Best RV Parks & Resorts near Vassar, KS

Beautiful gated lakeside campground in SE Topeka that can accommodate almost any camper type. There are pull through and back in sites. All are gravel with a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are fairly level and easy to navigate. There is a playground, picnic pavilion, swim beach, laundry, fishing dock and 2 clean bathhouses. The sites are close together, but most will have a view of the lake. There are 50 and 30 amp hook ups and water hook ups. No sewer, but there is a dump station on-site. Rental bikes are near the office to ride around the trail that goes 7 miles around the lake. The whole lake area has a lot going on: softball and baseball fields, multiple playgrounds, disc golf, golf course, tennis courts, paddle boat/canoe rentals, amazing gardens, etc. Several restaurants including fast food, pizza, donut shop, Chinese, 2 bar and grills, and Mexican food are very nearby. There is also a Dollar General, urgent care clinic, liquor store and 2 gas stations. It’s a great location just a few miles south of 1-70. Normally sites are $20/night, $18/night for seniors. Highly recommend!

The Park: We love this park, it’s massive, and really pretty. They have so much to do (listed below). Sunflower Loop is our favorite and has full hookups. There are more primitive loops as well. It is ADA accessible. There was not a tornado shelter as of 2018. This is one thing that should be mandatory given its proximity and being further away from potential shelter. Excellent camping on the lake. Lots of water activities available.

Sites: level, clear, easily accessible. Sunflower loop is widely spaced and plenty of room for larger RVs.

Cellular: decent cellular signal.

Amenities: Amphitheater Bath House Bicycling Boat Ramp Boating Canoeing Kayaking Campground Host Camping, Equestrian Camping, Improved Site Camping, Primitive Church Comfort Station Dock, Boat Dump Station, Camper Dump Station, Marina Fire Rings Fishing, Park Lake Fuel, Boats Golf Grills Gun Range Hiking Hiking Trail Horseback Riding Hunting Information Booth Jet Skiing Laundry Marina Mountain/Trail Bicycling Park Lake Parking Picnic Area Picnic Shelter Picnic Tables Playground Rentals, Boat, Motorized Rentals, Jet Skis Reservoir Restrooms Shelters Showers Skiing - Water Swimming, Park Lake Telephone Toilet, Pit/Vault Trails, Bicycle Trails, Equestrian Trails, Hiking/Walking, Easy Trails, Mountain Bike Walking Water Access, Park Lake Water Skiing

The Beauty and peaceful campground suits my wife and I. The showers and laundry areas are clean and well kept. The staff is very nice to talk to. The big draw back is no sewer hookup. There is a dump station close to the entrance that is free for campers staying here. The other draw back is during winter the water is shut off. Again there is water at the dump station. This said the staff showed me plans that have been approved to add pull through sites, full hookups, and cabins. We really enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets and all the geese on the lake.

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 ramps, tennis courts, playground, picnic shelters, arboretum, and the Ted Ensley Gardens. The office was open until 7 pm so check-in was a breeze and the staff very friendly and welcoming. 

Sites/Facilities: The campground itself has 119 sites, situated on a peninsula jutting into the lake. All have water and electric (some 30 amp and some 50 amp). Many have views of the lake but unfortunately, they are all back-in and stacked up very close to each other so there is no privacy between sites. Our site (96) was on the end, so we had privacy on one side but could easily hear people in neighboring sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. The fee is very reasonable ($20 or$18 for seniors). 

Activities: I saw people fishing in the lake, there is a nice playground, and there is a paved path around the lake which made for a nice walk. 

Restrooms: There are two restroom/shower/laundry facilities that were very clean (they had been cleaned by the time I went in at 7:30 am). 

Conclusion: You are not far from downtown Topeka so you will hear road noise and the occasional siren, but this campground and all facilities are a nice oasis near an urban area. I definitely recommend visiting the Ted Ensley gardens while there (no additional admission, by donation only).