Big Bear Campground

🏡 **Introduction / Overview: Your Shady Escape on Pomona Lake**

For Kansas residents seeking a beautiful, shady, and amenity-rich lakeside camping experience, **Big Bear Campground** within **Pomona State Park** near Vassar, KS, stands out as a top-tier destination. Managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), Big Bear is one of the premier loops in the park, known for its generous tree canopy, its convenient location near the lake, and its provision of essential utilities.

Pomona State Park is a cherished recreational area centered around the 4,000-acre Pomona Lake, offering a picturesque mix of tallgrass prairie and mature woodlands. Big Bear Campground is situated to maximize the natural beauty, providing ample shade that is particularly valued during the warm summer months. Crucially, Big Bear is one of the loops that offers **Water and Electric hookups** and has a number of sites that are **reservable**—a significant advantage for those who plan their outdoor adventures in advance.

This campground caters to both RVs and tent campers who prioritize comfort and accessibility. Its location near the park's key amenities, including the marina, boat ramps, and modern restrooms, makes it a favored spot for families, anglers, and boaters. It is a well-regarded facility, with campers frequently noting the well-kept grounds, despite occasional site leveling challenges, highlighting its overall positive reputation: "Clean mowed well kept. I really like coming here."

📍 **Location and Accessibility**

Big Bear Campground is an established loop located within the boundaries of **Pomona State Park**, near the community of Vassar in Osage County, Kansas. This prime location makes it highly accessible for visitors from major cities in Eastern Kansas:

• Approximately 35-40 minutes south of **Topeka, KS**.
• Roughly a 50-minute drive southwest of **Lawrence, KS**.
• A convenient destination for travelers coming from the Kansas City metro area.

The general park address, which is the contact point for the campground, is:

Vassar, KS 66543, USA (Part of Pomona State Park)

The campground is situated in a central area of the park, often close to the Lighthouse Bay Marina. Internal park roads leading to Big Bear are generally gravel but well-maintained, accommodating RVs up to a maximum length of around 45-50 feet. Its central placement offers quick access to the main park entrance and all water-based activities.

🛌 **Services Offered**

Big Bear Campground provides a comfortable level of services, making it a desirable utility camping loop in Pomona State Park. Services are tailored for extended, comfortable stays:

• **Water & Electric Hookups:** The loop offers approximately **15 dedicated campsites** featuring both **electric (50/30/20 amp)** and **water hookups** directly at the site.
• **Reservability:** Sites within the Big Bear loop are generally **reservable online** through the state park system, allowing campers to secure their spot well in advance.
• **Modern Facilities:** Campers benefit from close access (within 1/4 mile) to a **modern shower house** with **flush restrooms** and **hot running water**, ensuring high levels of comfort.
• **Individual Site Amenities:** Each campsite typically includes a **gravel parking pad** (though leveling may be required, as noted by customer reviews: "camp spots could use a lot of leveling"), a **picnic table**, and a **grill or fire ring**.
• **Waste Disposal:** A central **sanitary dump station** is available within the State Park for convenient wastewater disposal.
• **Potable Water:** Beyond the site hookups, additional potable water access points are available throughout the loop.

✨ **Features / Highlights**

Big Bear Campground offers unique features that draw campers back year after year, capitalizing on the best aspects of Pomona State Park:

• **Abundant Shade:** The loop is noted for its **dense, mature tree canopy**, providing excellent shade and a cooler environment during hot Kansas summers.
• **Proximity to Marina:** Big Bear is located near the **Lighthouse Bay Marina**, offering easy access to full services, boat rentals, fuel, and fishing supplies (within 1/2 mile).
• **Hedge-Wood Trail Access:** The loop is the starting point for the **Hedge-Wood Trail**, an easy, scenic path of approximately 1.1 miles. This trail is designated as a **"Healthy Kansas Trail"** and is **ADA accessible**, promoting outdoor activity for all skill and mobility levels.
• **Lakeside Access and Views:** Sites are often located within 1/4 mile of the waterfront, offering **shoreline fishing potential** and beautiful lake views.
• **Family Recreation:** The campground is within easy walking distance (under 1/4 mile) of a **playground**, as well as other park amenities like **basketball** and **volleyball courts**.
• **Excellent Fishing and Boating:** Pomona Lake is known for producing excellent catches of **crappie, catfish, and walleye**, and the park features four boat ramps for easy water access.
• **High Maintenance Standards:** Customer feedback consistently praises the park for being "clean mowed well kept," reflecting the KDWP’s dedication to maintenance.

📞 **Contact Information**

As a section of Pomona State Park, all inquiries, including specific site reservations, current rates, and annual permit requirements, should be directed to the main park office. Reservations for Big Bear Campground are highly recommended due to its popularity.

Address: 22900 S Hwy 368, Vassar, KS 66543, USA (Pomona State Park Office)

Phone: (785) 828-4933

Mobile Phone: +1 785-828-4933

💪 **What is Worth Choosing: The Best of Comfort and Accessibility**

Choosing **Big Bear Campground** is choosing the highest level of comfort and recreational accessibility within Pomona State Park. It is particularly **worth selecting** for local Kansans who rely on **electric hookups** for their RV or camper and value the ability to **reserve a specific site** in advance, eliminating the stress of first-come, first-served camping.

The combination of **reservable utility sites** with the **abundant natural shade** is Big Bear's most significant appeal, offering a superior experience in hot weather. Furthermore, the direct access to the **ADA-accessible Hedge-Wood Trail** makes it an inclusive and attractive option for multi-generational groups or those with mobility challenges. While some campers note that site leveling can be a challenge, the overall excellent maintenance, proximity to the marina, and integrated family amenities make Big Bear Campground an unbeatable, high-value choice for a comfortable and active lakeside vacation in Vassar, KS.