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Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake welcomes tent and RV campers with pets at its dispersed camping sites along the shoreline. Pets must remain leashed throughout the grounds, with designated areas for waste disposal available near the main parking lot. While this fishing lake campground offers more rustic accommodations with vault toilets and no hookups, the spacious sites provide ample room for dogs to explore on-leash with their owners. Campers with pets consistently rate the experience positively due to the natural setting and quiet atmosphere. Nearby, Walnut Grove RV Park in Merriam provides full hookup sites with pet-friendly amenities including a small dog run area where dogs can exercise off-leash. The park maintains strict quiet hours to minimize barking disruptions, and the staff is known for being particularly welcoming to traveling pet owners.
The Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA provides pet-friendly camping options with a dedicated dog park that receives excellent reviews from traveling pet owners. Sites throughout the campground accommodate tents, RVs, and pet-friendly cabins, though pets may not be left unattended in rental units. Dog owners should note the campground's proximity to train tracks when planning their stay, as some pets may become anxious with the nighttime train noise. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kansas City also welcomes pets with designated walking areas and waste stations throughout the property. When camping with dogs in the De Soto area during summer months, campers should be aware of high temperatures and plan activities accordingly, with many sites offering shaded areas to keep pets comfortable. Local veterinary services are available within a 15-minute drive of most campgrounds, with 24-hour emergency options in nearby Lawrence and Kansas City.
"We travel with two adorable rescues and appreciated the awesome dog park where they could run a bit. The restrooms are adequate and clean. Views are beautiful as you will see for yourself."
"This campground is about 35-40 mins outside Kansas City City. The town that it is located in has a lot to do as well! Campgrounds is clean and well kept! We visited in November so not many people."
"The great part is that the sites are so large, at least on the lake side, which is actually a bit away from the lake, but accessible by stairs from the camp sites."
"The park is also at a lake so there’s a beach access area where you can go and swim or just sit by the very large lake."
from $10 - $150 / night
Check Availability"We made a last minute decision and decided to stay somewhere near KC after a long cross country trip."
"Pet friendly and close to KC shops and stores"
from $62 - $131 / night
Check Availability"The draw for me is the many hiking trails accessible from the campsite. Great place to spend a nice Kansas weekend!"
"We take our dogs and our kayakes and we are set for the weekend. The campsites are clean and a nice private distance from each other for the most part."
from $14 - $60 / night
Check Availability"I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave."
"I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable."
"Quiet, beautiful campground located just outside of Kansas City, Mo. We had a full hookup site located right by the playground and it was perfect for our family."
"Our site was very close to 30 but we were on the end with a nice yard. Water pressure was decent. There’s no Wifi in the CG. We got 3 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile."
from $33 - $48 / night
Check Availability"A couple miles down a secluded drive, nestled back in the woods right on the lake. Lots of trees, nice shower house. Camp host is friendly and laid back. Pet friendly, well lit."
"This campground is close to home for us, but we love it as a quick get away. It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability"We brought our two dogs here with us and camped. There are so many spots you can set up at on the trail that nobody went to. Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!"
"We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail. We have myself, husband, son, and dog."
"There are limited sites for camping at Hillsdale Lake. But they are all nice and many offer waterfront access. "
"Crappie Cove has the best sites, and it is very close to the kayak/boat ramp and the swimming beach."
from $23 / night
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LegendStayed one night at the KOA in Oak Grove, just east of Kansas City. The sites were all sunny and since it was 100 degrees, it was hot. But the pool was nice and they had a nice dog park which was ok in the evening after it cooled off. Close to KC so we could drive in for BBQ.
LegendGetting to the state park off I 29 and through the countryside was easy as the route had Weston Bend SP signage. We followed the SP signs to the campground(CG) where the gate was not manned so we headed to get water, but someone was sitting in the dump station waiting for another person to arrive so we went around this one-loop CG to see if there was a convenient spigot. There are spigots but with a larger rig, you will block the road, and/or you will be on a hill. We went back around and the person moved so we could get water. After that, we headed to pull through site 28 with electric(50/30/20 AMP) only. The site is long but has a 1/4 moon turn so we had to pull back around to get better positioned on the pad so we could disconnect our 39’ 5th wheel and F450 for our 3-night stay. There were tree branches overhead that we could not avoid. RVers next to us in site 30 had just arrived as well and were having trouble getting their travel trailer unhitched and leveled due to the pad’s slight incline and unlevel asphalt. They got their trailer positioned so they could get somewhat level. We got a solid two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. Due to our proximity to Kansas City, we got a lot of OTA channels. A satellite connection would be iffy in most sites here due to the number of mature trees. The trees in a lot of sites would also scrape the top of larger rigs. There’s a variety of sites with most being good for regular trailers versus tall rigs, and tent sites. They have a nice shower house with 1 washer and 1 dryer both for$1.50. There are also vaulted toilets here and there. There’s a 1.7-acre fenced dog park that includes one large area for large dogs and two other areas with one dedicated to smaller dogs. The dog area is at the front park entrance away from the campground and it would be a long walk to get there, so we drove up. There are a lot of hiking trails here plus an old tobacco barn that’s worth a look.
GuideEasy access to Interstate and pull through sites were long enough for our truck and 32’ trailer without having to unhitch. Stayed just one night as we passed through. Looked like it would be a good place to stay for multiple nights.
Clean campground. Nice grounds. Two good fenced dog parks.
Only negatives were our hookups were literally in the next site next to their table, and their fire ring was very close to our trailer.
ScoutThis has everything you want! Nice camp host! Swimming beach! Showers & nice toilets & a tent area and a RV area to separate it. Most tent and RV spots have shade!!! Tens have electic & It's CHEAP !! 20$ for electric tent & camper! They have water spouts at the tent area as well!! A walking path & a park and a huge dog park!!!!
Love love love this place!!
TravelerPros:
- so peacefully quiet, seriously even with the kids
- dog park with 3 separate areas- close to KC
- a hose at the dump station that you can actually hook up to your black tank flush
- both AT&T and Verizon worked great
Cons:
- I honestly have none from here!
LegendWhen we began our fulltime journey we stayed at this park for a couple of months and learned a lot about it. The management team was very friendly and would often disclose a lot about what was happening at the park. The park was in need of some improvements but it was clean and nice. The spaces are very tight in the travelers section and more spread out in the long term section. Many sites in the park were occupied by storage and the owners never showed up. To walk your dogs at the little park at night, you had to walk through there area. We called this the storage lot. The out of state contractors often had many loud and drunk guests which was obnoxious. They often harassed females walking their dogs to the park through the narrow street, and they were in the back section.
They had reasonable rates when we first stayed there ($40/night for in the city and $500/month). Now it is much more expensive, one night for our rig is $76 according to their website.
We never felt like it was genuinely part of the RV Community, it was more of a stop through or people were staying in the area for a job or to finish a house. It didn’t house many fulltime RVers that would continue traveling. They love to host NASCAR fans and know they are one of the closest parks to the Speedway.
Ammenities: Laundry Small Store Showers/Restroom Facilities Little dog park on the north end. Occasional BBq They were putting in Google Fiber internet when we stayed there in 2017 so I’m not sure if they completed it. Dump Propane Trash Mail
This location was the closest to our family’s homes so we have stayed there three times all together. There is a lot to do nearby and the main draw of this RV Park is definitely the location. You’re not far from downtown Kansas City, and still in the suburbs of Kansas City.
RangerGreat please to camp, not to crowded. Got busier on the weekends, empty on the week. Nice showers and toilets, laundry. Campsites were large, many had a good footprint enough to set up a large tent. We have a 20’ round yurt and had plenty of room. Lots of hiking trails in this park, some paved. Nice lookout point. Dog park was nice, well gated and taken care of, had water station for thirsty dogs. We spent 25$ a night for a 30amp electric site. Campground was well maintained. Only minutes from the historic town of Westin, amazing parks, lots of pubs and little restaurants. Nice place to walk around. I would camp here again.
GuideIt’s not the best I’ve ever been to, but it’s a as great family campground with beautiful views. We travel with two adorable rescues and appreciated the awesome dog park where they could run a bit. The restrooms are adequate and clean. Views are beautiful as you will see for yourself. Would definitely return. Tastes are $56-60
LegendAnother KOA that just loves gravel! The road in is paved, but there is gravel (and dust) everywhere else. There is also very little shade - so is was hot in July! There is a nice, but small, salt water swimming pool that was refreshing after driving 8 hours. And a small dog park. There is a small store/ gift shop with basics. The shower/bathroom was clean.
Clinton Lake is central to camping options near De Soto, Kansas, located approximately 15 miles southwest of Lawrence at an elevation of 875 feet. The region features rolling hills with wooded terrain and offers camping year-round, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. Winter camping is available at several sites with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing from December through February.
Fishing opportunities: Clinton Lake offers excellent fishing access with multiple species available. At Bloomington East - Clinton Lake, campers can take advantage of fishing docks specifically designed for shore fishing. "The park was very clean and beautiful with great access to boat ramps, fishing dock, and a large sandy beach," notes one visitor.
Biking trails: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated biking paths on paved roads. "It is a great place to bike and fish. It also has excellent public hunting areas," reports a camper at Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park, which is about 30 minutes from De Soto.
Archery practice: Unique outdoor shooting opportunities exist within 20 minutes of De Soto. "The park has an archery range for siting in and practicing with your bow. You can even climb towers to practice shooting from 'tree-stand' elevations," explains a regular visitor to Hillsdale State Park.
Water recreation: Boat ramps and water access points are available at most area lakes. "Lots of activities one would associate with a lake like boat ramps, beach, hiking/biking trails," says a camper at Bloomington East. Some campgrounds rent kayaks and canoes for day use at rates of $10-20 per hour.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural spacing at Weston Bend State Park Campground. "Lots of space between sites. Majority of sites had shade. Most sites are back in, there are 2 pull through sites and 2 family sites," explains a recent visitor. This Missouri park is about 30 minutes north of De Soto.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies significantly between locations. At Blue Springs Lake Campground, "The bathrooms and laundry area were relatively clean and the camp hosts were very friendly and helpful. You can't see the lake from the campground, and there was some road noise from morning commuters but overall it's a nice stop."
Security features: Several campgrounds implement security measures for overnight stays. "We felt very safe here since they require an access code to get into the gate," notes a Blue Springs Lake camper. Similarly, Weston Bend provides "entrance gate closes at 9 pm" for added security during overnight stays.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer wildlife observation opportunities. At Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park, visitors report, "Saw eagles, turkey vultures, and possible osprey" while camping near the water. The wildlife is most active during early morning and evening hours.
Train noise: Several campgrounds near De Soto experience significant train noise. The Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA receives multiple mentions of this issue: "Trains run ALL NIGHT long," warns one camper, while another states, "Trains passed by really loudly all night long - it finally stopped at about 5am." Consider packing earplugs if staying at affected locations.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "Many sites here are sloped. The premium cement pads seemed to be more level than gravel sites," explains a camper at Blue Springs Lake. First-time visitors should bring leveling blocks or wheel chocks.
Seasonal insect activity: Specific seasonal challenges include insect populations. At Woodridge Park, a camper reported: "We went mid-June, and there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive, constantly swarming us." May through September typically sees the highest insect activity.
Limited cell service: Signal strength varies by location and carrier. Prairie Clover Campground provides moderate connectivity with visitors reporting "2 bars" for major carriers, while more remote areas may have limited or no service, impacting navigation and emergency communications.
Playground access: When camping with children, select sites near play areas. At Blue Springs Lake Campground, "The sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids." These playground-adjacent sites typically book 3-4 weeks in advance during summer months.
Budget-friendly options: Free or low-cost camping exists within 30 minutes of De Soto. Woodridge Park offers no-cost camping opportunities with basic amenities. "Beautiful free camping. There's a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail," reports a visitor who found complete solitude even on a holiday weekend.
Kid-friendly activities: Structured programs exist at select locations. "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," shares a family who stayed at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Weather considerations: Temperature extremes affect comfort for family camping. A tent camper noted at Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA: "The tent sites are small for the tenters and there is little to no shade." Plan for shade structures during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Site selection for big rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Walnut Grove RV Park, "We did pay for the premium pull through site, so we had more room. Everything worked great, the spot was on a slight hill- but wasn't terrible to level out." Standard sites at this park can be as close as 6 feet apart.
Hookup availability: Service options vary widely between parks. "We had full hook-ups, cell service, and free wifi. We had a picnic table and fire ring and could purchase firewood at their store," explains an RVer at Walnut Grove, which offers both short and long-term options.
Seasonal price variations: Rates increase significantly during peak periods. According to a Walnut Grove visitor, "They had reasonable rates when we first stayed there ($40/night for in the city and $500/month). Now it is much more expensive, one night for our rig is $76 according to their website."
Dump station accessibility: Some campgrounds have restricted access or challenging positioning. At Blue Springs Lake, "As you exit the park, if you have a big rig, you'll want to stay to the left side of the dump station for a wider right turn out of the park." Always check specific dump station directions when checking in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near De Soto, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near De Soto, KS is Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA with a 3.9-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near De Soto, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 84 dog-friendly camping locations near De Soto, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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