Dog-Friendly Camping near Vassar, KS

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    Pomona State Park Campground maintains a pet-friendly environment where dogs are permitted to stay without leash restrictions in campsites. The park provides multiple camping areas with varied pet accommodations including primitive sites and full hookup options for RVs. Clean facilities and well-maintained grounds make this a popular choice for pet owners. Campers report that rangers allow dogs to remain unleashed as long as they stay within the campsite boundaries. The campground features shaded sites with trees providing coverage from summer heat for pets. Water and electric hookups are available at most sites, with both 30 and 50-amp service options for RV campers traveling with animals.

    Nearby Cedar Park offers free primitive camping with dogs in a waterfront setting. The area includes 8 designated campsites with fire rings and picnic tables where pets can enjoy lake access. A single vault toilet serves the area, which is patrolled regularly by park rangers. The gravel roads leading to Cedar Park can be dusty but provide easy vehicle access for pet owners. Michigan Valley campground features a roped-off swimming beach where some visitors bring their dogs for water recreation. Both Eisenhower State Park and Wolf Creek campgrounds provide electric hookups and water access points convenient for refilling pet water containers. Summer temperatures in the Vassar area can reach high levels, so campers with dogs should ensure adequate shade and water availability during peak season months. Wildlife including deer and turkeys frequently appear on roads throughout the area, requiring pet owners to maintain control of their animals.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Vassar (75)

      1. Pomona State Park Campground

      4.4(11)1mi from Vassar223 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "We camp with our 3 dogs each time and never put them on a leash. Rangers informed us as long as they stay in your site, they're not strict about it."

      from $10 - $100 / night

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      2. Osage State Fishing Lake

      4.9(11)9mi from VassarRVs, Tents

      "Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill. Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon."

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

      3. Eisenhower State Park Campground

      4.6(10)11mi from Vassar201 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $10 - $100 / night

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      4. Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE

      4.5(10)11mi from Vassar150 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $25 - $78 / night

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      5. Cedar Park

      4.2(6)3mi from VassarRVs, Tents

      "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."

      6. Carbolyn Park

      4.3(4)4mi from Vassar26 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Shady and close to towns."

      from $14 - $20 / night

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      7. Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

      3.5(36)23mi from Vassar158 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $10 - $150 / night

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      8. Michigan Valley

      4.7(3)3mi from Vassar78 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Pets allowed. Elevation 1,002 ft.  Prior to arrival they had a flood that came up to site 4."

      "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."

      from $14 - $60 / night

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      9. Bloomington East - Clinton Lake

      4.1(22)22mi from Vassar323 sitesRVs, Tents

      "The draw for me is the many hiking trails accessible from the campsite. Great place to spend a nice Kansas weekend!"

      "We take our dogs and our kayakes and we are set for the weekend. The campsites are clean and a nice private distance from each other for the most part."

      from $14 - $60 / night

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      10. Wolf Creek (KS)

      4.0(2)3mi from Vassar56 sitesRVs, Tents

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

      from $14 - $175 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Vassar, KS

    340 Reviews of 75 Vassar Campgrounds


    • Kayzie N.
      Jul. 7, 2023

      Lake Miola City Park

      My favorite camp ground ever

      This has everything you want! Nice camp host! Swimming beach! Showers & nice toilets & a tent area and a RV area to separate it. Most tent and RV spots have shade!!! Tens have electic & It's CHEAP !! 20$ for electric tent & camper! They have water spouts at the tent area as well!! A walking path & a park and a huge dog park!!!!

      Love love love this place!!

    • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 3, 2019

      Topeka / Capital City KOA

      More KOA Gravel

      Another KOA that just loves gravel! The road in is paved, but there is gravel (and dust) everywhere else. There is also very little shade - so is was hot in July! There is a nice, but small, salt water swimming pool that was refreshing after driving 8 hours. And a small dog park. There is a small store/ gift shop with basics. The shower/bathroom was clean.

    • Debbie S.
      May. 30, 2021

      Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA

      Great family campground and awesome dog park!

      It’s not the best I’ve ever been to, but it’s a as great family campground with beautiful views. We travel with two adorable rescues and appreciated the awesome dog park where they could run a bit. The restrooms are adequate and clean. Views are beautiful as you will see for yourself. Would definitely return. Tastes are $56-60

    • J
      Jun. 14, 2024

      Topeka / Capital City KOA

      The longer pull thru sites are Buddy site- we didn’t realize this

      Our site was $56.78 We were in Site# 59 The check in was at 12pm but the office was closed until 3:30pm so we grabbed our sheet left out front and got ourselves to our site.

      We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-through.
      We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep (although the Jeep had to be parked straight across the front of our site to fit in). Also we were right on the highway.

      The site was easy to level.
      Our site was not shaded and without any trees. The most FRUSTRATING part is that this was a buddy site (that is NO WHERE on their website). We have rescue dogs and don’t want to share our space with neighbors we don’t know. Literally no one wants to Kumbaya by the fireside with complete strangers. Therefore our trip went from one week originally to two nights. We would have left the next day but the husband wanted to see the Evel Knievel museum.

      The lot does not have a concrete patio but has a picnic table and fire grate.

      They have a community fire pit with multiple swings around it. They sell wood for $6 a bundle.

      They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster at the entrance.

      You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They do not provide golf cart rentals. There is really not a need to have a Golf cart because it is a smaller campground.

      They do have a saltwater Swimming pool. They have a catch and release fishing pond.

      There is a Playground. They also offer a weight room and an adorable activities room with air hockey, a library, & a pool table. There is also a scenic walking trail. The trail is almost a mile and they’ve kept it mowed and easy to identify.

      They have a basic general store. There is not a snack bar/restaurant on site.

      The streets are gravel so not great for riding bikes.

      They have cabins for rent and a tent area (electric & primitive options).

      They have 2 shower houses. The shower house in the main barn has individual shower/toilet/sink areas. The shower house in the park has the typical stalls. These are kept very clean.

      There is a laundry facility in both shower houses. It is a cash only facility.

      They have a fenced in dog park which is unfortunately located in the front of the park away from RV sites.

      Some fun things to do outside of the campground are the Evel Knievel museum and Brown vs. Board of Education historical park.

      Staff are very kind. I would definitely stay here in the future but will know to secure a site that isn’t shared with others

    • K
      Apr. 11, 2022

      Richey Cove

      Love it!

      Very cute place. Quiet. Just hear the birds. They have fire pits. Pets are allowed. They have nice paved spots with water and electrical hookup. ( 30/50) Comes with picnic table and shelter. Has a charcoal swiveling grill, good size with a lid! Fishing. Boating. Shower/ bathroom on sight. Garbage cans close by. We will definitely be back with family and friends! Have long term campsites and short term. Go to recreation.gov for fast and easy sign in and go!

    • Susan S.
      Jul. 30, 2018

      Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park

      Off the beaten path

      A couple miles down a secluded drive, nestled back in the woods right on the lake. Lots of trees, nice shower house. Camp host is friendly and laid back. Pet friendly, well lit. Our family felt safe.

      Beautiful sunsets. Water is a little muddy but good for fishing. I would recommend for a family getaway or a fishing trip.

    • Annell N.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 23, 2020

      Michigan Valley

      Michigan Valley Campground/Recreation Area COE

      Sept 26- Oct 1, 2019 Site A01 had electric and water. Rate was $10 with Sr. Lifetime Pass. Park had laundry room, dump station, very clean showers, flush toilets and vault toilets. Verizon 4G 2 bars. Pets allowed. Elevation 1,002 ft.  Prior to arrival they had a flood that came up to site 4.

    • Whitley M.
      Aug. 14, 2022

      Lake Shawnee County Campground

      Great campground!

      It’s my first time solo camping (female) and i did not feel like i was unsafe whatsoever. It’s a closed campground so you can only get in with a reservation. The spots are pretty close together but no one was ever loud and there’s lots of grassy space behind. (I was on a water front spot). Pet friendly, and the staff are so nice. If you buy firewood and ice from them they deliver it to your campground for you! Easy set up with power and water hookups. I’ll definitely come back!

    • Clyde C.
      May. 24, 2024

      Deer Creek Valley RV Park

      Amazing RV Park

      This is an amazing park. The spot was 55 with a 5.50 Good Sam discount. It is gated, several spots mostly pull through. The roads and parking spots are all concrete with grass and picnic tables. Laundry, bathrooms, showers. Swimming pool and kids play yard. Large fenced pet area. This is just off interstate 70. The reservation desk was very friendly. Would highly recommend.


    Guide to Vassar

    Pomona State Park serves as a central hub for pet friendly camping near Vassar, Kansas with multiple campgrounds situated around Pomona Lake and Melvern Lake. The area sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F. Gravel roads connect many of the campgrounds, requiring careful driving particularly after rain when conditions can become muddy.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: The area offers various fishing spots with different experiences at each location. At Osage State Fishing Lake, campers can enjoy waterfront sites with easy access. "Every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place," notes Ray L. The lake provides a peaceful environment for anglers seeking bass and other local fish species.

    Beach swimming: Michigan Valley offers dedicated swimming areas during summer months. "Roped off swimming beach" is available for visitors looking to cool off. The beach areas are maintained regularly, though water quality can vary based on recent rainfall and temperatures.

    Wildlife observation: Wildlife viewing is abundant throughout the region's parks. At Eisenhower State Park Campground, visitors report seeing "deer and turkey" regularly. One camper mentioned, "Great birds for birding. Great lakeside campsites." The early morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.

    What campers like

    Quiet environment: Many campsites offer peaceful settings away from busy areas. At Outlet Park Campground Melvern Lake COE, visitors appreciate the serene atmosphere. "We had a great family trip to Melvern Lake. Camp was pretty quiet, and bathrooms were pretty good," shares Anna P. The distance between sites helps maintain privacy at many locations.

    Shaded campsites: Tree coverage provides relief from summer heat at several campgrounds. At Pomona State Park Campground, one visitor notes, "The campground here is covered in trees, Awesome." Sites with natural shade are highly valued during peak summer months when temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels.

    Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and grounds are frequently mentioned in reviews. "Beautiful area to camp, and cheap. Our camp was in burning heart, it was very quiet and very clean," states Jeremy S. Most established campgrounds have regular maintenance schedules for facilities.

    What you should know

    Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variations between sites. One visitor to Bloomington East - Clinton Lake advised, "Our site was a muddy mess but I just joined up with a friend and we used a his single site for both our teardrops." Requesting sites away from boat ramps can reduce traffic noise.

    Seasonal operations: Many facilities operate on limited schedules. Wolf Creek offers sites "available from May 1 through September 15." Similarly, Carbolyn Park operates seasonally with availability "from 1 May until 30 September."

    Permit requirements: Some areas require permits or have specific payment processes. At Cedar Park, a visitor noted, "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)." Always check current requirements before arrival.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Michigan Valley, facilities include "basketball court" and playgrounds to keep children entertained. The playground equipment is typically basic but functional.

    Beach considerations: When camping with children, choosing sites near swimming areas can be convenient. "Michigan Valley campground features a roped-off swimming beach" where families can enjoy water activities together during hot summer days.

    Spacious sites: Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park offers room for family activities. One camper noted, "The park is awesome, spacious sites and level. The park is well taken care of and very easy to get to from I70." Another mentioned "open fields for kids to play in" making it suitable for active families.

    Tips from RVers

    Leveling needs: Some sites require additional equipment for leveling. As one camper at Pomona State Park noted, "Site a little off level, nothing a few blocks or boards couldn't solve." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most campgrounds in the area.

    Hookup options: Electric service varies between campgrounds. A visitor mentioned "30 amps of clean 122 vac, water tucked in between two pine trees." Most RV sites offer water and electric, with fewer full hookup options available.

    Big rig accessibility: While several campgrounds accommodate larger RVs, navigation can be challenging in some areas. At Osage State Fishing Lake, a camper with a 43' RV reported, "Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads... Our 43' RV navigated smoothly." Always check site specifications before booking larger rigs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Vassar, KS?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Vassar, KS is Pomona State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Vassar, KS?

    TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Vassar, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.