Clinton Lake camping options include a mix of family-oriented parks and practical overnight stops within 30 miles of Lawrence, Kansas. Most campgrounds in the region stay open year-round, though amenities like swimming pools typically operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Visitors find varying levels of site privacy across the camping options with some parks offering designated tent areas separate from RV sections.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: The ponds at Basswood Country RV Resort offer family-friendly fishing access without requiring a state license. "You could fish in the lakes and didn't even need a license. We watched kids get excited as they caught fish after fish," noted one visitor who discovered this park about 20 miles north of Kansas City.
Outdoor recreation: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas beyond standard playground equipment. "They have the property gate guarded at night which is another nice feature," reports a visitor to Basswood, highlighting the secure environment for families to enjoy the outdoor facilities.
Swimming options: When temperatures climb in summer months, Topeka / Capital City KOA provides a saltwater pool as an alternative to lake swimming. "There is a nice, but small, salt water swimming pool that was refreshing after driving 8 hours," mentions a camper who appreciated this feature after a long travel day.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as a priority. At Walnut Grove RV Park, guests appreciate the "clean 24-7 bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities" along with free coffee and water in their on-site store.
Walking trails: Parks with dedicated walking paths provide opportunities to stretch legs after traveling. "There is also a scenic walking trail. The trail is almost a mile and they've kept it mowed and easy to identify," explains a visitor to Topeka Capital City KOA who valued having a maintained path for exercise.
Outdoor entertainment spaces: Some parks feature communal areas designed for evening relaxation. "They have a community fire pit with multiple swings around it," notes a KOA guest, describing a gathering spot that allows for social interaction without requiring campers to host at individual sites.
What You Should Know
Airport and railway noise: Several campgrounds near Clinton Lake experience noise from transportation corridors. At Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, trains pass frequently: "Trains all night... it finally stopped at about 5am. We stayed on a Friday night," warns a camper who otherwise enjoyed the facilities.
Site spacing variations: Proximity to neighboring sites varies considerably across parks. "The sites were all nice and wide, level, and pull through...such an easy set up!" reports a camper at Deer Creek Valley who appreciated the generous spacing, contrasting with tighter arrangements at other facilities.
Weather considerations: Storm shelters exist at several campgrounds in the region. "The showers double as a storm shelter so they are huge and cavernous, but very clean and nice," explains a visitor to Deer Creek Valley, noting the dual-purpose design common in this tornado-prone region.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-specific amenities: Shady Acres RV Park provides a community picnic shelter and two ponds on the property with "15 RV spots that are graveled with a fire ring and picnic table at each," creating dedicated spaces for family meals and activities.
Weekend programming: Scheduled activities enhance family stays at several parks. "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," shares a long-time visitor to Basswood Country RV Resort.
Security features: Parents appreciate campgrounds with controlled access. "They have the property gate guarded at night which is another nice feature," notes a family that valued the extra security measures at Basswood Country RV Resort when traveling with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking at the Topeka Capital City KOA, be aware that "the longer pull-thru sites are Buddy sites" which means sharing a common area with another RV. One camper notes, "We have rescue dogs and don't want to share our space with neighbors we don't know. Literally no one wants to Kumbaya by the fireside with complete strangers."
Dump station access: Forbes Landing RV Park offers full hookups with reasonable monthly rates for longer stays. "Pricing by the month is very reasonable," notes one camper, though they caution about "constant noise from the grain elevators" and frequent train activity for light sleepers.
Utility connections: Some parks position hookups in ways that require planning. "The water and sewer hookups are in the middle between sites, which can make hooking up somewhat awkward depending on the layout of your rig. A longer water hose and sewer extension are a good idea," advises an RV camper at the Topeka Capital City KOA.
