Bloomington East

🏕️ A Local Oasis: Bloomington East Campground Introduction / Overview

For residents of Kansas looking for an exceptional outdoor experience, the Bloomington East Campground at Clinton Lake near Lawrence is a premier destination. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), this expansive park is renowned for its well-maintained facilities and its spectacular setting on the beautiful, clean waters of Clinton Lake. Unlike many other recreational areas, Bloomington East stands out for its sheer size and the variety of camping and day-use opportunities it offers, ensuring there is something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast.

The park area, often simply referred to as Bloomington East, encompasses several distinct camping sections, including Cedar Ridge, Hickory/Walnut, and Oak Campgrounds, as well as specialized Ash and Elm Group Camps. With over 300 total campsites, it caters to everything from large group tent camping to modern RVs requiring full utility hookups. This diversity makes it a crucial resource for the local community, providing a nearby escape that feels miles away from the everyday hustle.

Customer feedback frequently highlights the dedication to cleanliness and maintenance at Bloomington East, a major factor in its popularity. Campers often praise the "spotless" campsites and consistently clean restrooms, which contributes significantly to a positive and worry-free stay. This attention to detail, combined with the rolling terrain, wooded shoreline, and scenic lake views, firmly establishes Bloomington East as a top-tier choice for camping in the Kansas heartland. Moreover, the USACE management ensures the surrounding area is a protected natural habitat, offering frequent sightings of local wildlife like deer and various bird species, enhancing the truly natural feel of the park.

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🗺️ Location and Accessibility for Kansas Users

Bloomington East Campground is strategically located to be easily accessible from major population centers in Kansas, including Lawrence, Topeka, and the Kansas City Metro Area. Its official address is 700 N 1190 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA.

The campground is situated on the western side of Clinton Lake, nestled between the Rock Creek and Wakarusa River arms. This position provides prime access to the main body of the lake while ensuring the campsites are well-protected and often heavily shaded—a major plus during warm Kansas summers. Its proximity to Lawrence means campers can quickly drive into town for any forgotten necessities, yet the park’s setting feels genuinely secluded.

Access to the different sections of Bloomington East is well-managed, with clear signage leading to the individual camp areas: Cedar Ridge, Hickory/Walnut, and Oak. The park is set up with convenience in mind, featuring paved roads throughout the main areas, making it easy to navigate for both RVs and passenger vehicles. As a federal recreation area managed by the USACE, certain day-use fees may apply to non-campers utilizing the beach or boat ramps, though this often helps manage traffic and maintain the high quality of the facilities. The park boasts over 300 campsites, including 19 ADA accessible sites, demonstrating a commitment to welcoming all members of the Kansas community.

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🛠️ Comprehensive Services Offered

Bloomington East Campground provides an extensive suite of services and facilities to support a comfortable and complete camping trip, whether you are staying in a tent or a large RV.

• Campsite Variety: Offers a wide selection of sites, including Full Hookup (50-amp electric, water, and sewer), Electric and Water (30/50-amp options), Electric Only (30-amp), and Non-Electric/Primitive sites for tent campers.
• Sanitary and Comfort Facilities: Features multiple comfort stations with flush toilets, accessible showers, and drinking water spigots throughout the camping loops. The consistent cleanliness of the bathrooms is frequently noted by visitors.
• RV Services: A centrally located dump station is available for registered RV campers to utilize for waste disposal.
• Laundry Facilities: A dedicated laundry facility is provided near the Hickory/Walnut campground area, adding convenience for longer stays.
• Group Camping: Dedicated Ash and Elm Group Camps are available for large gatherings, accommodating up to 75 people with vault toilets, water hydrants, and group shelters.
• Reservations: The majority of campsites are reservable through the federal system, allowing local users to secure their preferred spots well in advance.
• Camp Host: Staff and camp hosts are present on-site during the main season to assist campers and ensure park rules are followed.

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🌟 Must-See Features and Highlights

The appeal of Bloomington East extends far beyond its campsites, rooted in the exceptional recreational features of the surrounding Clinton Lake area.

• Bloomington Beach: A major highlight is the large, clean sandy swim beach, complete with amenities like three sand volleyball nets, a dedicated playground for children, available loaner life jackets, and cold showers for sand removal. This area is a perfect family spot for cooling off during the summer.
• Water Access: The park includes multiple boat ramps (Boat Ramps #5, #6, and #7), making it incredibly easy to launch a boat for fishing, water skiing, or general lake cruising on Clinton Lake, which is known for its clarity.
• Family Fun: Numerous playgrounds and horseshoe pits are strategically placed throughout the park, especially near the Cedar Ridge and Hickory/Walnut areas, ensuring children and families have plenty of recreational options.
• Disc Golf: An 18-hole professional disc golf course is freely available to all visitors, and discs can often be borrowed from the camp host station, offering a fun challenge for all skill levels.
• Wildlife Viewing: The heavily wooded and natural setting ensures regular, close-up sightings of local wildlife, including the deer that are noted to wander around the campsites at various hours, enhancing the feeling of being immersed in nature.
• Fishing Opportunities: An accessible, covered fishing dock is a short walk or drive from the main campground, providing excellent opportunities to catch the lake's abundant crappie, walleye, and catfish.
• Trails: While the park offers its own Smokehouse Trail, it provides easy driving access to the extensive network of trails surrounding Clinton Lake, including the North Shore and South Shore Trails, for hiking, biking, and equestrian use.

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📞 Contact Information

For reservations, current park conditions, or inquiries regarding the USACE facilities at Clinton Lake, use the following contact details:

• Address: 700 N 1190 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA (This is the general park area address. The Clinton Project Office address is slightly different).
• Phone: (785) 843-7665 (Clinton Project Office, USACE)

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✅ What is Worth Choosing Bloomington East Campground?

For any Kansas resident considering a camping trip, Bloomington East Campground at Clinton Lake presents a compelling package due to its unique combination of natural beauty, superior amenities, and commitment to cleanliness.

The primary reason to choose Bloomington East is its high standard of maintenance. Unlike campgrounds where facilities can be hit-or-miss, multiple local reviews point to a consistently "spotless" environment, from the well-kept campsites to the regularly cleaned bathrooms. This attention to detail by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff directly contributes to a more relaxed and comfortable camping experience, which is particularly valuable for families and those new to camping. The fact that the campsites are generally nicely spaced out and shaded further enhances the feeling of a private retreat.

Secondly, the unbeatable access to water recreation at the adjacent Bloomington Beach is a huge draw. The beach area is more than just a place to swim; it's a fully equipped recreational zone with volleyball, playgrounds, and safety gear, making it an all-day destination itself. Coupled with the excellent boat access and fishing opportunities on the lake, the park firmly caters to water enthusiasts.

While some campers note that highly demanded sites (like full water/sewer hookups) can be difficult to reserve, the sheer volume and variety of the over 300 sites—from electric hookups for RVs to shaded tent sites—mean there is always an opportunity for a quality camping experience. The welcoming presence of wildlife, like the deer that frequently roam the grounds, simply adds to the appeal. Bloomington East is worth choosing because it delivers a reliable, fully-featured, and impeccably maintained lakeside camping experience that is perfectly suited for a local Kansas getaway.