4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Perry Lake in Kansas hosts several campgrounds offering a range of camping experiences for visitors. The area includes Perry State Park Campground, Rock Creek, and Slough Creek Park, all managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Camping options include tent sites, RV hookups, and some cabins with varying levels of amenities. Perry State Park provides both primitive sites and utility hookups, while the COE campgrounds feature water access and spacious sites with mature tree cover.
Campgrounds around Perry Lake operate seasonally, with most facilities open from April or May through September or October. "Perry State Park is well maintained and manicured. The primitive sites and RV sites are extremely close, especially the RV sites, other than that they have dedicated hammock sites," noted one visitor. Water and electric hookups are available at many sites, though sewer connections are limited. Weekend noise can be an issue during summer months, particularly from nearby establishments. Most campgrounds provide restroom facilities, though the quality varies significantly between locations, with some needing maintenance.
Waterfront access represents one of the primary draws for campers visiting Perry Lake. Campers frequently mention the lake views and water recreation opportunities as highlights of their experience. The peninsula location of Rock Creek Campground receives particularly positive feedback for its water access and views. "Great campground. Large sites. Wonderful lake access," reported one camper about Slough Creek Park. Sites near the shoreline tend to fill quickly during peak season. Several reviews note that while weekend crowds can be substantial, the campgrounds remain relatively peaceful on weekdays. Visitors should be prepared for occasional flooding after heavy rains, which may impact some lower-lying campsites near the water.
"We were traveling across Kansas and found this lovely campground. It is one of the prettiest we have come across through our extensive travels. The bathrooms are clean and showers adequate."
"General: In addition to a campground, this county park has so much to offer including a seven-mile paved path around Lake Shawnee, disc golf, a heated fishing dock, softball complex, golf course, boat"
from $20 / night
"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."
"Access to the white and blue trail loops from the campground either via some rickety stairs or from a trail next to the cabins. Relatively close to the bathroom and shower house for water."
from $10 - $115 / night
"Nice state park on the lake can be crowded and a little crazy on weekends. Like most state parks no sewer hookups but easy access to dump station"
"Only complaint, cold shower in facility near marina. I would recommend a spot closer to marina if you're not In an RV. We were a rooftop tent and could heat distant trains all night."
"Grew up camping here every year for the 4th of July and one of my favorite places to visit when we visit Kansas, this place is amazing, little coves for swimming and kayaking, pontoons and party cove on"
"I would have also had to walk through heavy brush to drop in, probably better locations around the lake. Overall a safe and clean place to overnight."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $50 / night
"The draw for me is the many hiking trails accessible from the campsite. Great place to spend a nice Kansas weekend!"
"Awesome location and beautiful surroundings. Loved our site - lots of shade, big picnic table, & right next to playground. Beach was in great condition. The whole family had a great time."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $100 / night
"Located next to a creek and ample space around your site. Clean bathrooms and showers. Fun little pool and awesome play area for kids."
"Central Topeka location minutes from the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, the Capitol, the Topeka Zoo, and the Evel Knevel Museum"
from $40 - $45 / night
"Loved the view on the way in and at camp, as the sites are mostly surrounded by water."
"Sites were level and access to water"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $75 / night
"There are so many spots you can set up at on the trail that nobody went to. Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!"
"The campground is very well groomed, lots of amenities and it is really close to the lake via a short hike in the woods. #lovenature"
"This campground is about 35-40 mins outside Kansas City City. The town that it is located in has a lot to do as well! Campgrounds is clean and well kept! We visited in November so not many people."
"We missed a KOA in Kansas City because of construction. Went to Lawrence KOA instead. Glad for the misfortune. The park has all you need for short or long term camping and RV trips."
"Campground located on Perry Lake. We didn't fish the lake as we were out of state & didn't buy fishing licenses. We did see people fishing & mostly catch species of bass."
"Nice fish cleaning station by the RV's, You get a little phone signal by the main road, and the drive down is really nice!"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $100 - $200 / night
TravelerThe price is good. We paid just under 13usd for a basic primitive site. The bathrooms are limited and pretty rough as one might expect. Otherwise, we found it quiet, peaceful and pretty. Good location to Laurence and get a good coffee and donut.
GuideLots of big sites in Cornflower loop some shaded. Bathroom needs an update; I wouldn’t use the shower as too disgusting so can’t rate the water temperature.
ScoutWe set up our little camper trailer in one of the primitive loops, backed into the trees. Access to the white and blue trail loops from the campground either via some rickety stairs or from a trail next to the cabins. Relatively close to the bathroom and shower house for water. Campsite was great, but the campground in general could use a little bit of trash pickup and general spiffing up
RangerPretty developed, easy to find and right on the lake. Restrooms were nearby so that was a plus. There was plenty of space between sites but no real coverage for privacy. I don’t fish so I really just needed a free place to stay in nature and this was perfect for that. Bugs were… present. I called it a night quickly after the sun went down and could hear the bugs and other creatures from the inside of the car. Not my thing. The lake was super pretty and it was not difficult to drive to.
ScoutRight in the city park (St Mary's Riverside Park) are 3 "spots" to pull in and hook up. Only $10/night for electric (30 or 50 amp) and water! One site (#2) has a picnic table and grill. There were campers that just pulled into the park for the night (free) but no hook-ups.
Pros: restrooms with flush toilets (no showers), hook-ups, nice playground, grass/trees, quiet, disc golf course, good service at City Hall, just 2 blocks off Main St
Cons: have to plan ahead to make reservations (snail mail and check) if you want hook-ups OR go to City Hall during business hours to get key for electric box, mosquitoes.
Would certainly stay again!
RangerSites were nicely spaced and generally close to level. Paved roads. Our site 168 was surfaced with reclaimed asphalt. Lots of shade and clean. Many sites are electric only with 30 amps with water available in several locations in park. Good Starlink at my site.
GuideI stayed at Doud Campground inside the state park. It was a peaceful site facing the lake, with a few hay bales and a well maintained trail.
September was a good month to stay because it was cooler outside. I recommend using the bathhouse facilities at BlackJack campground right next to Doud as they are more updated.
ScoutGood area, quiet, and reasonably priced!
GuideStayed at Cedar Ridge campground. Originally planned a 2 night stay. Ended up extending for total of 7 nights.
Pull thru and back-in sites, all are paved and level.
Clean bathrooms and good laundry room too.
Really nice place. Lots of shade or more sunny sites are available.
Army Corps of Engineers does it again.
Perry Lake camping options extend beyond the main state park and COE areas, with several secluded spots tucked into wooded peninsulas. The lake spans 11,150 acres with 160 miles of shoreline, providing extensive water access for recreation. Campgrounds vary significantly in amenities and proximity to the water, with elevation differences creating both shoreline sites and elevated views.
Hiking trails and nature exploration: Clinton State Park offers multiple trails with varying difficulty 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," notes a visitor at Prairie Clover Campground.
Fishing from shore: Many Perry Lake camping areas provide direct shoreline access for fishing without a boat. "Beautiful place to stay, but they will allow no car camping. You must have a tent," mentions one camper about Lake Shawnee County Campground, highlighting access restrictions at some locations.
Water recreation: Kayaking and paddle boarding are popular at more secluded camping areas. "Camped out at site 13 for a real peaceful Saturday. Half of our group took the trail and hiked to the campsite, the other half got there by kayak/paddleboard," reports a camper from Prairie Clover Campground.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds around Perry Lake feature disc golf courses for campers. "The park offers so many things- golf, disc golf, fishing with a heated dock, swim beach, boating, several playgrounds, tennis courts, and places to walk and bike, even a botanical garden," explains a visitor at Lake Shawnee County Campground.
Peninsula camping locations: The unique geography creates water-surrounded camping spots. "This campground is beautiful. You can view the lake from just about every spot. The facilities are well cared for and the volunteer staff is amazing," explains a camper at Rock Creek Campground.
Quiet weekday camping: Mid-week stays offer a more peaceful experience away from weekend crowds. "We stayed here one night and wished we had booked a longer trip. The park is awesome, spacious sites and level. The park is well taken care of and very easy to get to from I70," shares a visitor to Bloomington East - Clinton Lake.
Free dispersed camping options: For budget-conscious campers, several free camping areas exist around Perry Lake. "Free dispersed camping at camp area 3. Showers have warm water. Very muggy in the summer," notes a camper about Prairie Clover Campground.
Site spacing and privacy: Some camping areas offer more secluded sites than others. "Woodridge is one if my favorite campgrounds. First come / first serve, plenty of space, potable water, nice toilets, tons of trails..." describes a visitor to Woodridge Park.
Train noise concerns: Some campgrounds near Perry Lake experience significant rail traffic. "This is a lovely campsite but we'll sadly never stay here again - because trains passed by really loudly all night long - it finally stopped at about 5am," warns a camper about Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA.
Seasonal flooding impacts: Low-lying campsites can flood during rainy periods. "Between Google maps and poor signage, I did finally find the site. Honor system on check in," notes a visitor to Rock Creek, highlighting navigation challenges.
Bathroom quality varies: Facility maintenance differs significantly between campgrounds. "The bath house is modern and up to date; however, the shower dressing area has got to be the smallest I have EVER seen at a campground. I estimated the dressing area to be about 18" x 24"," details a camper from Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA.
Different reservation systems: State Park, COE, and KOA campgrounds each use different booking platforms. "This park has undergone some improvements with Prairie Clover Camping Loop {#1} showers and bathrooms clean and newly painted; dump sites and lagoons redone. Electrical sites sold out weekends so mid week may be your best bet," advises a visitor to Prairie Clover Campground.
Playground access: Several Perry Lake campsites include playground equipment. "If you're looking for a remote getaway, this isn't it. Lots of people and just on the edge of Topeka. It is a nice family campground though. Fishing swimming, hiking, boating, golfing and many other things to do," notes a camper about Lake Shawnee County Campground.
Hammock camping options: Dedicated hammock sites exist at several campgrounds. "Perry State Park is well maintained and manicured park. The primitive sites and RV sites are extremely close (especially the RV sites) other than that they have dedicated hammock sites!" shares a visitor at Perry State Park Campground.
Swimming areas: Beach access points vary by campground location. "This place is definitely a weekend destination for my little family and I. The trail is probably easy to moderate and there are an endless number of areas to explore," describes a Woodridge Park visitor.
Family-friendly hiking: Short trail options suitable for children exist around most campgrounds. "This place is my little families favorite camp ground. We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail. We have myself, husband, son, and dog," mentions another Woodridge Park camper.
Level site selection: Many RV sites require careful leveling. "Weird campsites, not enough trees, super loud at night due to traffic, the lake is disgusting and we ended up leaving after one night," cautions one Prairie Clover Campground visitor about challenging sites.
Water and electric hookups: Hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "We stayed in Campground 1 in one of the primitive sites. There were many sites to choose from even through there were quite a few campers here during the middle of the week. It was a bit of a hike to the water but the bathrooms were clean," details a COE Perry Lake Slough Creek Park camper.
RV size limitations: Some camping areas cannot accommodate larger rigs. "Paved roads are great for taking a walk or riding bikes and make it easy to move from one place to another within the campground. Our camping spot offered significant shade and a large grassy area," shares a Bloomington East - Clinton Lake visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a map of Perry Lake camping areas?
Yes, maps of Perry Lake camping areas are available through several sources. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (which manages Perry State Park Campground) provides official maps at their visitor center and website. Additionally, you can find maps at the entrance stations to each camping area or request them when making reservations. For a digital option, The Dyrt app offers interactive maps of the Perry Lake camping areas. For the most detailed and up-to-date information, it's recommended to check with the park office directly before your visit.
What campgrounds are available at Perry Lake in Kansas?
Perry Lake offers several excellent camping options. COE Perry Lake Longview Park provides electrical hookups and sits directly on the lake, making it popular for fishing enthusiasts targeting bass species. COE Perry Lake Slough Creek Park is another fantastic option with both electrical hookup sites and dry camping areas. The campgrounds feature gravel and level sites with easy access to the lake. Additionally, Perry State Park Campground and Rock Creek also offer camping facilities around the lake with various amenities. All campgrounds provide scenic views and recreational opportunities on Perry Lake.
What amenities are available at Slough Creek Campground on Perry Lake?
COE Perry Lake Slough Creek Park offers a range of amenities for campers. The campground features both electrical hookup sites and dry camping options with gravel, level campsites. Basic amenities include clean facilities and maintained grounds. The campground provides excellent lake access with little coves perfect for swimming and kayaking. While some campsites may require cleanup from previous campers, the area is generally well-maintained. The proximity to the water makes it ideal for boating and fishing activities. Slough Creek is particularly popular during summer holidays like the 4th of July for its recreational opportunities and family-friendly environment.
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