Top Tent Camping near Lawrence, KS

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Lawrence? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Lawrence, including sites, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Kansas tent camping excursion.

Best Tent Sites Near Lawrence, KS (11)

    Camper-submitted photo from Woodridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodridge

    1. Woodridge

    13 Reviews
    22 Photos
    152 Saves

    This recreation area is part of Clinton Lake

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Dispersed
    • No image available

      2. 110 Mile Park

      1 Review

      This recreation area is part of Pomona Lake

      • Tents
      Camper-submitted photo from Scott Creek Campground

      3. Scott Creek Campground

      1 Review
      1 Photo
      29 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • Tents

      $10 - $50 / night

      • No image available

        4. Adam's Grove

        1 Review

        This recreation area is part of Prado Dam

        • Tents
        Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee State Fishing Lake
        Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee State Fishing Lake

        5. Shawnee State Fishing Lake

        2 Reviews
        2 Photos
        4 Saves
        • Pets
        • Reservable
        • Tents
        • Trash
        • Picnic Table
        • Alcohol
        • No image available

          6. Overlook Park

          Be the first to review!
          4 Saves

          Overview

          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
          • No image available

            7. Marysville

            Be the first to review!
            3 Saves

            This recreation area is part of Hillsdale Lake

            • Reservable
            • Tents
            • No image available
              • No image available
                • No image available

                  10. Sun Dance Park

                  Be the first to review!
                  1 Save

                  This recreation area is part of Melvern Lake

                  • Tents
                Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

                Recent Tent Reviews In Lawrence

                484 Reviews of 11 Lawrence Campgrounds


                • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Michigan Valley
                  Oct. 1, 2024

                  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

                • J
                  Camper-submitted photo from Mill creek campground
                  Sep. 16, 2024

                  Mill creek campground

                  One night stop

                  We stopped for one night. $40, had full hook up, pretty level gravel site. Bathroom shower houses are OK did well for what we wanted. Only thing that might bother some people is there is a train track right beside the campground. This could be charming and rustic, or just annoying noise, depending on your point of view. It was warm, we had the AC on, didn’t bother us. It’s an older campground and it shows, but we were pleased.

                • Jeff L.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Weston Bend State Park
                  Sep. 13, 2024

                  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.

                • TThe Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Outlet(melvern)
                  Aug. 4, 2024

                  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.
                  Camper-submitted photo from Clinton State Park Campground
                  Jul. 21, 2024

                  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
                • E
                  Camper-submitted photo from Worlds of Fun Village
                  Jul. 7, 2024

                  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.

                • Terry D.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Weston Bend State Park
                  Jun. 30, 2024

                  Weston 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.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
                  Jun. 22, 2024

                  Leavenworth 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.

                • JThe Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Topeka / Capital City KOA
                  Jun. 14, 2024

                  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.
                  Camper-submitted photo from Osage State Fishing Lake
                  Jun. 12, 2024

                  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!

                • D
                  Camper-submitted photo from Clinton State Park Campground
                  Jun. 10, 2024

                  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.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Weston Bend State Park
                  Jun. 8, 2024

                  Weston 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.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Deer Creek Valley RV Park
                  May. 24, 2024

                  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.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Woodridge
                  May. 21, 2024

                  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.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Osage State Fishing Lake
                  May. 13, 2024

                  Osage 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.

                • E
                  Camper-submitted photo from Bloomington East - Clinton Lake
                  May. 8, 2024

                  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.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Basswood Country RV Resort
                  Apr. 8, 2024

                  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.
                  Camper-submitted photo from Clinton State Park Campground
                  Apr. 7, 2024

                  Clinton 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.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
                  Apr. 1, 2024

                  Leavenworth 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.
                  Camper-submitted photo from Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA
                  Mar. 21, 2024

                  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

                • BLBJR
                  Camper-submitted photo from Weston Bend State Park
                  Feb. 17, 2024

                  Weston 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.

                • A
                  Camper-submitted photo from Coeur D'alene
                  Feb. 13, 2024

                  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.

                • Jamie V.The Dyrt PRO User
                  Camper-submitted photo from Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping
                  Dec. 4, 2023

                  Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping

                  Nice little campground below the dam at Smithville Lake

                  We tried Smith Fork and liked it. The only downside is that some of the campsites are close together/congested, but that’s not necessarily a big negative. We have Verizon and service was good. Camp hosts were great!



                Guide to Lawrence

                Camping near Lawrence, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or a family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

                What to do

                • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the trails around Clinton State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "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." This makes it a great spot for enjoying nature without the noise.

                • Fishing and Boating: At Blue Springs Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A reviewer said, "Quiet, beautiful campground located just outside of Kansas City, Mo." It’s perfect for a relaxing day on the water.

                • Wildlife Watching: Watkins Mill State Park Campground is known for its wildlife. One visitor noted, "The area was clean and the bathrooms well maintained," making it a pleasant spot to observe nature.

                What campers like

                • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A review for Lake Shawnee County Campground stated, "The lake is beautiful and the campground is clean and neat."
                • Friendly Staff: Many campers enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. At Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA, one guest said, "Friendly staff and clean bath/shower facilities."
                • Spacious Sites: Campers often mention the spaciousness of the sites. A review for Crow's Creek Campground highlighted, "We’ve stayed here several times without any problems."

                What you should know

                • Seasonal Availability: Some campgrounds, like Bloomington East - Clinton Lake, are only open from early April to late September. Make sure to check the season before planning your trip.
                • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Longview Campground has no electric hookups or showers, so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
                • Wildlife Caution: While wildlife is a big draw, be cautious. A camper at Watkins Mill State Park Campground mentioned, "My only complaint were the ticks," so bring bug spray.

                Tips for camping with families

                • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Clinton State Park Campground has a playground nearby, making it perfect for kids.
                • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise, especially in family-friendly areas. One reviewer at Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA noted, "3 stars for grumpy old people who don’t like kids noises past 8pm."
                • Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games or outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A camper at Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park mentioned, "Nice and quiet," which is great for family bonding.

                Tips from RVers

                • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to confirm if the campground has the necessary hookups. A review for Weston Bend State Park Campground mentioned, "Electric sites, no water, but water spigots were scattered around the campground."
                • Look for Spacious Sites: RVers appreciate sites with enough room to maneuver. A camper at Crow's Creek Campground said, "We’ve stayed at sites in Loop C improved which have water and 50amp service."
                • Be Prepared for Noise: If you're near highways, be ready for some traffic sounds. A visitor at Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA noted, "Close proximity to the interstate does come with some traffic noise."

                Camping in and around Lawrence, KS, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature walks to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

                Frequently Asked Questions

                • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lawrence, KS?

                  According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lawrence, KS is Woodridge with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.

                • What is the best site to find tent camping near Lawrence, KS?

                  TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Lawrence, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.