Best Glamping near Paola, KS

Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park and Linn County Park provide upscale glamping accommodations near Paola, Kansas. Both locations offer glamping alternatives to traditional camping with comfort amenities not found at standard campgrounds. Hillsdale features lakeside yurts with scenic water views, while Linn County Park houses safari-style canvas tents in a wooded setting. "Hillsdale is a nice place to camp that isn't too far out of the city. Decent accommodations and nice camp sites near the water front," notes one visitor. Most glamping units include comfortable queen beds with linens, electricity, and climate control systems for year-round stays. The furnished accommodations typically feature private decks or patios overlooking the lake, with some units offering kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms. Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, located within driving distance, provides additional glamping pods with modern amenities.

Lakeside activities enhance the glamping experience at these locations, with Hillsdale offering kayak and canoe rentals directly from their marina. Fishing is popular at both parks, with Linn County situated on a 2,600-acre lake with excellent angling opportunities. According to a camper, "Beautiful sunsets. Water is a little muddy but good for fishing." Hiking trails wind through wooded areas surrounding the glamping units, with biking paths available at Hillsdale State Park. Winter visitors can enjoy bird watching and wildlife viewing, as deer frequently roam through the camping areas. Both parks maintain clean shower facilities for glamping guests. Jellystone Park at Kansas City, another regional option, specializes in family-friendly glamping with numerous organized activities throughout the season. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during summer months, when these glamping sites frequently reach capacity.

Best Glamping Sites Near Paola, Kansas (13)

    1. Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park

    8 Reviews
    Hillsdale, KS
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (913) 594-3600

    $10 / night

    "A couple miles down a secluded drive, nestled back in the woods right on the lake. Lots of trees, nice shower house. Camp host is friendly and laid back. Pet friendly, well lit."

    "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. "

    2. Linn County Park

    2 Reviews
    Pleasanton, KS
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (913) 757-6633

    "Located in east central Kansas on 2600 acre Lake LaCygne (cooling reservoir for KCPL coal-fired power plant). No swimming or skiing allowed, only fishing boats."

    "Lots of trees lots of wildlife Had deer walk right through the campground when we were there. shower house/ rest room we’re clean for the most part but a little rundown."

    3. Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

    15 Reviews
    Lawrence, KS
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 842-3877

    "Camp ground was very clean and the staff is very helpful! Drive you right to the campsite so no need to have to look for it. Pizza delivery a d wood was a nice touch."

    "I’m in my 30s traveling solo and this stop was a great place to regroup and take advantage of their amenities like shower, laundry, etc. The bathrooms were clean and the staff was very friendly."

    4. Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park

    20 Reviews
    Lee's Summit, MO
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (816) 503-4805

    "Both electric and primitive sites are available."

    "The staff were very friendly from start to finish. Our site was perfect for our 32 foot travel trailer. Our site was shaded. as were many others on the campground."

    5. Pomona State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Vassar, KS
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 828-4933

    $10 - $110 / night

    "Even being full, it felt secluded. Absolutely will be back to camp again!"

    "Site a little off level, nothing a few blocks or boards couldn’t solve. 30 amps of clean 122 vac, water tucked in between two pine trees that blocked the view of the sites to the left snd right of us."

    6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kansas City

    6 Reviews
    Lawrence, KS
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 842-3877

    "My kids love camping here, we came in an RV and we're barely ever inside it until we were ready to sleep."

    7. Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA

    20 Reviews
    Oak Grove, MO
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (816) 690-6660

    $45 - $130 / night

    "Stayed here for one night after driving down from Nebraska. Great place to set up for the night, clean bathrooms, a nice fire pit, and plenty of room to set up a tarp for the rain."

    "The tent campsites are just a small patch of turf, but they do have tables and a nice fire pit."

    8. Lone Star Lake Park

    4 Reviews
    Clinton Lake, KS
    33 miles
    +1 (785) 832-5293

    "Nice little secluded campground on a small lake. The campground has a playground and clean facilities. Makes for a great family camping option."

    "Great little lake.  Good fishing, great locations for kayaking and paddle boarding.  the camp can get crowded quick and it's a toss up who will be around and how well behaved.  "

    9. Eisenhower State Park Campground

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

    $10 - $110 / night

    "The sites were fairly small and jammed next to each other, and half of them didn't have great tree cover, but they all have a nice firepit and picnic table. "

    "Secure camping and clean on site bathroom facilities. Close enough to town for convenience but far enough away you get to see a lot of stars."

    10. Carbolyn Park

    4 Reviews
    Vassar, KS
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 453-2201

    $14 - $20 / night

    "Nice, shady spots with electric and water. It’s very quiet. For $18, can’t beat it."

    "* 29 sites total

    • 26 electric ($16)
    • 3 primitive ($12)
    • boat ramp
    • dump station
    • shower-houses
    • playground
    • all sites are on a first come first serve basis
    • open from 1 May until"
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Recent Glamping Photos near Paola, KS

2 Photos of 13 Paola Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Paola, KS

103 Reviews of 13 Paola Campgrounds


  • Kris M.
    Mar. 9, 2021

    Trailside RV Park

    Decent

    Good: New management seems friendly and helpful. Laundry facilities acceptable. ($1.25 to wash)
    Propane fill on site. Pool and restrooms closed during my stay, appear nice enough.

    Bad: Noise. Mostly from the highway, but also trains and air traffic. Situated between two neighborhoods, the highway, and an RV dealership. Did I mention noise? WiFi is laughable.

    Phone/internet service is low average.

    Overall, adequate. Nothing too bad (except the noise), and nothing to rave about.

  • Nicole D.
    Jun. 3, 2020

    Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA

    Great Overnight Campsite

    Stayed here for one night after driving down from Nebraska. Great place to set up for the night, clean bathrooms, a nice fire pit, and plenty of room to set up a tarp for the rain. Not too much privacy as there’s not very many trees around and the sites are close together but otherwise a great campground!

  • l
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

    Great get away

    Camp ground was very clean and the staff is very helpful! Drive you right to the campsite so no need to have to look for it. Pizza delivery a d wood was a nice touch. Laundry room was nice and easy to use. Everything is very close in the campground. Close to downtown

  • Fawn W.
    Sep. 23, 2017

    Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park

    Quick Questival Camp

    We are camping here while doing the Cotopaxi Questival Adventure Race. It's a very nice setting in a Grove of trees atop a hill. Both electric and primitive sites are available. The bathrooms are the nicest campground bathrooms I've ever used - large, clean, and not communal, so you get a sink, toilet, and shower all to yourself. This campground is in close proximity to the lake, trails, and many other outdoorsy diversions!

  • Chris W.
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park

    Relaxing

    We really enjoyed this campground. The staff were very friendly from start to finish. Our site was perfect for our 32 foot travel trailer. Our site was shaded. as were many others on the campground. There are a handful that do not have any shade. Though we did not have one, there are also a few sites with a Lakeview. Nice playground for the kids, and plenty of grass to take the dogs out. Site was large enough for our trailer and two vehicles and still room for fire pit and awning to come out. A little hwy noise, but nowhere near enough to interrupt our trip.

  • P
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Trailside RV Park

    Good short term camping

    Close to Kansas City but also really close to I-70. Lots highway noise. Staff very helpful & campground is being remodeled

  • Bran P.
    Sep. 26, 2016

    Linn County Park

    Nice views!

    Located in east central Kansas on 2600 acre Lake LaCygne (cooling reservoir for KCPL coal-fired power plant). No swimming or skiing allowed, only fishing boats. We stayed on site 112 in View Point Loop next to some permanent residents. There’s no stay limit here so some sites are very messy. Paved roads with gravel sites having W/E, mostly 30A but a few 50A like ours. Check in at the Marina to see which ones are available at this all first come first serve cg. They even have a few FHU sites but I imagine they are all taken by the residents. Nice dump station located in the back of the park along with a few rustic cabins. We enjoyed a waterfront site but there were many 30A sites available in a more wooded setting in several different loops. There are about 113 sites here.

  • Dyle K.
    Sep. 13, 2020

    Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

    Nice stop with amenities

    I’m in my 30s traveling solo and this stop was a great place to regroup and take advantage of their amenities like shower, laundry, etc. The bathrooms were clean and the staff was very friendly. If you are traveling with kids this is a terrific place to stop because there are lots of things to keep kids busy like a playground and pool. The sites aren’t very private and road noise from the nearby highway can be heard throughout the night if you’re tent camping but it didn’t really bother me.

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  • Christina H.
    Apr. 23, 2021

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Primitive camping was small and exposed, but fun

    The fivestar loop is decent for tent camping. The sites were fairly small and jammed next to each other, and half of them didn't have great tree cover, but they all have a nice firepit and picnic table.  It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind.  Bathrooms were nice and clean and the staff were very nice.


Guide to Paola

Located southwest of Kansas City, Paola sits in east-central Kansas with mild to moderate seasonal changes. The region features rolling hills and several lakes, creating a landscape that supports a variety of upscale camping options. Water levels at area lakes can fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline campsites during summer drought periods.

What to do

Kayaking and canoeing opportunities: Hillsdale State Park offers watercraft rentals for exploring the lake. "This was our first location as full time RVers and it was such a fun experience. There are kayaks and canoes to rent, there is a great marina, fishing, and tons of water access opportunities for private kayaks," notes one visitor.

Biking trails: The parks near Paola feature cycling paths for different skill levels. "Campgrounds are clean and aren't too overly cramped. Trails for hiking and riding bikes and they offer canoe/kayak renting," explains a camper at Hillsdale State Park.

Fishing: Pomona State Park Campground provides excellent angling opportunities with less crowded shorelines. According to a camper, "We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water. In fairness, most sites are on the water or have a water view. Spectacular sunsets."

What campers like

Shaded sites: Many glamping sites close to Paola, Kansas feature tree coverage for natural cooling. At Linn County Park, a camper noted, "Lots of trees lots of wildlife. Had deer walk right through the campground when we were there."

Lakefront access: Water proximity is a major draw for campers in the region. At Lone Star Lake Park, a visitor reports, "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."

Modern shower facilities: "The bathrooms are adequate and clean. Views are beautiful as you will see for yourself," reports a camper at Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, making glamping near Paola more comfortable than traditional camping.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many premium glamping locations fill quickly during peak seasons. At Kansas City East-Oak Grove KOA, one visitor advises, "Stayed here for one night after driving down from Nebraska. Great place to set up for the night, clean bathrooms, a nice fire pit, and plenty of room to set up a tarp for the rain."

Weather considerations: The region experiences seasonal winds that can affect camping comfort. At Eisenhower State Park, a camper shares, "It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind. Bathrooms were nice and clean and the staff were very nice."

Site differences: Not all camping areas offer the same level of privacy. A visitor to Pomona State Park explains, "The fivestar loop is decent for tent camping. The sites were fairly small and jammed next to each other, and half of them didn't have great tree cover, but they all have a nice firepit and picnic table."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. A Lone Star Lake Park visitor states, "The campground has a playground and clean facilities. Makes for a great family camping option."

Swimming beaches: Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park provides water recreation areas suitable for families. "We are camping here while doing the Cotopaxi Questival Adventure Race. It's a very nice setting in a Grove of trees atop a hill. Both electric and primitive sites are available," reports one camper.

Off-water activities: When weather prevents water recreation, alternative options exist. A Pomona State Park camper shares, "We road bikes, but the cold spring winds made kayaking impossible. In the summer, I can see why this place would be a fun destination. Swimming, boating, fishing, horses, archery, wide open spaces."

Tips from RVers

Hookup variations: Electric services differ between campgrounds. At Carbolyn Park, an RVer notes, "Nice, shady spots with electric and water. It's very quiet. For $18, can't beat it."

Site leveling: Some RV sites require additional work for proper setup. A camper at Pomona State Park reports, "Spent the weekend here and glad we had reservations prior as it was full even though it was the end of October and the weather wasn't the best. Close to Melvern and the railroad tracks so if the sound of trains all night isn't your thing, then pick somewhere else."

Full-hookup availability: Premium sites with complete services can be limited. "It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake. The sites and facilities are well kept and clean. Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy," explains a visitor to Hillsdale State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Paola, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Paola, KS is Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Paola, KS?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 glamping camping locations near Paola, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.