Best Cabin Camping near Gardner, KS

Several campgrounds within driving distance of Gardner, Kansas provide furnished cabin rentals with varying amenities. Clinton State Park offers rustic cabins located near the lake with basic amenities, while Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA features more developed cabin options with electricity and climate control. Topeka Capital City KOA provides cabin rentals with clean facilities, as one visitor noted: "They have cabins for rent and extremely clean bathhouses with individual shower/toilet/sink areas." Most cabins include picnic tables and fire rings outside, with indoor furnishings typically consisting of beds, small tables, and basic seating. Worlds of Fun Village in Kansas City offers rental cabins on the theme park property with access to pool and hot tub facilities.

Pet-friendly cabins can be found at several locations, though policies vary by campground. Basswood Country RV Resort north of Kansas City features cabins including the historic "Mother in Law cabin" built at President Harry Truman's request. KOA locations generally offer standardized cabin options ranging from basic camping cabins to deluxe models with private bathrooms. Linn County Park provides "a few rustic cabins" in a more remote setting with waterfront views. Reservations are essential during summer months and holiday weekends, with many locations booking up weeks in advance. Most cabins require minimum stays of 2-3 nights during peak season, while offering single-night options during off-peak periods.

Most cabin rentals provide beds with mattresses but require guests to bring their own linens, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations, with basic cabins offering only outdoor cooking options while deluxe units may include microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and coffee makers. Cooking utensils, dishes, and cleaning supplies are rarely provided, so campers should pack accordingly. On-site camp stores at KOA locations and some state parks sell firewood, ice, and limited groceries. For more substantial shopping, Lawrence and Topeka offer full grocery stores within reasonable driving distance. Cabin campers should also bring flashlights, insect repellent, and appropriate seasonal clothing, as Kansas weather can be unpredictable.

Best Cabin Sites Near Gardner, Kansas (16)

    1. Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

    35 Reviews
    Lawrence, KS
    25 miles
    +1 (785) 842-8562

    $10 - $150 / night

    "Easy access to trails Lots of wildlife, vultures, deer, etc. Well marked and plenty of them spots Marina was a quick bike ride away and had a lot to offer during the season."

    "Sites come with a picnic table and a fairly large fire ring which we unfortunately never got to enjoy because we were here during a heat wave (100+ almost every day)."

    2. Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

    14 Reviews
    Lawrence, KS
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 842-3877

    "I’m in my 30s traveling solo and this stop was a great place to regroup and take advantage of their amenities like shower, laundry, etc. The bathrooms were clean and the staff was very friendly."

    "We missed a KOA in Kansas City because of construction. Went to Lawrence KOA instead. Glad for the misfortune. The park has all you need for short or long term camping and RV trips."

    3. Worlds of Fun Village

    8 Reviews
    Randolph, MO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (816) 454-4545

    $300 / night

    "Located on the property there are RV sites and rental cabins. All 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."

    "Stayed here while visiting friends in the metro - one of the few RV parks in the area.  Pads were concrete, level, clean, and well-maintained. "

    4. Pomona State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Vassar, KS
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 828-4933

    $10 - $125 / night

    "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 snd right of us."

    "After everyone left I moved to a few non shore power site down by the water. Beautiful view, with a quiet serene feel."

    5. Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA

    19 Reviews
    Oak Grove, MO
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (816) 690-6660

    $45 - $130 / night

    "Easy access to Interstate and pull through sites were long enough for our truck and 32’ trailer without having to unhitch. Stayed just one night as we passed through."

    "Stayed here for one night after driving down from Nebraska. Great place to set up for the night, clean bathrooms, a nice fire pit, and plenty of room to set up a tarp for the rain."

    6. Perry State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Meriden, KS
    38 miles
    Website

    "Stayed in lot 93,nice spot on end with extra privacy. Only complaint, cold shower in facility near marina. I would recommend a spot closer to marina if you're not In an RV."

    "Nice state park on the lake can be crowded and a little crazy on weekends.  Like most state parks no sewer hookups but easy access to dump station"

    7. Basswood Country RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Platte City, MO
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (816) 858-5556

    $56 - $59 / night

    "Basswood provides amenities that are great for entertaining children, includinga swimming pool and splash park, two playgrounds, a basketball goal, and fishing."

    "This park is convient to I-29 but far enough off the highway to be quiet and peaceful. Tent sites, full hookups as well as rooms and cabins are available."

    9. Topeka / Capital City KOA

    12 Reviews
    Topeka, KS
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 862-5267

    "The lot does not have a concrete patio but has a picnic table and fire grate.

    They have a community fire pit with multiple swings around it. They sell wood for $6 a bundle."

    "We had a water / electric pull-through site around the middle of the campground."

    10. Linn County Park

    2 Reviews
    Pleasanton, KS
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (913) 757-6633

    "Located in east central Kansas on 2600 acre Lake LaCygne (cooling reservoir for KCPL coal-fired power plant). No swimming or skiing allowed, only fishing boats."

    "Lots of trees lots of wildlife Had deer walk right through the campground when we were there. shower house/ rest room we’re clean for the most part but a little rundown."

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Cabin Reviews near Gardner, KS

139 Reviews of 16 Gardner Campgrounds


  • J
    Jun. 14, 2024

    Topeka / Capital City KOA

    The longer pull thru sites are Buddy site- we didn’t realize this

    Our site was $56.78 We were in Site# 59 The check in was at 12pm but the office was closed until 3:30pm so we grabbed our sheet left out front and got ourselves to our site.

    We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-through.
    We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep (although the Jeep had to be parked straight across the front of our site to fit in). Also we were right on the highway.

    The site was easy to level.
    Our site was not shaded and without any trees. The most FRUSTRATING part is that this was a buddy site (that is NO WHERE on their website). We have rescue dogs and don’t want to share our space with neighbors we don’t know. Literally no one wants to Kumbaya by the fireside with complete strangers. Therefore our trip went from one week originally to two nights. We would have left the next day but the husband wanted to see the Evel Knievel museum.

    The lot does not have a concrete patio but has a picnic table and fire grate.

    They have a community fire pit with multiple swings around it. They sell wood for $6 a bundle.

    They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster at the entrance.

    You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They do not provide golf cart rentals. There is really not a need to have a Golf cart because it is a smaller campground.

    They do have a saltwater Swimming pool. They have a catch and release fishing pond.

    There is a Playground. They also offer a weight room and an adorable activities room with air hockey, a library, & a pool table. There is also a scenic walking trail. The trail is almost a mile and they’ve kept it mowed and easy to identify.

    They have a basic general store. There is not a snack bar/restaurant on site.

    The streets are gravel so not great for riding bikes.

    They have cabins for rent and a tent area (electric & primitive options).

    They have 2 shower houses. The shower house in the main barn has individual shower/toilet/sink areas. The shower house in the park has the typical stalls. These are kept very clean.

    There is a laundry facility in both shower houses. It is a cash only facility.

    They have a fenced in dog park which is unfortunately located in the front of the park away from RV sites.

    Some fun things to do outside of the campground are the Evel Knievel museum and Brown vs. Board of Education historical park.

    Staff are very kind. I would definitely stay here in the future but will know to secure a site that isn’t shared with others

  • Cindy K.
    Oct. 2, 2022

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Beautiful views and lots to do

    Beautiful campgrounds with so many activities available! 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. Our actual campsite was great and came equipped with a firepit and picnic table, and we could walk to the lakeshore. We will be back!

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2020

    Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

    Large State Park with Many Types of Camping

    I was having a difficult time finding a campground with availability on our way back from Colorado since we were leaving on the Sunday before Memorial Day. We decided to stay a couple of extra days and we found sites available at this one. There are two separate campgrounds at Clinton State Park, and we stayed at campground 1. We checked in with the camp host since the office was already closed. 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. The open one was at least two hundred yards away. Getting up in the middle of the night, we decided to drive to it in the dark. We didn’t understand why we couldn’t get a site closer to one of the open bath houses since there were several available sites. Another disappointment was that with all of the recent rain, we had a huge puddle separating our pull-through from our picnic table and fire pit. Again, we should have asked for another site. Other than those two disappointments, it was a really good campground, especially for being a state park. The individual toilet/showers were spacious and very clean. There was shade at some of the campsites, and there were open fields for kids to play in. Although the playground was small, there were other things to do. There was a disc golf course, an archery range, hiking trails, and the lake. The lake is large, and there is a place to launch boats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, etc. At another part of the lake, there is a huge marina for larger boats. Bering in such a remote area, you don’t have to worry about the sounds of traffic. Overall, Clinton State Park is a place you can stay where there is plenty to do. Although there is no swimming pool, other activities previously mentioned should keep you busy.

  • Bran P.
    Sep. 26, 2016

    Linn County Park

    Nice views!

    Located in east central Kansas on 2600 acre Lake LaCygne (cooling reservoir for KCPL coal-fired power plant). No swimming or skiing allowed, only fishing boats. We stayed on site 112 in View Point Loop next to some permanent residents. There’s no stay limit here so some sites are very messy. Paved roads with gravel sites having W/E, mostly 30A but a few 50A like ours. Check in at the Marina to see which ones are available at this all first come first serve cg. They even have a few FHU sites but I imagine they are all taken by the residents. Nice dump station located in the back of the park along with a few rustic cabins. We enjoyed a waterfront site but there were many 30A sites available in a more wooded setting in several different loops. There are about 113 sites here.

  • Scott S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA

    Crammed in a tent camping field...

    Let's Share COVID and a campfire song. When we booked a tent site in the KOA we didn't expect much but assumed it would work for the night while driving across the USA.  Upon arrival we were a little put off by being stuck with several other tents in a field and noticed we were expected to share our fire ring with the tent next door... this was not ok with us and we left promptly and snagged a nice spot in the nearby Blue Springs Recreation Area. Traveling during summer 2020 has been interesting and to expect strangers to share a fire ring and be crammed very close during a pandemic is not only careless but not fun. UGH

  • J
    Jul. 16, 2022

    Worlds of Fun Village

    Novel Campground in Kansas City

    This was an interesting stay at the Worlds of Fun campground. Located on the property there are RV sites and rental cabins. All 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.

    The theme park offered discounted tickets when staying at the campground and parking for the parks was included. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are internally connected, making it easy to walk between the two.

    There is a pool, hot tub, laundry and clean bathrooms with showers. The campground did attempt to improve privacy with strategically placed trees and shrubs.

    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.

    Security was disappointing, as there was no gate to the campground, nor a gate around it. So our campsite (site 2) that backed up to the road was 10 feet off the public sidewalk. Reviews of this campsite on other websites mentioned some petty theft, so we kept our outdoor compartments locked (nothing was stolen).

  • Tori G.
    Jun. 24, 2016

    Basswood Country RV Resort

    A great place to take the kids/grandkids

    We have been camping at Basswood for several years, first with our children and now with our grandchildren. Basswood provides amenities that are great for entertaining children, includinga swimming pool and splash park, two playgrounds, a basketball goal, and fishing. 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. There is a great little store with alcohol for the adults; ice cream treats, which we enjoy after a swim; and nearly any key item you might have forgotten to pack. Most roads throughout the campground are paved, and the campground is generally well-maintained. We appreciate the full-service RV spots, but there are very nice bathroom facilities, including showers, in two locations in the park.

  • Leni K.
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

    Relaxing Car/Tent Camping Spot

    Pros Off-season was quiet Open bathrooms were nice and well kept. Easy access to trails Lots of wildlife, vultures, deer, etc. Well marked and plenty of them spots Marina was a quick bike ride away and had a lot to offer during the season. Primate loops had some good spacing and tree cover, along with views of the lake. Inner loops not so much Potable water available year round. Was drinkable.

    Cons Signs marked closed bathrooms but not the closest open bathrooms. One per campsite was still open with heat and electric. Weirdly all vaults were closed Office and hosts were unavailable so we had to leave for Casey's for firewood. While before the season, someone told us it's typically impossible to get firewood because the office is usually closed. Signs to the entrance to park and n avigation were pretty small, impossible to read at night, not lit. Electric parking pass only issued one day pass at a time. Would do the paper pass across the parking lot next time. Spacing is definitely a bit crowded for tent camping privacy this time of year. Will be curious to see how it feels in the summer/fall.

  • J
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Lake Paradise Resort

    A gem being polished!

    We had a fun and relaxing time and loved the woodsy feel to it. We stayed here for a weekend in July 2020 and had a great time!  It is under new ownership and they are working to remodel and renovate all areas. I got to meet one of the owners and one of the owner's kids who works there and they were very nice and very helpful.  In fact, all staff I had contact with were! We had a nice full hookup RV site with a very woodsy feel.  Well shaded, grass and trees, view of water and nice space around us. Gravel site with picnic table and fire ring.  The pool is renovated and very nice. It is very large, zero entry, up to mostly around 5 ft deep with a small area that was 9ft; there is a children's area with a sprinkler. Roads throughout campground are gravel, not paved, if that makes a difference with kids bringing scooters or bikes.  We drove around to see the rest of the campground and saw lots of sites that I'd like to camp in when we come back. The cabins look nice, too. Waved at people sitting in front of them, but did not see inside them.  I'm looking forward to go here again and excited to see the updates they make over the next year!

    Note: Included in your camp fee you get 2 free daily passes per night of camping to the pool and a discounted rate for any other swimmers; so for our family with 4 we had the free passes go to the parents and paid $3 each for the kids to swim & we did this two days.  As long as you have the wrist band on you can come and go all day to the pool.

    Cons: quite a bit of poison oak around the fish cleaning area, shade at the pool is at a minimum, my phone (AT&T) could not get service there.


Guide to Gardner

Cabin camping near Gardner, Kansas offers options ranging from rustic to modern within a 45-minute drive. The area features both deciduous forests and open prairie landscapes at elevations between 850-1,100 feet. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights frequently drop below freezing, making seasonal preparation essential for cabin visitors.

What to do

Disc golf adventures: Clinton State Park has an established disc golf course accessible to cabin campers. "Rolling hills and lots of green with many of 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 — Clinton State Park.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes surrounding Gardner provide year-round fishing access from cabin locations. At Pomona State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned "We camped in one of the campgrounds with undesignated primitive spots. Found a nice place to park right on the lake. It was super quiet, being winter."

Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife viewing from cabin porches. "Saw eagles, turkey vultures, and possible osprey," reports Kent F. about his experience at Clinton State Park. Deer sightings are common at multiple parks, with Linn County Park cabins offering lakefront viewing positions.

What campers like

Clean, individual facilities: Many cabin locations have upgraded their bathroom facilities. "The individual toilet/showers were spacious and very clean," writes Myron C. about the accommodations at Perry State Park Campground.

Historical connections: Some cabins feature unique historical significance. Sara E. mentions Basswood Country RV Resort offers something special: "As a point of interest, this used to be a favorite fishing spot of President Harry S. Truman, check out the Mother in Law cabin—built at his request."

Swimming access: Summer cabin rentals with pool access provide relief from Kansas heat. At Worlds of Fun Village, Jennifer H. notes "The camp ground pool is huge and fun for the kids on non park days. The campground is all paved and perfect for scooters and bikes for the kids."

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Winter cabin rentals require different preparation than summer stays. "We stayed for 2 weeks and couldn't have been more pleased! Website is little to no help unless visiting in peak season, but the camp hosts and park rangers are the tops. Visiting in non peak is as easy as driving in, finding a spot and paying your fees," explains Charles F. about off-season cabin access.

Noise factors: Some cabin locations experience noise disturbances. LauraJane B. warns about Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA: "Trains passed by really loudly all night long - it finally stopped at about 5am." Highway noise affects several parks near Gardner.

Limited site privacy: Many cabin areas have minimal separation between units. "Sites are close together with some shaded," notes a reviewer about a KOA location. Busier summer weekends reduce privacy further at most campgrounds.

Tips for camping with families

Activity centers: Select cabins near recreational facilities to minimize transportation needs. Jennifer H. explains that at Worlds of Fun Village, "The campground is all paved and perfect for scooters and bikes for the kids." Other facilities offer game rooms with air hockey and pool tables.

Scheduling considerations: Holiday weekends book months in advance for family-friendly cabin rentals. "Staying 2 weeks and couldn't have been more pleased! Website is little to no help unless visiting in peak season, but the camp hosts and park rangers are the tops," mentions Charles F.

Electronics preparation: Cell coverage varies significantly between cabin locations. Ryan R. from Linn County Park cautions, "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 from RVers

Hookup placement: Many cabin areas share infrastructure with RV sites, affecting parking logistics. "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 Jason F.

Site selection strategies: Request specific cabin areas based on your needs. "I recommend either paying more for the pull-through (further from the road) or the back in sites 69-82 in row 3," suggests John L. to avoid highway noise at one location.

Leveling challenges: Some cabin areas have uneven terrain requiring adjustment. "Weird campsites, not enough trees, super loud at night due to traffic," reports Evan G. about certain locations. Requesting a level site when making reservations prevents complications upon arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Gardner, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Gardner, KS is Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park with a 3.6-star rating from 35 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Gardner, KS?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 cabin camping locations near Gardner, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.