Best Tent Camping near Hillsdale, KS
Searching for a tent campsite near Hillsdale? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Hillsdale with tent camping. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Hillsdale's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Hillsdale, Kansas (8)
1. Woodridge Park
13 Reviews•22 Photos•156 SavesClinton Lake, KansasThis recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
2. Scott Creek Campground
1 Review•1 Photo•30 SavesHillsdale, KansasScott Creek Campground features 60 campsites all with water and electricity. Sites 21,33 and 60 are 50 amp sites. Reservations can be made 2 days in advance at reserveamerica.com. There are two shelters available for campers to use on a first come first serve basis. Scott Creek has a vault toilet but no shower house. Camp Hosts and self-pay stations are available at each campground.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
$10 - $50 / night
3. Marysville
Be the first to review!•3 SavesHillsdale, KansasThis recreation area is part of Hillsdale Lake
- Reservable
- Tents
6. Overlook Park
Be the first to review!•4 SavesBaldwin City, KansasOverview
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 SavesBuckner, MissouriTent 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 near Hillsdale, Kansas
385 Reviews of 8 Hillsdale Campgrounds
- Resa B.
Ranger
Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA
Great for dogs.
Tent site was nice.
Kristen
Guide
Coeur D'alene
Nice
Neat and peaceful place. Well maintained! Boat ramps, RV hookups, benches, shelter areas, bathrooms, showers, tent camping, beach and more!
- Chad Z.Guide
Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park
Mediocre
It was on ok place to put up a tent. But a lot of rain runoff on tent sites
- Robin R.Guide
Outlet
Perfect for fishing
Camped here many times. Even before had camper and was still tent camping. Great fishing not far. Boat ramp close. Have left boat in water on bank.
- rrick K.
Scout
Pony Express RV Park LLC
An Outstanding RV Park
100 glorious acres. A little rustic but beautiful. Pull-Through and Back-In sites. MOST shave Electric, Water and Sewer. Tent Sites are available. Terri Karper is a wonderful Hostess.
- JC C.Guide
Adam's Grove
Tent campsites at Adam's Grove
The name of this site is Adam's Grove.
- 30 tent sites with no hookups
- $6 fee per site
- Boat ramp
Adam's Grove does provide the closet boat ramp if you plan on picking up passengers off the beach near the dam (at Michigan Valley Park).
- JJason B.Guide
Bloomington East - Clinton Lake
Great area in the middle of nowhere
This campground is on the northwest side of Clinton Lake. All the activities one would associate with a lake like boat ramps, beach, hiking/biking trails, full hook-up sites, tent camping, playgrounds, etc. The small town of Clinton is nearby and has a small store for items you may forget. It's our go to when we go to Clinton Lake.
- Christina H.Scout
Eisenhower State Park Campground
Primitive camping was small and exposed, but fun
The fivestar loop is decent for tent camping. The sites were fairly small and jammed next to each other, and half of them didn't have great tree cover, but they all have a nice firepit and picnic table. It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind. Bathrooms were nice and clean and the staff were very nice.
- NANCY L.Scout
Clinton State Park Campground
Clinton State Park Campground #3
We have tent camped here often. Most of the sites are spacious. It's not unusual to find a site with no neighbors. The campground is uphill from the lake but the are hiking trails to the lake as well as other trails around the park. Vault toilets and flush toilets with showers are available. They could be better maintained. Overall it is a nice quiet campground for a quick getaway. Also, very close to Lawrence.
Juliana H.RangerClinton State Park Campground
Big and Beautiful!
This campground has it all! Plenty of sites with both shade and sunshine. Big sites for big RVs as well as some perfect hidden little tent sites. You can also rent cabins if you please. Close access to trails and disc golf, plenty of bathrooms, picnic shelters, and gorgeous prairie views! It was a rainy day, but that didn’t stop me from loving it!
Dyle K.Guide
Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA
Nice stop with amenities
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. If you are traveling with kids this is a terrific place to stop because there are lots of things to keep kids busy like a playground and pool. The sites aren’t very private and road noise from the nearby highway can be heard throughout the night if you’re tent camping but it didn’t really bother me.
- Dyle
IG @addressnomad
Facebook AddressNomad
- Caitlin D.Scout
Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA
Small tent campsites, large campground
Easy to reserve online, but the camp registration office was closed when we rolled in right after 5. The tent campsites are just a small patch of turf, but they do have tables and a nice fire pit. It was a little noisy as everyone was on top of each other and we did get a little bit of sewage smell at our site. Pool and mini golf are awesome!
- JJason B.Guide
Woodridge - Clinton Lake
Primitive camping along Clinton Lake
This is a neat area if you're into some light hiking. It has a loop trail starting at a parking area. You can also tent camp at the trailhead. It has a pit toilet and water access. The trail is maybe 4-5 miles long and takes you up and down some slight grades. There are numerous primitive campsites along the trail that are marked, or you can venture off to your own site within the area. Many are directly up against the lake. The marked sites are relatively cleared and many people have improved them by building benches, fire pits, etc. My son and I had a great time the 2x we've been out here.
Scott S.GuideKansas 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
Janice O.Guide
Crappie Cove Campground
Pretty view
This is not a campsite I will go back to. When we drove into the park and paid the entrance fee, 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. She assigned campsites when people drove in, which is not what we were told. After telling her we wouldn't leave, she left, then came back and said we could stay.
The campground itself was pretty, but a lot of people in RV's (we tent camp) who were there to fish and party, so I thought it was noisy.
Susan J.
TravelerLake Jacomo - Fleming Park
Not Very Level
One of the 3 Jackson County campgrounds, but the most in level sites in any of the parks. Sits on top a hill, the sites are cut into the hillside so vary from small tent sites, to RV sites. We camped in our 39’ diesel pusher, had to use lots of wood to level everything up, including extending one of our jacks to the maximum and causing it to throw an error message. Sites run from 20/30/50 amp, some with FHU’s. One site has a view of Lake Jacomo and is somewhat level (#31 I think?) and is hard to reserve on short notice. The bathrooms are decent and clean. Fire pits are allowed, but you have to burn the wood they sell, don’t bring in your own.
As with all three parks in the Jackson County district, this one closes October 31 and re-opens in March. Of all three parks: Blue Springs, Longview, and Jacomo, this one is our very least favorite.
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.
- Myron C.
LegendKansas City West-Lawrence KOA
Campground Too Close to the Railroad Tracks
Most KOA campgrounds I have been to are exceptional with great sites for all types of camping. However, there are a couple of them that have one or two sites that leave you scratching your head. We were supposed to camp at site 18, but it was not level and had tire ruts all the way to the back of the site. There was nowhere to set up our tent without it being uncomfortable throughout the night. With that said, we moved over to site 19, which was level. The tent sites are small for the tenters and there is little to no shade.
The good things about the sites are that they have water and electricity. There is even a night light and a place to charge your electronic devices. There is a fire ring but no lantern hanger.
The bath house is modern and up to date; however, the shower dressing area has got to be the smallest I have EVER seen at a campground. I estimated the dressing area to be about 18” x 24”. I’m not a math whiz, but even I can figure out that an average sized person would have difficulty moving around in the dressing area.
I might give it a higher rating if we were camping in an RV or even in our teardrop camper, but another problem was the noise. I was warned that there would be a train passing through, and the person I spoke to offered to throw in a pair of ear plugs and a night mask. Now I know why. There was a light from a nearby cabin lighting the whole tenting area, and the trains were one right behind the other… ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!! Every thirty minutes or so(could have been every twenty minutes, but I’m not sure), a train passed by. It wouldn’t be so bad, but it was LOUD!!!!!!!
We were on our way to Colorado, and the next time we are passing through, I will make sure to skip this campground.
- JJason B.Guide
Crappie Cove Campground
Nice area to camp and fish
There are limited sites for camping at Hillsdale Lake. But they are all nice and many offer waterfront access. Great fishing on Hillsdale and they have a really nice Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Recreation operated firearms outdoor range facility too.
- MMyles R.Traveler
Russel Crites - Hillsdale State Park
Hillsdale Stare Park
Hillsdale is a nice place to camp that isn’t too far out of the city. Decent accommodations and nice camp sites near the water front.
- Dan & Penny F.Guide
Russel Crites - Hillsdale State Park
2022 Camping kickoff on April Fools Day
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.
Still a little cool and gray, but nice 60 degree weekend.
- Laura H.Legend
Rutlader Outpost RV Park
Great Campground
We’re from Kansas City and there are very few options when it comes to Campgrounds. This is by far our favorite and their rates are very reasonable. We enjoyed our stay, staff was very friendly and the park was clean and easy to get in and out of. You’re also very close to Hillsdale State Park, but this location has a tornado shelter 🤣
The park: great store, laid out well, gravel sites. Some are back in but most are pull through. Full hook ups- power/water/sewer.
72 Sites: 30' wide, 60' long and level 24 Sites are pull thru All have 30 & 50 amp service
You are within 40 minutes of southern Overland Park, and within approximately an hour (depending on traffic) to Kansas City.
Amenities: Laundry Storm Shelter Showers Meeting room available for RV Rallies (Must Schedule) Fishing Lake
Cellular: service was good, able to stream video, work, Facebook, etc.
Rates as of April 2020 (from their site):
-DAY RATE: $45.00 -CLUB RATE: $40.00 (Good Sam's, FMCA, AAA, Military) -WEEKLY: $215 -MONTHLY: $575 Back In $700 Pull Through (if not paid by due date, Day Rate will apply.)
Cate S.GuideRussel Crites - Hillsdale State Park
Great, but need more by the water!
Hillsdale is a close stop for us. We'll often go when we only have one night to camp. Unfortunately, the waterside sites are minimal and most seem to be RV sites. We often find ourselves in a field with port-a-potties instead of lakeside with views. Not bad for what it is, I do wish they had more options.
John G.ScoutCrappie Cove Campground
Nice campground
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. There are many primitive sites avaliable as well. We will be revisiting on a regular basis now.
- KKristine S.Guide
Russel Crites - Hillsdale State Park
Great site. poorly maintained
We stayed for a week in Crappie Cove. We have relatives in the area and have always heard folks rave about weekends at Hillsdale lake. We are spending 3 months this summer in our RV traveling the country and this was one of the stops along our way.
Pros:
- spacious site
- lots of trees/shade
- Mostly quiet location
- great playground for kids (though not shaded)
- each site had a table and fire pit
- far enough away from the city to see stars at night. :)
- Lots of different camping loops - from primitive to full hookups.
Cons:
- NEVER saw the camp host.
- not sure the showers/toilets were cleaned in the 7 days we were there. There were always puddles everywhere in the bathroom, so much that the heat made them smell very bad. One toilet would never seem to hold water. Most of the time it was empty/clogged.
- many many cars on some sites
- standing pond of water covered in moss/algae and caused lots of bugs/mosquitoes to be around
- 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, so walked there daily instead of the one in our loop.
No one at the front booth when we checked in (middle of the afternoon on a Sunday) but we had already paid, so we just proceeded to our site, which was already marked with our name and dates. We went in and out of the park every day with no issue. On the 7th day of our stay, my husband is stopped and asked where his parking permit is. No one came by our site after we checked in. No one ever asked in 7 days, not even the camp host who should monitor that stuff. We had ONE vehicle on our site and everywhere we have ever camped, one vehicle is included in your camping fee. We were told we had to pay an additional fee per day for the vehicle we used to pull our camper to the site. AFTER we had been parking there a week already and it was the day we were leaving. None of the other cars in our loop had permits in their windows or windshields.
We have stayed at many state parks across the country and this is one of the worst, in my opinion. Camp hosts were non-existent until the last minute and then they were rude. Facilities are not well maintained (on the Crappie Cove loop).
Kayzie N.Scout
Lake Miola City Park
My favorite camp ground ever
This 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!!
- Vin B.Scout
Rutlader Outpost RV Park
Nice park
Great place, near Kansas City.
Guide to Hillsdale
Hillsdale, Kansas, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature. With well-reviewed campgrounds nearby, campers can enjoy a range of amenities and activities.
Some prices for tent camping range from $6 to $0
- At Adam's Grove, tent sites are available for just $6, providing a budget-friendly option for campers.
- Woodridge Park offers free camping with access to drinking water and picnic tables, making it an excellent choice for families.
- For those seeking a more secluded experience, Primitive Site 4 at Woodridge Park is a hidden gem that requires a short hike in.
Local activities to enjoy while tent camping
- Campers at Scott Creek Campground can enjoy a peaceful night by the fire, with plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring the surrounding area.
- Overlook Park is perfect for those who appreciate beautiful sunsets and lakeside views, ideal for fishing or kayaking.
- Hiking enthusiasts will find the 4.5-mile trail at Woodridge Park to be a rewarding challenge, offering scenic views and a chance to connect with nature.
Tent campers should check out the amenities
- Scott Creek Campground features electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables, catering to those who prefer a few comforts while camping.
- At Woodridge Park, campers can enjoy fires, clean vault toilets, and ample space for both car and hike-in camping.
- Overlook Park provides electric hookups and pet-friendly sites, making it a great choice for families traveling with furry friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hillsdale, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hillsdale, KS is Woodridge Park with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hillsdale, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Hillsdale, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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