Bloomington West Campground

🎉 Your Ideal Group Getaway: Bloomington West Campground Introduction / Overview

For Kansas residents planning a large family reunion, a scout retreat, a corporate outing, or any major group event, Bloomington West Campground at Clinton Lake is the specialized destination you need. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Bloomington West distinguishes itself from its sister park, Bloomington East, by focusing almost entirely on group camping accommodations. It provides a spacious, dedicated, and heavily wooded area designed to host large gatherings while ensuring comfort and access to quality outdoor recreation.

Nestled in the scenic hills west of the Clinton Dam, this campground offers a serene, tree-covered retreat along the shores of the famously clear Clinton Lake. The emphasis here is on providing a full-service group experience. Unlike individual campsites, Bloomington West is set up as a massive group camp, featuring multiple individual parking spurs/campsites within its designated area. It can accommodate up to 150 guests and allows for a mix of tent, trailer, and RV camping, making it highly flexible for diverse group needs.

Local users consistently praise the quality and maintenance of the facilities. Reviews highlight the luxury of finding "well maintained and warm showers" and "bathrooms are plumbed and clean, showers have hot water." This attention to essential comforts ensures that even large-scale camping remains an enjoyable and hassle-free experience for everyone involved. The combination of a secluded, beautiful natural setting and modern, dependable amenities makes Bloomington West a top choice for organized, memorable events in the Lawrence area of Kansas.

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📍 Location and Accessibility for Kansas Users

Bloomington West Campground is conveniently situated near Lawrence, KS, a major hub in the region, providing excellent accessibility while maintaining a secluded, park-like atmosphere.

The physical address is 1299 E 600 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA. This location places the campground west of the Clinton Dam and slightly removed from the more densely populated areas of Clinton State Park and Bloomington East. It is positioned on the western side of Clinton Lake, near the main dam structure, offering unique views and easy access to the water. The proximity to the cities of Lawrence and Topeka (both within a 30-minute drive) means groups can easily coordinate arrivals, access any necessary supplies, and utilize the campground as a base for exploring regional attractions, including the University of Kansas.

The campground is set within a heavily wooded area, providing natural shade—a valuable amenity during the height of the Kansas summer. Although specialized for groups, its position provides excellent driving access to the Clinton Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, which are located on the northwest side of the dam. The camp season typically runs from early April through mid-October, and because it is specialized for groups, reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 12 months in advance through the federal reservation service, ensuring local groups can secure their preferred dates for major annual events.

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🛠️ Specialized Services Offered for Groups

As a designated group campground, Bloomington West offers a distinct set of services tailored to accommodate large parties (up to 150 people and 51 vehicles) effectively.

• Group Capacity: The area features 24 to 25 individual campsites/spurs consolidated into one large, reservable block, accommodating a total capacity of up to 150 guests.
• Utility Hookups: Four of the individual campsites within the group area are equipped with 20/30 Amp electric and water hookups, offering essential comforts for RVs or trailers in the group.
• Plumbed Comfort Station: A dedicated, modern shower building and flush toilets are provided, which customers confirm are clean and have reliable hot water.
• Cooking Amenities: Each site includes a picnic table, a lantern post, and a fire ring with a grill basin in good shape, along with a main picnic shelter with lights and electricity.
• Drinking Water: Potable water hydrants are distributed throughout the group camp area.
• Waste Management: Trash collection is provided. Note: The main dump station for RVs is typically located a short distance away at the larger Bloomington East Park.
• Reservations: The entire camp is reserved as a single unit for $150.00 per day, providing exclusive use of the area for the group.

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🌟 Recreational Features and Group Highlights

The recreational amenities at Bloomington West are designed to facilitate group fun and offer a structured environment for large-scale outdoor activities.

• Dedicated Sports Facilities: The campground boasts its own recreational amenities, including a softball diamond/field, a sand volleyball court, a basketball goal, and horseshoe pits—all perfect for organized tournaments and team-building activities.
• Playground: A dedicated playground is on-site, ensuring entertainment for younger children in the group.
• Lake Access: Boat Ramp #4 is located a short distance from the group camp, providing convenient, free access for launching boats onto Clinton Lake for fishing, boating, and water sports like jet skiing and canoeing.
• Natural Setting: The location is a heavily wooded area that is well-maintained with pruned trees, offering extensive shade and a more secluded feel than the larger, more open family campgrounds.
• Nearby Attractions: Easy access to the USACE Visitor Center and the Clinton Lake Museum offers educational opportunities for groups interested in local history, including the area's connection to the Underground Railroad.
• Trails: While the group camp is its own entity, it is well-positioned for easy access to the over 50 miles of surrounding multi-use trails, including the nearby George Latham Trail and the extensive South Shore Trail system for hiking and biking.

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📞 Contact Information

For reservations and inquiries about Bloomington West, utilize the general contact information for the Clinton Lake Project Office, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

• Address: 1299 E 600 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
• Phone: (785) 843-7665 (Clinton Project Office)

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🥇 What is Worth Choosing Bloomington West Campground?

For Kansas users, Bloomington West Campground is uniquely worth choosing because it provides the absolute best group camping infrastructure in the Clinton Lake area.

The single biggest reason to reserve Bloomington West is the assurance of exclusive use and quality facilities for your large party. Unlike trying to reserve several individual sites at a family campground, reserving Bloomington West guarantees a private, spacious area with its own plumbed shower house and dedicated sports facilities (softball, volleyball, basketball). Local user reviews strongly confirm that the essentials are excellent: hot water, clean bathrooms, and well-kept sites (e.g., pruned trees and good grill basins). This removes the common worries of group camping and allows organizers to focus on the event itself.

Furthermore, the value for a large party is exceptional. By accommodating up to 150 people for a single daily fee, it becomes an extremely cost-effective solution for big gatherings. The location’s immediate access to a free boat ramp (Boat Ramp #4) and its natural, secluded environment within the heavily wooded hills of Clinton Lake provide a beautiful and convenient backdrop for any event. If your primary goal is to host a large, self-contained, comfortable, and activity-filled group event near Lawrence, KS, Bloomington West is the specialized, high-quality solution.