Clinton Lake sits at 875 feet elevation with nearly 7,000 acres of water surrounded by 25 miles of shoreline. Campgrounds near Ottawa, Kansas experience hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F in July and August, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October with limited winter operations at select sites.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Prairie Clover Campground at Clinton State Park offers extensive trail networks. "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," notes Charles F.
Water activities: Bloomington East at Clinton Lake provides multiple lake access points. "This campground is on the south side of the lake and a little harder to get to than the State Parks. We do prefer it. It is right on the lake, offers tent and RV camping. Great access to boat ramps, fishing dock, and a large sandy beach," shares NANCY L.
Wildlife viewing: Opportunities abound at Cedar Park for spotting native animals. "Watch out for wildlife, deer, turkeys, and vultures are always on the roads," reports James M. The secluded environment allows for excellent bird watching during spring migration.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Woodridge Park receives praise for its well-spaced camping areas. "Camping spots along trail are really spread out and even if every spot is full you still feel secluded," writes Zach C. The park features primitive camping with minimal development.
Waterfront access: Many campers appreciate the lakeside options. "I slept here on my way from Denver to Washington DC in February 2021. I have a mini camper in my CRV, I pulled up at midnight, went to a spot right by the shore and saw some incredible stars," recalls Niki S. about her Cedar Park experience.
Quiet atmosphere: Lone Star Lake Park offers a more intimate setting. "Small campground overlooking lone star lake. Sites are on a slight slope. All sites overlook the lake and water access is extremely close, including the swim beach," notes Alex J.
What You Should Know
Weather preparedness: Spring camping requires consideration for rain. "Prior to arrival they had a flood that came up to site 4," reports Annell N. about Michigan Valley.
Facilities vary by season: "Sites are available from May 1 through September 30," explains JC C. regarding Michigan Valley amenities. Outside these dates, water and electric may be unavailable.
Reservations recommended: Holiday weekends fill quickly. "I was having a difficult time finding a campground with availability on our way back from Colorado since we were leaving on the Sunday before Memorial Day," shares Myron C.
Site terrain: Be prepared for uneven ground. "Only real issue we had was there wasn't a lot of flat ground. The tents we pitched were pretty close to the fire, and the biggest patch of flat ground was down wind from the fire," notes Daniel T.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds: Crappie Cove at Hillsdale State Park offers recreational areas. "Great playground for kids (though not shaded)," mentions Kristine S. Bring portable shade if visiting during summer months.
Swimming options: Multiple beaches provide water access. "The campground has a playground and clean facilities. Makes for a great family camping option," writes Tommie J. about Lone Star Lake Park.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife areas offer learning experiences. "Saw eagles, turkey vultures, and possible osprey," shares Kent F. about Prairie Clover Campground.
Easy entry-level sites: "Cedar Park offers great vehicle access, lake access, fire rings, picnic tables, and bathrooms. Area is clean and there is beach access for fishing and Kayacking," states Redneck R., making this a good option for first-time campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for level areas with adequate space. "Our camping spot offered significant shade and a large grassy area for setting up chairs, cooking equipment, and outdoor games," shares Tori G.
Hookup availability: "Sunflower loop is widely spaced and plenty of room for larger RVs," notes Laura H. about Sunflower Campground at Hillsdale State Park.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Ottawa: Most sites welcome pets with standard leash requirements. "We camp with our 3 dogs each time and never put them on a leash. Rangers informed us as long as they stay in your site, they're not strict about it," explains Joshua M. about pet policies at Pomona State Park.
Weather planning: "With all of the recent rain, we had a huge puddle separating our pull-through from our picnic table and fire pit," cautions Myron C., suggesting checking forecasts before arrival.
