Within Council Grove Lake, Richey Cove provides Corps of Engineers camping on a peninsula setting that guarantees lake breezes. The campground operates seasonally from April through October, accommodating RVs up to 95 feet with full hookups including 30/50 amp electric service.
Paved sites feature picnic tables with shelters and charcoal grills with lids. Campers access clean restroom facilities and drinking water spigots throughout the grounds. The peninsula location offers lake views from most sites, with direct water access for fishing and swimming. Rough access roads lead to the campground, though sites themselves are well-maintained. For those planning extended stays in the area, places to camp around Council Grove provide additional options beyond the lake setting.
Description
Overview
Richey Cove Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.
Recreation
Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and a boat ramp is located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catfish being the most abundant. Council Grove was also the first lake in Kansas to receive stocking of Saugeye. Hunters will find populations of quail, prairie chicken, wild turkey and deer on the nearly 2,700 acres of public hunting lands surrounding the lake. Hiking trails wind along the lake shore and into the forest. Pioneer Nature Trail is known as the most scenic trail, with plenty of wildlife, greenery and wildflowers creating a beautiful background. Council Grove is also a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. This byway travels through the best of the remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America. Along the byway and 25 miles south is the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where visitors can spot colorful wildflowers in the spring and array of autumn colors in the fall.
Facilities
Richey Cove Campground offers 43 reservable campsites, including one group camping area that can accommodate up to 40 guests. Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided. The campground has plenty of shade, along with open grassy areas for games and recreation.
Natural Features
Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy Flint Hills. The lake is created by a dam built in 1964, and now offers recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Historically this area is where the Osage Indians signed a treaty to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail. A marker in the town of Council Grove indicates the place where the treaty was signed.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Council Grove, located about 2 miles southeast of the lake, is a National Historic District, with seven Santa Fe National Historic Trail sites in the community.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsRichey Cove is located in Kansas near Council Grove
Directions
From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Richey Cove entrance is located on the west side of the highway at the dam road.
Address
1268 HWY177
Council grove, KS 66846-9322
Coordinates
38.7011944 N
96.4975556 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/13/26
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/13/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 36 min from Manhattan, KS
- 54 min from Topeka, KS
- 1 hr 12 min from Lawrence, KS
- 1 hr 38 min from Wichita, KS
