Camping spots near Clearview City, Kansas range from primitive lakeside sites to full-service RV parks with hookups. The region sits at approximately 850 feet of elevation with humid continental climate conditions that produce hot summers and moderately cold winters. Spring and fall camping offer mild temperatures in the 60-70°F range with occasional thunderstorms common from April through June.
What to do
Hiking trails for all abilities: At Woodridge Park, campers access both easy and moderate trails with numerous exploration opportunities. "One of my favorite not the typical slice of pie camping great for hammocks," notes one visitor, with another adding that the "trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!"
Archery practice: Prairie Clover Campground offers an archery range for skill development, along with disc golf courses. A recent camper states, "Rolling hills and lots of green with many of trails and recreational facilities including more unusual things like archery." The range includes practice targets at various distances.
Kayak to remote sites: Waterfront camping at Clinton Lake includes paddle-accessible sites. "Half of our group took the trail and hiked to the campsite, the other half got there by kayak/paddleboard. The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout," reports one camper about their experience at site 13.
Historical exploration: Just 40 minutes from Clearview City, Fort Osage National Historic Landmark provides educational opportunities. A visitor to Blue Springs Lake Campground mentioned, "Did take time to go to the Fort Osage National Historic Landmark and Missouri Town which is part of the Jackson County Parks & Rec. Nice way to spend a rainy kind of day."
What campers like
Free primitive camping: Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake offers no-cost camping with basic amenities. "This is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road," explains one camper who visited the area.
Clean shower facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at Weston Bend State Park Campground. "These are the cleanest bathrooms and facilities that I have been to I think Mabye ever. The camp hosts were super nice stop by to make sure that I was all set up and didn't need any help," says one reviewer.
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds provide ample space between neighbors. "The sites were well situated such that you felt you had plenty of privacy," reports a camper at Blue Springs Lake Campground, while another mentions, "Our spot- 24 - was perfect. Nice afternoon shade. Very level. Plenty of room to spread out."
Quiet camping environments: Secluded camping spots allow for peaceful stays away from crowds. "We were only there overnight and I got there after a 10 Hour Dr. so I did not spend a lot of time there, but I absolutely think it's an it's a gem of a place right outside of Kansas City," describes a Weston Bend visitor.
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies significantly: Some RV parks feature tight arrangements while others offer more seclusion. At Walnut Grove RV Park, "The sites were on gravel and very close to each other," while at Woodridge Park, "Woodridge is never over crowded unless it's a holiday, so more often than not you could camp the whole weekend and potentially not see another person."
Train noise affects some locations: Several campgrounds experience railroad disturbances. Multiple reviewers mention trains at Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA: "Trains passed by really loudly all night long - it finally stopped at about 5am" and "The trains run ALL NIGHT long."
Limited flat ground at some sites: Tent campers should check site conditions. A Woodridge Park camper notes, "Only real issue we had was there wasn't a lot of flat ground. The tents we pitched were pretty close to the fire, and the biggest patch of flat ground was down wind from the fire."
Stay limits vary by location: Different campgrounds enforce different maximum stays. At Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake, campers are limited to shorter stays: "I'm going to treat all Kansas places as a 7-day limit."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campground activities: Family-friendly options include playgrounds and swimming areas. "This is a great KOA but the trains run ALL NIGHT long. I only go to KOA if I am camping with the kids. It is worth the price if only because of the clean bathrooms and kid friendly activities," shares a Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA visitor.
Check for bathroom proximity: With children, bathroom location becomes important. A Blue Springs Lake Campground visitor recommends, "many prime locations near the playground for our kids," noting their site was "Close to bathroom but not too close."
Consider security features: Campgrounds with controlled access provide safety for families. "We felt very safe here since they require an access code to get into the gate," mentions one Blue Springs Lake camper, providing peace of mind for parents.
Tips from RVers
Verify hookup locations: RV site layouts affect convenience and setup. A Walnut Grove RV Park visitor explains, "The utilities were placed middle-back on the site and we had no problems reaching," while others note varying hookup positions at different campgrounds.
Check slope conditions: Many regional sites require leveling. "The site slopes to the passenger side and down hill to the road, so we used a few levelers. Many sites here are sloped," notes a Blue Springs Lake Campground reviewer, adding that "The premium cement pads seemed to be more level than gravel sites."
Consider seasonal rates: Prices fluctuate significantly between peak and off-seasons. "Rates when we first stayed there ($40/night for in the city and $500/month). Now it is much more expensive, one night for our rig is $76 according to their website," reports a Walnut Grove RV Park camper.
