Lake Parsons and Gunn Park provide glamping close to Farlington, Kansas, with waterfront RV sites and rustic cabins. The area sits at the southern edge of the Ozark Plateau, creating a landscape of rolling hills and hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically reach 90°F with high humidity, while winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing nights.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Parsons offers shore fishing popular with locals who visit daily. "Simple place, naturistic," notes a visitor about the calm atmosphere that makes for productive fishing trips.
Hiking on park trails: Gunn Park features numerous hiking trails through wooded areas with minimal elevation changes. A camper mentions, "This place is a small park that has lots of hiking trails... it is really a nice place for the family to come."
Wine tasting experiences: Visitors staying in glamping accommodations near Farlington, Kansas can enjoy vineyard experiences without sacrificing comfort. The yurts available provide a unique overnight option after sampling local varieties.
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: The camping areas maintain a quiet environment away from urban noise. One visitor at Gunn Park shared, "We love the park beautiful and peaceful. It usually has few campers but alot of activities and so close to town it feels very safe day or night."
Level sites with amenities: Lake Parsons provides concrete pads that make setup easier. According to a review, "We were parked right on the water. They have concrete slabs with a great picnic table for each site."
Affordable recreation options: Camping areas offer budget-friendly outdoor activities. A Gunn Park visitor mentioned, "For five dollars you can fish and you can have a campfire permit pretty much anything you wanna do you can purchase by the day."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally. Lake Parsons is typically open from April 1 to November 1, while Gunn Park's primary season runs May through September.
Limited amenities at some locations: Facilities vary widely between locations. A Joplin KOA visitor noted more comprehensive offerings: "Clean and well maintained KOA. Shaded, pull thru sites as well as back-ins, cabins, and tent sites. Sites are very level with crushed stone pads."
Reservation policies differ: While some locations accept reservations, others operate on a first-come basis. At Gunn Park, campers "Self-register at the camping area entrance and then hang your tag on your rearview mirror."
Tips for camping with families
Holiday decorations: Seasonal camping includes special events and decorations during holidays. A Gunn Park visitor mentioned, "They had a super decorated for Christmas," making winter visits more engaging for children.
Beach access for swimming: Lake Parsons includes a designated swimming beach area that provides supervised water recreation. A review simply lists the amenities as "Beach, camping, boat ramp, fishing," confirming multiple activity options.
Weekend popularity: Local families frequently visit these sites on weekends. One regular camper at Lake Parsons shared, "Me and my wife and grand kids love camping here every weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some older campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. A camper at Gunn Park noted, "Sites are not level and need either more gravel or concrete. Most of the sites are 30 amp and no dump station."
Electric service variations: Power hookups differ between campgrounds, with some offering 30-amp while others provide 50-amp service. A Lake Parsons reviewer mentioned, "50 amp service is only on one side. We will definitely be spending more time here in the future!"
Accessibility for larger rigs: Not all glamping locations near Farlington can accommodate large RVs. As one camper at Gunn Park warned, "Big rigs at some of the sites will have a problem. Remember this is an old campground."
