Marion Reservoir and Harvey County East Park serve as focal points for campsite near Walton, Kansas options, offering shoreline camping within 30 minutes of Walton. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions. Winter camping remains available at select locations but with limited water services as temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing access: French Creek Cove at Marion Reservoir offers calm waters in a sheltered cove area. "One of the nicer lakes I've been to, and cheap, the road is a little rough, but it's a neat place. Boat dock is very steep, small boats only," notes one camper. The cove sits away from the main lake, providing a quieter experience for paddlers.
Swimming at sandy beaches: Multiple swimming areas provide relief from summer heat. At Harvey County East Park, campers appreciate the "relaxing and clean swimming area" though it "is nice but often crowded on weekends." The park maintains a designated swimming beach with sandy shoreline.
Wildlife observation: Harvey County West Park offers walking trails with wildlife viewing opportunities. "Not a lot of water but good for kayak fishing. Decent walking trails and campground. Nice in the fall - Turkey and Deer," according to visitor reviews. Fall provides optimal wildlife viewing conditions when foliage changes.
What campers like
Direct water access: Campsites with immediate lake access receive consistent praise. At Cottonwood Point, campers note "sites are on the banks of the reservoir" and that "many sites are on the banks of the reservoir. Once you pick your site and drop your trailer or gear go back gate house to give them site number and pay."
Spacious, shaded sites: Trees provide important relief from summer heat. Hillsboro Cove features "sites are water and electric and nicely shaded" and includes covered picnic areas at each site. Many campers specifically seek shaded options during peak summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Affordability: Marion Cove offers budget-friendly primitive camping. "It's reasonable priced at $10 per night. Reservations can be made up to 4 days in advance," reports one visitor. This provides an economical alternative to the more developed campgrounds in the region.
What you should know
Seasonal water availability: Winter camping options exist but with service limitations. "Most campgrounds have seasonal restrictions or limited water access during winter months, with several parks shutting off water services while maintaining electric hookups."
Shared water connections: Some campgrounds require water sharing between sites. At Harvey County East Park, "the water hookups are shared between sites and currently have signs reading, '15 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. Do Not Leave Water Hose Connected, Even If You Have A Splitter.'" Plan accordingly with water containers.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds deteriorate seasonally. French Creek Cove has "a very dusty dirt road getting here but very nice spots." Spring rains can make unpaved access roads temporarily challenging, especially for larger vehicles.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Spring Lake RV Resort, families appreciate that it has "everything you could want. Swimming pool, chuck wagon on weekends. Free minutes golf, etc. A very nice playground for children."
Swimming safety: Life jackets are available at some locations. Cottonwood Point maintains "a nice swimming area that has life jackets hanging in case you forgot yours," providing an important safety feature for families with children.
Group sites for larger gatherings: Family reunions benefit from dedicated group areas. Hillsboro Cove features "a group area with very large covered picnic shelter and 9 electric hook ups if needed," making it suitable for multi-family outings.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds feature challenging site configurations. At Cottonwood Grove RV Campground, RVers note it's a "very small campground. No frills here but shower house was clean." The limited size makes it better suited for smaller RVs.
Electric hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer various amperage options. Hillsboro Cove provides consistent 50-amp service, while others vary. "The sites are gravel, pull through, and have 50/30/20 amp. Pets are allowed and our cell service was full bars," notes one RVer about Payne RV Park.
Cross-slope issues: Some sites require leveling blocks. Certain sites at Cottonwood Point "can be very difficult to back into, almost impossible at night. The cross slope requires 3 or 4 of those plastic spacers." Arriving during daylight hours simplifies setup.
