The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Paola. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Paola is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Paola, KS. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
Blue Springs Campground features modern facilities and is located only 5 minutes from Blue Springs Lake. Some of the amenities include:
Attendant
Fire Grill
Firewood - $7/bucket (outside firewood is not permitted)
Laundry
Picnic Table
Playground
Restrooms
Showers
Premiere - Full Hookup with Concrete Pad: 29 sites
Full Hookup: 16 sites
Electric: 23 sites
Electric and Water: 13 sites
Total: 81 sites$33 - $48 / night
This recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
$10 - $65 / night
This approximately 560 acre park offers a variety of water sports, including boating, skiing, swimming, and fishing on a 200 acre lake. Also available are camping and picnic areas, a playground and hiking trails.
During the summer months, a camp host is available at the campgrounds on the west side of the lake to assist campers. Camping and boating permits are also available from the Lake Caretaker at the office near the boat ramp.
Lake Miola is located at the north edge of Paola at 299th Street and Hedge Lane Road.
Bloomington East Park includes Cedar Ridge, Hickory/Walnut, and Oak Campgrounds, Ash and Elm Group Camps, and Bloomington Beach Picnic Shelters. The park is located just west of Clinton Lake, between the Rock Creek and Wakarusa River arms of the lake, and offers several different recreational options. Within Bloomington East Park, visitors have the opportunity to reserve picnic shelters and campsites, both for group camping and individual family camping.
Bloomington Beach has a large sandy beach for swimming. Bloomington Beach requires a day use fee, for non-campers, between May 1 and September 30. There are horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts and playgrounds located several places in Bloomington East Park, making it the perfect spot for families. Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, making it the main attraction in Bloomington East Park. The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters, ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass. Bloomington East Park has three boat ramps within a short driving distance of the campgrounds. These boat ramps (#5, 6 and 7) do require a day use fee, for non-campers, between April 1 and October 31. Visitors enjoy viewing bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake. Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.
The Bloomington Beach Day Use area has four picnic shelters. This spacious day use picnic area is located adjacent to Bloomington Beach providing an ideal location for large group or family gatherings. The picnic shelters are reservable, for a fee, or free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis, if not already reserved, and have electrical outlets. There are several single picnic tables for use by smaller groups. Cedar Ridge and Hickory Walnut Campgrounds are the two main campgrounds, comprised of individual family sites. Many of these campsites have electrical or electrical and water hookups. Somewhat removed from the larger Hickory Walnut Campground, are Oak Campground, Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp. Oak Campground is a loop of Hickory Walnut Campground, with individual family campsites. Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp are larger, grassy areas, available for reservation, by larger groups, accommodating up to 75 people. Elm and Ash Group Camps are intended for tent camping groups, but can handle a limited number of small trailers, such as tent campers, as long as they remain on the gravel circle drive. There is no electricity provided in Elm or Ash Group Camps. Cedar Ridge, Hickory Walnut and Bloomington Beach Day Use area provide amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, showers and a nearby dump station for a comfortable camping experience. There is a covered, accessible fishing dock a short drive or walk from the campgrounds and picnic shelters.
Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop. Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clean water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible. Clinton Lake spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.
The Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area. The Clinton Lake Museum, located within Bloomington East Park, has several informative displays covering topics like the history of the region and the Underground Railroad. The cities of Lawrence and Topeka are within a 30 minute drive.
$14 / night
10 minutes for downtown KC., MO. and 15 minutes from Overland Park, KS., Walnut Grove RV Park offers a total of 50 lots. We are not a resort, so we don't have pool or activities. You stay here so you can do all those things in the city around us. Amenities include hot showers, clean restrooms, laundromat, dump station, dog park, both 30 and 50 amps sites are available with full hook-ups at each lot. WiFi internet service is available from edge to edge of the park! Paved roads lead to our 50 sites, that our staff is more than happy to help get you in and out of with ease! Along with the historical attractions, there are also several Casino’s near the park; Harrah’s, Argosy, Casino KC and Hollywood Casino. All are located within a 15 minutes drive! Maps and Brochures are available anytime in the front of the office, or just ask one of our Staff for directions to your destination and they will print you a map on the spot! ALSO, with tournament time rapidly approaching, The National Intramural Softball Fields are located just 5 miles West of the Park on Johnson Drive. If planning to attend a tournament please make reservations EARLY. We wish to accommodate everyone, but with conventions and special events, we ask that you make your reservations as much in advance as possible, with only 50 lots, a prime location, and our rock-star staff, we have a tendency to fill up FAST! 65′ Max RV Site Available Length
$62 - $131 / night
Water, Electric: 22
Primitive Campsites: 12
Other Information: Saddle Ridge equestrian area has approximately 32 miles of marked trails available to horseback riders and trail users. Sites are reservable at reserveamerica.com 2 days in advance of arrival.
Conveniently located south of the Kansas City Metro Area, one of Kansas’ newest reservoirs awaits visitors to its more than 12,000 acres of park and wildlife area. Completed in 1982, more than 70 percent of the standing timber was left in the reservoir basin to provide fish habitat. Walleye, catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill are abundant. Approximately 4,500 acres of water and 51 miles of shoreline are open to fishing. Roughly 7,000 acres are open to hunting at Hillsdale within the wildlife area and state park.
Common wildlife includes whitetail deer, bobwhite quail, squirrel, rabbit, beaver, muskrat, and a variety of waterfowl. Birdwatchers will see bald eagles, shorebirds, finches, warblers, sparrows, and hawks.
The Saddle Ridge equestrian area on the east side of the reservoir has about 32 miles of marked trails available to horseback riders.
Blue Springs Campground features modern facilities and is located only 5 minutes from Blue Springs Lake. Some of the amenities include:
Attendant
Fire Grill
Firewood - $7/bucket (outside firewood is not permitted)
Laundry
Picnic Table
Playground
Restrooms
Showers
Premiere - Full Hookup with Concrete Pad: 29 sites
Full Hookup: 16 sites
Electric: 23 sites
Electric and Water: 13 sites
Total: 81 sites$33 - $48 / night
This recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
$10 - $65 / night
This approximately 560 acre park offers a variety of water sports, including boating, skiing, swimming, and fishing on a 200 acre lake. Also available are camping and picnic areas, a playground and hiking trails.
During the summer months, a camp host is available at the campgrounds on the west side of the lake to assist campers. Camping and boating permits are also available from the Lake Caretaker at the office near the boat ramp.
Lake Miola is located at the north edge of Paola at 299th Street and Hedge Lane Road.
Bloomington East Park includes Cedar Ridge, Hickory/Walnut, and Oak Campgrounds, Ash and Elm Group Camps, and Bloomington Beach Picnic Shelters. The park is located just west of Clinton Lake, between the Rock Creek and Wakarusa River arms of the lake, and offers several different recreational options. Within Bloomington East Park, visitors have the opportunity to reserve picnic shelters and campsites, both for group camping and individual family camping.
Bloomington Beach has a large sandy beach for swimming. Bloomington Beach requires a day use fee, for non-campers, between May 1 and September 30. There are horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts and playgrounds located several places in Bloomington East Park, making it the perfect spot for families. Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, making it the main attraction in Bloomington East Park. The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters, ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass. Bloomington East Park has three boat ramps within a short driving distance of the campgrounds. These boat ramps (#5, 6 and 7) do require a day use fee, for non-campers, between April 1 and October 31. Visitors enjoy viewing bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake. Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.
The Bloomington Beach Day Use area has four picnic shelters. This spacious day use picnic area is located adjacent to Bloomington Beach providing an ideal location for large group or family gatherings. The picnic shelters are reservable, for a fee, or free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis, if not already reserved, and have electrical outlets. There are several single picnic tables for use by smaller groups. Cedar Ridge and Hickory Walnut Campgrounds are the two main campgrounds, comprised of individual family sites. Many of these campsites have electrical or electrical and water hookups. Somewhat removed from the larger Hickory Walnut Campground, are Oak Campground, Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp. Oak Campground is a loop of Hickory Walnut Campground, with individual family campsites. Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp are larger, grassy areas, available for reservation, by larger groups, accommodating up to 75 people. Elm and Ash Group Camps are intended for tent camping groups, but can handle a limited number of small trailers, such as tent campers, as long as they remain on the gravel circle drive. There is no electricity provided in Elm or Ash Group Camps. Cedar Ridge, Hickory Walnut and Bloomington Beach Day Use area provide amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, showers and a nearby dump station for a comfortable camping experience. There is a covered, accessible fishing dock a short drive or walk from the campgrounds and picnic shelters.
Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop. Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clean water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible. Clinton Lake spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.
The Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area. The Clinton Lake Museum, located within Bloomington East Park, has several informative displays covering topics like the history of the region and the Underground Railroad. The cities of Lawrence and Topeka are within a 30 minute drive.
$14 / night
10 minutes for downtown KC., MO. and 15 minutes from Overland Park, KS., Walnut Grove RV Park offers a total of 50 lots. We are not a resort, so we don't have pool or activities. You stay here so you can do all those things in the city around us. Amenities include hot showers, clean restrooms, laundromat, dump station, dog park, both 30 and 50 amps sites are available with full hook-ups at each lot. WiFi internet service is available from edge to edge of the park! Paved roads lead to our 50 sites, that our staff is more than happy to help get you in and out of with ease! Along with the historical attractions, there are also several Casino’s near the park; Harrah’s, Argosy, Casino KC and Hollywood Casino. All are located within a 15 minutes drive! Maps and Brochures are available anytime in the front of the office, or just ask one of our Staff for directions to your destination and they will print you a map on the spot! ALSO, with tournament time rapidly approaching, The National Intramural Softball Fields are located just 5 miles West of the Park on Johnson Drive. If planning to attend a tournament please make reservations EARLY. We wish to accommodate everyone, but with conventions and special events, we ask that you make your reservations as much in advance as possible, with only 50 lots, a prime location, and our rock-star staff, we have a tendency to fill up FAST! 65′ Max RV Site Available Length
$62 - $131 / night