OUTLET(MELVERN)

### 🏕️ Introduction / Overview: Full-Service Camping Below Melvern Lake Dam

For Kansas campers who prioritize modern amenities alongside natural beauty, **Outlet Park Campground (Melvern)** is truly a standout destination. Situated in a scenic area below the impressive Melvern Lake Dam on the eastern edge of the famous Flint Hills, this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) park offers a superior camping experience, particularly for RV enthusiasts. Unlike many traditional lake campgrounds, Outlet Park is renowned for providing a substantial number of **full hookup (FHU) sites**, which include water, electricity, and sewer connections, making for an effortless and comfortable stay.

This is a large, well-organized facility designed to maximize guest comfort and recreational access. It is set around the beautiful and scenic Melvern River Pond, which offers its own unique ecosystem and dedicated activities, separate from the main lake body. Customer reviews frequently highlight the park's exceptional quality, describing it as a "fantastic COE campground" with "super clean facilities" and large, paved sites. It has earned a reputation among local Kansas users as a quiet, surprisingly wonderful place to stay that offers "a good price" for fishing, kayaking, bike riding, and family fun. For those seeking the convenience of a modern RV park blended with the peace of a natural setting, Outlet Park is an essential choice in the Kansas camping circuit.

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### Location and Accessibility: Melvern Lake's River Pond Area

Outlet Park Campground is strategically positioned in a beautiful and easily accessible location in Eastern Kansas. Its official mailing address is **River Pond Prkwy, Melvern, KS 66510, USA**. The park is situated specifically below the Melvern Lake Dam in the Marais des Cygnes River Valley, a setting that provides plenty of shade and a unique, pond-centric water experience.

The location offers excellent access via major state highways, making it a convenient drive for residents across the region. It is close to the junction of US-75 and K-31, a crucial highway that links the area to larger supply centers. Despite its seclusion beneath the dam, the campground is only a short drive from the small town of Melvern and just about ten minutes north to Lyndon, KS, where campers can find local services like a Dollar General for quick grocery and supply runs. The campground itself is arranged in various loops (including Loops A, B, and C) around the tranquil Melvern River Pond, with paved roads for easy navigation and large, paved sites situated for easy back-in, accommodating RVs up to 75 feet in length. Its location below the dam often grants it a quiet atmosphere, as noted by visitors who appreciate the "virtually no road noise."

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### Services Offered

As one of the Corps of Engineers' premier parks at Melvern Lake, Outlet Campground is designed to provide comprehensive, full-service amenities to its guests, ensuring a highly comfortable stay. The park features a total of 150 campsites.

• **Extensive Full Hookup Sites:** The park is a major draw for its large number of premium sites. Specifically, 89 campsites offer full hookups, including 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer connections.
• **Partial Hookup Sites:** 61 sites provide partial hookups, including water and 30-amp electric service.
• **Modern Shower Buildings:** The campground features four modern shower buildings with flush toilets. Customer reviews frequently praise the cleanliness of these facilities.
• **On-Site Laundry Facilities:** A significant highlight is the availability of laundromat facilities, located at the shower houses, offering a critical convenience for longer RV stays (e.g., $1.50 to wash, $1.00 to dry).
• **Sanitary Dump Station:** A convenient dump station is provided for all campers to utilize.
• **Potable Drinking Water:** Accessible sources of safe drinking water are located throughout the campground.
• **Reservable Shelters:** Two reservable picnic shelters are available—the Outlet Picnic Shelter and the larger Outlet Park Pavilion, the latter of which is equipped with a grill/smoker, ceiling fans, and a serving table, perfect for group gatherings.

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### Features / Highlights

Outlet Park is truly an activity hub, offering a variety of recreational and natural features centered around the River Pond area.

• **River Pond Recreation:** The campground is centered around two main ponds—a large 90-acre Melvern River Pond dedicated to fishing and a smaller 27-acre pond specifically designated for swimming. Note that gasoline motors are prohibited on the River Pond, ensuring a peaceful, paddle-friendly environment for kayaking and canoeing.
• **Excellent Fishing:** Anglers enjoy year-round fishing opportunities in the River Pond, which is strictly managed with special creel and length limits to ensure quality catches. There is also a dedicated fishing pier and access to the dam release area for diverse angling experiences.
• **Extensive Paved and Gravel Trails:** The park boasts over three miles of trail systems, including a half-mile paved trail that is accessible for those with mobility challenges. A two-mile gravel trail connects to the paved trail, offering great paths for walking, jogging, and bicycling around the water.
• **Historical Bridge:** Campers can walk across a historical suspension bridge located within the park, providing a unique photo opportunity and a sense of local history.
• **Family and Group Amenities:** The park is highly family-friendly, featuring two playgrounds, a softball field, and two sand volleyball courts, providing ample space for kids to "run around" and for friendly group competition.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** Situated in the Marais des Cygnes River Valley, the area is rich in natural resources and biodiversity, offering opportunities for hiking, hunting (in the adjacent wildlife area with permission), and observing white-tailed deer, turkeys, and other native Kansas species.

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### Contact Information

For information regarding reservations, site-specific details, or questions about Melvern Lake and its facilities, you may contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Office.

**Address:** River Pond Prkwy, Melvern, KS 66510, USA (The physical location is often cited at the address for the Melvern Lake Project Office, which is 31051 Melvern Lake Pkwy, Melvern, KS 66510)

**Phone:** (785) 549-3318

**General Information Phone (Corps of Engineers):** +1 785-549-3318

Due to its popularity, prospective campers are advised to secure reservations via the national reservation system well in advance, especially for the high-demand full hookup sites in Loop C.

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### What is Worth Choosing OUTLET(MELVERN)

For the discerning Kansas camper, Outlet Park Campground at Melvern Lake is worth choosing for one primary reason: **it offers the gold standard of RV camping convenience within an outstanding natural park setting.**

The sheer number of high-quality, full hookup (FHU) sites is a distinct advantage. Having water, 50-amp electric, and sewer at your campsite—a feature particularly prominent in Loop C—is a highly sought-after amenity that maximizes comfort and minimizes logistical hassle, allowing you to truly relax. Coupled with the luxury of **on-site laundry facilities** at the shower houses, Outlet Park sets a high bar for long-term or extended-stay RV comfort in Kansas.

Beyond the excellent facilities, the park’s unique arrangement around the River Pond creates a distinct recreational atmosphere. It's a haven for non-motorized water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, and the dedicated fishing and swimming ponds ensure specialized, high-quality fun for all ages. You can cycle, walk, or jog the miles of dedicated trails, or simply enjoy the abundant shade and quiet atmosphere that campers consistently praise. Choosing Outlet Park means selecting a clean, organized, and feature-rich destination where you can enjoy the authentic beauty of the Flint Hills region without sacrificing the modern comforts that make camping truly relaxing.