Fishing enthusiasts will find direct access to Council Grove Lake at this US Army Corps of Engineers campground. Santa Fe Trail operates seasonally from mid-April through late October, accommodating RVs up to 102 feet with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections.
The campground layout provides generous spacing between sites, with most featuring shelters and fire pits according to camper feedback. Sites are situated in both forested and open terrain near the lake shore, though access roads can be rough. The facility includes a dump station and allows pets throughout the grounds. Council Grove Marina sits just 0.2 miles east for additional lake access and services.
Description
Overview
Santa Fe Trail 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 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
Santa Fe Trail Campground offers 35 reservable campsites, including one group camping area that can accommodate up to 75 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 was 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.
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!
Council Grove Lake is experiencing elevated lake levels due to recent heavy rains, and some campsites have been impacted. Please check your reservation using recreation.gov or by checking your email, to ensure that your reservation has not been cancelled. To check the current elevation of the lake please visit https://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/COUN.lakepage.html . For any questions, please contact the Council Grove Project Office at 620-767-5195.
NOTICE TO RESERVATION HOLDERS: Campsites 1-13 and the east half of the group camp have been upgraded to 50 amp service. Due to the ground disturbance caused by the construction, grass may not be growing, and the ground may be muddy after periods of rain.
Emankment Road (Dam Road) is closed for road construction between June 1 - August 31, 2026. Kanza View Park will be closed thruought the duration of the road construction. Visitors should be mindful of alternate routes. Please contact the Project Office at 620-767-5195 for more information.
Notice: The road across Council Grove Lake Dam is closed, due to road construction.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSanta Fe Trail is located in Kansas near Council Grove
Directions
From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Continue west across the dam road, then right onto City Lake Road. After a mile turn right into the campground entrance.
Address
1026 Lake Rd
Council grove, KS 66846-9322
Coordinates
38.6818889 N
96.5248611 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/4/26
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/4/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 37 min from Manhattan, KS
- 53 min from Topeka, KS
- 1 hr 11 min from Lawrence, KS
- 1 hr 37 min from Wichita, KS
