Outlet Park Campground

Introduction / Overview: Premier Full-Service Camping on the Melvern River Pond

For Kansas RV travelers and families who prioritize convenience, amenities, and excellent water access, the Outlet Park Campground at Melvern Lake stands out as a top-tier destination. Situated below the dam of Melvern Lake, on the eastern edge of the beautiful Flint Hills, this campground is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and is widely recognized for its high standards of maintenance and facilities. It is consistently lauded by visitors for its cleanliness and comprehensive offerings, receiving high marks for facilities, restrooms, and overall visual appeal.

Outlet Park is particularly appealing due to its expansive size and the high concentration of full hookup sites, making it ideal for large RVs and extended stays. The campground is centered around the scenic Melvern River Pond, a distinct water feature that provides excellent fishing opportunities separate from the main lake body. Known for its paved, semi-level sites, many of which are pull-through and can accommodate vehicles up to 75 feet long, Outlet Park ensures ease of access even for the biggest rigs. Visitors consistently describe the park as quiet, well-maintained, and a serene spot with plenty of shade trees, making it a home away from home for many Kansas and out-of-state travelers. This park is the most intensively used park at Melvern Lake, a testament to its quality and popularity among outdoor enthusiasts.

Location and Accessibility: Below the Dam at Melvern Lake

Outlet Park Campground is strategically located on the downstream side of the Melvern Lake Dam, which is in the vicinity of Quenemo, Kansas. This unique placement beneath the dam gives the campground its name and distinguishes it from the parks located on the main body of the lake.

The official address is: 5479 Outlet Pk Dr, Quenemo, KS 66528, USA. While the closest town is often considered Quenemo, the park is generally referenced in relation to the larger Melvern Lake recreation area. The park is highly accessible, situated approximately 40 miles south of Topeka via US Highway 75 and well within an hour and a half drive of the Kansas City metro area. Access to the campground is provided by paved roads, ensuring smooth travel for all vehicles, including large recreational vehicles and trailers. The campground's design, which features sites surrounding the scenic Melvern River Pond, provides a peaceful, quiet setting with minimal road noise, despite its proximity to the main dam area. For supplies, the town of Lyndon is just a short drive north on US-75, and a park marina often stocks essential items like ice and sunscreen.

Services Offered for Campers

Outlet Park Campground boasts a complete array of services, setting a high bar for Corps of Engineers facilities in the Kansas region. With approximately 150 campsites, it has the capacity and the amenities to handle heavy visitor volume comfortably.

• Full Hookup Sites: The campground offers an impressive 89 sites with full hookups, including water, sewer, and 50-amp electrical service, which is ideal for modern, larger RVs.
• Partial Hookup Sites: An additional 61 sites provide water and 30-amp electric hookups.
• Modern Comfort Facilities: The park features four shower buildings with flush toilets and sinks, consistently reviewed as very clean and well-maintained, and offering warm water.
• Laundry Facilities: A significant convenience for longer stays, laundromat facilities are available in the shower houses.
• Sanitary Dump Station: An accessible RV dump station is provided for all campers.
• Group Pavilion: A reservable group pavilion is available, equipped with a grill/smoker, restrooms, a sink, ceiling fans, and a serving table, perfect for gatherings.
• Drinking Water: Potable drinking water is available throughout the park.

Features and Highlights: Water Recreation and Trail Systems

The appeal of Outlet Park extends far beyond its excellent amenities, highlighted by its natural setting and recreational diversity.

• Melvern River Pond: The campground surrounds a scenic 90-acre Melvern River Pond, which offers fantastic fishing year-round and is subject to special length and creel limits to protect the stock. Note: gasoline motors are prohibited on the pond, ensuring a quiet fishing experience.
• Dedicated Swimming Pond: A separate 27-acre pond is reserved for swimming only, providing a safe and designated area for families to cool off and enjoy the water.
• Extensive Trail System: Outlet Park boasts three miles of multi-use trails, including a half-mile paved surface trail that is ADA accessible, and a two-mile gravel trail around the pond, perfect for hiking and biking.
• Historic Suspension Bridge: The park features a historical suspension bridge, offering a unique landmark and picturesque walking destination.
• Family Recreation: Two playgrounds, a softball field, and sand volleyball courts are available in the day-use area, catering to all family and group recreational needs.
• Excellent Connectivity: Reviews indicate strong cell service for major carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, a huge benefit for those who need to remain connected while on the road.

Contact Information

For reservations, current operating status, or specific inquiries about Outlet Park, guests should contact the Melvern Lake Project Office, as this is the managing authority for the Corps of Engineers campground.

• Address: 5479 Outlet Pk Dr, Quenemo, KS 66528, USA
• Primary Phone (Melvern Lake Project Office): (785) 549-3318 (Often the central number for all Melvern COE parks)
• Alternative Park Number: (785) 453-2201 (Provided number, which may route to the park entrance or a specific office)
• Reservations: Highly recommended and managed through the national recreation reservation system (Recreation.gov).

What is Worth Choosing Outlet Park Campground

Outlet Park Campground is undeniably the best choice for the modern RV traveler and the family desiring comprehensive amenities at Melvern Lake.

The primary reason to choose Outlet Park is its Superior Utility and RV Capacity. With a massive number of full hookup sites (water, sewer, and 50-amp electric), it accommodates the largest and most demanding RVs effortlessly. This high concentration of full amenities, including the convenience of on-site laundry facilities, provides a level of comfort that rivals commercial RV parks, all within a pristine, government-managed natural setting.

Secondly, the Unique Water Access is a major differentiator. The campground provides not just one, but two separate, distinct water recreation areas: a quiet pond specifically for catch-and-release fishing (no gas motors) and a pond dedicated solely to swimming. This thoughtful separation of activities ensures both anglers and families seeking a beach experience can enjoy their preferred activities without conflict. The commitment to maintaining the facilities, coupled with the wide range of recreational features like extensive trails and numerous sports courts, makes Outlet Park Campground the most fully-featured, reliable, and convenient choice for an extended, amenity-rich camping vacation in the Melvern Lake area of Kansas.