Bridger

For Kansas residents seeking a functional, well-located spot to launch their next adventure on the water or trails, Bridger Campground near Oskaloosa, KS, provides a dependable solution. While the name "Bridger" is not one of the main, heavily advertised COE or State Park areas, local information suggests it is closely linked to the Jefferson Point Area and the Cottonwood Bridge Campground within the highly popular Perry State Park system. This area is specifically designed for utility camping, offering a comfortable base of operations right near the sprawling waters of Perry Reservoir.

This campground's strength lies in its simplicity and excellent position. It provides the necessary infrastructure—electric and water hookups—allowing campers in RVs and trailers to enjoy their stay without sacrificing essential comforts. Importantly for local users, it is deeply embedded in the natural landscape of Northeast Kansas, surrounded by the extensive hardwood forests and rolling hills that characterize the Perry Lake region. This means immediate access to some of the state’s best hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, along with exceptional fishing and boating opportunities on the 11,000-acre reservoir.

Bridger Campground is primarily a destination for those who prioritize outdoor recreation and efficient camping. If your ideal Kansas weekend involves fishing the coves, exploring wooded bluffs, and having a reliable utility hookup waiting for you at the end of the day, this area near Oskaloosa provides the perfect blend of natural beauty and practical amenities.

Location and Accessibility

Bridger Campground is situated in a highly desirable and accessible part of Jefferson County, positioning it strategically for easy trips from the major population centers of Northeast Kansas.

The campground is located within the greater area often associated with the Jefferson Point / Cottonwood Bridge section of Perry State Park. The address listed for the area places it near the Oskaloosa, KS 66066 zip code, ensuring you are right on the western side of the reservoir.

• Core Location: The campground is generally found near the Jefferson Point area of Perry State Park, which overlooks the Perry Reservoir.
• GPS Coordinates/General Area: While a specific street address isn't always listed for these park sections, the general area can be found near the lake's western side. The Cottonwood Bridge Campground, a known utility site in this vicinity, uses GPS coordinates (N 39° 08.129' W 095° 28.649') as a primary location marker, confirming its status as a designated utility campground within the State Park system.
• Driving Accessibility: The site is easily accessed via well-maintained county and state park roads. It’s a short drive from Topeka, Lawrence, and even the Kansas City metro area, making it a viable option for a spontaneous weekend getaway for Kansas families.
• Recreational Access: Its location provides quick entry to boat ramps, fishing areas, and the trailheads for the extensive system of horse, mountain bike, and hiking trails that wind through the upland forest habitat of Perry State Park.

Services Offered

As a designated utility campground, the Bridger area offers the fundamental services needed for a comfortable RV or trailer camping trip, focusing on utility access and basic site infrastructure.

• Campsite Utility Services:
  • Electric Hookups: Sites are equipped with reliable electric service, including 30-amp options, and sometimes 20-amp, to power RVs and trailers.
  • Water Hookups: Potable water hookups are available directly at the utility campsites.
  • Waterfront Access: Sites are often described as being "within 1/4 Mile" of the waterfront, offering convenient access to the reservoir.
• Site Infrastructure:
  • Designated Utility Camping: The campground is officially marked for utility camping, ensuring visitors know the level of amenities to expect.
  • Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Although not universally confirmed for every single site, standard State Park camping protocols suggest that individual sites are typically furnished with picnic tables and fire rings/grills for cooking and gathering.
• Park Facilities (Shared within Perry State Park):
  • Modern Restrooms/Showers: The broader Perry State Park area, which includes this site, offers modern comfort stations, shower houses, and dump stations available for use by all park campers.
  • Boat Ramps: Multiple boat ramps and courtesy docks are maintained in the nearby areas of the reservoir.

Features / Highlights

The best reasons to choose Bridger Campground are tied directly to its integration into the rich natural environment and recreational opportunities of Perry State Park.

• Wooded, Shaded Camping: One of the most significant advantages for Kansas campers during the hot summer months is the shaded camping provided by the extensively forested rolling hills. This area is known for its cool, breezy spots, a welcome feature often highlighted in local reviews.
• Premier Trail Access: The campground offers immediate access to a phenomenal network of trails:
  • 25 Miles of Horse Trails: Designed specifically for equestrians, winding through the beautiful upland forest.
  • 22 Miles of Mountain Biking/Hiking Trails: Known for moderate to difficult terrain, carved through the hardwood forest and bluffs, and highly regarded by the biking community.
• Reservoir Recreation: The proximity to the Perry Reservoir means top-tier water activities, including excellent channel catfish fishing on 11,000 acres of water, as well as opportunities for boating and water sports.
• Established State Park Setting: Camping here means benefiting from the well-maintained facilities and comprehensive management of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWP).
• Utility Focus: Its designation as a utility campground with water and electric hookups (30-amp) makes it an efficient and practical choice for RV travelers looking to maximize their outdoor time.

Contact Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding reservations, site availability, and current fees for the Bridger Campground/Cottonwood Bridge area, users should contact the main office for Perry State Park, as this area is managed under the State Park system.

• Managing Entity: Perry State Park Office (Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism)
• Address (Park Office): 5441 West Lake Rd, Ozawkie, KS 66070 (This is the nearest park office, not the campground address itself)
• Phone: (785) 246-3449
• Reservations: Reservations for utility campsites in Perry State Park areas are typically made online through the ReserveAmerica system or the KDWP website.

What is Worth Choosing Bridger Campground

Choosing Bridger Campground is a decision to embrace the full scope of northeast Kansas's outdoor opportunities with the comfort of essential utility service. It is worth choosing for the local camper who values a strategic location over extensive resort amenities.

The primary benefit is the combination of utility hookups (electric and water) and immediate access to the famous Perry Lake trail systems. The area is renowned for its dense forest cover, offering desirable shade and a truly natural Kansas experience that is often hard to find in more developed areas.

Unlike some crowded parks, the Cottonwood Bridge/Bridger area of Jefferson Point offers a focused utility camping experience that serves as a quiet, efficient starting line for a day of mountain biking, a long horseback ride, or productive fishing on the reservoir. If you are a Kansas local with an RV or trailer, and your goal is to spend your time actively exploring the water and woods of Perry Lake, rather than simply sitting at a campsite, the practical, well-situated convenience of Bridger Campground makes it an unbeatable choice.