Bloomington East

BLOOMINGTON EAST

Part of Clinton Lake

Overview

Bloomington East Park includes Cedar Ridge, Hickory/Walnut, and Oak Campgrounds, Ash and Elm Group Camps, and Bloomington Beach Picnic Shelters. The park is located just west of Clinton Lake, between the Rock Creek and Wakarusa River arms of the lake, and offers several different recreational options. Within Bloomington East Park, visitors have the opportunity to reserve picnic shelters and campsites, both for group camping and individual family camping.

Facilities

The Bloomington Beach Day Use area has four picnic shelters. This spacious day use picnic area is located adjacent to Bloomington Beach providing an ideal location for large group or family gatherings. The picnic shelters are reservable, for a fee, or free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis, if not already reserved, and have electrical outlets. There are several single picnic tables for use by smaller groups.

Cedar Ridge and Hickory Walnut Campgrounds are the two main campgrounds, comprised of individual family sites. Many of these campsites have electrical or electrical and water hookups. Somewhat removed from the larger Hickory Walnut Campground, are Oak Campground, Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp. Oak Campground is a loop of Hickory Walnut Campground, with individual family campsites. Elm Group Camp and Ash Group Camp are larger, grassy areas, available for reservation, by larger groups, accommodating up to 75 people. Elm and Ash Group Camps are intended for tent camping groups, but can handle a limited number of small trailers, such as tent campers, as long as they remain on the gravel circle drive. There is no electricity provided in Elm or Ash Group Camps.

Cedar Ridge, Hickory Walnut and Bloomington Beach Day Use area provide amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, showers and a nearby dump station for a comfortable camping experience. There is a covered, accessible fishing dock a short drive or walk from the campgrounds and picnic shelters.

Natural Features

Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop.

Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clean water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible.

Clinton Lake spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.

Recreation

Bloomington Beach has a large sandy beach for swimming. Bloomington Beach requires a day use fee, for non-campers, between May 1 and September 30.

Bloomington East offers 4 sets of boat ramps with courtesy docks. Launching a Boat requires a day use fee, for non-campers, between April 1 and November 30. 

Bloomington East offers over 300 campsites ranging from primitive to full hook-up to group camps 

4 group shelters and dozens of picnic tables throughout the park make Bloomington East the perfect spot for vistitors just wanting to visit or the day.


There are horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts and playgrounds located several places in Bloomington East Park, making it the perfect spot for families. 

A full 18-hole professional disc golf course is also available free to all visitors (sets of disc can be borrowed from the camp host stations).


Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, making it the main attraction in Bloomington East Park.


The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters, ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass. Bloomington East Park has three boat ramps within a short driving distance of the campgrounds. These boat ramps (#5, 6 and 7) do require a day use fee, for non-campers, between April 1 and October 31.


Visitors enjoy viewing bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake.


Bloomington East offers the Smokehouse Trail, while three other trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive.

Nearby Attractions

The Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area.

The Clinton Lake Museum, located within Bloomington East Park, has several informative displays covering topics like the history of the region and the Underground Railroad.

The cities of Lawrence and Topeka are within a 30 minute drive.

Important Notices

  • Campers Please check-in with camp host upon arrival.

    Day Use Shelter and Group Campground Reservations Please see "Campsite Notice" section at the bottom of your reservation confirmation email for specialized instructions.

    - Campground check-in time is 6:00 p.m. and check-out is 5:00 p.m., Please contact our office or visit the park attendant at the booth if you have any questions.

    - A vehicle pass is required to use the boat ramps and swimming beach, these are included with your camping fees and can be obtained from the park host during check-in. 

    - Overnight occupancy is required for campsites (no "holding" spots).

  • Vehicles must be operated in accordance with applicable state laws. Only licensed vehicles operated by a licensed driver can be used within a public use area. Park roads are for ingress and egress only. Absolutely No ATVs, UTVs, Golf Carts, or other battery operated vehicles can be operated in the park. All vehicles must remain on paved or graveled surfaces. Parking vehicles on the grass is prohibited, please keep at least 2 tires on paved/graveled surfaces when parking vehicles and boat trailers (unloaded trailers may be parked in the grass adjacent to your site). Having passengers in truck beds or trailered vessels while vehicle is in motion is prohibited.

  • DISCOUNT PASSES must be presented upon arrival and can only be used for ONE site where the cardholder is the REGISTERED camper. Fraudulent use of a discount pass may result in loss of pass and a mandatory appearance in court in accordance with Title 36 CFR 327.23 (d) RECREATION FEES.

  • Campsite Occupancy/Capacity:

         - Two vehicles per site

         - 8 people max per site

         - Two camping units per site; either two tents or one tent and one RV/Trailer 

  • Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m and are strictly enforced. This includes turning off radios and generators at 10:00 p.m. All visitors not staying overnight at the campsite must also leave the park by 10:00 p.m. For late night problems, call the Douglas County Sheriff's Department at 785-843-0250.

  • 14 Day Policy: Camping or overnight occupancy in a campground by any person or group for more than 14 days within a 30-day period is prohibited. After 14 days campers will be required to change campgrounds and not return during that 30-day period. Consecutive reservations under different names that exceed 14 days are not authorized and are subject to eviction and/or the issuance of a citation in accordance with Title 36 CFR 327.7 (b).

  • All pets must be kept on a leash not more than 6 feet in length. Pets are not allowed in shower buildings, restrooms or on the swimming beach. Pet waste needs to be picked up by pet owner. 

  • Commercial operations are prohibited on USACE operated lands.

  • Fires must be confined to fire rings provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dead and downed wood may be used for firewood, cutting of standing trees, limbs, or bushes is prohibited. Operation of a chainsaw is prohibited, hand tools are allowed. Please do not dispose of trash in fire rings.

  • Sanitation: All waste water (gray and black water) must be disposed of at the sanitary dump stations. Please maintain a clean campsite, at the end of your stay please dispose of all trash in the dumpsters located in the park.

  • Wading pools, water slides and other large water toys and bounce houses are not allowed in park areas. 

  • Day use areas are provided in all parks. Day use activity, such as picnicking or swimming, is not permitted in campgrounds unless visiting a registered camper. 

  • No firewood from outside Douglas or Shawnee counties in Kansas permitted. Please help us prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer insect. For more information contact the Clinton Lake Project Office at (785) 843-7665. Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Available Activities

  • Swimming Site - Swimming Site
  • Day Use Area - Day Use Area
  • Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
  • Fishing - Fishing
  • Camping - Camping
  • Biking - Biking
  • Disc Golf - Disc Golf
  • Picnicking - Picnicking
  • Amphitheater - Amphitheater
  • Photography - Photography
  • Water Access - Water Access
  • Water Sports - Water Sports
  • Birding - Birding
  • Historic & Cultural Site - Historic & Cultural Site
  • Hiking - Hiking
  • Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
  • Mountain Biking - Mountain Biking
  • Star Gazing - Star Gazing
  • Canoeing - Canoeing

Directions

From Lawrence, Kansas, take 6th Street west for 4 miles. Take a left onto County Road 442 and continue 5 miles to Stull, Kansas. Make a left turn onto County Road 1023 and continue about 6 miles to County Road 6, make a left turn, and go 4 miles through the town of Clinton. Follow directional signs to the park.

Cancellation Policy

Contact Information

Phone: 785-843-7665

872 N 1402 Rd
LAWRENCE, KS 66049
700 N. 1190 Rd
Lawrence, KS 66047

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