Camping near Pomona Lake

Pomona Lake in Kansas provides multiple camping options along its shoreline and surrounding areas, including established campgrounds and dispersed sites. The area features several state park facilities, including Pomona State Park Campground which offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with electric hookups and water facilities. Cedar Park represents a more primitive option with simpler amenities and waterfront sites. Corps of Engineers campgrounds like Michigan Valley and Outlet Park provide additional camping infrastructure around the lake. Most camping areas include basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities, with varying levels of development.

Access to most campgrounds around Pomona Lake remains available year-round, though some sites operate seasonally from May through September, particularly Wolf Creek and Carbolyn Park. Seasonal conditions affect campsite availability and reservations are recommended during peak summer months. Many campgrounds feature boat ramps for lake access, with some sites positioned directly on the waterfront. The region includes both reservable and first-come, first-served options, with prices ranging from free at primitive areas to moderate fees at developed sites with hookups. Some campgrounds maintain shower facilities and dump stations for RVs. As one camper noted about Cedar Park, "Great area, friendly guests even the kids showing up on the weekends were well behaved. The sites are huge and not right on top of each other."

Waterfront camping represents a common feature across many Pomona Lake campgrounds, with multiple sites offering direct lake access. Sites with hookups tend to be more developed and include amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and playgrounds. Cedar Park provides a more rustic camping experience with vault toilets and spacious sites, making it popular for those seeking a quieter atmosphere. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, tree cover is frequently mentioned as a positive feature, with one visitor commenting about Pomona State Park: "The campground here is covered in trees, Awesome." Most campgrounds around the lake provide boat ramps, making water recreation readily accessible. Primitive camping areas typically offer more seclusion but fewer amenities, while state park and COE campgrounds provide more facilities but can become crowded during summer months and holidays.

Best Camping Sites Near Pomona Lake (99)

    1. Pomona State Park Campground

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

    $10 - $85 / night

    "Its a beautiful park ,right on Pomona lake."

    "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."

    2. Osage State Fishing Lake

    10 Reviews
    Scranton, KS
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 672-5911

    "So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic!"

    "Pretty lake views, easy to drive in and find pretty private sites, and some fire ring"

    3. Cedar Park

    6 Reviews
    Vassar, KS
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 453-2201

    "Free and easy, and a nice change from all the flat dry Kansas fields."

    "Near the boat launch and had a quiet night. There is a pit toilet close."

    4. Eisenhower State Park Campground

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

    $10 - $85 / night

    "The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well."

    "This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. At the end of May, it was almost empty. We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water."

    5. Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE

    10 Reviews
    Lyndon, KS
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 549-3318

    $25 - $78 / night

    "Clean facilities, quiet camping, great fishing lake, and nice bike paths."

    "Beautiful well-kept park with gorgeous trails, beach, lots of shade, and quiet camping. We’ve been here three times now and just love it. Outlet park is below the dam."

    6. Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

    35 Reviews
    Lawrence, KS
    22 miles
    +1 (785) 842-8562

    $10 - $100 / 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."

    "The park is also at a lake so there’s a beach access area where you can go and swim or just sit by the very large lake."

    7. Carbolyn Park

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

    $14 - $20 / night

    "Shady and close to towns."

    8. Michigan Valley

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

    $14 - $60 / night

    "The hosts are very friendly and the campsites have decent space between them, restrooms are decent except there are no hooks or benches at the entrance restrooms."

    9. Bloomington East - Clinton Lake

    22 Reviews
    Lawrence, KS
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 843-7665

    $14 - $60 / 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."

    10. Wolf Creek (KS)

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

    $14 - $175 / night

    "The lake is fun and has some good fishing as well as some good coves for kayaking."

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Recent Reviews near Pomona Lake

328 Reviews of 99 Pomona Lake Campgrounds


  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 18, 2025

    Mill creek campground

    Great 1 night stop

    Needed a place close to the interstate. Paxico is small little cute town with shops and railroad western feel. The RV park is by the river with open views and quiet. The train was the loudest thing for the night. FHU worked great. Long pull through sites easy to maneuver.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2025

    Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

    Kansas City trip

    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.

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2025

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Great stop for the night

    Pulled in late and left early. Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice. A few other overnighters were there. Not too much time is added if you’re traveling i70. Poop on the toilet seat in the pit toilet so we waited until we got to a gas station in the morning. People are animals.

  • Freya
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Quail Run Campground — Hillsdale State Park

    Relaxing place to camp and enjoy nature

    All in all I really enjoyed tent camping at one of the primitive sites! My dad and I used two separate tents, each of which are six person tents, and it was easy to fit both on the campsite. I didn’t love the fire ring because the wall was pretty high and the grill part didn’t have adjustable height so that limited the height of the fire we could build when we wanted to cook over it. The nearby vault toilet was just OK, it was about as clean as a vault toilet could be but there was no way to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands nearby. The shower house with flush toilets, which was a little further away, was clean but didn’t have any hand soap, it only had hand sanitizer which was a disappointment.

    Those were really the only drawbacks to this campsite though! Everything else was lovely. I liked that there was a small camp store nearby with firewood for purchase during operating hours. The scenery was very nice and even though there were a lot of RVs in their section of the campground, I didn’t hear any noise coming from their air-conditioning thanks to the distance between that section and the primitive section.

    Being almost completely surrounded by the lake was so serene and we got to hear and see a lot of wildlife. The only other thing to know about this spot on the campground is that 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.

    Also, a note about spiders: there were way more than I’ve ever seen while camping before, so if large amounts of them bother you I suggest you not camp here in October! Most of them were small, but seeing them so often was still kind of gross. Such is life when camping though!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

    Good overnight.

    Easy check in friendly folks. Level site. Pull through FHU everything worked as expected. Would stay her again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Richey Cove

    Richey Cove Camp Grounds.

    Reasonably priced at 23$ per night…including electricity.Covered picnic table and trees😁 A view of the lake from just about every site. Clean enough showers and toilet facilities. Camp just was very nice and helpful.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Cedar Park

    Beautiful area.

    Great area, friendly guests even the kids showing up on the weekends were well behaved. One vault toilet they maintain the best they can. Area is patrolled by Park Rangers and law enforcement, not sure if local, county, or state. While there the park placed plaques marking site numbers and eventually they will add a kiosk that will have a QR code for payment, they were not sure what the fee would be (free for now). The sites are huge and not right on top of each other, they offer a picnic table, fire ring, and a gravel parking spot for your camper or grassy areas for tents. Very dusty roads getting here but worth it. Watch out for wildlife, deer, turkeys, and vultures are always on the roads including the pup that chases you're truck, just down the road from here, lol. Hope this helps, Happy camping you all!

  • robert B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Nice lake view

    Just got to the site, so far so good. Easy in for a Ford transit.


Guide to Pomona Lake

Camping near Pomona Lake, Kansas, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Outlet (Melvern). One visitor mentioned, "Fishing at the Dam release was fun but pretty difficult to reel in fish." So, bring your gear and give it a shot!
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Woodridge Park. A reviewer shared, "The 4.5 mile trail was a nice activity for the scouts during the morning."
  • Swimming: If you're looking to cool off, check out Eisenhower State Park Campground. One camper noted, "There are a few swim beaches, and plenty of sand to sit in and relax."

What campers like:

  • Wildlife: Campers at Clinton State Park Campground appreciate the wildlife. One reviewer said, "PLENTY of wildlife. Bunnies, Racoons (and babies), PLENTY of deer."
  • Clean Facilities: Visitors at Lake Shawnee County Campground rave about the cleanliness. A camper mentioned, "The lake is beautiful and the campground is clean and neat."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness at Bloomington East - Clinton Lake. One guest said, "Great spot- Quiet and not busy."

What you should know:

  • Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Clinton State Park Campground warned, "The bugs were horrible here. Swarms of gnats and mosquitoes."
  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can get busy. A reviewer at Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA noted, "They do pack you in like sardines."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A camper at Perry State Park Campground mentioned, "The site itself was OK... Did not live up to what I would expect at a state park."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for family activities. A visitor at Hillsdale State Park said, "Great campsite. Plenty of space for tents and other activities."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A family at Lake Shawnee County Campground enjoyed, "A lot of well-maintained trails and a park as well as pavilions and a lake."
  • Check for kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or swimming areas. One camper at Topeka / Capital City KOA mentioned, "They have a playground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits comfortably. A reviewer at Topeka / Capital City KOA noted, "Our site was not shaded and without any trees."
  • Bring extra hoses: Some campgrounds have awkward water and sewer hookups. A visitor at Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA suggested, "A longer water hose and sewer extension are a good idea."
  • Be mindful of noise: Some campgrounds are near highways or busy areas. A camper at Topeka / Capital City KOA mentioned, "We had a ‘deluxe RV site’ that backed up to the highway. So tons of highway noise all night."

Camping near Pomona Lake, Kansas, has something for everyone. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just relaxing, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available at Pomona Lake?

Pomona Lake offers several camping options. Pomona State Park Campground is the main camping area, featuring tree-covered sites that can accommodate large RVs up to 41 feet. Additional options include Michigan Valley near Vassar with reservable sites, water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly facilities. For those seeking alternatives, Carbolyn Park provides both boat-in and drive-in access with reservable sites and water. Wolf Creek is another nearby option with drive-in access, reservable sites, and big-rig accommodation. These campgrounds offer varied experiences while enjoying Pomona Lake's recreational opportunities.

Is Michigan Valley Campground a good option for camping at Pomona Lake?

Yes, Michigan Valley is a good option for camping at Pomona Lake. It offers convenient access to the lake with both boat-in and drive-in options. The campground features reservable sites equipped with water and toilet facilities, making it suitable for various camping styles. Michigan Valley is also big-rig-friendly, accommodating larger RVs and trailers. For those seeking alternatives with similar amenities, Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE is another nearby option with drive-in access, reservable sites, and water facilities. These campgrounds provide good access points to enjoy Pomona Lake's recreational opportunities.

What are the facilities and regulations at Pomona State Park camping areas?

Pomona State Park Campground offers extensive shade from its tree-covered sites, making it popular for summer camping. The campground can accommodate large RVs, with reports of 41-foot fifth wheels fitting comfortably. Facilities include direct access to Pomona Lake, offering excellent water recreation opportunities. Based on patterns at similar Kansas state parks like Clinton State Park, you'll likely need to purchase either day or annual permits. Regulations typically follow Kansas state park guidelines with quiet hours, pet leash requirements, and fire restrictions during dry periods. Reservations can typically be made online, with some sites possibly available on a first-come, first-served basis.