Melvern Lake covers approximately 7,000 acres in eastern Kansas and offers year-round camping options with distinct seasonal variations. The lake sits at about 1,036 feet above sea level and experiences hot summers with temperatures reaching the 90s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Primitive campsites around the lake typically cost $12-18 per night, while electric hookups range from $16-25 depending on the season and location.
What to do
Fishing and boating access: At Carbolyn Park, visitors can use the boat ramp for direct lake entry. "Nice, shady spots with electric and water. It's very quiet. For $18, can't beat it," notes a camper who appreciated the affordable access. The park includes 29 sites total, with 26 electric sites and 3 primitive options.
Kayaking and canoeing: Melvern Lake provides numerous launch points for paddle sports. "We road bikes, but the cold spring winds made kayaking impossible. In the summer, I can see why this place would be a fun destination. Swimming, boating, fishing, horses, archery, wide open spaces," explains a camper who stayed at Eisenhower State Park during spring.
Bird watching: The lake area attracts diverse bird species throughout the year. "Very scenic grassy fields and trees along a reservoir that has fishing, boating, & canoeing. Great birds for birding. Great lakeside campsites," reports a visitor to Eisenhower State Park who found the birding opportunities particularly rewarding.
Hiking trail access: The walking paths around the lake offer exercise and wildlife viewing. "Trails to take walks by the lake," mentions a fall camper at Pomona State Park. Several campgrounds connect to shoreline trails that range from easy 1-mile loops to more extensive networks throughout the parks.
What campers like
Quiet camping in off-seasons: Winter and fall camping offers a more secluded experience. "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," shares a visitor who enjoyed Pomona State Park during colder months.
Tree coverage: Unlike some prairie campsites, several camping areas offer substantial shade. "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," notes a camper who appreciated the natural canopy at Hillsdale State Park.
Lake views and access: Many sites provide direct water visibility or easy shore access. "In fairness, most sites are on the water or have a water view. Spectacular sunsets," reports a camper from Eisenhower State Park who secured a prime waterfront location during their late May visit when the park was nearly empty.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance keeps camping areas in good condition. "Excellent clean restrooms and showers. Great views of the lake from many spots. Also good cell service," mentions a visitor to Eisenhower State Park who appreciated the infrastructure despite noting the sound of trains throughout the night.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad disturbances. At Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, one visitor warned: "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." The proximity to active rail lines affects several camping areas around Melvern Lake.
Weather preparation: The region experiences significant wind, particularly near the water. "It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind," cautions a tent camper at Eisenhower State Park who stayed in the Fivestar loop.
Reservation timing: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others operate first-come, first-served. "All sites are on a first come first serve basis," notes a visitor about Carbolyn Park, which operates from May 1 until September 30, unlike some year-round options elsewhere around the lake.
Site levelness varies: Campsites may require equipment for leveling. "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 a fall camper at Pomona State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Perry State Park offers recreation areas for children. "Large grassy field with playgrounds," notes a camper at Pomona State Park, while another visitor at Perry mentioned the availability of play areas throughout the campgrounds for keeping children entertained.
Swimming beaches: Designated swimming areas provide safe water access for children. "There are a few swim beaches, and plenty of sand to sit in and relax," shares a visitor about the swimming options at Eisenhower State Park.
Camping proximity: Consider site spacing when traveling with children. "The primitive sites were fairly small and jammed next to each other, and half of them didn't have great tree cover," observes a tent camper at Eisenhower State Park, highlighting the importance of selecting sites with adequate space for family activities.
Kid-friendly activities: Some parks offer structured recreation options. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, a family camper reports, "My kids love camping here, we came in an RV and we're barely ever inside it until we were ready to sleep. So much fun activities for the kids to do to keep them entertained and occupied, giving the adults time to do things like conversations and hanging out without kids interrupting."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup reliability: Power supply varies between campgrounds. "30 amps of clean 122 vac," reports a camper at Pomona State Park who monitored their electrical supply and found it consistent.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites have different privacy levels depending on location. "Utility camping is a little close together for my liking. Still decent overall," notes a visitor to Perry State Park who preferred more separation between rigs.
Big rig accessibility: Several campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "We're in a Montana high country 384br, 41' fifth wheel," mentions an RV owner who successfully navigated Pomona State Park with their substantial rig, finding adequate space for setup and maneuverability.
Full-hookup limitations: Not all sites offer complete services. "Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy," explains a camper at Hillsdale State Park, highlighting the tradeoff between amenities and aesthetics when glamping close to Melvern Lake.
