Pet friendly camping near New Century, Kansas offers diverse options within the region's rolling hills and prairie landscape. The area receives approximately 40 inches of precipitation annually with hot summers reaching 90°F and cold winters dropping below freezing. Campgrounds span from dense wooded areas to lakeside settings, with many sites requiring advance reservations during peak summer months.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling activities: At Hillsdale State Park, campers have excellent water access options. "There are kayaks and canoes to rent, there is a great marina, fishing, and tons of water access opportunities for private kayaks," notes Jamie S. about Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park.
Archery practice: Clinton State Park features specialized outdoor facilities beyond standard camping amenities. One visitor mentioned, "Full bath houses, disc golf, archery range, and an abundance of hiking all around the camps," making it an ideal destination for campers seeking variety in Prairie Clover Campground.
Lakeside recreation: Lake Miola offers multiple water activities in a compact setting. "The lake offers hiking/biking trails around it, a campground, fishing, a swimming beach with a picnic area and volleyball courts," reports Misti P. about Lake Miola City Park.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Saddle Ridge Campground at Hillsdale State Park provides ample room for setup. Rochelle A. shared that it's a "Great place to camp! Clean facilities," while Bill M. noted, "Sites are plentiful. Lots of riding trail miles and lake," highlighting the Saddle Ridge Campground amenities.
Accessible facilities: Blue Springs Lake Campground offers clean, well-maintained facilities. "The bathhouse was newer and in good condition, and there's a laundry in one of the restroom buildings," reported MickandKarla W., who added it's "a good option just east of Kansas City" for Blue Springs Lake Campground.
Convenience to urban areas: Walnut Grove RV Park provides easy access to Kansas City attractions. "Only 10 minutes away from Joe's original Kansas City BBQ (super delicious)," states Mary, who appreciated the park's location. Sergio F. called it "A little hidden Gem... hidden in a nice quiet suburban area" with "Free WiFi, clean 24-7 bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities."
What you should know
Seasonal weather considerations: Summer heat requires extra preparation when camping with pets. At Sunflower Campground, a visitor noted, "The host's are friendly and knowledgeable of the area. The trees in the sites are small saplings, give them a few more years, and they will be nice," indicating limited shade at Sunflower Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area require leveling equipment. At Lake Miola, campers report, "The sites are not very level, so bring leveling equipment!" A visitor noted the rates are "EXTREMELY affordable" with "First come, first served" availability, though "Holidays will find the campground FULL."
Varying campground layouts: Primitive sites often require short walks from parking areas. At Quail Run Campground, Freya explained, "If you're going to the primitive sites, you will have to park nearby and then walk the rest of the way with your gear. At the site I was in that was only a couple of yards but other ones were further away."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with children. Chris W. recommends Blue Springs Lake Campground: "The sites were well kept up, with many prime locations near the playground for our kids. Campground staff were beyond friendly and accommodating."
Clean restroom facilities: Bathroom access varies by campground and loop. At Clinton State Park, Jessica C. reported, "The bathrooms were clean and had single room toilets with showers" making them suitable for families with small children.
Budget-friendly options: For affordable pet friendly camping, Lake Miola stands out. Kayzie N. enthusiastically shared, "This has everything you want! Nice camp host! Swimming beach! Showers & nice toilets & a tent area and a RV area to separate it. Most tent and RV spots have shade!!! Tens have electic & It's CHEAP !! 20$ for electric tent & camper!"
Tips from RVers
Electric service: Sunflower Campground at Hillsdale offers good hookup options for RVs. Laura H. noted the sites are "widely spaced and plenty of room for larger RVs" with "level, clear, easily accessible" conditions and "decent cellular signal."
Proximity to amenities: When staying at Walnut Grove RV Park, Justin G. advised, "Hookups were very easy to access, but spacing is a little tight and the surrounding views are meh at best. Being right off Johnson Drive, there is considerable road noise." For those needing supplies, Bob M. appreciated that "I like the location it's close to where I was working and close to downtown so lots of things to do in the area."
Premium sites: At several campgrounds, paying for premium sites provides significant advantages. Mary recommended at Walnut Grove: "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."
