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Best Campgrounds near Topeka, KS

350 Reviews

Campers looking for places to stay around Topeka, Kansas can choose from several solid options. Lake Shawnee County Campground keeps its bathrooms and common areas clean, and you can easily walk to the water from your site. Over at Clinton State Park Campground, the hiking trails wind through woods where you might spot deer or wild turkeys. Both places sit within a short drive of Topeka, making them good choices for quick overnight trips. Some campsites have more trees between them for better privacy, while others are more open. Most areas have enough trees to give you shade when Kansas summer heat kicks in. The sites work for different setups - you'll find spots that fit tents, trailers, and larger RVs. It's smart to reserve your spot ahead of time, particularly from April through August when more people are camping. The roads to get to these campgrounds stay in good shape year-round, though winter weather occasionally affects access. Kansas weather changes quickly, so bringing layers and rain gear makes sense even for short trips. While you won't find fancy amenities at these campgrounds, the nearby lakes and trails give you plenty to do during the day. Whether you're staying for a night or a week, the campgrounds near Topeka can handle different camping styles.

Map showing campgrounds near Topeka, KansasExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Topeka, Kansas (95)

    1. Lake Shawnee County Campground

    24 Reviews
    Topeka, KS
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 251-6834

    $20 / night

    "This is a nice camp ground at a lake, right in Topeka. Close to downtown and the capital. Sections of the park are open year round. It is a busy park with lots of people around."

    "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"

    2. Topeka / Capital City KOA

    12 Reviews
    Topeka, KS
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 862-5267

    "Stopping for a quick overnight at the Topeka KOA, the staff was very nice. There is a small store with plenty of affordable firewood which was great for our chilly night."

    "Campground Review

    We stayed at the Topeka / Capital City KOA campground for one night on our way home during a 3-week road trip."

    3. Deer Creek Valley RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Topeka, KS
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 357-8555

    $40 - $45 / night

    "Central Topeka location minutes from the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, the Capitol, the Topeka Zoo, and the Evel Knevel Museum"

    "Located next to a creek and ample space around your site. Clean bathrooms and showers. Fun little pool and awesome play area for kids."

    4. Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

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

    $10 - $150 / 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."

    5. Woodridge Park

    13 Reviews
    Clinton Lake, KS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 843-7665

    "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"

    6. Bloomington East - Clinton Lake

    22 Reviews
    Lawrence, KS
    19 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."

    7. Perry State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Meriden, KS
    15 miles
    Website

    "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."

    8. Osage State Fishing Lake

    9 Reviews
    Scranton, KS
    17 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"

    9. COE Perry Lake Slough Creek Park

    8 Reviews
    Perry, KS
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 876-3127

    $16 - $50 / 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."

    10. Rock Creek (KS)

    5 Reviews
    Perry, KS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 597-2180

    $16 - $50 / 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"

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Recent Camping Photos near Topeka, KS

108 Photos of 95 Topeka Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Topeka, KS

350 Reviews of 95 Topeka Campgrounds

  • Zach L.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Calvin's RV & Tent Camping

    Calvin's RV

    A small RV park on the east edge of Wamego KS. Full electric (30A,50A, and 120V), water, and sanitary dump. Most sites are paved pull through sites. Booking online through Rover Pass was simple and affordable. There is a guest bathroom in the basement of the office building. We were greeted by the owner and the grounds are well maintained and quiet. Just 20 min from Manhattan.

  • j
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Lake Shawnee County Campground

    So much to do here

    Topeka KS Lake Shawnee Co. Park Campground This campground is a gem nestled in a beautiful county park. All the sites are paved, level and have full hookups. They include nice picnic tables and fire pits. We had a pull thru site with a nice view of the lake. There are 87 FHU sites, tent sites and two modern bathhouses and laundry facilities. 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.. We paid$46

  • John G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Eisenhower SP spaciousness

    This was our first visit and we chose a campsite on-line. 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. The camp store is minimal and only open a few hours in the evening. Access to the water is easy so bring watercraft and swimming attire. The lake is almost 7,000 acres so our kayak exploring only covered a small portion.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

    A great little KOA campground with lots of amenities.

    The staff is very nice, the camp is clean the bathrooms are clean the laundry is clean the pool is clean overall a very pleasant little camp. Please see attached video and pictures for more details.

    The only two negatives are one there are probably not enough shade trees and two there is a train that comes by every couple of hours.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake

    Nice and secluded!

    Not many insects, nice and secluded. Beautiful scenery, nice lake. Everything is perfect here. The only thing that make it better is if they had trash cans, potable water and a grey water dump.

  • Ray L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Very nice clean waterfront spot

    It seems that every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place, I love it

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    7-day limit. No trash cans or water, but it's free.

    There's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground. Everything is as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump, but that's usually rare to find water and a grey dump at a free site.

    I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave. So I'm going to treat all Kansas places as a 7-day limit.

Guide to Topeka

Camping near Topeka, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Clinton State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Half of our group took the trail and hiked to the campsite, the other half got there by kayak/paddleboard." The trails provide a great way to enjoy nature.
  • Fishing: Head to Weston Bend State Park Campground for some fishing fun. A reviewer noted, "The campground is hilly, sites are level, gravel pads. Lots of space between sites," making it a nice spot to relax by the water.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Lake Shawnee County Campground, you can enjoy the beauty of nature. One visitor said, "The lake is beautiful and the campground is clean and neat," perfect for spotting local wildlife.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Tuttle Creek State Park Campground stated, "Clean bath/shower houses. Dump stations on the way out."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Walnut Grove RV Park mentioned, "Nice quiet park with good sized gravel lots."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One visitor at Topeka / Capital City KOA said, "Friendly staff, very well kept, lots of green space."

What you should know

  • Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Clinton State Park Campground noted, "In early July, the bugs made me want to scream," so bring bug spray!
  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Woodridge Park mentioned, "It was pretty crowded and most car camping sites were taken."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A review for Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 stated, "No drinking water, no electric hookups," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Lake Shawnee County Campground, which has a "beautiful lake" and "clean showers," making it great for families.
  • Plan Activities: Bring games or outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. One camper at Hillsdale State Park mentioned, "There are kayaks and canoes to rent," which can be fun for the whole family.
  • Check for Pet Policies: If you're bringing pets, make sure to check the campground's pet policy. A visitor at Walnut Grove RV Park said, "Pet friendly and close to KC shops and stores."

Tips from RVers

  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Topeka / Capital City KOA offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A reviewer noted, "We had Full hook-up with a gravel pull-through."
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some sites can be tight for larger rigs. A camper at Weston Bend State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites are back in, there are 2 pull through sites."
  • Check Road Conditions: Before heading out, check the road conditions to the campground. A visitor at Topeka / Capital City KOA warned, "The road coming into the campground (49th St) is unpaved and very bumpy."

Camping near Topeka, KS, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any lakeside camping options near Topeka?

Topeka / Capital City KOA features a nice pond with short but relaxing hiking trails, perfect for those wanting water views near Topeka. The campground is clean with gravel sites that are mostly level. For a more substantial lake experience, River Pond State Park Campground offers waterfront camping with beautiful views. Just outside Topeka, you'll find several options including Perry Lake at Slough Creek Park with lakeside sites, and Osage State Fishing Lake which provides more rustic lakeside camping. These locations offer various water activities including fishing, swimming, and boating, making them ideal for campers seeking lakeside recreation.

Are there group camping facilities available in the Topeka area?

Lake Shawnee County Campground offers group camping opportunities with its picnic pavilion and spacious grounds. The park includes numerous amenities ideal for groups: a playground, swim beach, disc golf, tennis courts, and a golf course. The seven-mile paved path around the lake is perfect for group activities. Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park also accommodates group camping with designated areas for larger gatherings. Many of the campgrounds in the region can accommodate groups with advance arrangements. For the best experience, contact the campground directly to discuss your specific group size and needs, as reservation requirements and group site availability vary by season and location.

Where can I find tent camping sites around Topeka?

Rocky Ford Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park offers excellent tent camping with great shaded areas, water views, and both secluded sites and areas where friends or family can camp together. The huge cottonwood trees provide ample shade, making it an ideal spot for tent campers. Another good option is Banner Creek, located about 35 minutes north of Topeka near Holton, which offers primitive camping opportunities. While it tends to have more RVers than tent campers, it still provides a pleasant experience for those with tents. For those willing to drive a bit further, Perry State Park Campground offers various access options including hike-in and walk-in sites that are perfect for tent camping.

What are the best campgrounds near Topeka, Kansas?

The Topeka area offers several excellent camping options. Lake Shawnee County Campground is right in Topeka with gravel sites, full amenities, and a seven-mile paved path around the lake. It's a gated facility with both pull-through and back-in sites that can accommodate almost any camper type. For those wanting an RV-focused experience, Deer Creek Valley RV Park offers a central Topeka location just minutes from attractions like the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, the Capitol, and the Topeka Zoo. Other highly-rated options include the Topeka/Capital City KOA with its fishing pond and hiking trails, and Banner Creek, located about 35 minutes north of Topeka near Holton.

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