Best RV Parks & Resorts near Independence, KS

We arrived here later in the day. We were here and it was chilly in November. Apparently the person working didn't anticipate any body showing up so late in the season. They were surprised and let us in for free. Its a pretty sweet camp right on the lake. 20-30 tent sites. As well as full RV hook ups.

Theres hiking, biking, and fishing in the area. We weren't really sure what to think about camping in Oklahoma and the camp site and people blew our expectations.

Cheers!

This is a great short or long term RV spot for those that are wanting to have possibilities of great fishing. On the shores of Oologah Lake with a boat ramp. There appear to be many long term campers here; there are not organized places for children to play. However, there are places that any kid could find to play; this park is mainly structured to attract older campers. There are services and goods available within 30 minutes.

This is also a great location for exploring area attractions (Will Rogers birthplace home, Will Rogers Museum, Woolaroc, etc. I would not consider this a kid friendly park and there are not any activities other than lake access and fishing. If you go into looking at it as a fishermen's destination, you will be happy.

Beach, shelter areas, boat ramp, camping areas, RV hookups, showers. Not well maintained, but free. Industrial fans across the beach are an eye sore

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!

We very much enjoyed our stay at this park. The folks that run this establishment are very friendly & helpful. The park has a pool. We found Riverside RV Park to be quiet, comfortable & affordable.

Overall nice campground with full hookups. Fairly level asphalt pads. Large pads available for easy backing. Not at the water but close by.

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!

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.

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.

Wonderful park. Great overall experience. I loved it. Plenty to do with a great playground for the kids, kids fishing pond, basketball and volleyball courts, and even an archery range. Fantastic hiking along the lake bluff will be sure to wear out your legs! All RV sites are water and electric and most are pull through. It's the most level site I have ever had. The only thing that was weird is that when you check in you have to pay an additional $5.00 per day for your vehicle. It was probably in the fine print when I booked the reservation. I went ahead and paid the extra $10 or $15 to just get the year state parks pass, as we plan to camp in KS more this fall. You may have out done yourself KS.

This is a great spot for a fishing getaway or to have a base for seeing the local sights. There is a cafe/store on-site with good meal offerings and minimal supplies. Other services can be found within a 30 minute drive if needed. Lake access for boats is available within 5 minutes drive.

There are limited RV spots available; the owners are very helpful and knowledgeable. There is not much in the way of shade and don't expect to find any on-site designated play areas for children but it is a great location for the RV person who is going fishing or setting out to see sites in the area.

This is a great State Park. Sites are paved with water and electric hook ups. Most are pretty level. Very clean park with nice restrooms and shower facilities. Great water views. The best hiking trails in the State of Kansas are in and around this lake and state park. From this camp ground you can hop on an awesome trail that leads up to the dam over look area. The trail has the lake on one side and rock wall formations on the other. Simply a great hiking area.

.• 74 Sites Electric(50 amp service avail) 

• 8 Non electric

• Full hookups

•$14-$76

• Pull thrus

• Reservations accepted 877-444-6777

• Beach

• Boat ramp

• Drinking water

• Dump station

• Restrooms/showers

• Pit toilets

• Swimming Beach

• Water sites 

Peak Season March 26, 2021- November 01, 2021 

Out of Season(No Booking Available) November 01, 2021- March 26, 2022

FEES$14-$74

Located on Bill Hill Lake outside of Cherryvale, Kansas and set in the gently rolling prairie with a large scattering of trees. The area considers itself as Kansas “Little Ozarks.” It is a beautifully serene setting dotted with campgrounds and day use areas. The Big Hill Lake is a reservoir and holds 1,240 acres of water with 367 acres available for use by the public. The park is nestled in the rolling, wooded countryside with thick oak-hickory forests surrounded by prairie and farmland, the lake shore supplies a variety of habitats for birds and mammals. Mound Valley offers a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of trees for shade, and the lake is only a short walk away from the campsites. Campers can venture onto several hiking and equestrian trails including Big Hill Lake Horse Trail, a 17-mile trail with a variety of terrain for all ages to explore. The trail winds along a scenic hardwood ridge that offers gorgeous views all along the way. Big Hill Lake is known as a trophy lake for fishing. Principal species of sport fish include largemouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye and smallmouth bass. The lake is also popular for fishing tournaments. Almost all of the land around the lake is open to public hunting, except for parks and areas around the dam and control structures. Principal species hunted are whitetail deer, turkey and squirrel. Families with kids will enjoy visiting the sand-covered beach nearby for cooling off from the summer heat and enjoying a picnic.  Campers can venture onto several hiking and equestrian trails including Big Hill Lake Horse Trail, a 17-mile trail with a variety of terrain for all ages to explore. The trail winds along a scenic hardwood ridge that offers gorgeous views all along the way. Big Hill Lake is known as a trophy lake for fishing. Principal species of sport fish include largemouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye and smallmouth bass. The lake is also popular for fishing tournaments. Almost all of the land around the lake is open to public hunting, except for parks and areas around the dam and control structures. Principal species hunted are whitetail deer, turkey and squirrel. Families with kids will enjoy visiting the sand-covered beach nearby for cooling off from the summer heat and enjoying a picnic. 

Getting Here Latitude 37° 16' 9.9998" N Longitude 95° 27' 29.9999" W From Cherryvale, Kansas, take U.S. Highway 169 and turn east onto Main Street. Continue through the town and turn right onto Olive Street. Go 1/2 a block and turn left onto County Route 5000. Proceed 4.5 miles to Big Hill Lake and follow signs to Mound Valley. 

Contact Information Mailing Address 19065 CHERRYVALE PKWY CHERRYVALE, KS 67335-0426 Phone Number For campground inquiries, please call: 620-328-2050 

Need to Know• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited within the Mound Valley Swimming Beach Area• Flush toilets and showers are closed outside of the reservation season, however vault toilets are available in the north loop• Don't Move Firewood: 

Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information. Upon arrival at Big Hill Lake a visitor may choose from a plethora of fun activities. Camping with and without electricity, boat launches, ball field, swimming beach and so much more. For trails you will find the Big Hill Lake Horse Trail which surrounds¾ of the lake and is 17 miles long. It provides a variety of terrain for all ages. The trail provides amazing views and riders will enjoy tethering areas and three parking areas along the trail. The parking areas are equipped with limited facilities that can be used for overnight camping by the trail riders. Riders will have the opportunity for wildlife viewing. For those that wish to hike you will find the Ruth Nixon Memorial Trail. The trail enjoys blue bird houses that were set in honor or Ruth Nixon. It is about one mile and offers the hikers the chance to observe local wildlife. The scenery along the way is spectacular. This trail links the Overlook Day Use Area and Cherryvale Recreation Area. There are rest areas along the way so take advantage of those inviting stops to enjoy the lake views and just take in the scenery. 

Big Hill Lake is one of the clearest lakes in Kansas and considered a trophy fishing lake. Sport fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye and sunfish. Hunters will find about 800 acres of project land that is managed for wildlife. Game species are large and varied around Big Hill Lake. Hunters will find bob white quail, rabbit, grey and fox squirrels, mourning dove, migratory waterfowl, wild turkey and white tailed deer. Hunters may also utilize another 1350 acres of land located about½ mile from the project. Wildflowers are in abundance in the spring and fall along with the beautiful trees such as persimmon, osage orange, redbud and dogwood. 

Swimming on the sandy beaches along the lake is a joy. Alcohol is not allowed on the beach area. Glass containers are also not allowed on the beach or in the water. Boats that are propelled by a motor of any kind or a sailboat must be numbered and registered with the state of Kansas or legally registered with another state. The Cherryvale area present day is a farming/ranching rural area with Friday night football the big excitement. 

In the 19th century Kansas was a bloody place. Before the “Civil War” you would have different groups battling for control. After the civil war the pioneers began their westward journey through the many trails that crossed the plains. In 1870 a group of five families settled in western Labette County. Cherryvale had not been established. This group stands out because of one particular family. The Bender family, a normal– mother– father– son– daughter from Germany. John Bender, Sr., his wife Ma Bender, son John, Jr. and daughter Kate. Now I am not going to get involved in their story but I will touch on some of the highlights and let you know the story includes an inn, a store, a hammer, a trap door, lonely single male travelers, haunted property and the only place where a mass murder is celebrated by a state historical marker. Google the Bender family in Kansas and enjoy a bit of the old west.

LNT

Better than when you found it

Stay safe– Happy Travels

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!

We stopped for an overnight stay on the way home to Texas.

Total for one night stay was $31.25.

Site was very large, with enough room for our 35+ foot 5th wheel and F350.

Pad is gravel and was level. 

Had water, sewer and power hook ups at site.

Campground was quiet at night.

Location is well taken care of and was a nice stop.

We are new to RV’ing, so my experience is somewhat limited, but this was a very nice campground and I couldn’t imagine how it could get much better. Compared to the few other lakes we’ve stayed at, this campground it very nicely developed with electric and water hook ups in just the right spots, and a really nice area with a picnic table, bbq grill and nice ring with an additional cooking grate in each spot. The whole camp was very cleaned and maintained and the park ranger was very accessible. We had a great time. The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because there was fairly limited shore access in the campground we stayed in, which was Mound Valley North Loop. Otherwise it was perfect.

Edit 10.11.20:

I wanted to edit my prior review and add a star. We ended up going to Big Hill 3 times this year, and several other state parks and campgrounds, and Big Hill is our favorite. My original title was correct, a treasure in Kansas.