Best Tent Camping near Clinton Lake
Clinton Lake in eastern Kansas offers several tent camping options with Woodridge Park standing out as a popular free camping area. Located near Lawrence, this tent-only campground features both car camping spots in a gravel loop and multiple primitive sites accessible via a trail system. Other tent camping options include Shawnee State Fishing Lake north of the area, which provides basic amenities and lakeside camping opportunities. Most sites in the region operate on a first-come, first-served basis with limited or no reservation options.
Tent campsites at Woodridge Park include vault toilets and potable water at the main area, while the trail sites are entirely primitive. The 4.5-mile trail loop contains approximately 15 designated primitive camping sites with established fire rings, though many campers create their own spots off-trail. Sites vary significantly in size and privacy, with trail-accessed areas offering more seclusion. The terrain can become very muddy after rainfall, potentially making hike-in sites difficult to access. No electric hookups or modern facilities are available, requiring campers to pack in supplies and pack out waste.
The tent camping experience near Clinton Lake provides opportunities for genuine wilderness camping without traveling far from urban areas. Trail-accessed sites at Woodridge offer substantial privacy even during busy weekends, with multiple reviewers noting the secluded feel of these primitive spots. The area features wooded terrain ideal for hammock camping and offers lake access for fishing or enjoying water views. Wildlife encounters are common, particularly during warmer months when butterflies and insects are abundant. A camper described Woodridge as "wooded, private, spacious, feels very secluded" despite its proximity to Lawrence.
