Cabin camping near Edwardsville, Kansas provides convenient access to both urban amenities and natural surroundings. Situated at an elevation of 760 feet, the area experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Visitors will find cabin options ranging from basic to deluxe within a 45-mile radius, with most locations requiring advance reservations during peak periods from May through September.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Basswood Country RV Resort offers fishing ponds where licenses aren't required. "You could fish in the lakes and didn't even need a license. We watched kids get excited as they caught fish after fish," notes a visitor to Basswood Country RV Resort.
Hiking trails: Clinton State Park features multiple trail systems surrounding the lake. "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," according to a Clinton State Park review.
Disc golf course: Prairie Clover Campground at Clinton State Park offers a course for disc golf enthusiasts. "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," reports a Clinton State Park visitor.
Water activities: Perry State Park provides access for boating and kayaking. "We had a wonderful stay! Wonderful pull through spots, great views, and closer to the boat ramp!" shares a visitor to Perry State Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA maintains clean amenities. "The staff is very nice, the camp is clean, the bathrooms are clean, the laundry is clean, the pool is clean, overall a very pleasant little camp," notes a visitor to Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA.
Swimming options: Multiple parks offer pools or swimming areas. "Super cute big facility. Built on a hillside adjacent to the amusement and water park. The campground pool is huge and fun for the kids on non park days," says a visitor to Worlds of Fun Village.
Park accessibility: Watkins Mill State Park features paved roads throughout the facility. "Beautifully laid out with paved access, trees spots and a nice lake. Clean facilities include plenty of stalls and sinks, separate showers and laundry. Well lit and accessible," shares a review from Watkins Mill State Park.
Pet amenities: Several parks offer dedicated pet areas. "There was a nice, but small, salt water swimming pool that was refreshing after driving 8 hours. And a small dog park," according to a Topeka/Capital City KOA reviewer.
What you should know
Train noise: The Lawrence KOA experiences frequent train disruptions. "There was a train passing by. It wouldn't be so bad, but it was LOUD! Every thirty minutes or so, a train passed by," cautions a visitor to Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA.
Airplane noise: Basswood Country RV Resort sits near flight paths. "Hope you like airplanes!!! Not too far from KCI and planes making their final decent fly right over top," warns a reviewer.
Site spacing: Many campgrounds have limited separation between sites. "Utility camping is a little close together for my liking. Still decent overall," notes a Perry State Park camper.
Seasonal limitations: Some amenities close during off-peak times. "Most of the amenities were closed by the time we arrived. The game room, the restaurant, and store were all closing or closed," shares a Basswood Country RV Resort visitor who stayed in August.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Watkins Mill State Park Campground offers kid-friendly features. "Very family oriented! Lots of great spaces. Fishing and walking trail within a short walk!" according to a visitor.
Organized activities: Weekend events keep children entertained at Basswood. "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," mentions a Basswood Country RV Resort visitor.
Biking opportunities: Several parks feature riding-friendly paths. "Great place to get off the highway and spend the night. The campground is all paved and perfect for scooters and bikes for the kids," shares a Worlds of Fun Village camper.
Cabin selection: Consider proximity to amenities when booking. "What is weird is that this is almost two parks - the front is the 'resort' or old-fashioned campground, but where we were placed was in the back with what looked like a lot of long-term, single male residents. It was a longish-walk to front where the pool and store was," notes a Basswood reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Most parks offer relatively level surfaces. "RV sites were concrete with 50/30/20 amp, water and sewer. Back-in sites on rows 1 and 3 and pull through sites on row 2," explains a visitor to Worlds of Fun Village.
Hookup locations: Consider connections when selecting sites. "The water and sewer hookups are in the middle between sites, which can make hooking up somewhat awkward depending on the layout of your rig. A longer water hose and sewer extension are a good idea," advises a Topeka KOA camper.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some sites. "Row 1 (sites 1-20) is along a busy highway with semi truck noise 24 hours a day. I recommend either paying more for the pull-through (further from the road) or the back in sites 69-82 in row 3," suggests a Worlds of Fun Village visitor.
Check-in procedures: Some parks have specific arrival protocols. "Easy check in with friendly folks. Level site. Pull through FHU everything worked as expected," reports a Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA visitor.
