Best Tent Camping near De Soto, KS
Tent camping options near De Soto, Kansas include several established sites within a 30-minute drive. Woodridge Park, located in Berryton, offers free tent camping with both drive-in and hike-in options. The park features several tent sites along a 4.5-mile trail loop, providing access to Clinton Lake. Shawnee State Fishing Lake, about 30 miles northwest, offers primitive tent camping with basic amenities and water access.
Most tent campgrounds in the area provide only essential facilities. Woodridge Park maintains vault toilets and drinking water but lacks electrical hookups or showers. Sites are typically dirt or gravel with established fire rings. The main camping loop contains car camping spots with picnic tables, while numerous primitive sites are dispersed along hiking trails. Cell service can be limited at most campgrounds, with Woodridge Park showing only 1-2 bars on major carriers. Camping is first-come, first-served at most locations, so arriving early on weekends is recommended.
The trail-accessible tent sites at Woodridge Park offer greater seclusion than the main camping area. These hike-in sites are spaced well apart along the trail and near the lakeshore, providing privacy even when the campground is busy. Trail conditions can become muddy after rain, making access challenging with heavy gear. Primitive sites labeled 1-15 are officially designated, though campers have established additional unofficial spots throughout the area. A camper described Woodridge as having "wooded, private, spacious sites that feel very secluded," noting that "even if every spot is full, you still feel secluded" along the trail sites. The park's mix of lakeside views, wooded terrain, and relative proximity to Lawrence and Kansas City make it popular with local tent campers.
