Elm Campground

For large families, community organizations, or groups of friends across Kansas looking to share a memorable outdoor experience, the Elm Group Campground at Clinton Lake provides an outstanding, designated setting. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) within the extensive Bloomington East Park near Lawrence, KS, Elm Campground is specifically tailored to accommodate gatherings ranging from 10 to 75 people, making it a crucial resource for structured group recreation in Douglas County.

Unlike the individual family sites in other loops of the park, Elm is a spacious, grassy area offering a more traditional, primitive group camping experience. Its close proximity to the beautiful waters of Clinton Lake and its dedicated group amenities make it an "awesome campsite for a large group," as attested by previous visitors. It provides the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable base camp while encouraging shared activities and immersion in the natural Kansas environment.

### Overview: Dedicated Group Camping at Clinton Lake

The Elm Group Campground is distinctly different from the standard individual campsites found at Clinton Lake. It is one of two dedicated group camp areas (along with Ash Group Camp) within Bloomington East Park, designed to handle high-capacity gatherings. This specific designation means the area offers a large, open, mowed space ideal for tent camping but can also accommodate a limited number of small wheeled units (like tent trailers) provided they remain on the gravel drive.

This is a primitive group area, meaning it offers a return to basic, self-sufficient camping, and importantly, it does not provide electrical hookups at the campsites. However, it compensates with ample space and dedicated group facilities like a shelter and large capacity fire rings. The focus here is on shared experience, communal activities, and direct access to the vast recreational offerings of Clinton Lake.

Reservations for Elm Group Campground are essential and highly recommended, as the site is popular for organizational and extended family gatherings during the main camping season, which typically runs from May 1st through September 30th. It ensures a dedicated, gated space for your group's exclusive use, providing privacy and security.

### Location and Accessibility

Elm Group Campground is located within the Bloomington East Park area of the Clinton Lake Project, situated just west of Lawrence, Kansas. This location is easily accessible, blending the convenience of being near a major city with the feeling of being truly away from it all.

The general access road to the area is:

N 1182 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA (This area is managed by the COE Project Office)

The park is located near the intersection of the Rock Creek and Wakarusa River arms of Clinton Lake. To reach the campground, travelers should follow the signs to Bloomington East Park from the Clinton Parkway area. Accessibility for group members is generally excellent, although the final approach to the gated group camp area requires a key or combination, which is provided upon reservation. While the area is designed for group gatherings, there is space for a maximum of 26 vehicles, with all parking restricted to the gravel circle drive, not on the grass.

### Services Offered

While categorized as a primitive group camp, Elm Campground provides key facilities designed to support a large group gathering for up to 75 people.

• Group Shelter: A dedicated group shelter with picnic tables is provided, offering a covered area for cooking, dining, and gathering.
• Water Access: Two water hydrants are available, providing potable drinking water for group use.
• Toilets: Vault toilets are centrally located within the group camp area, ensuring sanitary facilities for the large capacity.
• Cooking Facilities: A large group grill and a fire ring (along with small fire rings) are included for communal cooking and campfires.
• Sports Amenities: A designated sand volleyball pit and a horseshoe pit encourage group recreation and activities.
• Access to Showers: While Elm does not have its own shower building, campers can utilize the hot showers and laundry facility located a short drive away at the main Hickory/Walnut Campground loop within Bloomington East Park.
• Group Capacity: The site is specifically sized for 10 to 75 people, ensuring you have adequate space for a large gathering.

### Features / Highlights

The appeal of Elm Group Campground lies in its specific design for high-capacity use and its advantageous location near Clinton Lake's numerous recreational options.

• Exclusive Group Space: Being a gated, reservable group camp, Elm offers privacy and a dedicated space away from the individual family campsites, ideal for organizations or large private events.
• Close to Water Access: The site is noted for being "very close to water," offering easy access to the lake shore for activities, though groups should be vigilant about zebra mussels as noted by a previous visitor.
• Affordable Group Rate: The flat daily rate for the entire group area makes it a highly cost-effective option for large numbers of campers compared to reserving multiple individual sites.
• Tent-Friendly Grass Area: The spacious, mowed grassy area is perfect for setting up numerous tents, aligning with the primary purpose of a tent camping group site.
• Immediate Recreational Opportunities: The campground's location within Bloomington East Park provides quick access to Bloomington Beach (swimming), boat ramps (for fishing and boating), and the various trail systems surrounding Clinton Lake.
• Communal Amenities: The presence of a shelter, large grill, and volleyball court creates a perfect environment for communal activities and bonding, fostering the "camping there with my friends" experience.

### Contact Information

For all booking inquiries, details regarding the gate combination, and current rules regarding group capacity and allowed camping units, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clinton Lake Project Office.

Address (Clinton Lake Project Office):

872 N 1402 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66049

Phone (COE Project Office):

(785) 843-7665

Reservations:

Reservations for Elm Group Camp are mandatory and must be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (Recreation.gov), or by calling the toll-free number.

Seasonal Operation:

Typically May 1 through September 30 (Always confirm exact dates before booking).

### What is Worth Choosing Elm Campground?

For Kansas groups—be they scouts, church groups, extended families, or friends organizing a reunion—Elm Group Campground is the clear and superior choice for several compelling reasons centered on space, affordability, and utility.

Firstly, the campground is one of the few places in the area specifically designed and reserved for large group capacity (up to 75 people). This eliminates the headache of trying to book and coordinate multiple individual sites across a park, providing a single, private, gated base camp for the entire gathering.

Secondly, the value proposition is exceptional. The flat daily group fee offers substantial savings compared to paying for dozens of individual campers, making it a highly economical choice for organizations on a budget.

Finally, Elm provides the ideal blend of primitive nature and essential facilities. While deliberately rustic (no electricity), the availability of a covered group shelter, running water, clean vault toilets, and quick access to the main park's hot showers and laundry ensures that the stay is comfortable and convenient. Combined with its easy access to the water and group recreational facilities like the volleyball pit, Elm Group Campground solidifies its position as the premier destination for large, unforgettable group camping trips near Lawrence, Kansas.