Top Tent Camping near Gardner, KS
Searching for a tent campsite near Gardner? Find the best tent camping sites near Gardner. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Gardner, KS (7)
1. Woodridge
13 Reviews•22 Photos•152 SavesThis recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
2. Scott Creek Campground
1 Review•1 Photo•29 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
$10 - $50 / night
3. Marysville
Be the first to review!•3 SavesThis recreation area is part of Hillsdale Lake
- Reservable
- Tents
6. Overlook Park
Be the first to review!•4 SavesOverview
This day-use picnic area, located just north of Clinton Lake in the hills of Kansas, is the perfect spot for a party or family gathering.
Natural Features:
Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop.
Clinton Lakes beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clear water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible.
Clinton spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.
Recreation:
A horseshoe pit, sand volleyball court, softball field and playground are all provided at Overlook Park.
Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, making it the main attraction to area.
The lakes fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass.
Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake.
Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.
Facilities:
Overlook Park has two picnic shelters available for up to 100 guests. Flush toilets and drinking water are available for visitors convenience.
Nearby Attractions:
The Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, just down the road from Overlook Park, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area.
- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Toilets
7. Tent Sites at Milo Farm
Be the first to review!•10 Photos•9 SavesTent camping at MILO FARM - SACRED LAND- The 50 acres of Milo Farm is a nature retreat with a cedar forest, a hardwood forest, 2 ponds, bohemian lodge, art studio, pool, barn, miles of trails, campsites & other buildings. Great for the spiritually minded with several meditation spots and portals. Check out the Hippie Trailer and Bunkhouse glamping options too!
With our regular tent campsites you will have your own firepit, grill and picnic table. You'll be assigned either the entire campsite #1 or #2 in the east field of Milo Farm. These are family friendly! Each site is private and near the animal pen! Meet our goats and donkeys! There is an outhouse with compost toilet between the two campsites. Campsite #1 is bigger and can hold up to 6 tents. Campsite #2 is quant for a smaller group 1-2 tents.
Ask about availability of boat and art cart golf cart rental if interested. Fill water jugs at spigots located at the animal pen or pool pump. Outdoor shower is by the pool pump as well.
If you like being more secluded and like to primitive camp there are over 20 spots in the 22 acres of our Freedom Field on the west side of the property. You pick your location, pack in and pack out trash. There's a creek, big open sky, sunset watching opportunities and amazing energy in this field. There are no outhouses in Freedom Field. Water jugs can be filled at the lodge.
Milo Farm is located in the country just 30 minutes from downtown Kansas City & 20 min from the sports stadiums.
There's a short hike to the campsites, no parking near. So unfortunately camping buses, vans, RVs won't work for these locations.
Full details will be sent with check-in information email!
MILO FARM AMENITIES
- Miles of trails to hike
- Fresh air and nature to bask in
- Many spots of interest to discover
- 8 Fire pits to sing and make s'mores around
- Events to join
- Two stocked ponds to fish
- Farm animals to pet & feed
- Art cart golf cart you can rent
- Paddle boat the south pond you can rent
- Many fields for frisbee, kickball, football or softball game
- Saltwater pool to splash in
- Zen Garden meditation spot
- Art Studio Shop to explore
- Observatory to sky watch
- Wildflowers and grasses to enjoy the pollinators in Freedom Field
- Three creeks to explore
- Tibetan Prayer Flag tree to contemplate under
- Oracle card readings upon request
- Mythical trails to find magic and spot fun trinkets in
- Art class to join
- Sculptures to admire
- Cornhole and volleyball games to play
- Outdoor cold water campers shower by pool pump
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
$25 - $40 / night
Recent Tent Reviews In Gardner
480 Reviews of 7 Gardner Campgrounds
Tripi A.
Scout
Milo Farm Sacred Land Retreat
The best camping
No. Hay palabras para describir esto tan increíble
- kkarl
Guide
Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA
Good but pricey for overnight
Nice level sites. Clean facilities and friendly staff. Cost was a little steep for off season.
- Ioan P.
Legend
Trailside RV Park
For one night, ok
Is situated near very busy Hwy and rails road. It is a little tight but the stuff is very nice.
Greg D.Guide
Michigan Valley
Excellent campground
The hosts are very friendly and the campsites have decent space between them, restrooms are decent except there are no hooks or benches at the entrance restrooms. The other restroom is unknown to me Nice shade for most of the day and there’s a swimming beach and places you can go fishing. Water and electric are shut off on the 1st of October
- Jeff L.
Traveler
Weston Bend State Park
Over nighters.
We arrived around 1 pm and got the pull through site. It is a nice little park that will be closed from November 1, 2024 through April 14, 2025. An electric site was $25.00. The facilities were exceptionally clean and the camp hosts were very polite.
Evan B.Scout
Osage State Fishing Lake
pretty lake views
Pretty lake views, easy to drive in and find pretty private sites, and some fire ring
- JJochen H.Traveler
Blue Springs Lake Campground
Nice and clean
a good price with 30 Dollars
quiet
clean
good and helpful staff
no pool, but you can drive to a lake
- TTeresa D.Traveler
Outlet(melvern)
Our favorite local hangout
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. If you’re into fishing/boating the giant lake has a marina with everything you need to get out on the water as well as a kitchen where they serve hamburgers and other food items. The Marina is currently closed as of 8-2-24 due to weather damage but will reopen.
Mitch M.Scout
Clinton State Park Campground
Close to town but far enough to enjoy the wilderness
Overall it was a good experience. We came on a weekend with good weather and were able to reserve easily a couple days in advance. There were a few campers near to us that we could see but no one that was right next to us and we couldn't hear them at all.
Pros:
Access to "modern" toilets that flushed. While the one closest to us was closed (see cons) there was one a bit further, maybe another 4 minutes walk away that was open. It had a few stalls and were in decent enough condition.
PLENTY of wildlife. Bunnies, Racoons (and babies), PLENTY of deer, a possum.
Bugs - While I've been here in early July and the bugs made me want to scream, in late July it seems they are better or at least being more in the open helped. A few flies and mosquitos. Nothing too bad.
Cons:
- It didn't seem like the host was there. There was a car driving around that asked us where a campsite was but it was in a weird format and they said the host wasn't around.
- The bathrooms nearest to us were a modern toilet and they were closed, but it didn't really say they were closed so the only indication was no lights and more spiders than I care to admit.
- Many of the camping areas (a vast majority) are surrounded by woodland and brush that makes it impossible to see, or even smell the lake. Getting down to it is a bit of a chore if you choose to do so.
- Though it had rained a few days before our campsite was bone dry, which is fine except that the ground was so hard that 80% of our set up time was trying to stake in. Could have just been our location though
- EE C.Traveler
Worlds of Fun Village
Amazing memories here
Beautiful park. Pay more for the pull through you’ll have tons of parking even if your rig is big. Our rig is 44 ft and we parked two 2500’s on the pad no problem. We reserve our days in advance and if we need to cancel we just change our reservation to a different date with no fees. The pool and clubhouse are well kept so are the bathrooms and laundry room. This Is our favorite campsite to date. So much to do.
Scott B.
RangerClinton State Park Campground
Not bad
Nice park in a beautiful setting. Only downside was the bugs were horrible here. Swarms of gnats and mosquitoes. The bathrooms were pretty dated too.
Terry D.ScoutWeston Bend State Park
Short stay
Very nice lots was a Lil disappointed because this camp site was in mid missori and the agent I contacted it from was in meridian ms and had never been there was told it would have water n 30 amp service but all that was there was 30 amp no water but it was really nice I didn't have time to stay long just the night .
Kevin C.RangerLeavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
Nice and quiet
Camped here several days in late June. The were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light. I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable.
- JJulia H.Ranger
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
- Loren L.Traveler
Osage State Fishing Lake
Quick, easy, clean
On a road trip off the 70, pulled over to camp for the night! Quiet, only a few other campers around.. lovely nighttime sounds. Firepit. Some trash from other campers.. remember to pack it in and pack it out!
- DDaniel T.Scout
Clinton State Park Campground
Peaceful
Camped out at site 13 for a real peaceful Saturday. Half of our group took the trail and hiked to the campsite, the other half got there by kayak/paddleboard. The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout. Lots of hammock tree setups too.
Only real issue we had was there wasn’t a lot of flat ground. The tents we pitched were pretty close to the fire, and the biggest patch of flat ground was down wind from the fire.
Barbie G.TravelerWeston Bend State Park
Site 26 is Peaceful
This was our 2nd stay at Weston Bend SP. Both times, we had site 26, one of the few basic sites. While some of the other sites were very close to each other, this one is relatively isolated. It's big too. There's a vault toilet close by. It was clean and roomy. We didn't use the water but there are a few spigot throughout the campground. There's also a regular restroom near the campground entrance, but we didn't use it. We will definitely camp here again if we are passing through.
Clyde C.Scout
Deer Creek Valley RV Park
Amazing RV Park
This is an amazing park. The spot was 55 with a 5.50 Good Sam discount. It is gated, several spots mostly pull through. The roads and parking spots are all concrete with grass and picnic tables. Laundry, bathrooms, showers. Swimming pool and kids play yard. Large fenced pet area. This is just off interstate 70. The reservation desk was very friendly. Would highly recommend.
Craig W.Traveler
Woodridge
Nice campground with a group
We recently took our scout troop to Woodridge and had ample space for the group. The 4.5 mile trail was a nice activity for the scouts during the morning. The trail was moderately difficult and could be problematic if raining. The vault toilet was pretty clean and well taken care of. It was fairly busy between the car campers and those who utilized one of the many hike in sites. Several of the hike in sites looked promising and I hope to one day return and use one as well.
Lucy P.RangerOsage State Fishing Lake
Very pretty, mostly peaceful
We found a great spot for our van that was right on the water and mostly secluded. Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill. Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend.
Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there’s lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy. No trash so pack it out.
- EEmily S.Traveler
Bloomington East - Clinton Lake
Great spot- Quiet and not busy
Stayed one night in Walnut at site 286. $20 a night. Clean showers and bathrooms. Plenty of hot water. Plenty of spaces in walnut, hickory was busier. Beautiful lake.
Angela C.Ranger
Basswood Country RV Resort
Very mixed bag
We booked a site here on our drive back East in August 2023. I saw “resort” and was like “Sign me up” after some real hot and grimy parks earlier in the trip.
Ultimately, most of the amenities were closed by the time we arrived. The game room, the restaurant, and store were all closing or closed. My kids did get some pool time (it was a nice pool) and loved the blob (whatever you call the bounce pads). There was a nice playground, pavilion and courts.
What is weird is that this is almost two parks - the front is the “resort” or old-fashioned campground, but where we were placed was in the back with what looked like a lot of long-term, single male residents. It was a longish-walk to front where the pool and store was and it definitely didn’t feel like a resort.
There were spots open in the front closer to the pool and lake - if we had camped there I think the experience would have been different.
Leni K.RangerClinton State Park Campground
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.
John G.ScoutLeavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
Quiet spot
This is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. The pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles.
- Terry C.Scout
Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA
Ridiculous
Had to call numerous times to acully get thru. Asked about 6 weeks of staying. Inquired about long term. Was told that it would cost me $3400.00 to stay a mo th here. That's insane
BLBJRScoutWeston Bend State Park
Absolutely beautiful
This place is absolutely beautiful great for taking your family but if you need RV parts or repairs stay away from Camping World they will rip you off or even if you want to purchase an RV read the reviews on them.
- AAmy W.Traveler
Coeur D'alene
Off season Free Camping
Stayed here off season for free. They do not close the gates so you can enter but no access to facilities, water or electric. Campground slopes to the river so very few level sites. Some noise from the road but otherwise peaceful as nobody was there.
Guide to Gardner
Camping near Gardner, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.
What to do
- Explore the outdoors: Many campers enjoy hiking and biking in the nearby parks. For instance, at Clinton State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Access to modern toilets that flushed... Plenty of wildlife. Bunnies, raccoons, and deer." This makes it a great spot for nature lovers.
- Water activities: If you're into fishing or kayaking, Bloomington East - Clinton Lake is a fantastic choice. A visitor shared, "We brought kayaks and paddled a few miles across the lake... The beach was raked and clean."
- Family fun: Many campgrounds have playgrounds and picnic areas. At Blue Springs Lake Campground, a family-friendly site, one reviewer noted, "We had a full hookup site located right by the playground and it was perfect for our family."
What campers like
- Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One guest at Watkins Mill State Park Campground said, "Showers and bathrooms are clean and the hosts are very nice."
- Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer ample space between sites. A reviewer at Crow's Creek Campground mentioned, "We’ve stayed here several times without any problems. The hosts are great too."
- Wildlife sightings: Campers enjoy spotting local wildlife. At Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, one visitor remarked, "Nice and quiet," highlighting the peaceful atmosphere.
What you should know
- Road noise: Some campgrounds are close to busy roads. At Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA, a camper noted, "Close proximity to the interstate does come with some traffic noise."
- Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. A visitor at Weston Bend State Park Campground mentioned, "Electric sites, no water, but water spigots were scattered around the campground."
- Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds may have limited access during certain seasons. A reviewer at Lake Shawnee County Campground pointed out, "Parts of the park are closed due to them adding to it."
Tips for camping with families
- Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Clinton State Park Campground, one family enjoyed, "The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout."
- Plan for bugs: Be prepared for insects, especially in warmer months. A camper at Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park mentioned, "The hiking trails were overgrown and no longer accessible," indicating the need for bug spray.
- Pack games and outdoor gear: Bring along games and outdoor equipment to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Longview Campground shared, "Management was very friendly... We stay here for 2 days."
Tips from RVers
- Check site amenities: Make sure to confirm what amenities are available at your site. A reviewer at Crows Creek Campground noted, "While some amenities are lacking, it’s the dispersed nature that is the nature."
- Bring leveling blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Watkins Mill State Park Campground mentioned, "You will need leveling blocks on the gravel."
- Stay connected: Check cell service availability if you need to stay connected. A visitor at Bloomington East - Clinton Lake said, "We had fine T-Mobile service, 3 out of 4 bars on a new iPhone."
Gardner, KS camping offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds. With a little planning, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gardner, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gardner, KS is Woodridge with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gardner, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Gardner, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.