CuteCamper
Clinton Lake
Located close to beautiful and historic Lawrence and the University of Kansas, the lake offers camping, boating, fishing, hunting, over 50 miles of hiking, equestrian and mountain bike trails, 18-hole golf course, model airplane airport and the Clinton Lake Historical Society Museum.
RecAreaDirections
From Lawrence, 1 mile west on Clinton Parkway.
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Permits info
Facilities
OVERLOOK PARK Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
This day-use picnic area, located just north of Clinton Lake in the hills of Kansas, is the perfect spot for a party or family gathering.Recreation
A horseshoe pit, tetherball pole, sand volleyball court, softball field and playground are all provided at Overlook Park.
Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, making it the main attraction to area.
The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass.
Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake.
Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive. The North Shore trailhead is in Overlook Park.
Facilities
Overlook Park has two picnic shelters available for up to 100 guests. Flush toilets and drinking water are available for visitors' convenience.Natural Features
Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop.Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clear water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible.
Clinton spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.
Nearby Attractions
The Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, just down the road from Overlook Park, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area. The Clinton Lake Museum, located within the Bloomington East Park, has information on the history of the region and the Underground Railroad. The city of Lawrence is just a few miles away.
BLOOMINGTON EAST Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Bloomington East Park includes Cedar Ridge, Hickory/Walnut, and Oak Campgrounds, Ash and Elm Group Camps, and Bloomington Beach Picnic Shelters. The park is located just west of Clinton Lake, between the Rock Creek and Wakarusa River arms of the lake, and offers several different recreational options. Within Bloomington East Park, visitors have the opportunity to reserve picnic shelters and campsites, both for group camping and individual family camping.
Recreation
Bloomington Beach has a large sandy beach for swimming. Bloomington Beach requires a day use fee, for non-campers, between May 1 and September 30.There are horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts and playgrounds located several places in Bloomington East Park, making it the perfect spot for families.
Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, making it the main attraction in Bloomington East Park.
The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters, ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass. Bloomington East Park has three boat ramps within a short driving distance of the campgrounds. These boat ramps (#5, 6 and 7) do require a day use fee, for non-campers, between April 1 and October 31.
Visitors enjoy viewing bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake.
Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.
Facilities
The Bloomington Beach Day Use area has four picnic shelters. This spacious day use picnic area is located adjacent to Bloomington Beach providing an ideal location for large group or family gatherings. The picnic shelters are reservable, for a fee, or free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis, if not already reserved, and have electrical outlets. There are several single picnic tables for use by smaller groups.Cedar Ridge and Hickory Walnut Campgrounds are the two main campgrounds, comprised of individual family sites. Many of these campsites have electrical or electrical and water hookups. Somewhat removed from the larger Hickory Walnut Campground, are Oak Campground, Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp. Oak Campground is a loop of Hickory Walnut Campground, with individual family campsites. Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp are larger, grassy areas, available for reservation, by larger groups, accommodating up to 75 people. Elm and Ash Group Camps are intended for tent camping groups, but can handle a limited number of small trailers, such as tent campers, as long as they remain on the gravel circle drive. There is no electricity provided in Elm or Ash Group Camps.
Cedar Ridge, Hickory Walnut and Bloomington Beach Day Use area provide amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, showers and a nearby dump station for a comfortable camping experience. There is a covered, accessible fishing dock a short drive or walk from the campgrounds and picnic shelters.
Natural Features
Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop.Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clean water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible.
Clinton Lake spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.
Nearby Attractions
The Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area.The Clinton Lake Museum, located within Bloomington East Park, has several informative displays covering topics like the history of the region and the Underground Railroad.
The cities of Lawrence and Topeka are within a 30 minute drive.
Charges & Cancellations
BLOOMINGTON WEST Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Bloomington West is a spacious group campground that sits under an umbrella of trees west of Clinton Dam and Lake in the hills of Kansas.Recreation
A horseshoe pit, sand volleyball court, playground and softball field are all provided at the campground, making it the perfect spot for entertaining large groups and family functions.However, Clinton Lake is the main attraction, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports.
The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass.
Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake.
Three trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.
Facilities
This spacious group site offers 25 individual sites, four with 20/30 Amp electric and water connections. This area has a total capacity of 150 guests. A boat ramp is located within a mile of the site, and grills, flush toilets, showers and drinking water provide a comfortable camping experience.Natural Features
Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop.Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clear water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible.
Clinton spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.
Nearby Attractions
The Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area. The Clinton Lake Museum, located within the Bloomington East Park, has information on the history of the region and the Underground Railroad. The cities of Lawrence and Topeka are within a 30 minute drive.
Rockhaven Park Facility
This recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
Woodridge Park Facility
This recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
Kdwp Clinton State Park Facility
This recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
Bloomington West Park Facility
This recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
ROCKHAVEN PARK EQUESTRIAN CAMPGROUND Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Rockhaven Park is located on the south side of Clinton Lake, west of the Dam on the Rock Creek Arm of the lake. Rockhaven Park is the trailhead for the South Shore Trails (equestrian and hiking trails on the south side of the lake) and is the only place where equestrians can camp overnight with their horses and mules.Recreation
Rockhaven Park, first of all, is an equestrian friendly campground. This is Clinton Lake's only campground that allows overnight camping with horses and mules. Approximately one-fourth of the campsites are open to non-equestrian campers, but three-fourths of the campsites are strictly for equestrian campers. There is a "day use only" parking lot for those who come to ride or hike for the day, but not stay overnight. Access to the South Shore Trails is located in Rockhaven Park. The main trailhead is on the north side of the campground, which is a short walk or ride from a campsite or the day use parking lot.
Facilities
Rockhaven Park offers overnight camping for equestrian and non-equestrian campers. There are 24 campsites, 12 which have electrical service (13E-24E). Five campsites (#5-#9) are open to any campers. A total of 19 campsites (#1-#4) and (#10-#24) are for equestrian campers only. All of the sites must be reserved through the Reservation Service. There will be no collections in the campground, all payments will be made through the reservation service. If a camper arrives without a reservation, she/he will need to contact the reservation service, ensure availability, then pay immediately with a credit card over the phone. Reservations can be made, up to six months in advance, over telephone or internet.
Rockhaven Park amenities include a waterborne four stall shower/restroom building, a two stall vault toilet, horsehoe pits, picnic shelter, playground, manure bunkers, several corrals, hitching posts and trail access. There are several water hydrants located throughout the campground.
