Rustic camping near Clinton Lake offers several dispersed camping alternatives beyond the popular state park. These fishing lakes provide secluded spots within an hour's drive of Clinton Lake, making them convenient overflow options during peak seasons. Campers seeking primitive camping experiences can find lakefront sites with minimal facilities where fishing is the primary attraction.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Osage State Fishing Lake features waterfront camping with easy lake access. "I only stayed here a night but wish I could've stayed longer. Highly recommend for a peaceful camping trip," notes Tyler D.
Sunrise viewing: Many sites offer unobstructed views across the water. One visitor to Osage State Fishing Lake shared, "I arrived late after 11 pm and was concerned with disturbing people already camping. Spots were nice and spaced out so had no issues with disturbing anyone as I set up. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise."
Wildlife observation: The quieter fishing lakes attract various bird species and other wildlife. "We found a great spot for our van that was right on the water and mostly secluded," one camper mentioned about their experience.
What campers like
Privacy options: The fishing lakes offer more secluded camping experiences than larger recreation areas. "Pretty lake views, easy to drive in and find pretty private sites, and some fire rings," reports Evan B. about their stay.
Uncrowded weekday camping: Visitor numbers typically remain low, especially midweek. At Atchison State Fishing Lake, one camper noted, "We're the only ones camping here. Some people come to fish during the day but it's dead at night."
Evening tranquility: The remote nature of these fishing lakes creates peaceful nighttime environments. A visitor mentioned, "It was beautiful and quiet," while another added, "Quiet, only a few other campers around.. lovely nighttime sounds."
What you should know
Limited stay enforcement: Rangers actively monitor camping duration at these fishing lakes. At Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake, a camper noted, "I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave."
No trash service: All sites require visitors to pack out their waste. "No trash so pack it out," reminds one visitor, while another mentioned, "Some trash from other campers.. remember to pack it in and pack it out!"
Toilet conditions vary: Maintenance of pit toilets depends on timing and usage levels. One camper observed, "Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend," while others have reported toilets as "not well maintained."
Tips for camping with families
Choose main camping areas: Families should consider proximity to facilities. "Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there's lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy."
Weekday visits recommended: Weekend crowds can change the experience dramatically. A visitor noted, "Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill."
Plan for amenity limitations: No drinking water or trash receptacles exist at these sites. One camper at Leavenworth mentioned, "Everything is as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump, but that's usually rare to find water and a grey dump at a free site."
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Gravel access roads vary in quality. At Leavenworth, one RVer noted, "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."
Size restrictions: While some RVs can access these areas, large rigs face challenges. A visitor to Atchison State Fishing Lake explained, "We drove down 322nd Rd. to get to our site near the bathrooms across from the maintenance building. That road is gradual enough that I was able to get my short bus down it safely without tipping over."
Level site selection: Relatively flat parking areas exist at all three lakes. "Pulled in late and left early. Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice," shared one overnight RVer about their experience.
