Melvern Lake offers primitive tent camping opportunities on the eastern side of Kansas. The lake spans 6,930 acres with 100 miles of shoreline across Osage County. Tent sites around the reservoir range from basic areas with minimal facilities to established campgrounds with vault toilets and potable water. Seasonal water levels fluctuate significantly, affecting shoreline campsites during spring rainfall periods.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Council Grove Lake provides excellent fishing access, particularly for families with children. According to Adam M., "We had lots of success with fishing and the kids really enjoyed some of the hiking trails" during a three-night Cub Scout trip at Kansas View.
Lake exploration: The Woodridge Park trail system offers extensive hiking with lake access points. "Site 4 is right on the lake and had a beautiful view of the sunrise," notes Alexandra J., who recommends this primitive site at Woodridge Park for its seclusion and water views.
Trail camping: Beyond designated sites, Woodridge Park features unofficial campsites established by regular visitors. Ashley F. explains, "It's highly suggested that you explore off the trail though so that you can 1) see all the creative campsites that campers have built and established and 2) you can create your own living space."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The best tent camping near Melvern Lake offers significant seclusion. Zach C. mentions that at Woodridge Park, "Camping spots along trail are really spread out and even if every spot is full you still feel secluded."
Multiple camping styles: Woodridge accommodates various camping preferences. Josh M. describes it as "one of my favorite campgrounds. First come / first serve, plenty of space, potable water, nice toilets, tons of trails."
Boat access: Adam's Grove provides convenient boat launch facilities. JC C. notes that the area "does provide the closet boat ramp if you plan on picking up passengers off the beach near the dam," making it practical for combining boating with camping.
Abundant fire rings: James H. reports that Woodridge Park has "lots of fire rings available" and is "well maintained in the main camping area, as well as on the trail."
What you should know
Trail conditions: Woodridge Park trails can become challenging after rainfall. Harmony H. recommends timing your visit carefully: "We went mid-June, and there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive, constantly swarming us... We still had fun, but we'll go earlier or later next time."
Limited facilities: Primitive sites require self-sufficiency. At Adam's Grove, visitors should note there are "30 tent sites with no hookups" and a "$6 fee per site," according to JC C.
Site availability: Several formerly popular camping areas have closed. Nikki S. reports that 110 Mile Park "was a quiet little camp site that nobody really went to. They closed this campground in 2018 however."
Weekday advantages: For quality tent camping near Melvern Lake, timing matters. Ashley F. advises, "Woodridge is never over crowded unless it's a holiday, so more often than not you could camp the whole weekend and potentially not see another person."
Tips for camping with families
Pack for variable conditions: Weather impacts can change trail conditions rapidly. Harmony H. shares from experience: "It our first time hiking in to a site (lots of work with our regular gear for a family of four, but worth it!)." Consider equipment transport needs when selecting sites.
Safety awareness: Monitor surroundings at remote sites. Carly H. suggests bringing protection while camping at Woodridge with pets: "We brought our two dogs here with us and camped. There are so many spots you can set up at on the trail that nobody went to. Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!"
Pet-friendly options: Nikki S. recommends Woodridge for family groups with dogs: "This is my little families favorite camp ground. We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail. We have myself, husband, son, and dog."
Tips from RVers
Campground selection: Most primitive areas near Melvern Lake accommodate tent camping rather than RVs. While Kansas View at Council Grove Lake allows RVs, it remains primarily tent-focused with minimal hookups.
Water access planning: For RV campers requiring water, Clay W. highlights that Woodridge campground is "very well groomed, lots of amenities and it is really close to the lake via a short hike in the woods."
