access, making them popular choices for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts visiting the reservoir.
What amenities are available at John Redmond Reservoir campgrounds?
What amenities are available at John Redmond Reservoir campgrounds?
At John Redmond Reservoir campgrounds, you'll find basic amenities including water access, toilet facilities, and sites that can accommodate larger RVs. Arrow Rock offers reservable sites with water access and is big-rig friendly. Other campgrounds in the region like Chase State Fishing Lake feature fire rings, vault toilets, and picnic tables with lakeside sites. While amenities are relatively basic compared to luxury campgrounds, they provide the essential facilities needed for a comfortable outdoor experience in the Kansas Flint Hills region.
Do I need reservations for camping at John Redmond Reservoir?
Do I need reservations for camping at John Redmond Reservoir?
Yes, reservations are recommended for camping at John Redmond Reservoir, especially during peak seasons and holidays. At Coeur D'alene near Melvern, sites are reservable and fill quickly during summer months. However, following a practice common at Kansas state parks like Fall River State Park, some campsites may be held for walk-ups even on busy weekends. If planning a visit during peak times, secure your reservation well in advance to guarantee a spot.
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