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Hillsdale State Park campgrounds accommodate pets throughout multiple camping areas near Gardner, Kansas. Saddle Ridge, Crappie Cove, Sunflower, and Scott Creek campgrounds all welcome pets at their campsites with maintained facilities. Each camping area features picnic tables, fire rings, and sites with various hookup options. Tent campers and RV owners find suitable spaces with both primitive and improved sites available. Most campsites offer good spacing between neighbors with trees providing shade at established sites. Lake Miola City Park provides another pet-friendly camping option with electrical hookups, showers, and toilets at affordable rates. Campsites are clean and well-maintained with most tent and RV spots offering shade coverage. Sites are level, clear, and easily accessible with Sunflower loop widely spaced for larger RVs.
Pet owners appreciate the numerous hiking and biking trails around Hillsdale Lake where dogs can explore natural surroundings. The lake offers excellent water activities with boat ramps, fishing access, swimming areas, and kayak rentals available at many locations. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the park areas with owners responsible for waste cleanup. Lake Miola features a dedicated dog park near the camping area where pets can exercise off-leash. Prairie Clover Campground at Clinton State Park presents another option with pet-friendly cabins available alongside traditional camping. Water access points throughout the parks provide opportunities for dogs to cool off during warmer months. Campground hosts are generally friendly and knowledgeable about pet policies and local regulations. Most camping loops have convenient access to restrooms and shower facilities, though availability and cleanliness may vary seasonally.
"A couple miles down a secluded drive, nestled back in the woods right on the lake. Lots of trees, nice shower house. Camp host is friendly and laid back. Pet friendly, well lit."
"This campground is close to home for us, but we love it as a quick get away. It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability"There are limited sites for camping at Hillsdale Lake. But they are all nice and many offer waterfront access. "
"Crappie Cove has the best sites, and it is very close to the kayak/boat ramp and the swimming beach."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"We made a last minute decision and decided to stay somewhere near KC after a long cross country trip."
"Pet friendly and close to KC shops and stores"
from $62 - $131 / night
Check Availability"The great part is that the sites are so large, at least on the lake side, which is actually a bit away from the lake, but accessible by stairs from the camp sites."
"The park is also at a lake so there’s a beach access area where you can go and swim or just sit by the very large lake."
from $10 - $150 / night
Check Availability"We travel with two adorable rescues and appreciated the awesome dog park where they could run a bit. The restrooms are adequate and clean. Views are beautiful as you will see for yourself."
"This campground is about 35-40 mins outside Kansas City City. The town that it is located in has a lot to do as well! Campgrounds is clean and well kept! We visited in November so not many people."
"Lots of riding trail miles and lake."
from $12 - $23 / night
Check Availability"This is one thing that should be mandatory given its proximity and being further away from potential shelter. Excellent camping on the lake. Lots of water activities available."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"A walking path & a park and a huge dog park!!!! Love love love this place!!"
"The lake itself is small compared to most Kansas area lakes but sufficient for skiing."
"Cool weekend at a great lake right before things turned green. Closed last year to redo the electric, enjoyed Site 181 at Scott Creek, west side of Hillsdale Lake."
from $10 - $23 / night
Check Availability"The nearby vault toilet was just OK, it was about as clean as a vault toilet could be but there was no way to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands nearby."
"Plenty of space for tents and other activities and very close to water"
from $12 - $23 / night
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LegendStayed one night at the KOA in Oak Grove, just east of Kansas City. The sites were all sunny and since it was 100 degrees, it was hot. But the pool was nice and they had a nice dog park which was ok in the evening after it cooled off. Close to KC so we could drive in for BBQ.
LegendGetting to the state park off I 29 and through the countryside was easy as the route had Weston Bend SP signage. We followed the SP signs to the campground(CG) where the gate was not manned so we headed to get water, but someone was sitting in the dump station waiting for another person to arrive so we went around this one-loop CG to see if there was a convenient spigot. There are spigots but with a larger rig, you will block the road, and/or you will be on a hill. We went back around and the person moved so we could get water. After that, we headed to pull through site 28 with electric(50/30/20 AMP) only. The site is long but has a 1/4 moon turn so we had to pull back around to get better positioned on the pad so we could disconnect our 39’ 5th wheel and F450 for our 3-night stay. There were tree branches overhead that we could not avoid. RVers next to us in site 30 had just arrived as well and were having trouble getting their travel trailer unhitched and leveled due to the pad’s slight incline and unlevel asphalt. They got their trailer positioned so they could get somewhat level. We got a solid two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. Due to our proximity to Kansas City, we got a lot of OTA channels. A satellite connection would be iffy in most sites here due to the number of mature trees. The trees in a lot of sites would also scrape the top of larger rigs. There’s a variety of sites with most being good for regular trailers versus tall rigs, and tent sites. They have a nice shower house with 1 washer and 1 dryer both for$1.50. There are also vaulted toilets here and there. There’s a 1.7-acre fenced dog park that includes one large area for large dogs and two other areas with one dedicated to smaller dogs. The dog area is at the front park entrance away from the campground and it would be a long walk to get there, so we drove up. There are a lot of hiking trails here plus an old tobacco barn that’s worth a look.
GuideEasy access to Interstate and pull through sites were long enough for our truck and 32’ trailer without having to unhitch. Stayed just one night as we passed through. Looked like it would be a good place to stay for multiple nights.
Clean campground. Nice grounds. Two good fenced dog parks.
Only negatives were our hookups were literally in the next site next to their table, and their fire ring was very close to our trailer.
ScoutThis has everything you want! Nice camp host! Swimming beach! Showers & nice toilets & a tent area and a RV area to separate it. Most tent and RV spots have shade!!! Tens have electic & It's CHEAP !! 20$ for electric tent & camper! They have water spouts at the tent area as well!! A walking path & a park and a huge dog park!!!!
Love love love this place!!
TravelerPros:
- so peacefully quiet, seriously even with the kids
- dog park with 3 separate areas- close to KC
- a hose at the dump station that you can actually hook up to your black tank flush
- both AT&T and Verizon worked great
Cons:
- I honestly have none from here!
LegendWhen we began our fulltime journey we stayed at this park for a couple of months and learned a lot about it. The management team was very friendly and would often disclose a lot about what was happening at the park. The park was in need of some improvements but it was clean and nice. The spaces are very tight in the travelers section and more spread out in the long term section. Many sites in the park were occupied by storage and the owners never showed up. To walk your dogs at the little park at night, you had to walk through there area. We called this the storage lot. The out of state contractors often had many loud and drunk guests which was obnoxious. They often harassed females walking their dogs to the park through the narrow street, and they were in the back section.
They had reasonable rates when we first stayed there ($40/night for in the city and $500/month). Now it is much more expensive, one night for our rig is $76 according to their website.
We never felt like it was genuinely part of the RV Community, it was more of a stop through or people were staying in the area for a job or to finish a house. It didn’t house many fulltime RVers that would continue traveling. They love to host NASCAR fans and know they are one of the closest parks to the Speedway.
Ammenities: Laundry Small Store Showers/Restroom Facilities Little dog park on the north end. Occasional BBq They were putting in Google Fiber internet when we stayed there in 2017 so I’m not sure if they completed it. Dump Propane Trash Mail
This location was the closest to our family’s homes so we have stayed there three times all together. There is a lot to do nearby and the main draw of this RV Park is definitely the location. You’re not far from downtown Kansas City, and still in the suburbs of Kansas City.
RangerGreat please to camp, not to crowded. Got busier on the weekends, empty on the week. Nice showers and toilets, laundry. Campsites were large, many had a good footprint enough to set up a large tent. We have a 20’ round yurt and had plenty of room. Lots of hiking trails in this park, some paved. Nice lookout point. Dog park was nice, well gated and taken care of, had water station for thirsty dogs. We spent 25$ a night for a 30amp electric site. Campground was well maintained. Only minutes from the historic town of Westin, amazing parks, lots of pubs and little restaurants. Nice place to walk around. I would camp here again.
GuideIt’s not the best I’ve ever been to, but it’s a as great family campground with beautiful views. We travel with two adorable rescues and appreciated the awesome dog park where they could run a bit. The restrooms are adequate and clean. Views are beautiful as you will see for yourself. Would definitely return. Tastes are $56-60
LegendAnother KOA that just loves gravel! The road in is paved, but there is gravel (and dust) everywhere else. There is also very little shade - so is was hot in July! There is a nice, but small, salt water swimming pool that was refreshing after driving 8 hours. And a small dog park. There is a small store/ gift shop with basics. The shower/bathroom was clean.
Hillsdale State Park offers multiple pet-friendly camping areas around Gardner, Kansas. The park spans approximately 12,000 acres with 51 miles of shoreline along the 4,500-acre reservoir. Campers can access water recreation at multiple points along the lake with boat ramps available at several locations. Winter temperatures average 20-45°F while summer ranges from 68-91°F.
Water activities year-round: Hillsdale Lake provides extensive options for fishing, boating, and water recreation. "This is a very nice area to camp. Quiet. The shower/bath houses are clean. I had a great time kayaking the coves to this gorgeous lake," notes a visitor to Quail Run Camping Area.
Hiking trails for all levels: The park maintains several miles of trails connecting various camping loops and recreation areas. "It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake. The sites and facilities are well kept and clean," according to a review of Hillsdale State Park.
Outdoor sports options: Beyond standard camping activities, the area offers specialized recreation. "It is a great place to bike and fish. It also has excellent public hunting areas. It also has a great bow range for siting in and practicing with your bow," explains a camper at Hillsdale State Park.
Quiet atmosphere: Many visitors appreciate the peaceful setting at certain camping areas. "A couple miles down a secluded drive, nestled back in the woods right on the lake. Lots of trees, nice shower house. Camp host is friendly and laid back," writes a reviewer about Hillsdale State Park.
Accessibility to Kansas City: The proximity to urban areas makes this destination convenient for weekend trips. "Hillsdale is a close stop for us. We'll often go when we only have one night to camp," notes a visitor, making this location ideal for pet-friendly camping near Gardner when time is limited.
Clean facilities: Multiple campers highlight the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "The Park: We love this park, it's massive, and really pretty. They have so much to do. Sunflower Loop is our favorite and has full hookups," according to a camper at Sunflower Campground.
Seasonal variations: Weather conditions affect facility availability and site quality. "We stayed for a week in Crappie Cove. The shower curtains had black mold all over them. This campground has great potential and we found some other bathrooms that were actually decent on another loop," reports a camper at Quail Run.
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, advance planning is essential. "We were told to find a place that wasn't occupied then go get a tag from the host. We found a site and started getting our stuff out of the car and pretty soon the campground host came by and told us we had to leave," writes a visitor about campsite assignment confusion.
Facility differences between loops: Not all camping areas offer the same amenities. "Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy," explains a camper at Hillsdale State Park, information valuable for those seeking pet-friendly camping options near Gardner with specific preferences.
Look for playgrounds: Some camping areas provide better facilities for children. "It is ADA accessible. There was not a tornado shelter as of 2018. This is one thing that should be mandatory given its proximity and being further away from potential shelter," notes a visitor to Sunflower Campground regarding safety considerations.
Consider spacing between sites: Family groups need adequate room. "Paved roads are great for taking a walk or riding bikes and make it easy to move from one place to another within the campground. Our camping spot offered significant shade and a large grassy area for setting up chairs, cooking equipment, and outdoor games," writes a visitor to Bloomington East.
Check bathroom proximity: When camping with children, nearby facilities matter. "We appreciate that the layout made it easy for children to move freely and safely among campsites and to restroom facilities and the playground," notes another Bloomington East camper.
Site levelness varies: Prepare equipment accordingly. "Lake Miola park in Paola, Ks. is a small, well kept, easy to access recreational area. The sites are not very level, so bring leveling equipment! The rates are EXTREMELY affordable," advises a visitor to Lake Miola City Park.
Loop selection matters: Different camping areas accommodate various RV sizes. "Sites are level, clear, easily accessible. Sunflower loop is widely spaced and plenty of room for larger RVs," notes a camper about the optimal areas for larger vehicles at Sunflower Campground.
Full hookups available: Some loops provide complete services. "This was our first trip to Crappie Cove at Hillsdale Lake. Overall, it's a very nice, clean and well layed out campground with several areas available with different names. Most have 50amp power and water with one area having full hookups and concrete pads available," shares a visitor to Quail Run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gardner, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gardner, KS is Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Gardner, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 86 dog-friendly camping locations near Gardner, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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