Tent campsites near Edwardsville, Kansas feature diverse terrain options within the region's rolling hills and wooded areas. The area receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually, creating seasonal camping considerations with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters. Many campgrounds sit near reservoirs or conservation areas with elevation changes under 500 feet.
What to do
**Fishing access: Lake Clinton offers shoreline fishing spots near Woodridge Park. "The campground is very well groomed, lots of amenities and it is really close to the lake via a short hike in the woods," notes Clay W.
Hiking primitive trails: Several unmarked side paths branch from the main 4.5-mile trail at Woodridge Park. "We also love hiking the trail through the woods and by the lake even when we aren't camping—best trail I've been on in Lawrence," reports Harmony H.
Boat launch options: Water access points accommodate small watercraft at Adam's Grove. According to JC C., "Adam's Grove does provide the closet boat ramp if you plan on picking up passengers off the beach near the dam."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The spacing at primitive campsites creates natural separation. "Beautiful free camping. There's a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail," explains Alexandra J. about her Woodridge Park experience.
Hammock-friendly terrain: The wooded areas contain numerous suitable trees for hammock setup. "One of my favorite not the typical slice of pie camping great for hammocks," writes Mark R. about his experience at Woodridge Park.
Lake views: Several sites provide direct water views. Alexandra J. notes that "Site 4 is right on the lake and had a beautiful view of the sunrise," referring to one specific Woodridge Park location.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some sites have restricted operating hours or are permanently closed. "We stayed here several years ago and it was a quiet little camp site that nobody really went to. They closed this campground in 2018 however," mentions Nikki S. about 110 Mile Park.
Weather impacts on trails: Trail conditions deteriorate quickly after rainfall in this region. "Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!" warns Carly H. about accessing remote sites at Woodridge Park.
Limited boondocking options: Free overnight parking exists but with minimal facilities. Whitney L. describes Agency Conservation Area as having "a small (~1/8 of an acre maybe) gravel pullout off the dirt road where the iconic brown fish and wildlife area guidelines and regulation signage are posted."
Tips for camping with families
Bug preparation: Spring and early summer camping requires insect protection. "We went mid-June, and there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive (who knew!?), constantly swarming us," warns Harmony H.
Choose car camping for ease: Families should consider the effort required for hike-in sites. "It our first time hiking in to a site (lots of work with our regular gear for a family of four, but worth it!)," explains a family at Rabbit Ridge Primitive Campground.
Plan for variable occupancy: Weekday camping typically provides more solitude. "Woodridge is never over crowded unless it's a holiday, so more often than not you could camp the whole weekend and potentially not see another person," shares Ashley F.
Tips from RVers
Check road conditions: Dirt access roads may present challenges after rain. Whitney L. reports, "Getting here was easy (Jeep Wrangler + square back pull behind) and the roads leading to the CA were well maintained and not muddy even after a ton of rain earlier in the week."
Limited overnight options: Few tent campsites near Edwardsville accommodate larger vehicles. James H. recommends focusing on the main areas: "Awesome spot for weekend camping. Lots of fire rings available. Well maintained in the main camping area, as well as on the trail."
Be aware of closure hours: Some conservation areas restrict overnight use. Zachary S. cautions about Agency Conservation Area: "I guess the area is closed 10pm to 4 pm. Super small gravel parking lot. Moving to different site."
