Family Camping Activities for All Ages: Games, Hiking, and Campfire Fun
Explore family camping activities that bring all ages together, from outdoor games and scenic hikes to memorable campfire fun that creates lasting memories.
🛶 **Introduction / Overview**
For Kansas families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a reliably clean, fun, and well-managed campground, **Outlet Park Campground** on the south end of Pomona Lake is a premier choice. This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed property is consistently praised for its **very well maintained roads and facilities**, establishing it as a top-tier destination in Osage County. Situated near the massive Pomona Dam, the park is named for its proximity to the lake's outlet area, offering a distinct and highly scenic section of the reservoir.
Outlet Park provides a wonderful balance of necessary modern amenities and an immersive natural experience. While some campgrounds can feel unkempt, the dedication to cleanliness here is a major highlight, ensuring the **experience was amazing** for many visitors. The overall atmosphere is highly focused on family recreation, with the well-maintained **playground in excellent condition** being a key draw for those with children. It’s an ideal base camp for exploring the entire 4,000-acre Pomona Lake and enjoying the best of Kansas lake life, from boating and fishing to simply getting away from the daily grind.
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📍 **Location and Accessibility**
Outlet Park Campground enjoys a prime location on the south side of Pomona Lake, near the dam. This position provides easy access to the lake's main body and surrounding recreational lands, while its distance from major cities ensures a quiet retreat.
The official location is:
Address: 5260 S Pomona Dam Rd, Vassar, KS 66543, USA
The campground is situated off a paved road, and visitors have noted that the **roads and facilities are very well maintained**, making access easy for RVs and trailers of all sizes. It is located close to the small community of Vassar, Kansas, and is easily reachable from major routes like US-75. A particularly appealing feature for nature lovers is the **trail that connects right off the side of the campground**, providing immediate hiking access without needing to drive elsewhere. While the main body of water may be a bit farther walk than other sites, the dam area is easily accessible for scenic views.
Crucially, the remoteness contributes to its 'getaway' feel, but visitors should be aware: "your phone is not going to work unless you go to the top of the hill or some places out on the lake." This is viewed by many as a benefit—a true chance to **get away from it all**—but requires visitors to plan accordingly for communication.
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🛠️ **Services Offered**
Outlet Park, typical of well-managed USACE properties, offers a comprehensive set of services focused on comfort, convenience, and safety for its campers, especially those with RVs.
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⭐ **Features / Highlights**
The draw of Outlet Park is its combination of recreational access, beautiful setting, and the unique sense of peace and community it fosters.
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📞 **Contact Information**
For reservations, questions about specific site availability, or inquiries regarding the Army Corps of Engineers operations at Pomona Lake, you can contact the park office using the details below:
Address: 5260 S Pomona Dam Rd, Vassar, KS 66543, USA
Phone: (785) 453-2201
Mobile Phone: +1 785-453-2201
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✅ **What is Worth Choosing**
Outlet Park Campground is the ideal choice for Kansas residents who demand a **consistently clean, secure, and family-friendly camping environment** with reliable electric hookups. If you are bringing your RV or simply want a comfortable base camp for exploring Pomona Lake, the park's commitment to **immaculate maintenance** sets it apart. While you might encounter a chatty neighbor or a curious weenie dog, the overall sense of community and the kind support of the camp host create a welcoming atmosphere.
The greatest value proposition is the ability to truly disconnect, with poor cell service encouraging an authentic retreat. You can easily spend your days hiking the connecting trails, enjoying the **excellent condition playground**, or accessing the lake for boating and fishing—with **boat rentals** available nearby for maximum convenience. Choosing Outlet Park means selecting a **well-governed USACE facility** that delivers on its promise of a wonderful outdoor experience, offering beautiful scenery, plentiful wildlife, and all the essential services for an amazing and relaxing getaway right here in the heart of Kansas.
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
RV camping
RV electric hookup
RV water hookup
Hiking
Barbecue grill
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Public shower
Restroom
Running water
Tent sites
Credit cards
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
Yes the comments are correct, your phone is not going to work unless you go to the top of the hill or some places out on the lake, however it’s a great place to get away from it all! The park, roads and facilities are very well maintained and the playground is in excellent condition. Everything was clean and the experience was amazing even though we had an annoying singing neighbor over the weekend. The campsites are somewhat close together but far enough apart to feel private and secluded. The camp host was polite and kind along with the camp guard dog Abby! Don’t worry, vicious weenie dog attacks are rare! The trail connects right off the side of the campground and is well worth exploring. The water is a bit farther away. There is lots of wildlife including birds, fish and deer along with some mystery visitor that woke us up at 4am.
Pomona lake is great! Clean, lots of camping sites, and the boat rentals are a huge bonus!
Wonderful park with a great view of the lake, the outlet and into the Michigan Valley area. The trails add a nice area for my group to do SAR K9 training
We love camping at the outlet park at Pomona Lake. It's secluded, quiet and has a great nature trail and is right next to the river. Great atmosphere for camping!
Very quiet spot next to the spillway.