Great blue herons along the shoreline, coyotes calling after dark, and the occasional low of cattle from neighboring pastures set the tone at Sheridan State Fishing Lake, a free, year-round campground managed by Kansas State Parks outside Hoxie. The lake sits at the center of the layout, with sites positioned both directly on the water and set back from it, giving campers some choice in how exposed or tucked-in they want to be.
Sites include picnic tables, and firewood has been found stacked near fire rings on arrival. The campground handles big rigs and accommodates walk-in tent campers as well. Bugs can pick up at dusk in warmer months, and at least one reviewer notes a generator noise near the first loop, so choosing a site farther in is worth considering. The road in has been described as rough in spots, though a standard minivan has made the trip without issue.
Fishing is possible, though a game warden has noted the lake holds carp, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and shad that are largely stunted due to overpopulation. Crowds tend to stay manageable; even over Labor Day weekend, open sites were available. "Overnight we heard coyotes, crickets and cows," notes Beverly W., which captures the ambient soundtrack well. Cell service is listed as available. Toilets and drinking water round out the on-site amenities.
This campground is a practical overnight stop for travelers crossing Kansas, and a reasonable base for those who want places to camp near Sheridan State Fishing Lake in the broader northwest corner of the state. It suits self-sufficient campers who can make do with basic facilities and don't need hookups.
Description
Nestled in the rolling prairie and cropland covered hills of western Kansas, Sheridan State Fishing Lake provides a serene getaway for camping, fishing, and picnicking or just simply relaxing.
The area is located 12 miles east of Hoxie, just one mile north of Highway 24. The lake covers 60 acres and is surrounded by 188 acres of timber and native grass wildlife area.
There is no charge for camping. You may camp for up to 7 consecutive days. Designated sites provide primitive camping near the shoreline with plenty of trees for shade. Picnic tables and fire rings are located at many of the sites. The Department asks that any fires be contained in the provided metal fire rings and to never leave a fire unsupervised. Modern vault toilets are centrally located on both the east and west sides of the lake.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSheridan State Fishing Lake is located in Kansas near Morland
Public CampgroundCoordinates
39.36046205 N
100.23168955 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/20/26
VerizonNo Coverage
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/20/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/20/26
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Sheridan State Fishing Lake needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 3 hrs from Grand Island, NE
- 3 hrs 9 min from Manhattan, KS
- 3 hrs 37 min from Wichita, KS
- 4 hrs 4 min from Lincoln, NE
