Camping near Topeka, Kansas offers access to multiple lakes within a 30-mile radius, providing water-based recreation alongside woodland camping opportunities. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F from June through August, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with overnight temperatures that can drop significantly. Several camping areas feature both wooded sites and lakefront options with varying degrees of privacy.
What to do
Fishing at dawn and dusk: Osage State Fishing Lake provides numerous waterfront campsites for easy fishing access. "It seems that every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place," reports Ray L., who appreciated the direct lake access.
Hiking through Clinton Park trails: Prairie Clover Campground features multiple woodland paths with wildlife viewing opportunities. Charles F. noted the "abundance of hiking all around the camps," making it ideal for nature exploration.
Water activities at Perry Lake: Kayakers and boaters particularly enjoy the coves and inlets at Perry Lake. According to Kelsey W., there are "little coves for swimming and kayaking, pontoons and party cove on larger areas" surrounding the COE Perry Lake Slough Creek Park.
What campers like
Secluded primitive sites: Campers appreciate the privacy at Woodridge Park where sites along trails offer solitude. Nikki S. explains, "We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail. Every now and then there will be a rowdy group of guys out there to party but for the most part it's pretty quiet."
Quick access from Interstate 70: Deer Creek Valley RV Park provides convenient overnight accommodations for travelers. Julie F. found it "an easy set up. Wide open lots that were level and the hookups were all lit up so easy to see at night."
Lakefront camping views: Bloomington East at Clinton Lake offers prime waterfront sites. Paul Y. found that "Site 246 was at the bottom of the hill, right on the lake" and noted that "While lots of big RVs, it was not crowded down by the lakefront sites."
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Summer storms can develop quickly in the region, bringing heavy rain and occasional flooding. One camper at Topeka / Capital City KOA noted "the road coming into the campground is unpaved and very bumpy" which can worsen after rainfall.
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly from Memorial Day through Labor Day, especially on weekends. Tanner P. shared, "Had a hard time finding any place open for memorial weekend" even when planning ahead.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise or weekend crowds. Jennifer N. explained her KOA experience: "The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the proximity to the highway. We had a 'deluxe rv site' that backed up to the highway. So tons of highway noise all night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly recreational areas. Ian C. noted Rock Creek Campground has "a playground for the young ones that's in great condition with decent options to play on."
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas or pools. Danielle V. mentioned that Topeka KOA has "a small, but small, salt water swimming pool that was refreshing after driving 8 hours."
Educational opportunities: State parks often have ranger programs during summer months for children. Joseph F. found that Lake Shawnee "is a nice family campground" with multiple activities to keep children engaged.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Many RV parks place units close together. Jeffrey C. warns that Lake Shawnee has "essentially row housing for trailers. ZERO privacy or space from your neighbors" though it's convenient for overnight stays.
Hookup locations: Check the placement of utilities before selecting sites. Jason F. noted at Topeka KOA that "The water and sewer hookups are in the middle between sites, which can make hooking up somewhat awkward depending on the layout of your rig. A longer water hose and sewer extension are a good idea."
Level site availability: Most campgrounds around Topeka offer gravel or concrete pads with varying degrees of levelness. Jim G. appreciated Deer Creek Valley RV Park's "Clean level concrete pads with hook ups that worked!"
