Melvern Lake offers equestrian campers several options within Osage County, Kansas. The lake spans 6,930 acres with surrounding prairie and woodland terrain at approximately 1,030 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions in the 60-75°F range.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: At Rockhaven Park Equestrian Campground, riders have direct access to horse-friendly trails right from the camping area. According to Juliana H., "there are plenty of areas to tie off and/or enclose horses... and access to horse-friendly and dog-friendly trails right in the campground!"
Water recreation: Melvern Lake provides multiple water activities for visitors. Nancy C. noted at Eisenhower State Park, "Swimming, boating, fishing, horses, archery, wide open spaces" are available, making it a versatile destination for equestrian campers wanting water activities after trail rides.
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts diverse wildlife for nature enthusiasts. Bill H. mentioned, "Secure camping and clean on site bathroom facilities. Close enough to town for convenience but far enough away you get to see a lot of stars." Bird watching is particularly rewarding at the lake's edges during morning hours.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at equestrian campgrounds. At Cedar Park, James M. observed, "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."
Lake views: Waterfront campsites rank high with visitors. Niki S. noted about Cedar Park, "I pulled up at midnight, went to a spot right by the shore and saw some incredible stars. Free and easy, and a nice change from all the flat dry Kansas fields."
Clean facilities: Maintained bathroom facilities matter to horse campers. According to Jason B. at Eisenhower State Park, "This is a nicely maintained state park. All the amenities you'd expect. No complaints. Truck stop a few miles away that had a really good breakfast and giant cinnamon rolls!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some horse campgrounds near Vassar, Kansas require advance booking. Cedar Park is currently implementing changes as James M. explains: "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)."
Weather considerations: The lakeside location creates variable conditions. Christina H. reports about Eisenhower State Park Campground: "It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind. Bathrooms were nice and clean and the staff were very nice."
Access roads: Unpaved roads lead to some equestrian sites. According to Jordanna B., "It's a long gravel road to get there and you're mostly just in farmland, but there are waterfront sites and it's flat. There's a ground toilet you can walk to."
Tips for camping with families
Equestrian amenities: When choosing horse campgrounds with children, select sites with appropriate facilities. Redneck R. reports about Cedar Park: "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."
Activity options: Find campgrounds with diverse activities for children. At Perry State Park Campground, Brandon B. shared: "We camped in the Hobie Cove campground and the site itself was OK. Not a lot of choices for sites that are flat or offer a lot of shade. We did have a good time though exploring the area."
Safety considerations: Campgrounds with regular patrols provide security for families with horses. James M. noted, "Area is patrolled by Park Rangers and law enforcement, not sure if local, county, or state... Watch out for wildlife, deer, turkeys, and vultures are always on the roads."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: For RVers visiting equestrian sites, utility access varies. At Saddle Ridge Campground, Rochelle A. mentioned, "Great place to camp! Clean facilities," with the site offering electric, water and sewer hookups suitable for RVs with horses.
Site positioning: Choose sites that accommodate both RVs and horse trailers. Jason W. advises, "Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy."
Manure disposal: Proper waste management is essential when RVing with horses. Juliana H. points out that Rockhaven Park has "two designated manure piles" specifically for equestrian campers, helping maintain cleanliness at sites.
