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Best Campgrounds near Emporia, KS

196 Reviews

Emporia, Kansas has several good camping spots within reach. Clinton State Park Campground is nearby with hiking trails throughout the grounds. Emporia RV Park sits close to town and has the basics RV campers need. Chase State Fishing Lake offers more basic camping with good fishing and chances to see local wildlife. The campsites here give you some space from neighbors so you can enjoy the quiet. Eisenhower State Park Campground has larger sites with nice views and works well for families with its playgrounds and picnic spots. Most of these places have bathrooms and drinking water, which helps for longer trips. Summer gets crowded, so book early if you can. Spring and fall bring better weather and fewer people. Emporia works well as a starting point since it's centrally located. You can hike, fish, or just hang out at your campsite in this area. Just check the rules before you go and pack what you'll need. Many campers like this part of Kansas because you can find different types of camping all around Emporia.

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Detours Nearby

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Turkey Point

Turkey Point

30 min away

COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East

COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East

37 min away

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Best Camping Sites Near Emporia, Kansas (86)

    1. Emporia RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Emporia, KS
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 343-3422

    "Downfall is right next to interstate. Internet is not the best, but it is secure."

    2. Chase State Fishing Lake

    14 Reviews
    Cottonwood Falls, KS
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 767-5900

    "On our road-trip to Utah, we dreaded having to camp in Kansas, until a friend recommended this spot. This stunning little lake is a free site with plenty of fire rings right next to a road."

    "My sister and I have to drive through Kansas on our road trip to Utah. My friends have told me that it’s the worst state to drive through because it’s so flat and boring."

    3. Eisenhower State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lyndon, KS
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 528-4102

    $10 - $100 / night

    "The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well."

    "This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. At the end of May, it was almost empty. We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water."

    4. Basecamp Flint Hills

    1 Review
    Council Grove, KS
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 741-7886

    "Right off the Flint Hills Trail near Allen, KS. A great cafe called The Dive is just"

    5. Turkey Point

    4 Reviews
    Lebo, KS
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    $16 - $200 / night

    "Gravel hiking trail, too. This was our very first trip in our brand new r v. It is only about an hour away from our house, but we will be back!"

    "Turkey Point is on the North side of Melvern lake. We have been going to this campground for about 10 years. The camp hosts have always been very accomodating."

    6. Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE

    10 Reviews
    Lyndon, KS
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    $25 - $78 / night

    "Clean facilities, quiet camping, great fishing lake, and nice bike paths."

    "Beautiful well-kept park with gorgeous trails, beach, lots of shade, and quiet camping. We’ve been here three times now and just love it. Outlet park is below the dam."

    7. Canning Creek

    6 Reviews
    Council Grove, KS
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 767-5195

    $17 - $225 / night

    "We took the kayak down with us and drive around the lake to the beach area and had a great time. Everyone camping near by was nice. The host were awesome.

    Lots of places to walk to and relax."

    "General: Canning Creek is one of six camping areas operated by the US Army Corp of Engineers on Council Grove Lake."

    8. Arrow Rock - Melvern Reservoir

    3 Reviews
    Fort Supply Lake, KS
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    "Another great place in Kansas. We managed to book this place on the start of Labor Day Weekend because of a last minute cancellation and we were extremely lucky to get this place last minute."

    "easy access to the lake. facilities can be dirty"

    9. Swope Park

    1 Review
    Cottonwood Falls, KS
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 273-6666

    10. COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East

    2 Reviews
    Lebo, KS
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 364-8613

    "Northwest of Burlington, Kansas, you'll find a quiet campsite along the east side of the Neosho River, just below the John Redmond Reservoir Dam."

    "Trails are nice and plenty of critters."

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Recent Camping Photos near Emporia, KS

42 Photos of 86 Emporia Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Emporia, KS

196 Reviews of 86 Emporia Campgrounds

  • John G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Eisenhower SP spaciousness

    This was our first visit and we chose a campsite on-line. The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well. The camp store is minimal and only open a few hours in the evening. Access to the water is easy so bring watercraft and swimming attire. The lake is almost 7,000 acres so our kayak exploring only covered a small portion.

  • Ray L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Very nice clean waterfront spot

    It seems that every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place, I love it

  • Jeremy S.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Pomona State Park Campground

    Quiet and clean

    Beautiful area to camp, and cheap. Our camp was in burning heart, it was very quiet and very clean. Even being full, it felt secluded. Absolutely will be back to camp again!

  • Lady Phyre ☆.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Marion Cove

    Lakeshore Primitive Camping

    There are a couple sites that you can park right next to with covered picnic tables and lots of tent only sites that are an easy walk. The reservoir is huge and accommodates boating, fishing, and swimming. It's reasonable priced at $10 per night. Reservations can be made up to 4 days in advance. #5 & #6 are right next to each other and would make a great area for larger groups. Check out Marion Cove on Recreation.gov for reservation details. Happy camping!

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Swope Park

    Electricity is hooked up incorrectly

    Wasted my time setting up just to find breaker box has issues so packing up and gonna save money for generator gas

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Chase State Fishing Lake

    Can't Beat It!

    Excellent area around a small fishing lake with campsites right on the water.  Road in was a little rough, but nothing you can't handle if you go slow.  I got a spot with a small jetty and was able to sit out there in the evening and watch the fish splash and listen to the birds and later, the coyotes.  A good reward after driving across half of Colorado and most of Kansas.  Just stayed a single night, but I think my wife and I may go back and check out the nearby Tallgrass National Preserve.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    Emporia RV Park

    During Unbound you take what you can get

    The owners were very nice. We were lucky to get the spot we got. We needed a spot to park for the 4 days we were in Emporia for Unbound. The bathroom was extremely clean and convenient. The place was packed because the owners were trying to take in as many people as possible. We were all grateful. We stayed here instead of the fair grounds because we had electricity here. We were practically sitting on the throughway. After getting used to the highway noise it was fine. We were plugged into the owners garage, thankful we only needed house current for our little camper. That way the van next to us could use 30 amp. We met lots of other riders so it was a pleasant chill experience.

  • Deb Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Kelley City Park

    Kelley Park

    We loved it here, very clean, quiet , and has a playground. It's right across from the police station. Clean bathroom with a shower. $10 a night included water and electricity. Very nice stay. If you're in the area try them out!

  • papa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Cottonwood Point

    Best spots all by water

    These have to be the best camping spots in kansas very close to the water. Very clean and most spots have plenty of room

Guide to Emporia

Camping near Emporia, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Clinton State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Half of our group took the trail and hiked to the campsite, the other half got there by kayak/paddleboard." This park has plenty of wildlife and scenic views.
  • Fishing: Head to Chase State Fishing Lake for some fishing fun. A reviewer said, "Beautiful place with picnic tables and fire rings," making it a great spot to relax by the water.
  • Swimming: Visit Eisenhower State Park Campground for swimming and kayaking. One visitor noted, "The general store is super helpful, as they sell firewood and ice, and have kayak and canoe rentals."

What campers like

  • Wildlife: Campers at Clinton State Park Campground appreciate the abundance of wildlife. One reviewer shared, "PLENTY of wildlife. Bunnies, Raccoons (and babies), PLENTY of deer."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the clean restrooms and showers at Lake Shawnee County Campground. A camper said, "The sites are a little close but nothing crazy. The lake is beautiful and the campground is clean and neat."
  • Secluded Spots: Campers at Bloomington East - Clinton Lake love the peacefulness. One visitor mentioned, "The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout."

What you should know

  • Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A camper at Bloomington East - Clinton Lake warned, "Swarms of gnats and mosquitoes" can be an issue.
  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Woodridge Park noted, "It was pretty crowded and most car camping sites were taken."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 has no drinking water or electric hookups, so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Topeka / Capital City KOA, which has a playground and a saltwater swimming pool. A camper said, "The bathrooms were large and very clean."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. One family at Lake Shawnee County Campground enjoyed the "well-maintained trails and a park."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A reviewer at Chase State Fishing Lake mentioned, "We don't fish but others looked like they were having some success."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campground's site sizes. A visitor at Topeka / Capital City KOA noted, "We were able to fit both in our pull-through site along with my jeep."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near highways, which can be noisy. A reviewer at Topeka / Capital City KOA mentioned, "We had a 'deluxe RV site' that backed up to the highway. So tons of highway noise all night."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A camper at Eisenhower State Park Campground said, "There was only 1 small bath house open while we were there, but it was clean."

Camping near Emporia, Kansas, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV parks with full hookups in Emporia, Kansas?

Emporia RV Park offers RV sites with hookups and clean bathroom facilities. It's especially popular during events like the Unbound gravel race when it fills to capacity. For more spacious RV accommodations, Eisenhower State Park Campground provides developed lakeside campsites with good shade coverage and well-maintained facilities. While not directly in Emporia, nearby options include Riverside East at John Redmond Reservoir, which offers a quiet setting along the Neosho River with hookup capabilities. Turkey Point near Osage City is also RV-friendly with sites that can accommodate larger rigs. Most of these parks require reservations, especially during peak seasons or special events.

Can I rent an RV in Emporia, Kansas for a weekend trip?

While Emporia itself has limited dedicated RV rental businesses, you can find RV rentals through online platforms like RVshare or Outdoorsy, which connect you with local RV owners willing to rent their vehicles. For a weekend trip, consider exploring destinations like Topeka/Capital City KOA, which offers clean facilities, affordable firewood, and a dog-friendly environment about an hour from Emporia. Another excellent weekend destination is Pomona State Park Campground, which provides scenic lake views and various recreational activities. When renting, be sure to book well in advance, especially during summer months or festival weekends when demand increases significantly.

Where are the best campgrounds near Emporia, KS?

Chase State Fishing Lake is a standout free campground near Emporia, offering lakeside sites with fire rings and clean vault toilets. Located in the scenic Flint Hills region, it provides stunning views of rolling hills and excellent fishing opportunities. Another excellent option is Cottonwood Point at Marion Reservoir, which features spacious, shady sites with many directly overlooking the water. Each site includes electric hookups (30/20 amp), covered picnic tables, and fire rings. For additional options, consider Mill Creek Campground with its charming atmosphere or Cedar Park, which offers easy lakeside access and spectacular stargazing opportunities.

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