Camping spots abound at county's two lakes
Are you looking for a place to camp where you can swim, fish, or boat nearby? Look no further than one of Marion County's two largest bodies of water: the Marion County Lake and Marion Reservoir.
The county lake is your most cozy choice. To get there, head east of Marion on 190th and turn south on Upland Road. Those looking to truly rough it — without any electricity or water hookups — can camp almost anywhere, according to lake superintendent Dale Snelling.
The basic charge is $6 per night per vehicle, and it's $6 per person if you walk or bike in.
The "almost" in almost anywhere excludes roads, the beach area, docks, and shelter houses. You can't camp within 100 feet of a shelter house unless you've already reserved that house — which costs $5 per eight-hour shift, Snelling said.
The camping fee doubles to $12 per night for sites with electricity or water. There are more than 40 sites with these amenities, including 30 behind the lake office, six at pier point, two across from the beach, and two near the heated dock.
The lake has one dump station for recreational vehicles. Use of the station is included with the camping fee, but on its own, the price is $6.
Snelling estimates that the number of folks tent-camping equals the number of those in RVs. "I'll bet it's just half and half," he said.
Campers can't stay more than 14 days. And to return, they must be gone at least seven days in between stays.
The lake's busiest day for camping is the third Saturday in September, when shoppers and crafters flood the county for the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair and Marion's Art in the Park.
But the busy season for swimmers, boaters, and fishers starts on Memorial Day. "It'll get hot and heavy from then on," he said.
Come early to get a spot at the lake; reservations are not accepted.
But reservations are accepted over at the Marion Reservoir, located north of U.S. Highway 56 between Marion and Hillsboro. The reservoir has four main campgrounds for both RVs and tents, according to park ranger Neil Whitaker.
The biggest zone is Cottonwood Point, which has 94 sites with electrical hookups, he said. And 14 of those sites have both 50-amp electric and water hookups. The basic electric sites cost $14 per night, and the 14 electric and water sites cost $16 per night.
Hillsboro Cove has 51 sites, each with electric capabilities. These also are $14 each, Whitaker said.
Both Cottonwood Point and Hillsboro Cove have group playgrounds, water hydrants, picnic shelters, shower buildings, and RV dumps. Campers can reserve these sites up to 270 days in advance, Whitaker said, by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting the Web site www.ReserveUsa.com.
Although there are 37 "walk-in" sites at Cottonwood and 25 walk-in sites at Hillsboro, reservations are strongly advised — the available spots for Memorial Day were already booked by January.
Two other campsites are a little more rustic. There are 20 sites at French Creek Cove, and these cost $9 a night for electricity, pit toilets, and an RV dump. There are no showers or water hydrants.
And even more basic is Marion Cove, which has six campsites with pit toilets only — no electricity or water. The cost is $7 per night, and four of the sites are strictly for tents. For both French Creek and Marion, reservations are not accepted, and payment is by self-deposit at the campground, the ranger said.
If all four of these campgrounds are full, there is an overflow area north of Marion Cove, he said. There are no facilities at all at this location, but there is also no cost.
For those looking to camp with company, the Reservoir offers three group campsites: two at Cottonwood Point and one at Hillsboro Cove. Each costs $70 per night and features an electric "pedestal" that can accommodate 10 to 14 RVs. The sites are limited to 100 people. To reserve a group site, contact the Reservoir office at (620) 382-2101.
Whitaker estimates that two-thirds to three-fourths of the Reservoir's campers are RVs. The tent campers tend to head for French Creek or Marion coves, he said.
If you're over 62 or have a disability, you're eligible for a 50 percent discount on all camping fees. Those over 62 can buy the "Golden Age" card for $10, and those with disabilities can receive the "Golden Access" car for free. The maximum stay for all campers is 14 days.
