Camping spots near Scranton, Kansas offer varied terrain around several reservoir lakes within a 30-mile radius. The region features a mix of prairie and wooded areas with elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer months often exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall popular camping seasons.
What to do
Kayaking on Clinton Lake: At Clinton State Park, the spacious waterways provide excellent paddling opportunities for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. Primitive sites near the water offer convenience for early morning adventures. "My wife and I pulled into this campground around 7 pm and didn't have a reservation. We stayed in Campground 1 in one of the primitive sites. It was a bit of a hike to the water but the bathrooms were clean and had single room toilets with showers," notes Jessica C. from Prairie Clover Campground.
Fishing at multiple access points: Osage State Fishing Lake offers waterfront camping with easy fishing access right from your site. "It seems that every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place, I love it," says Ray L. from Osage State Fishing Lake. Many spots have established fire rings and basic amenities while keeping the focus on angling.
Wildlife viewing: Eisenhower State Park's diverse habitat attracts numerous bird species and wildlife throughout the year. "Remote quiet camping with nice facilities. Great views of the lake from many spots," writes Michelle H., noting the excellent cell service despite the remote location. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Cedar Park offers free camping with basic amenities including pit toilets and gravel boat ramp access. "Great Place for entry level camping. 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," according to Redneck R. from Cedar Park.
Secluded waterfront sites: Woodridge Park features primitive sites along a hiking trail that provides privacy even during busy periods. "Beautiful free camping. There's a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail. I was here over Labor Day weekend and didn't see a single other person on the the 1/2-ish mile hike to Primitive Site 4, where I spent the night. Site 4 is right on the lake and had a beautiful view of the sunrise," reports Alexandra J. from Woodridge Park.
Clean facilities: Pomona State Park maintains well-kept shower facilities and campsites, even in less-used areas. "Beautiful area to camp, and cheap. Our camp was in burning heart, it was very quiet and very clean. Even being full, it felt secluded. Absolutely will be back to camp again!" shares Jeremy S. The park's multiple camping loops offer varying levels of privacy and lake access.
What you should know
Limited off-season services: Many campgrounds reduce amenities during winter months. At Pomona State Park, a camper noted, "We stayed in one of the campgrounds with undesignated primitive spots. Found a nice place to park right on the lake. It was super quiet, being winter. Not too many primitive campers out."
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds near major roads experience traffic noise. "We stopped here on our way back from Colorado. The campground is right next to a highway and an air base, so we didn't get a very restful night's sleep," writes Jason F. about Topeka / Capital City KOA. Request sites furthest from highways when making reservations.
Water conditions vary seasonally: Clinton Lake and other area reservoirs can experience significant water level changes. "With all of the recent rain, we had a huge puddle separating our pull-through from our picnic table and fire pit," reports Myron C. Spring rains often cause muddy conditions and temporary flooding at waterfront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Shawnee County Campground offers numerous recreational facilities beyond standard camping. "This campground is a gem nestled in a beautiful county park. 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," shares janet H. from Lake Shawnee County Campground.
Off-trail exploration opportunities: Woodridge Park allows families to discover their own camping spots beyond designated areas. "It's highly suggested that you explore off the trail though so that you can see all the creative campsites that campers have built and established and you can create your own living space," explains Ashley F.
Swimming beach access: Several parks offer designated swimming areas with sandy beaches for children. "There are a few swim beaches, and plenty of sand to sit in and relax. Our actual campsite was great and came equipped with a firepit and picnic table, and we could walk to the lakeshore," reports Cindy K. about Eisenhower State Park.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Call ahead to confirm utility connections, especially during peak season. "We had water and electric but no sewer, which was a little bit of a pain. However there are full hookup sites, just none available," notes Dan M. about Prairie Clover Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require leveling equipment. "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 and right of us," reports Dan & Penny F. about Pomona State Park.
Size restrictions at some parks: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic! Beautiful area, campfire rings in several locations, and our 43' Rv navigated smoothly. Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads," shares Brenda Y. about Osage State Fishing Lake.
