Clinton Lake camping offers a mix of established campgrounds and primitive options within a 35-minute drive of Lawrence, Kansas. The area features a combination of prairie landscapes and wooded sites around the 7,000-acre reservoir. While summer temperatures regularly reach 90°F, spring and fall provide more moderate camping conditions with average temperatures between 60-75°F.
What to do
Archery practice: Clinton State Park includes an archery range where campers can practice their skills during their stay. A camper at Prairie Clover Campground noted, "Visiting in non peak is as easy as driving in, finding a spot and paying your fees. Full bath houses, disc golf, archery range, and an abundance of hiking all around the camps."
Wildlife viewing: The lake area supports diverse wildlife populations that can be observed from various campgrounds. At Woodridge Park, campers can enjoy secluded nature experiences: "This place is definitely a weekend destination for my little family and I. The trail is probably easy to moderate and there are an endless number of areas to explore."
Water sports: Several boat ramps provide access for kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding around the reservoir. One visitor to Bloomington East mentioned, "Most lakes in the area were flooded. And Clinton was no exception. My site was a muddy mess but I just joined up with a friend and we used his single site for both our teardrops. Not quite as quiet as I like, but very family oriented and close to the water."
What campers like
Secluded primitive sites: Campers seeking solitude appreciate the less-developed camping areas around Clinton Lake. A visitor to Woodridge Park shared: "Woodridge is one of my favorite campgrounds. First come / first serve, plenty of space, potable water, nice toilets, tons of trails..."
Lakefront camping: Waterside sites with direct lake access remain popular despite seasonal fluctuations in water levels. "This campground is on the south side of the lake and a little harder to get to than the State Parks. We do prefer it. It is right on the lake, offers tent and RV camping. Great access to boat ramps, fishing dock, and a large sandy beach," reported a camper at Bloomington East.
Shade coverage: Many campsites feature mature trees that provide natural shelter during hot Kansas summers. A camper at Bloomington East shared: "Our camping spot offered significant shade and a large grassy area for setting up chairs, cooking equipment, and outdoor games. We appreciate that the layout made it easy for children to move freely and safely among campsites and to restroom facilities and the playground."
What you should know
Site selection factors: The terrain around Clinton Lake creates varying campsite conditions that affect comfort. A camper at Coneflower Campground advised, "Look at or near Site 411 for spacious, wooded, and more spread out campsites. Some are more out in a field setting. Side bonus: Site 411 has an enormous White Oak tree next to it!"
Seasonal variations: Spring rains often impact ground conditions and water levels at Clinton Lake campgrounds. "It didn't seem like the host was there. There was a car driving around that asked us where a campsite was but it was in a weird format and they said the host wasn't around," reported a Coneflower Campground visitor in July, also noting, "Though it had rained a few days before our campsite was bone dry, which is fine except that the ground was so hard that 80% of our set up time was trying to stake in."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds lack clear signage, making initial orientation difficult for first-time visitors. A camper at Coneflower Campground observed, "Confusingly called Cornflower loop on the reservation website but never saw anything with that name at the campground. The maps on the kiosks are pretty worthless. No signs point the way so not a good way to start off having a hard time finding the site."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Lake Shawnee County Campground, about 30 minutes from Clinton Lake, families can enjoy multiple recreational options: "This campground is a gem nestled in a beautiful county park. All the sites are paved, level and have full hookups. The park offers so many things- golf, disc golf, fishing with a heated dock, swim beach, boating, several playgrounds, tennis courts, and places to walk and bike, even a botanical garden."
Holiday planning: Woodridge Park offers a quieter family experience away from more crowded areas, though visitors should be selective about timing. "We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail. We have myself, husband, son, and dog. Every now and then there will be a rowdy group of guys out there to party but for the most part it's pretty quiet."
Bug preparation: Insect activity varies significantly by season, with particular increases after rain. One Woodridge Park visitor noted, "We went mid-June, and there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive (who knew!?), constantly swarming us. At one point there were seven perched on my husband's back, and one landed in a pancake cooking on the grill."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should research specific site features before booking at Clinton Lake. At Prairie Clover Campground, one RVer shared: "We stayed here one night and wished we had booked a longer trip. The park is awesome, spacious sites and level. The park is well taken care of and very easy to get to from I70. The staff were very friendly and helpful."
Utility considerations: Not all sites offer full hookups, requiring planning for longer stays. A Prairie Clover Campground visitor mentioned: "We had water and electric but no sewer, which was a little bit of a pain. However there are full hookup sites, just none available. I would definitely plan a longer trip next time."
Off-season advantages: Visiting outside peak summer weekends offers better site availability and quieter camping experiences. According to one Prairie Clover camper: "This park has undergone some improvements with Prairie Clover Camping Loop showers and bathrooms clean and newly painted; dump sites and lagoons redone. Electrical sites sold out weekends so mid week may be your best bet."
