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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.
"We recently took our scout troop to Woodridge and had ample space for the group. The 4.5 mile trail was a nice activity for the scouts during the morning. "
"There’s a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail."
TravelerThe price is good. We paid just under 13usd for a basic primitive site. The bathrooms are limited and pretty rough as one might expect. Otherwise, we found it quiet, peaceful and pretty. Good location to Laurence and get a good coffee and donut.
GuideLots of big sites in Cornflower loop some shaded. Bathroom needs an update; I wouldn’t use the shower as too disgusting so can’t rate the water temperature.
ScoutWe set up our little camper trailer in one of the primitive loops, backed into the trees. Access to the white and blue trail loops from the campground either via some rickety stairs or from a trail next to the cabins. Relatively close to the bathroom and shower house for water. Campsite was great, but the campground in general could use a little bit of trash pickup and general spiffing up
RangerPretty developed, easy to find and right on the lake. Restrooms were nearby so that was a plus. There was plenty of space between sites but no real coverage for privacy. I don’t fish so I really just needed a free place to stay in nature and this was perfect for that. Bugs were… present. I called it a night quickly after the sun went down and could hear the bugs and other creatures from the inside of the car. Not my thing. The lake was super pretty and it was not difficult to drive to.
ScoutRight in the city park (St Mary's Riverside Park) are 3 "spots" to pull in and hook up. Only $10/night for electric (30 or 50 amp) and water! One site (#2) has a picnic table and grill. There were campers that just pulled into the park for the night (free) but no hook-ups.
Pros: restrooms with flush toilets (no showers), hook-ups, nice playground, grass/trees, quiet, disc golf course, good service at City Hall, just 2 blocks off Main St
Cons: have to plan ahead to make reservations (snail mail and check) if you want hook-ups OR go to City Hall during business hours to get key for electric box, mosquitoes.
Would certainly stay again!
RangerSites were nicely spaced and generally close to level. Paved roads. Our site 168 was surfaced with reclaimed asphalt. Lots of shade and clean. Many sites are electric only with 30 amps with water available in several locations in park. Good Starlink at my site.
GuideI stayed at Doud Campground inside the state park. It was a peaceful site facing the lake, with a few hay bales and a well maintained trail.
September was a good month to stay because it was cooler outside. I recommend using the bathhouse facilities at BlackJack campground right next to Doud as they are more updated.
GuideStayed at Cedar Ridge campground. Originally planned a 2 night stay. Ended up extending for total of 7 nights.
Pull thru and back-in sites, all are paved and level.
Clean bathrooms and good laundry room too.
Really nice place. Lots of shade or more sunny sites are available.
Army Corps of Engineers does it again.
RangerWe were traveling across Kansas and found this lovely campground. It is one of the prettiest we have come across through our extensive travels. The bathrooms are clean and showers adequate. The sites are level and either concrete or gravel, with some trees. Walking trails to and around the lake. A golf course on the way into the park. Very nicely groomed. Water, electric or full hookups. Quiet!! The next time we come through, we will stay here!!
Clinton Lake camping options feature diverse terrain with wooded areas supporting hammock camping alongside water access points. Trail-based sites at Woodridge Park provide primitive camping experience along a 4.5-mile loop while other nearby alternatives offer different amenities. Seasonal considerations affect campsite conditions significantly, with spring rains creating muddy trails and summer bringing intense insect activity.
Lake activities accessible from camp: Primitive Site 4 at Woodridge Park offers direct lakefront access with "a beautiful view of the sunrise" according to Alexandra J., making it ideal for early morning photography or fishing.
Trail exploration: Multiple interconnected paths provide day hiking options while allowing campers to scout potential sites. "We also love hiking the trail through the woods and by the lake even when we aren't camping—best trail I've been on in Lawrence," notes reviewer Harmony H.
Secluded camping experience: For those seeking isolation, primitive sites along Woodridge trails provide remarkable privacy. Zach C. confirms camping spots "are really spread out and even if every spot is full you still feel secluded."
Accessibility with wilderness feel: Despite proximity to Lawrence, Shawnee State Fishing Lake offers primitive experiences while remaining reachable. Reviewer Sue V. describes it as "Far from the maddening crowd..Very pretty. Very quiet. Very primitive camping."
Flexible site selection: Beyond designated areas, Woodridge allows off-trail camping. Ashley F. suggests visitors "explore off the trail though so that you can see all the creative campsites that campers have built and established and you can create your own living space."
Low congestion even on holidays: Unlike many popular camping destinations, tent campsites near Clinton Lake rarely reach capacity. "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," reports Ashley F.
Weather impacts: Trail conditions at Woodridge Park deteriorate quickly after rain. Carly H. cautions "the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained" making hike-in sites challenging to access with gear.
Seasonal insect activity: Summer months bring significant insect populations. Harmony H. describes a mid-June experience: "there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive, constantly swarming us. At one point there were seven perched on my husband's back."
Site maintenance varies: Some areas require visitor attention. James H. notes Woodridge has "well maintained main camping area, as well as on the trail" while Nikki S. observes "Only downside is I wish people would clean up better after themselves."
Campground closures: Verify site availability before traveling as some locations have permanently closed. "110 Mile Park" closed in 2018 according to visitor reports.
Gear logistics for hike-in sites: When using trail-accessible tent campsites at Adam's Grove, families should plan transportation strategies. One family reported "our first time hiking in to a site (lots of work with our regular gear for a family of four, but worth it!)."
Safety awareness: While generally peaceful, maintain situational awareness in all camping areas. Carly H. reports an unusual encounter requiring early departure, concluding "anywhere you go keep an eye on others around you."
Site selection for maximum privacy: Families seeking quieter experiences should target specific areas. Nikki S. explains "This is my little families favorite camp ground. We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail."
Limited hookup availability: Most tent camping areas near Clinton Lake lack RV infrastructure. Rabbit Ridge Primitive Campground at Hillsdale State Park offers electric hookups for those requiring power while maintaining a primitive camping atmosphere.
Alternative boat access points: RVers with watercraft can utilize specific facilities. JC C. notes Adam's Grove "provides the closet boat ramp if you plan on picking up passengers off the beach near the dam" with a $6 per site fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clinton Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clinton Lake is Woodridge Park with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Clinton Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Clinton Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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