Oak Campground

**🌳 Introduction / Overview**

For Kansas campers who believe the best way to experience the outdoors is by unplugging entirely, **Oak Campground** offers a perfect, secluded haven at the popular Clinton Lake near Lawrence. As a dedicated, non-electric loop within the extensive U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) **Bloomington East Park**, Oak Campground provides a rustic, traditional camping experience, setting it apart from the busier, full-utility sections of the park.

The core appeal of the Oak Loop lies in its **serene, wooded environment**. Tucked away and comprised of only 22 sites, it provides the quiet intimacy essential for true relaxation. Guests here are often those who favor tents, self-contained vans, or small pop-ups, prioritizing affordability and direct access to nature. Local campers appreciate that while the experience is intentionally simple, they still benefit from the security and proximity to the high-quality amenities of the larger Bloomington East Park. While a local review advises preparedness for outdoor elements like ticks and reminds visitors of the importance of keeping sites clean, the overall consensus is that Oak Campground is a beautiful, peaceful, and affordable entry point to the best of Clinton Lake recreation.

**🗺️ Location and Accessibility**

Oak Campground is positioned within the western section of the **Bloomington East Park** area, part of the immense recreational network surrounding Clinton Lake, just outside of Lawrence, Kansas.

Address: N 1182 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA

The campground is extremely accessible to residents across Northeast Kansas, located less than 15 minutes from downtown Lawrence and an easy drive from the Kansas City metro area. Access roads are generally paved, leading into the park’s developed areas. Oak Campground is located somewhat separated from the main Hickory/Walnut loops, which contributes to its quiet character. While this separation provides welcome peace, it also means the main shower facilities and laundry are approximately a one-mile drive away. Visitors should note that sites within the Oak Loop are typically **first-come, first-served** (non-reservable), meaning early arrival is crucial, especially during peak summer weekends. Its proximity to both the lake's abundant natural features and the city’s resources makes it a highly practical base camp for an extended stay or a quick weekend escape.

**✨ Services Offered (Oak Loop & Park-Wide Access)**

While Oak Campground focuses on simplicity, its designation within Bloomington East Park grants guests access to an extensive array of shared, high-quality COE amenities that elevate the rustic experience.

• **Basic Site Amenities:** Each of the 22 sites includes a **picnic table** and a **fire ring/grill**.
• **Water Access:** **Two water hydrants** are available within the loop for drinking water supply.
• **Sanitation:** A **vault toilet** (pit toilet) is centrally located within the Oak Loop.
• **Full Comfort Facilities (Shared):** Campers have full access to the **flush toilets, hot showers, and laundry facility** located in the nearby Hickory/Walnut Campground loop (approx. one-mile drive).
• **Non-Electric Sites:** All sites are **non-electric**, catering specifically to tent campers and those who prefer self-contained/boondocking RV experiences.
• **Dump Station:** The central **RV sanitary dump station** for the entire Bloomington East Park is a short drive away.
• **Playground Access:** Guests can access the **playground and recreation fields** shared by the Hickory/Walnut Campgrounds.

**🏞️ Features / Highlights**

The true value of camping at Oak Campground lies in the easy access to the world-class recreational features of Clinton Lake and the surrounding wilderness.

• **Clinton Lake Recreation:** Enjoy all the benefits of the 7,000-acre lake, which provides excellent **fishing (crappie, walleye, bass)**, as well as opportunities for **boating, kayaking, and watersports**.
• **Bloomington Beach Proximity:** The campground is very near **Bloomington Beach**, a large, sandy area perfect for swimming and sunbathing (beach access may require a short drive or moderate walk).
• **Extensive Trail System:** Access over **50 miles of trails** around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore and South Shore trails, renowned for **hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use**.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** The heavily wooded area is home to abundant wildlife, with regular sightings of **white-tailed deer** and a vast array of bird species, offering excellent opportunities for nature photography.
• **Disc Golf:** The park hosts **two professional disc golf courses** (an 18-hole and a 9-hole course), a highly popular local pastime.
• **Lake Views:** Many areas in Bloomington East Park, and potentially some sites in the Oak loop, provide scenic **views of Clinton Lake**.
• **Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum:** A short drive away, the museum offers fascinating local history, including exhibits on the region’s connection to the **Underground Railroad**.

**☎️ Contact Information**

Oak Campground is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Clinton Project Office. This is the primary contact for general information about the park and camping conditions.

COE Project Office Phone: (785) 843-7665

Park Address (General Area): 691 N. 1190 Rd., Lawrence, KS 66049 (Bloomington East Campground Area)

Reservations: Sites in the Oak Loop are typically available on a first-come, first-served basis.

**⭐ What is Worth Choosing**

For Kansas outdoor lovers, **Oak Campground** is absolutely worth choosing if your priorities are **unparalleled solitude, natural ambiance, and high value**. By accepting the non-electric, vault-toilet format of the Oak Loop, you gain the quietest, most private camping experience available in the developed areas of Clinton Lake, all while paying a lower nightly rate than the electric loops.

This is the perfect spot for the **tent camper or self-contained RV user** seeking tranquility without fully roughing it, as the modern flush toilets, hot showers, and clean swimming beach are still just a brief drive away. The abundant shade from the mature oak trees (the campground's namesake) provides crucial relief from the Kansas summer sun, and the chance to wake up to deer and the sounds of the woods, rather than air conditioners, is a priceless feature. If you seek peaceful, cost-effective camping with world-class lake access, Oak Campground is the serene escape near Lawrence that Kansas locals keep coming back to.