Harvey County East Park offers tent campsites near Walton, Kansas with distinctive camping features beyond standard amenities. Located approximately 15 miles southeast of Walton, this established campground provides multiple camping areas with different characteristics. The park maintains 50-amp sites on inner loops while lakeside spots feature 30-amp connections, creating varied camping environments depending on preference for electricity access versus water proximity.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Harvey County East Park provides excellent fishing access from campsites. "This is a Great place for families to enjoy spending time with one another! Love the cleanliness of bathrooms and outdoors! Lots of fish!" notes Jesse H. about the Harvey County East Park.
Swimming at designated areas: The park maintains swimming areas that remain well-maintained throughout the season. According to Rita G., visitors will find a "Relaxing and clean swimming area. Bathroom was clean."
Explore Catfish Point: This specific area within the park offers a quieter camping experience. Terry M. shares, "Been camping here since I was a kid, always try to camp at catfish point. Nice and quiet and a great peaceful place to relax."
What campers like
Affordable pricing: The camping fees at Camp Wood YMCA remain budget-friendly compared to other regional options, making these tent campsites accessible for Walton area residents and visitors.
Fall foliage viewing: The autumn season transforms the camping experience with colorful landscapes. Leann V. reports, "The lake was beautiful, the trees were still pretty full with fall foliage, and it was very quiet."
Spacious, shaded sites: The campground layout provides ample room between sites with mature trees. Stanleigh S. mentions, "Great campground really enjoy the large and shady sites. I also like how they put boat docks behind all of the lake side sites."
What you should know
Water hookup limitations: The campground enforces strict rules about water connections. Meghan B. explains at Harvey County East Park, "Just to note, 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.'"
Weekend crowds vs. weekday quiet: Visitor volume fluctuates significantly by day of week. According to Stanleigh S., "The swim area is nice but often crowded on the weekends."
Facility condition expectations: While functional, some facilities show signs of age. Bj T. notes, "Facilities are dated but, for the most part, clean. Fairly quiet but can get rowdy during holidays."
Tips for camping with families
Reserve during weekdays when possible: Families seeking quieter camping experiences near Walton should consider non-weekend visits when the swimming areas have fewer visitors.
Consider boat dock access: Families with watercraft benefit from specialized sites. Stanleigh S. mentions appreciating "how they put boat docks behind all of the lake side sites."
Pack water recreation gear: The sandy beaches make water activities a central feature of family camping. Leann V. discovered the park "was just what we needed after 6 days of traveling."
Tips from RVers
Inner loop preference for larger hookups: RVers requiring more power should select specific areas. According to Stanleigh S., "This campground has both 50 and 30 amp sites. All of the 50 amp sites are on the inner loop and all of the lake side sites are 30 amp."
Extended stay preparations: Due to water access limitations, RVers staying multiple days should plan accordingly with filled tanks. Kevin B. rates the campground as "Okay for this area" after multiple visits, suggesting adequate but not exceptional RV facilities.
Site selection strategy: Choose between waterfront access or better electrical connections based on camping priorities. Meghan B. recommends utilizing the "friendly hosts to help you get settled in" when selecting optimal RV sites.
