Looking for the best campgrounds near Independence, KS? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Independence. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
Whitehall Bay Campground is located on the shores of Fall River Lake in Greenwood County, Kansas. Opportunities for outdoor family fun and recreation include swimming, boating, water skiing, camping, picnicking and sightseeing.
For birdwatchers and nature lovers, there is an 8,000 acre Fall River wildlife area, where prairie chickens, waterfowl, rabbits, wild turkeys, white tail deer, doves and quail are commonly seen. Over 400 species of birds are protected in this area. Hiking and biking opportunities near Fredonia Bay include the 1.5-mile Casner Creek Trail, which meanders through the forest, opening onto a breathtaking display of wildflowers during spring and summer months, or the 1-mile Turkey Run Trail, which leads visitors through a wooded ravine, over a stream and into a tall grass prairie with an impressive view of the lake.
For birdwatchers and nature lovers, there is an 8,000 acre Fall River wildlife area, where prairie chickens, waterfowl, rabbits, wild turkeys, white tail deer, doves and quail are commonly seen. Over 400 species of birds are protected in this area. Hiking and biking opportunities near Fredonia Bay include the 1.5-mile Casner Creek Trail, which meanders through the forest, opening onto a breathtaking display of wildflowers during spring and summer months, or the 1-mile Turkey Run Trail, which leads visitors through a wooded ravine, over a stream and into a tall grass prairie with an impressive view of the lake.
Rolling prairies and tree-dotted valleys sheltered by limestone-capped ridges surround Fall Lake, which stretches up the picturesque Fall River for 15 miles. This scenic area has a wealth of native wildlife and vegetation.
Fall River State Park is nearby, offering great hiking, fishing and birding along the river. Canoeing is also a popular activity in the park.
$50 / night
This recreation area is part of Toronto Lake
Spencer Creek is located on Oologah Lake in northeastern Oklahoma, an hour north of Tulsa. The lake provides an ideal getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. Prevailing winds make Oologah one of the most popular lakes in the area for sailing.
Oologah Lake is a prime location for boating, sailing, water skiing and swimming. Several recreation areas with boat ramps and docks are scattered around the lake. Fishing is a popular pastime. Black bass, crappie, paddlefish, channel and blue catfish, walleye and hybrid striped bass are the primary sport species found in the lake. Young anglers love the Kid's Sun, Fun and Fishing Derby Day held annually in June. The Will Rogers Country Centennial Trail stretches 18 miles from nearby Blue Creek Park to the Spillway. This scenic path winds around the east side of the shore and is open to hikers and horseback riders. The forested hills of the Oologah Wildlife Management Area provide excellent hunting opportunities, with nearly 13,000 acres open to the public.
Oologah Lake is a prime location for boating, sailing, water skiing and swimming. Several recreation areas with boat ramps and docks are scattered around the lake. Fishing is a popular pastime. Black bass, crappie, paddlefish, channel and blue catfish, walleye and hybrid striped bass are the primary sport species found in the lake. Young anglers love the Kid's Sun, Fun and Fishing Derby Day held annually in June. The Will Rogers Country Centennial Trail stretches 18 miles from nearby Blue Creek Park to the Spillway. This scenic path winds around the east side of the shore and is open to hikers and horseback riders. The forested hills of the Oologah Wildlife Management Area provide excellent hunting opportunities, with nearly 13,000 acres open to the public.
Oologah Lake sits on the Verdigris River with a surface area of nearly 30,000 acres. Over 200 miles of shoreline are dominated by old-growth post oak and blackjack oak forests, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife and birds, including deer, turkey, rabbits, quail, squirrels, ducks, geese and doves.
Dog Iron Ranch, the birthplace of Will Rogers, is nearby. The ranch is a living history museum featuring Rogers' two-story post-Civil War birth home, educational programs, picnic areas and a 400-acre pasture on the lakeshore with Texas Longhorn cattle and other livestock. The ranch is open year-round.
$20 - $22 / night
We have family in this area. This lake is packed during holidays. Any other time it is first come first serve lots. $27 a night for full hookups.
Until the state replaces these lecherous leprechauns who creep around and undress you with their eyes leering with their rotted teeth and unwashed bodies, I won't be back. The place is managed by drug addicts. This place is local to me and I went there often till 2023 when these folks took over. You'll probably find missing children in their closet. Seriously, these folks need to go. This was my favorite park, went for years but I won't go back till I know they are gone. I never felt afraid solo camping anywhere till I solo camped here after they took over. There's not enough locks on your camper door to sleep with them around. State of Oklahoma - DO BETTER. I spent a lot of money there but I won't spend one red cent til these folks are gone.
Very pretty and quiet campground. Spots spaced nicely apart, new comfort stations, dump station, playground, group spots, and overall just really enjoyable place to stay.
Water turns off to sites on Nov 1 but restrooms and showers are still on.
Great stargazing on a clear night.
It's absolutely beautiful. I camp here often because of the serenity. The best part of Whitehall Bay is the sewer is directly at your campsite, so no dumping afterwards. A big plus for me!!! Camp Hosts are awesome. You won't be disappointed
What an AMAZING campground. From the office personnel, to the cleanliness of the sites, to the sheer beauty of them as well. 12/10 and would absolutely visit again!
Beautiful view, quiet, but annoying folks. There is one site, B69, that someone needs to have the ability and the common sense to leave it as part of the day use area. There is a man-made path directly behind where a camper/rv parks that leads down to the shore/lake, that is heavily used by those who fish. In other words, they can and will, invade upon your site, your privacy, your solitude, all day, every day, to use this path to go fishing. So, even though the site is occupied by a PAYING camper, the hosts favor those free, day use fishermen, to allow them access to the lake for their pleasure. You, the paying camper, your pleasure does not matter. Mind you, this is NOT the only way down to the lake, just most convenient. There is no respect, common courtesy or consideration towards the camper who has PAID for the site, at all. The hosts may offer to move you, but if a person picks a specific site, why should they have to move to a different site? During the open season, find a different path to get to the lake!
I stayed at site #19 for 2 nights. My site had 30/50+water+sewer. The sites are gravel and fairly level. There is a boat ramp and a roped-off swimming area. There were two small playgrounds and two bath+shower houses. There is one old-fashioned unisex pit toilet.
The people behind me sounded like they were running a sawmill and mechanic shop all weekend. All the other campers were quiet.
The women's restroom I visited had 1 of 2 flushing toilets working. It also had two shower stalls. The spiders went running went I turned on the water, which was warm. One spider ran up my leg, lol.
The main issue with this campground, I found, was the drive to get here. Google will take you across the dam where you will hit a gravel road for 0.5 miles before getting back on the pavement. The last 4-5 miles are very narrow, with the vegetation growing right up to the pavement. I was lucky enough to only cross paths with oncoming traffic once, and right at a low-water bridge that was wider than the road. The last 2-3 miles are riddled with potholes. Was gear was scattered inside by the time I got to my site.
We had high hopes for Whitehall Bay. But our trip was about as bumpy as the road was coming into the campground.
Our site was a group of three that were tightly grouped together in a full hook up area. This was our first time with full hook ups so that could have been the issue but we felt like we were right on top of our neighbors.
There is not a lot to do for kids which is unfortunate, the beach looked extremely steep, however we did not use it.
The area itself is very beautiful and the lake had a great rocky shoreline worth exploring. But that is about as much of the good things I can speak of when it comes to Whitehall Bay.
Beautiful old, but refurbished campground in Northeast Oklahoma, built by the CCC! Our last night of a 16-day trip is quietly coming to a close. We made reservations on-line (that's another story!), and when we got there around 8 p.m., the RV campground was about 1/3 full. There are only electric hookups and community water is scattered through the campground. There are tent cabins to rent, and separate tent camping area, also where the overlook is, although it was overgrown and not easy to see the view! There are newish shower and toilet buildings scattered around and my hubs said they were nice and clean... shower water warm only. There is a swimming pool opening early June and nice walking trails. Lots of history if you go that route!
This was our first time camping with our toddler and it was was perfect! There was plenty of woods to get fallen firewood, well maintained trails, HEATED super clean bathrooms(it was around 45 degrees at night when we went so this was a welcome sight) showers, and also a park ranger would drive by every couple of hours so I felt very safe. We will definitely stay here again.
We reserved only about an hour ahead on recreation.gov, upgrading our overnight plan considerably. With Dad's senior national park pass, site #3 (60' gravel for up to a 40' rig) (electric only) was only $8.50. As we were parking, the gentleman (Greg, we think?) caring for the park greeted us and on finding we had pre -registered, offered us an upgrade to a full hook up site (we could see only 2 other campers in the campground). Site 15 was a wonderful upgrade! Lots of wonderful birdlife here.
Note, bring your own soap to restrooms in many of the Core of Engineer campgrounds. For the amazing savings, its an easy enough change to make!
Great trails, clean, HEATED bathrooms and showers
Quite nice visit great view
This has a pool, river for fishing and swimming and several great campgrounds.
Simple place, naturistic
Passing through and skeptical of the 9 miles off the main highway the campground was located but so very pleasantly surprised!! The campsites were spacious with trees and the view of the water was incredible, sunset was magnificent. Nice loop to walk the dog and quiet. We actually stayed awhile in the morning to cook breakfast and enjoy the view a little longer before hitting the road! Only negative was electric only, no water but we always travel with a full tank.
Beach, camping, boat ramp, fishing
We had a wonderful time camping here. The park is great and the RV campground shady with sites well spread out. It was nearly full and super quiet. There is hiking and access to the bluffs from the Campground. It's a quick drive to the pool (4$ per person) and river access. The only downside we're the bathrooms. Soaking wet floors, overflowing trash cans, no hooks or little shelf for towel or shower toiletries. It wasn't the very worst state park bathroom I've seen but definitely not impressive. This could be greatly improved. Beyond that, this park and Campground were wonderful and I highly recommend!
1st time out with our travel trailer!
Overall nice campground with full hookups. Fairly level asphalt pads. Large pads available for easy backing. Not at the water but close by.
wish I can stay out there but I got out there ever day
Going to Pawhuska for pioneer women or just giving through this is a good choice. Decent bathrooms, good site, nice drive in and looks like they are finishing up some overall renovations.
Great tent campground. Beautiful nature trails for hiking. Fabulous water falls!
Me and my wife and grand kids love camping here every weekend.
We tent camped here at Tent Hill site C. Had a grassy site which was nice. It was kind of close to D but we had good neighbors. Also, one of the benches at the picnic table was gone. Maybe it was an ADA site. Had a fire ring and lantern pole. Just across the road from the bathroom.
There are some good trails here. But they are in the process of making some changes and the maps are only partially accurate for the time being. We hiked to the old CCC camp and saw some old buildings and stuff.
There is a playground at the bottom of the hill. It’s a bit of a trek back up.
I suggest hiking down to the “waterfalls” on the river and spending some time.
Nestled in the beautiful hills of the Osage Hills Nation, located between Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Pawhuska, Oklahoma is Osage Hills State Park. I brought three of my grands who all had a blast! This 1,100 acre park offers swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, & even has a tennis court. The clean restrooms were a plus! Cabins, RV & Tent camping available. There is a small private lake with kayaks (Lookout Lake), many hiking trails, a swimming pool, and playground. We saw white tail deer, armadillo, & wild Turkey. There is a lot to do in the area. Woolaroc, Frank Phillips Mansion, The Pioneer Woman, The Dewey Hotel Museum, Tom Mix Museum, Kiddie Park.
Great summer time RV and year around tent camping. Several miles of trails for hiking and smooth enough for decent mountain biking. Also a great spot do go down and see waterfalls and throw the kayaks in the water.
RV facilities are clean for black water dump. Also has cabins and small event center, swimming pool, several play grounds. Con- no water in RV spots during winter months and upper tent camping closes during winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Independence, KS is Osage Hills State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 5 glamping camping locations near Independence, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
