Brian 
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TravelerLeavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
Easy to find
About a half hour from i70, this place is crawling with insects so be prepared. Nice quiet spot tho.
Camping near New Century, KS
111 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The area surrounding New Century, Kansas features a range of camping options within a 30-minute drive, making it a convenient base for exploring both natural areas and Kansas City attractions. Hillsdale State Park, located south of New Century, offers multiple campgrounds including Sunflower, Saddle Ridge, and Crappie Cove with amenities for both tent and RV campers. Private RV parks like Walnut Grove in nearby Merriam provide year-round accommodations with full hookups, while Lake Miola City Park in Paola combines primitive tent sites with electric hookups in a more natural setting. Most campgrounds in the region maintain good cellular coverage, with campers reporting strong signals on major carriers.
Reservations are essential during summer weekends and holiday periods when Kansas City residents seek outdoor escapes. Many state park campgrounds require both camping fees and daily vehicle permits, with annual passes available for frequent visitors. As one camper noted, "Close to Kansas City but far enough that it's still really camping. Cell service on AT&T and Verizon are great." Site terrain varies considerably throughout the region, with many campgrounds featuring sloped sites that may require leveling equipment for RVs. Weather conditions remain relatively mild from April through October, though summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity. Severe weather awareness is important, particularly during spring and early summer when thunderstorms and occasional tornado warnings occur.
Campers consistently highlight the balance between accessibility and natural setting as a key advantage of the area. Blue Springs Lake Campground receives praise for being "quiet, beautiful, and located just outside Kansas City" with full hookup sites and family-friendly amenities. Water recreation opportunities abound at several locations, with fishing particularly popular at Hillsdale Lake where "many sites offer waterfront access." Weekend noise levels can increase at some of the more popular lakes, especially during summer holidays. Sites with mature trees providing shade are highly sought after during hot months, with several reviewers noting the importance of securing these premium spots early. Bathroom and shower facilities vary in quality across campgrounds, though most maintain acceptable cleanliness standards.
Best Campgrounds near New Century (111)
1. Walnut Grove RV Park
"Only 10 minutes away from Joe’s original Kansas City BBQ (super delicious).
We did pay for the premium pull through site, so we had more room.""My husbands job took us to Merriam Kansas and we needed a place to stay, we made reservations at Walnut Grove. We were surprised to find it in the middle of a neighborhood."
from $62 - $131 / night
Check Availability2. Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park
"This campground is close to home for us, but we love it as a quick get away. It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake. "
"We often find ourselves in a field with port-a-potties instead of lakeside with views. Not bad for what it is, I do wish they had more options."
from $10 / night
Check Availability3. Crappie Cove Campground — Hillsdale State Park
"There are limited sites for camping at Hillsdale Lake. But they are all nice and many offer waterfront access. "
"Crappie Cove has the best sites, and it is very close to the kayak/boat ramp and the swimming beach."
from $23 / night
Check Availability4. Blue Springs Lake Campground
"Quiet, beautiful campground located just outside of Kansas City, Mo. We had a full hookup site located right by the playground and it was perfect for our family."
"A campsite not to far from Kansas City but had a feeling far removed. The campground was super clean and well maintained."
from $33 - $48 / night
Check Availability5. Lake Miola City Park
"The lake itself is small compared to most Kansas area lakes but sufficient for skiing."
"A walking path & a park and a huge dog park!!!! Love love love this place!!"
6. Saddle Ridge Campground — Hillsdale State Park
"Lots of riding trail miles and lake."
from $12 - $23 / night
Check Availability7. Sunflower Campground — Hillsdale State Park
"This is one thing that should be mandatory given its proximity and being further away from potential shelter. Excellent camping on the lake. Lots of water activities available."
from $24 / night
Check Availability8. Shady Acres RV Park
"Close to a small convenient store and fuel station. (1/4 mile to the east) Close to Hillsdale Lake for swimming and boating. Horseshoe pits."
from $23 - $33 / night
Check Availability9. Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park
"The great part is that the sites are so large, at least on the lake side, which is actually a bit away from the lake, but accessible by stairs from the camp sites."
"The park is also at a lake so there’s a beach access area where you can go and swim or just sit by the very large lake."
from $10 - $150 / night
Check Availability10. Quail Run Campground — Hillsdale State Park
"The nearby vault toilet was just OK, it was about as clean as a vault toilet could be but there was no way to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands nearby."
"Plenty of space for tents and other activities and very close to water"
from $12 - $23 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 22 min from Kansas City, MO
- 37 min from Lawrence, KS
- 54 min from Topeka, KS
- 57 min from St. Joseph, MO
Recent Camping Photos near New Century, KS
161 Photos of 111 New Century Campgrounds
Freya
Quail Run Campground — Hillsdale State Park
Janice O.
Crappie Cove Campground — Hillsdale State Park
Jason W.
Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park
Carrie A.
Inntirety Healing Center - Forest Retreat & Glamping Center
Troy
Peculiar Park Place
Dawn H.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kansas City
Dyle K.
Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA
Reagan G.
Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
Rylan B.
Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park
Natalia G.
Blue Springs Lake Campground
Amanda M.
Jackson County Fleming Park Jacomo Campground
Kent F.
Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park
Recent Reviews near New Century, KS
644 Reviews of 111 New Century Campgrounds
- JJohn S.
ScoutDeer Creek Valley RV Park
Clean spaces
We stayed here one night in late July. The staff was friendly and the site was extremely clean. The showers were clean and spacious. Each site has a covered gazebo. Wish we could have stayed longer!
Kelly M.TravelerWeston Bend State Park Campground
Excellent campground
The renovations they just did to this campground are fantastic and really surprising to find in a state park. Most of the campsites were paved to an extent, but where we stayed they all had large concrete slabs that covered the picnic area as well as the landing site for the RV. It was very nice. They have planted new trees, so eventually it will have plenty of shade. The bathrooms were also clean. The sites were spread out and we had plenty of room to ourselves. The park as a whole was very nice and well maintained, as was the town. I would definitely stay here again!
Irene H.ScoutBloomington East - Clinton Lake
Lots of spots near shade trees - concrete path to the lake
I stayed here late summer. This is one of my favorites because it is close to home. I invite my friends and/or family. We love the spots near the treeline so there is shade and trees for our Hammocks. I like to kayak and we can put it right at the campgroundds. I jetski and the boatramp is not too far away. Bathrooms with showers within easy walking distance. (Sometimes the toilet paper goes empty so as a backup bring some along).
The clinton Store has some basics if you forget, but check their hours ahead of time so you know in case you need anything. Firewood is also available for sale.
- Wayne B.
GuideCampus RV Park
Oregon Trail Vacation
The park was excellent. Lots of sites but well planned out . Laundry room, restrooms with showers. Tucked away, very private. All concrete slabs.
Jason T.ScoutRabbit Ridge Primitive Campground — Hillsdale State Park
Pretty nice campground
Pretty nice campground, decently large, has showers, a small store open from time to time, and a swimmers beach
- DDavid A.Scout
Lake Paradise Resort
Great place
This is a GREAT RV PARK! The new owners have done GREAT work to bring it back!
- NNatalie M.Scout
i49 Rv Park - Missouri
Stayed one night
I wrote a review earlier and I don’t know how to change it so I’m writing a second . Where there is a place to pay for showers after, after further exploring , we did find the shower included in the $56 a night . It was a clean , stocked shower
- Bailey B.Scout
Longview Lake Campground
Nice little campground
It was a great campground, well maintained, clean bathrooms, a nice playground for kids. The sites all seemed pretty spacious. I was kind of disappointed that our spot had Zero shade but it looked like the majority of spots had at least a little. We also went to Longview lake and really enjoyed it.
Guide to New Century
Camping areas near New Century, Kansas offer a mix of prairie landscapes and reservoir-based recreation at elevations between 850 and 1,000 feet above sea level. Most camping areas sit on gently rolling terrain formed by the Osage Cuestas physiographic region, characterized by alternating limestone and shale layers. Soil conditions tend toward clay-based composition, which can affect drainage during the frequent spring and fall precipitation.
What to do
Archery practice: Clinton State Park features an archery range alongside traditional camping activities. "We did pay for the premium pull through site, so we had more room. Everything worked great, the spot was on a slight hill- but wasn't terrible to level out," notes Mary from Walnut Grove RV Park.
Disc golf courses: Clinton State Park maintains disc golf facilities suitable for all skill levels. "Visiting in non peak is as easy as driving in, finding a spot and paying your fees. Full bath houses, disc golf, archery range, and an abundance of hiking all around the camps," reports Charles F. from Prairie Clover Campground.
Water recreation: Hillsdale Lake supports multiple water activities including kayaking and canoeing rentals. "This is a very nice area to camp. Quiet. The shower/bath houses are clean. I had a great time kayaking the coves to this gorgeous lake," writes Joyce M. about Crappie Cove at Hillsdale State Park.
What campers like
Affordable rates: Lake Miola City Park offers budget-friendly camping options for both tent and RV campers. "It's CHEAP!! 20$ for electric tent & camper! They have water spouts at the tent area as well!! A walking path & a park and a huge dog park!!!!" raves Kayzie N. from Lake Miola City Park.
Campsite spacing: Blue Springs Lake Campground receives praise for site layout. "The sites are so pretty and spaced well. The bathroom/showers were clean. The laundry worked well. This was the best campground we stayed at on our cross country trip," shares Pam R. from Blue Springs Lake Campground.
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower conditions exceed expectations at several locations. "The sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating," reports Chris W., also from Blue Springs Lake Campground.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites throughout the area require equipment for leveling RVs and trailers. "The sites are not very level, so bring leveling equipment! The rates are EXTREMELY affordable. First come, first served. Holidays will find the campground FULL," warns Steve D. about Lake Miola.
Primitive camping conditions: Prepare for basic amenities at some locations. "I didn't love the fire ring because the wall was pretty high and the grill part didn't have adjustable height so that limited the height of the fire we could build when we wanted to cook over it," notes Freya about Quail Run Campground.
Weekend planning: Holiday weekends fill quickly at popular sites. "If you want to be there for a holiday, know that you are allowed to stay 14 consecutive days before you must take 5 day break," advises Steve D. about Lake Miola City Park regulations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas specifically designed for children. "Great place for a somewhat long stay. Staff are very nice and sweet, there's free WiFi, lots of pull through spots, has a dump station and allows pets. Overall very family friendly," writes Jewlia T. about Walnut Grove RV Park.
Swimming options: Lake Miola offers a dedicated swimming beach with additional recreational facilities. "The lake itself is small compared to most Kansas area lakes but sufficient for skiing. The lake offers hiking/biking trails around it, a campground, fishing, a swimming beach with a picnic area and volleyball courts," explains Misti P. from Saddle Ridge Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe local fauna at several campgrounds. "Being almost completely surrounded by the lake was so serene and we got to hear and see a lot of wildlife," reports Freya about primitive camping at Quail Run Campground.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several of the best places to camp near New Century, Kansas offer complete RV services. "Sites were gravel and level with FHU. A nice little store on site with free coffee, water and a cappuccino machine. Family owned with great hosts. Clean 24-7 bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities," shares Sergio F. about Walnut Grove RV Park.
Site selection strategy: Pull-through sites offer advantages for less experienced RV owners. "My wife called em up last minute, and they had a couple spaces left when nowhere else locally did. I made it known that this was our first time and he put us in a pull-thru spot, which was a huge relief," explains Justin G. from Walnut Grove.
Site spacing considerations: RV campers should consider site dimensions when booking. "Spacing is a little tight and the surrounding views are meh at best. Being right off Johnson Drive, there is considerable road noise," notes Justin G., highlighting practical considerations for Walnut Grove RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is New Century Airport located in Kansas?
Where is New Century Airport located in Kansas?
New Century Airport is located in Johnson County, Kansas, approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City. The airport is situated near the city of Gardner and the town of Olathe, making it a convenient access point for both the Kansas City metropolitan area and rural Johnson County. Its proximity to major highways like I-35 makes it easily accessible for travelers and campers visiting the region.
What outdoor activities can you do near New Century Airport?
What outdoor activities can you do near New Century Airport?
The New Century Airport area offers diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. At Smithville Lake, just a short drive away, visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and lakeside recreation. Watkins Mill State Park Campground provides multiple hiking trails, fishing, and boating on a large lake, plus interesting historical sites from the 1800s. For those staying closer to the airport, the region features numerous hiking and biking trails, including those around Blue Springs Lake Campground, which offers a peaceful retreat with playground facilities and clean, well-maintained grounds perfect for family activities.
What camping facilities are available near New Century, Kansas?
What camping facilities are available near New Century, Kansas?
Several quality camping options surround New Century Airport. Walnut Grove RV Park offers premium pull-through sites just 10 minutes from Kansas City's famous BBQ restaurants with full hookups and level spots. For a more natural setting, Hillsdale State Park provides multiple campgrounds including Scott Creek with drive-in access, reservable sites, and facilities that accommodate big rigs. Other nearby options include Rutlader Outpost RV Park and Lake Miola City Park, which offers fishing, swimming, and well-maintained camping areas.
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