Dead wood lies scattered throughout this lakeside campground, making firewood collection easy for campers who arrive prepared to gather their own fuel. Cottonwood Campground sits within Kanopolis State Park along Kansas's oldest reservoir, where 24 miles of hiking trails extend across the north side and petroglyphs mark evidence of the area's Native American history.
The campground provides full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections at each of the 16 sites, though space comes at a premium. Jane G. notes that "sites were small and had trees extremely close to the camp pad" with limited vehicle parking space. The proximity of campsites to the access road requires particular attention for pet owners, as the narrow buffer zone between camping areas and vehicle traffic creates safety concerns.
Lake access draws many visitors for swimming and fishing, with multiple fish species native to Kansas waters available year-round. The shower facilities show their age but remain functional, and staff maintain the grounds consistently. Campers can explore places to camp around Marquette for additional options, or consider nearby Sumac Campground for a different layout within the same park system.
Description
This recreation area is part of Kanopolis Lake
Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect
There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect
There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
**2026 CAMPSITES Holiday Minimum Stay Rule:** - **Memorial Day Weekend - 4-night minimum** , customer choice of Thursday through Sunday nights, May 21–24, 2026 or Friday through Monday nights, May 22–25, 2026 - **July 4th Weekend - 3-night minimum,** customer choice of Thursday through Saturday nights, July 2–4, 2026 or Friday through Sunday nights, July 3–5, 2026 - **Labor Day Weekend - 4-night minimum,** customer choice of Thursday through Sunday nights, September 3–6, 2026 or Friday through Monday nights, September 4–7, 2026 **CABIN 2026 Holiday Minimum Stay Rule:** Memorial Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun May 22, 23, 24; July 4th holiday is Fri/Sat July 3, 4; Labor Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 4,5, 6 **CABIN 2027 Holiday Minimum Stay Rule:** Memorial Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun May 28, 29, 30; July 4th holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun July 2, 3, 4; Labor Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 3,4, 5
**COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY, SUCH AS THE RENTING OF SITES AND RESELLING SAID RESERVATION, IS OCCURRING ON STATE PARK PROPERTY THAT IS AGAINST AGENCY REGULATIONS. KDWPT REGULATION K.A.R. 115-8-19 STATES THAT NO PERSON SHALL ADVERTISE, ENGAGE IN, OR SOLICIT ANY BUSINESS, OR MAKE A CHARGE FOR ANY EVENT OR SERVICE EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT-ON-DEPARTMENT LANDS AND WATERS. PERSONS OR BUSINESSES FOUND TO BE ENGAGING IN THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE TICKETED RESULTING IN A COURT APPEARANCE AND RELATED FINES/COSTS.**
A guest may reserve and occupy a campsite for up to 14 consecutive nights within a single campground. After 14 consecutive nights, a guest wishing to remain in the state park must relocate to a different campground within the park.
Additional tents may require an additional $10.00 per night fee at check-in.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCottonwood Campground is located in Kansas near Marquette
Directions
From Salina Kansas on interstate I-135 take K-140 west 23 miles to K-141, then take K-141 south 13 miles to the park. From interstate I-135 near Lindsborg, Kansas take K-4 west 20 miles to K-141, then take K-141 north 7 miles to the park. From Ellsworth Kansas take K-140 East 15 miles to K-141 then take K-141 south 13 miles to the park.
Address
200 Horsethief Rd
Marquette, KS 67464
Coordinates
38.602689 N
97.972146 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/17/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/17/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 23 min from Wichita, KS
- 1 hr 33 min from Manhattan, KS
- 2 hrs 7 min from Topeka, KS
- 2 hrs 28 min from Lawrence, KS
