Perry State Park Campground offers lakefront glamping accommodations near De Soto, Kansas, approximately 30 minutes from the city center. The campground sits at an elevation of 890 feet with significant tree cover in select areas. Several loops feature waterfront campsites with varying levels of shade, while others are arranged in more open layouts with limited privacy between sites.
What to do
Bike and hike trails: Perry State Park Campground provides access to paved paths ideal for family cycling and walking. "We had a wonderful stay! Wonderful pull through spots, great views, and closer to the boat ramp," notes one camper at Perry State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Watkins Mill State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access with a lake stocked with multiple species. One visitor shares, "Great place to fish, kayak. Bike ride. Clean campsites and bathrooms."
Swimming areas: While Hillsdale State Park has swimming options, visitors should note beach conditions vary seasonally. "This was our first location as full time RVers and it was such a fun experience. There are kayaks and canoes to rent, there is a great marina, fishing, and tons of water access opportunities for private kayaks," explains a camper.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds near De Soto offer larger sites that accommodate various setup configurations. A visitor to Lone Star Lake Park shared, "Small campground overlooking lone star lake. Sites are on a slight slope. All sites overlook the lake and water access is extremely close, including the swim beach."
Private bathrooms: The Weston Bend State Park Campground receives high praise for its shower facilities. One camper notes, "The bathrooms are the nicest campground bathrooms I've ever used - large, clean, and not communal, so you get a sink, toilet, and shower all to yourself."
Camping loops with different personalities: Each campground in the area offers distinctive camping experiences depending on the loop selected. At Camp Branch Campground, a visitor mentioned, "We have started staying here last couple of years. Nice big spots with electric only. It is quite a ways to shower house but much quieter than other campgrounds on Smithville lake. More family friendly."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds in the De Soto region experience significant railroad noise. At Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, a camper reported, "There was a train passing through, and the person I spoke to offered to throw in a pair of ear plugs and a night mask. Now I know why. There was a light from a nearby cabin lighting the whole tenting area, and the trains were one right behind the other... ALL NIGHT LONG!"
Seasonal water shutoffs: Fall and winter glamping in De Soto requires preparation for limited water access. At Crow's Creek Campground, one visitor explained, "We stayed in October and due to unseasonably cold weather they shut off water with no notice and halfway through our stay. Ended up leaving early since we had no water and also no sewer at site."
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require leveling equipment. A visitor to Lake Jacomo noted, "Not a great spot for tent camping. Ton of road noise and most grassy areas are sloped. Bathrooms are nice and people are great. $31 for a tent spot."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children within walking distance of sites. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, one family shared, "My kids love camping here, we came in an RV and we're barely ever inside it until we were ready to sleep. So much fun activities for the kids to do to keep them entertained and occupied."
Private cabins: Family glamping in De Soto offers opportunities for cabin camping with modern amenities. A visitor to Jellystone Park explained, "This place is awesome for families! The kids had so much fun here, we stayed in the cabins here, but we were hardly even there to enjoy them because there were so many kid and family friendly activities and events."
Distance to shower facilities: When camping with children, consider proximity to facilities. At Camp Branch Campground, one camper observed, "Some campsites are a long walk to any facilities," which can be challenging for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling blocks for RVs. A camper at Crow's Creek Campground reported, "Our spot was 13" unlevel. Luckily we had several blocks of wood to help level our camp out."
Utility options vary: Many campgrounds offer electric-only hookups with central water access. At Perry State Park, one RVer noted, "Like most state parks no sewer hookups but easy access to dump station."
RV age restrictions: Some campgrounds limit stays based on RV age or appearance. A visitor to Jellystone Park shared, "Odd policy of age of RV determines how long they will let you stay. They would only allow a week until they saw me and my rig. I suppose that is a legal way to discriminate."
