Cabin accommodations near Lawrence, Kansas range from rustic to modern with Clinton State Park offering primitive to semi-modern options. Most cabin sites include water and electricity with prices varying from $45-$80 per night. Kansas state parks require advance bookings during peak summer months while many private campgrounds maintain year-round cabin availability with modern amenities like air conditioning and heating systems.
What to do
Hiking at Clinton State Park: The park features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels suitable for day hikes. Prairie Clover Campground provides access to several trails. "Visiting in non peak is as easy as driving in, finding a spot and paying your fees. Full bath houses, disc golf, archery range, and an abundance of hiking all around the camps," notes camper Charles F.
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes near Lawrence provide excellent fishing without needing to travel far. Perry State Park Campground offers shoreline fishing spots accessible from most campsites. According to visitor Christopher R., "Great place for a day or two... Stayed in lot 93, nice spot on end with extra privacy. We were a rooftop tent and could hear distant trains all night."
Water recreation: Boating, swimming and kayaking options exist at various lakes surrounding Lawrence. "We kayaked from our campsite. The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout. Lots of hammock tree setups too," reports Daniel T. about his experience at Clinton State Park.
Archery practice: Clinton State Park maintains a dedicated archery range for visitors. "Rolling hills and lots of green with many trails and recreational facilities including more unusual things like archery. Lake is surprisingly big, good wildlife and birding," shares Amber A.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the layout and size of sites at certain parks. Pomona State Park Campground receives high marks for site size and privacy. "The campground here is covered in trees, Awesome. We're in a Montana high country 384br, 41' fifth wheel. It's a beautiful park, right on Pomona lake," writes Ty A.
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and showers rank high among visitor priorities. "The bathrooms are adequate and clean. Views are beautiful as you will see for yourself. Would definitely return," comments Debbie S. about her stay at Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA.
Lake views: Campers frequently mention the quality of lakeside sites. "Beautiful and tons of fun for our family and friends," shares Noy N. about Pomona State Park, while another visitor notes, "The primitive sites and RV sites are extremely close (especially the RV sites) other than that they have dedicated hammock sites!"
Winter camping options: Several parks maintain cabin rentals year-round. "We stayed in one of the campgrounds with undesignated primitive spots. Found a nice place to park right on the lake. It was super quiet, being winter. Not too many primitive campers out," reports Courtney S. about winter camping at Pomona State Park.
What you should know
Railroad noise: Several campgrounds near Lawrence experience train noise. Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA sites are affected by nearby train tracks. "This is a lovely campsite but we'll sadly never stay here again - because trains passed by really loudly all night long - it finally stopped at about 5am," warns LauraJane B.
Seasonal differences: Park amenities vary significantly between peak and off-peak seasons. "This is a good KOA but the trains run ALL NIGHT long. I only go to KOA if I am camping with the kids. It is worth the price if only because of the clean bathrooms and kid friendly activities," writes Darius C.
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer equal access to amenities or views. "Our site was $56.78. We were in Site# 59. We had Full hook-up with a gravel pull-through. 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," advises Julia H.
Variable water levels: Lake conditions can change throughout the season. "The lake is disgusting and we ended up leaving after one night. Would never return," reports Evan G. about Clinton State Park during a particularly low water period.
Tips for camping with families
Choose parks with organized activities: Some campgrounds offer regular structured events for children. Topeka / Capital City KOA provides family-centered programming. "They have a community fire pit with multiple swings around it. They also offer a weight room and an adorable activities room with air hockey, a library, & a pool table," notes Julia H.
Consider pool access: Swimming facilities provide reliable entertainment regardless of lake conditions. "It's in the middle of a sketchy at best neighborhood and is extremely crowded in the months the park is open. (May to October) Cabins are okay and meet basic needs but are not cleaned thoroughly," warns Amanda M. about Worlds of Fun Village.
Look for playground proximity: Sites near play equipment allow parents to supervise from their campsite. "It does cost about $25 a day, but you have electricity, and shade, and it is always quiet here. The park rangers are always cleaning or doing rounds to make sure everything is okay. Bathrooms have AC and are cleaned with disinfectant daily. Very clean campground and has a playground. Pet friendly," explains Sabrina E. about Lewis and Clark State Park.
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Family-friendly cabin sites book quickly during summer and holiday periods. "We had a wonderful stay! Wonderful pull through spots, great views, and closer to the boat ramp!" shares Caitlin R. about Perry State Park.
Tips from RVers
Level sites available: Most parks offer at least some level sites suitable for larger rigs. Eisenhower State Park Campground has well-designed sites for various RV sizes. "This was our first visit and we chose a campsite on-line. The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade," reports John G.
Winter accessibility: Several parks maintain year-round cabin and RV access with utilities. "Enjoyed a nice cool weekend of fall camping. Site a little off level, nothing a few blocks or boards couldn't solve. 30 amps of clean 122 vac, water tucked in between two pine trees that blocked the view of the sites to the left and right of us," explains Dan & Penny F. about Pomona State Park.
Dump station locations: RV owners should note dump station availability at each park. "Nice state park on the lake can be crowded and a little crazy on weekends. Like most state parks no sewer hookups but easy access to dump station," mentions Doug H. about Perry State Park.
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality between parks. "The road coming into the campground (49th St) is unpaved and very bumpy. Folks with larger rigs should be aware that the road narrows as you pass under the overpass, so be mindful in case there is traffic coming the other direction," advises Jason F.
