Clinton State Park offers cabin camping options near Edgerton, Kansas, approximately 15 miles away. The park sits on 1,425 acres along Clinton Lake in the rolling hills of eastern Kansas at 875 feet elevation. Winter temperatures average 20-40°F while summer months reach 70-90°F with high humidity, factors that impact camping comfort and planning at all cabin facilities in the region.
What to do
Archery practice: Clinton State Park features an archery range not commonly found at standard campgrounds. "Rolling hills and lots of green with many trails and recreational facilities including more unusual things like archery. Lake is surprisingly big, good wildlife and birding," notes Amber A. about Prairie Clover Campground at Clinton State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Fishing is available year-round at most parks near Edgerton. At Basswood Country RV Resort, fishing requires no license in their five small lakes. "You could fish in the lakes and didn't even need a license. We watched kids get excited as they caught fish after fish," reports Shannon G. about Basswood Country RV Resort.
Disc golf courses: Several parks offer disc golf options as recreational alternatives to water activities. Charles F. mentions Clinton State Park has "Full bath houses, disc golf, archery range, and an abundance of hiking all around the camps."
Paddling and boating: Many lakes allow kayaks and canoes, with some offering rentals. At Eisenhower State Park, "The general store is super helpful, as they sell firewood and ice, and have kayak and canoe rentals. There are a few swim beaches, and plenty of sand to sit in and relax," according to Cindy K.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Some parks feature more private camping spots away from busy areas. "Camped out at site 13 for a real peaceful Saturday. Half of our group took the trail and hiked to the campsite, the other half got there by kayak/paddleboard. The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout," mentions Daniel T. about Prairie Clover Campground.
Off-season availability: Winter camping options exist with fewer crowds and often no reservations required. Charles F. notes, "Visiting in non peak is as easy as driving in, finding a spot and paying your fees."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks offer opportunities to spot local animals. "We ended up in the primitive loop in the trees overlooking the Clinton Marina inlet #60 which was only one without table and fire rings. Saw eagles, turkey vultures, and possible osprey," reports Kent F.
Waterfront locations: Lake-facing cabin and RV sites provide direct water access. Tanner P. at Pomona State Park Campground found that "After everyone left I moved to a few non shore power site down by the water. Beautiful view, with a quiet serene feel."
What you should know
Train noise impacts: Several campgrounds near Edgerton sit close to active rail lines. Darius C. mentions about Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, "This is a good KOA but the trains run ALL NIGHT long. I only go to KOA if I am camping with the kids."
Seasonal bathroom availability: Some facilities close during off-season periods. Myron C. noted, "We asked for water, electricity, and somewhere close to the bath house. I guess two out of three aren't bad. The bath house that we were closest to was closed for the season."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant wind, especially near lakes. Christina H. at Eisenhower State Park observed, "It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind."
Site layouts vary significantly: Campgrounds differ in spacing and privacy between sites. "The tent sites are small for the tenters and there is little to no shade," reports Myron C. about Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple parks feature swimming areas for children. At Basswood Resort, Angela C. noted "My kids did get some pool time (it was a nice pool) and loved the blob (whatever you call the bounce pads)."
Weekend entertainment: Some parks offer organized activities for children on weekends. "Every weekend there are organized activities such as arts and crafts, fishing contests, duck races and frozen t-shirt contests in the pool, and a Saturday evening outdoor movie," according to Tori G.
Playground facilities: Most family-oriented campgrounds include play areas. Jeremy S. at Pomona State Park found "Large grassy field with playgrounds. Trails to take walks by the lake."
Cell service considerations: Not all parks have reliable phone reception. Ryan R. cautions, "Also if you have kids that go camping with you chances are your cell phones will not work so the kids probably will be very bored."
Tips for RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many sites need leveling blocks for comfortable setup. Dan & Penny F. note about Pomona State Park, "Site a little off level, nothing a few blocks or boards couldn't solve. 30 amps of clean 122 vac, water tucked in between two pine trees that blocked the view of the sites to the left and right of us."
Extended stays available: Some parks allow longer-term camping. "We stayed in the Heart Stays loop. It was level and beautifully shaded. Thursday night we were the only ones in the loop," mentions Janice O.
Dump station locations: Not all sites have sewer hookups, requiring dump station use. Doug H. says, "Like most state parks no sewer hookups but easy access to dump station."
Seasonal road conditions: Park access can vary throughout the year. "The roads within the park are not the best," Nancy C. observed at Eisenhower State Park.
