Best Campgrounds near Neosho Rapids, KS

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Neosho Rapids, Kansas lies within easy reach of several camping destinations along Melvern Lake and the Neosho River. Established campgrounds such as Turkey Point, Eisenhower State Park, and Coeur D'alene provide electric hookups, drinking water, and maintained facilities. The region includes both lakefront and riverside options, with campsites that accommodate tents, RVs, and in some locations, cabins. Areas like Arrow Rock and Melvern Reservoir offer water access with some sites situated directly on the shoreline, while facilities like Emporia RV Park provide more developed camping closer to highways.

Reservations are recommended for most campgrounds, particularly during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with sites like Arrow Rock typically open from May through September, though some areas like Eisenhower State Park remain accessible year-round. The Corps of Engineers manages several campgrounds in the region, including Melvern Lake areas and John Redmond Reservoir sites, each with varying levels of amenities and hookup availability. Campers should check site-specific regulations regarding pets, fires, and alcohol, as policies differ between locations. "Northwest of Burlington, Kansas, you'll find a quiet campsite along the east side of the Neosho River, just below the John Redmond Reservoir Dam," noted one visitor about the Riverside East camping area.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings across the region, with Turkey Point campground described as having "spacious sites, most offer shade and trees for hammocking, and water access is awesome!" according to visitor feedback. Several campgrounds feature clean facilities with showers and bathrooms, though amenities vary by location. Sites at Melvern Lake provide opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, with campers reporting owl sightings and exceptional stargazing opportunities. During off-season periods, some campgrounds like Coeur D'alene may offer free camping with limited services. The landscape features a mix of open grassy fields and wooded areas typical of the Flint Hills region, with potential for strong winds coming off the lakes that campers should prepare for when selecting sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Neosho Rapids, Kansas (106)

    1. Eisenhower State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lyndon, KS
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 528-4102

    $10 - $85 / night

    "The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well."

    "This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. At the end of May, it was almost empty. We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water."

    2. Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE

    10 Reviews
    Lyndon, KS
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    $25 - $78 / night

    "Clean facilities, quiet camping, great fishing lake, and nice bike paths."

    "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."

    3. Turkey Point

    4 Reviews
    Lebo, KS
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    $16 - $200 / night

    "Gravel hiking trail, too. This was our very first trip in our brand new r v. It is only about an hour away from our house, but we will be back!"

    "Turkey Point is on the North side of Melvern lake. We have been going to this campground for about 10 years. The camp hosts have always been very accomodating."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. Emporia RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Emporia, KS
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 343-3422

    "Downfall is right next to interstate. Internet is not the best, but it is secure."

    5. Arrow Rock - Melvern Reservoir

    3 Reviews
    Fort Supply Lake, OK
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    "Another great place in Kansas. We managed to book this place on the start of Labor Day Weekend because of a last minute cancellation and we were extremely lucky to get this place last minute."

    "easy access to the lake. facilities can be dirty"

    6. COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East

    2 Reviews
    Lebo, KS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 364-8613

    "Northwest of Burlington, Kansas, you'll find a quiet campsite along the east side of the Neosho River, just below the John Redmond Reservoir Dam."

    "Trails are nice and plenty of critters."

    7. Arrow Rock

    1 Review
    Lebo, KS
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    $16 - $22 / night

    8. Coeur D'alene

    2 Reviews
    Lyndon, KS
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    $16 - $28 / night

    "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."

    9. Kelley City Park

    2 Reviews
    Lebo, KS
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 364-5334

    "We had finished eating dinner and noticed a car sitting down the driveway so my dog and I circled around behind the car and discovered it was a police car."

    10. Sun Dance

    1 Review
    Lebo, KS
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318
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Recent Reviews near Neosho Rapids, KS

257 Reviews of 106 Neosho Rapids Campgrounds


  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 18, 2025

    Mill creek campground

    Great 1 night stop

    Needed a place close to the interstate. Paxico is small little cute town with shops and railroad western feel. The RV park is by the river with open views and quiet. The train was the loudest thing for the night. FHU worked great. Long pull through sites easy to maneuver.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2025

    Chase County Fishing Lake

    Camp on the water

    Not a bad spot and mostly clean. Dispersed camping directly on the lake. I didn’t fish, but there are big fish jumping. Downsides are that you can hear the highway and there isn’t much for hiking or running trails.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Richey Cove

    Richey Cove Camp Grounds.

    Reasonably priced at 23$ per night…including electricity.Covered picnic table and trees😁 A view of the lake from just about every site. Clean enough showers and toilet facilities. Camp just was very nice and helpful.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Cedar Park

    Beautiful area.

    Great area, friendly guests even the kids showing up on the weekends were well behaved. One vault toilet they maintain the best they can. Area is patrolled by Park Rangers and law enforcement, not sure if local, county, or state. While there the park placed plaques marking site numbers and eventually they will add a kiosk that will have a QR code for payment, they were not sure what the fee would be (free for now). The sites are huge and not right on top of each other, they offer a picnic table, fire ring, and a gravel parking spot for your camper or grassy areas for tents. Very dusty roads getting here but worth it. Watch out for wildlife, deer, turkeys, and vultures are always on the roads including the pup that chases you're truck, just down the road from here, lol. Hope this helps, Happy camping you all!

  • robert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Nice lake view

    Just got to the site, so far so good. Easy in for a Ford transit.

  • j
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Lake Shawnee County Campground

    So much to do here

    Topeka KS Lake Shawnee Co. Park Campground This campground is a gem nestled in a beautiful county park. All the sites are paved, level and have full hookups. They include nice picnic tables and fire pits. We had a pull thru site with a nice view of the lake. There are 87 FHU sites, tent sites and two modern bathhouses and laundry facilities. The park offers so many things- golf, disc golf, fishing with a heated dock, swim beach, boating, several playgrounds, tennis courts, and places to walk and  bike., even a botanical garden.. We paid$46

  • John G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Eisenhower SP spaciousness

    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. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well. The camp store is minimal and only open a few hours in the evening. Access to the water is easy so bring watercraft and swimming attire. The lake is almost 7,000 acres so our kayak exploring only covered a small portion.

  • Ray L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Very nice clean waterfront spot

    It seems that every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place, I love it


Guide to Neosho Rapids

Camping options near Neosho Rapids, Kansas offer convenient access to waterways with varying seasonal availability. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and moderate winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping. Wind conditions can be particularly strong during transitional seasons, with gusts frequently exceeding 20 mph across the open Kansas terrain.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At COE John Redmond Reservoir Riverside East, campers can enjoy shoreline fishing along the Neosho River. "It's very quiet. Trails are nice and plenty of critters," notes Ryan M., highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities while fishing.

Kayaking and boating: Eisenhower State Park provides extensive water recreation on its nearly 7,000-acre lake. John G. shares: "Access to the water is easy so bring watercraft and swimming attire. The lake is almost 7,000 acres so our kayak exploring only covered a small portion."

Hiking trails: Arrow Rock offers walking paths with wildlife viewing opportunities. Anne mentions the campground has "Lots of trees, birds and water views," making it ideal for nature observation along trails that connect camping areas with shorelines.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Melvern Lake COE receives praise for maintenance. Jeff notes: "Clean facilities, quiet camping, great fishing lake, and nice bike paths," while Joyce R. appreciates the laundromat amenities: "Full service campground, laundromat at each shower house, plenty of shade, and lots of fishing."

Wildlife viewing: Campers regularly spot diverse wildlife at Turkey Point. According to Juliana H., "We heard owls, saw bats and fireflies, and had an INCREDIBLE view of the stars at night."

Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. At Coeur D'alene, Kristen found a "Neat and peaceful place. Well maintained! Boat ramps, RV hookups, benches, shelter areas, bathrooms, showers, tent camping, beach and more!"

What you should know

Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds operate only during warmer months. Arrow Rock campground runs from May 1 to September 30, while off-season campers might find options at Coeur D'alene where Amy W. reports: "Stayed here off season for free. They do not close the gates so you can enter but no access to facilities, water or electric."

Reservation challenges: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront options. As Joyce R. notes about Melvern Lake: "The only problem is that it's very hard to get reservations, as they fill up fast."

Weather considerations: Strong winds can impact camping comfort. Christina H. observed at Eisenhower State Park: "It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and recreation: Kelley City Park provides family-friendly amenities. Deb Z. reports: "We loved it here, very clean, quiet, and has a playground. It's right across from the police station."

Swimming areas: Many campgrounds have designated swimming areas, but conditions vary. At Melvern Lake, Anna P. cautions: "The water was pretty gross for swimming and rocky," suggesting families check water conditions before planning water activities.

Security considerations: Some campgrounds have additional security measures. At Kelley Park, one camper noted: "We spoke to the officer and he said they keep a close watch on the park because it's safe and they want to keep it that way."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: RV sites with full connections remain limited. Randall J. recommends specific spots at Arrow Rock: "Best RV spot is #25 - extremely shady," noting the importance of selecting sites with adequate shade during summer months.

Campground navigation: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. Amy W. notes about Coeur D'alene: "Campground slopes to the river so very few level sites," important information for RVers seeking level parking.

Off-peak advantages: Visiting during shoulder seasons can provide more availability. Nancy C. found Eisenhower State Park "almost empty" in late May, adding: "We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Neosho Rapids, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, Neosho Rapids, KS offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near Neosho Rapids, KS and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Neosho Rapids, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Neosho Rapids, KS is Eisenhower State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Neosho Rapids, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Neosho Rapids, KS.

What parks are near Neosho Rapids, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Neosho Rapids, KS that allow camping, notably John Redmond Reservoir and Melvern Lake.