Tent camping near Vassar, Kansas centers around several primitive locations surrounding Clinton Lake and Pomona Lake. Adam's Grove offers 30 tent sites without hookups for $6 per site and includes a boat ramp. Woodridge Park, located near Berryton, provides both drive-in tent sites in a gravel loop area and numerous hike-in primitive sites along a 4.5-mile trail that circles the lake.
Most tent campgrounds in this region have minimal amenities. Woodridge Park provides vault toilets described as "clean but basic" and potable water access, while many other locations like Adam's Grove have no restroom facilities. Fire rings are common at established sites, and most locations permit pets. Tent campers should note that many sites, particularly the walk-in locations at Woodridge Park, can become extremely muddy after rainfall. The primitive sites at Woodridge are spread far apart along the trail, offering significant privacy even when the campground is busy.
The tent camping experience at Woodridge Park is notably secluded. "We very rarely run into anyone else while camping on the trail," reported one regular visitor on The Dyrt. The walk-in sites are particularly valued for their privacy and lake views, with some sites positioned directly on the water. Several campers noted that despite being close to Lawrence, the campground feels remarkably remote. Primitive Site 4 at Woodridge received specific mention for its lakeside location and sunrise views. While the main camping area can occasionally host long-term campers, the hike-in sites remain tranquil retreats. The trail system provides excellent opportunities for day hiking, making these tent sites ideal bases for exploring the surrounding forest and lakeshores.
"We recently took our scout troop to Woodridge and had ample space for the group. The 4.5 mile trail was a nice activity for the scouts during the morning. "
"There’s a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail."
"The lake was my favrote part. Depending on where you went there were nice fields to play frisbee in."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $30 / night
GuideThe price is good. We paid just under 13usd for a basic primitive site. The bathrooms are limited and pretty rough as one might expect. Otherwise, we found it quiet, peaceful and pretty. Good location to Laurence and get a good coffee and donut.
GuideLots of big sites in Cornflower loop some shaded. Bathroom needs an update; I wouldn’t use the shower as too disgusting so can’t rate the water temperature.
ScoutWe set up our little camper trailer in one of the primitive loops, backed into the trees. Access to the white and blue trail loops from the campground either via some rickety stairs or from a trail next to the cabins. Relatively close to the bathroom and shower house for water. Campsite was great, but the campground in general could use a little bit of trash pickup and general spiffing up
ScoutI have stayed 2 times. The first was by the river. The site was beautiful, on the river, and had electricity. The second time I stayed near the front of the park, which offered electricity and water. The dump station is accessible, and the price is only $10 a night for any spot. You cannot book ahead. It is first come, first served.
RangerPretty developed, easy to find and right on the lake. Restrooms were nearby so that was a plus. There was plenty of space between sites but no real coverage for privacy. I don’t fish so I really just needed a free place to stay in nature and this was perfect for that. Bugs were… present. I called it a night quickly after the sun went down and could hear the bugs and other creatures from the inside of the car. Not my thing. The lake was super pretty and it was not difficult to drive to.
ScoutRight in the city park (St Mary's Riverside Park) are 3 "spots" to pull in and hook up. Only $10/night for electric (30 or 50 amp) and water! One site (#2) has a picnic table and grill. There were campers that just pulled into the park for the night (free) but no hook-ups.
Pros: restrooms with flush toilets (no showers), hook-ups, nice playground, grass/trees, quiet, disc golf course, good service at City Hall, just 2 blocks off Main St
Cons: have to plan ahead to make reservations (snail mail and check) if you want hook-ups OR go to City Hall during business hours to get key for electric box, mosquitoes.
Would certainly stay again!
RangerSites were nicely spaced and generally close to level. Paved roads. Our site 168 was surfaced with reclaimed asphalt. Lots of shade and clean. Many sites are electric only with 30 amps with water available in several locations in park. Good Starlink at my site.
GuideI stayed at Doud Campground inside the state park. It was a peaceful site facing the lake, with a few hay bales and a well maintained trail.
September was a good month to stay because it was cooler outside. I recommend using the bathhouse facilities at BlackJack campground right next to Doud as they are more updated.
GuideStayed at Cedar Ridge campground. Originally planned a 2 night stay. Ended up extending for total of 7 nights.
Pull thru and back-in sites, all are paved and level.
Clean bathrooms and good laundry room too.
Really nice place. Lots of shade or more sunny sites are available.
Army Corps of Engineers does it again.
Tent camping opportunities near Vassar, Kansas focus primarily around Clinton Lake, Pomona Lake, and several local state fishing lakes. The area features a mix of primitive camping sites at elevations between 900-1,100 feet, with most locations situated in deciduous forest settings. Summer temperatures typically range from 80-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures averaging 60-75°F.
Fishing opportunities: Shawnee State Fishing Lake provides access to various fish species in a secluded setting. "Far from the maddening crowd..although there were quite a few folks here Sunday evening…fishing and just relaxing..almost everyone left after sundown," notes one camper at Shawnee State Fishing Lake.
Trail exploration: The 4.5-mile trail at Woodridge Park offers numerous off-trail opportunities beyond the established path. "It's highly suggested that you explore off the trail though so that you can see all the creative campsites that campers have built and established and you can create your own living space," explains a camper at Woodridge Park.
Scout-friendly outings: Council Grove Lake provides structured activities suitable for organized youth groups. "Spend three nights with the cub scouts on this lake. We had lots of success with fishing and the kids really enjoyed some of the hiking trails," reports a visitor to Kansas View - Council Grove Lake.
Solitude and privacy: The best tent camping near Vassar, Kansas offers remarkable seclusion even during peak seasons. "Camping spots along trail are really spread out and even if every spot is full you still feel secluded," explains a camper about the primitive sites.
Lake access: Multiple sites offer direct waterfront positioning. "Site 4 is right on the lake and had a beautiful view of the sunrise. The main loop/parking area had some pit toilets that are very basic but honestly no worse than what I've seen at some paid campsites," shares a visitor at Woodridge Park.
Free primitive options: Several locations near Vassar provide no-cost camping alternatives. "Beautiful free camping. There's a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail," notes a camper at Overlook Park.
Weather impacts: Trail conditions deteriorate quickly with rainfall. "Keep in mind though that the trail gets very muddy if it has just rained!" warns a camper who visited with dogs.
Variable crowds: Most campgrounds experience seasonal fluctuations in visitor numbers. "Woodridge is never over crowded unless it's a holiday, so more often than not you could camp the whole weekend and potentially not see another person," explains a regular visitor.
Wildlife considerations: Seasonal insect activity can significantly impact the camping experience. "We went mid-June, and there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive (who knew!?), constantly swarming us. At one point there were seven perched on my husband's back," reports a family at Adam's Grove.
Pack efficiently for hike-in sites: Consider weight and necessity when bringing gear to remote spots. "It our first time hiking in to a site (lots of work with our regular gear for a family of four, but worth it!)," shares one family that enjoyed the experience despite the extra effort.
Plan for variable conditions: Sudden weather changes can affect family comfort levels. "We still had fun, but we'll go earlier or later next time," notes a family that encountered unexpected insect activity during their stay.
Maintain awareness: Be conscious of other campers and potential interactions. "Over all was a good place but just anywhere you go keep an eye on others around you and definitely bring protection, people are CRAZY!" advises a camper at Hickory Creek West who had an uncomfortable encounter.
Limited hookup options: Most tent camping areas near Vassar don't accommodate larger RVs or provide standard hookups. "Dry camping. Camping spots on the east side of lake…identified by firerings scattered here and there. Very pretty. Very quiet. Very primitive camping," explains a visitor who stayed overnight at Shawnee State Fishing Lake.
Maintain flexibility: Seasonal changes affect site accessibility for vehicles. "Awesome spot for weekend camping. Lots of fire rings available. Well maintained in the main camping area, as well as on the trail," notes a visitor regarding the main camping area that can sometimes accommodate smaller RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Vassar, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Vassar, KS is Woodridge Park with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Vassar, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Vassar, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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