Camping sites near Arkansas City, Kansas feature a mix of grassy city parks and lakeside recreation areas across the flat prairie landscape. The region sits at an elevation of around 1,100 feet with hot summers reaching 90°F and mild winters. Most campgrounds maintain open access from April through October with several offering year-round availability when precipitation averages 35 inches annually.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Napawalla Park features a recognized disc golf course among its recreational options. "Nice and quiet located on the side of the town... they have a playground, disk golf course shelters, volleyball and basketball courts," notes camper Ed G. about Napawalla Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and rivers provide fishing access around Arkansas City. At Cowely county fishing lake, a camper observed "throughout the day, there was about three people fishing. It felt like I had the place to myself." The lake includes waterfall features during wetter periods.
Water recreation: The Walnut River offers boating opportunities with access points at local parks. "Great picnic and camping site. And fishing with boat ramp," notes a review about Walnut River Park. Many lakes in the area permit boating with designated launch areas.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds in the area offer low-cost or free camping. Napawalla Park provides exceptional value with "only $15 a night. $10 just to dump and only $3.50 for primitive camping," according to reviews. Cave Park offers "primitive camping at no cost for one night only."
Quiet weekday stays: Mid-week visits often mean having sites nearly to yourself. One motorcycle camper at Cowely county fishing lake noted, "It felt like I had the place to myself. I'm not sure if it was because it's just March and nothing's quite green yet, but the lake was peaceful."
Accessible facilities: Wellington KOA receives consistent praise for its well-maintained grounds. "This is a very clean and well maintained camp ground. We just needed one night and used the coin operated laundry," notes one reviewer, making it suitable for travelers needing reliable facilities.
What you should know
Seasonal facility limitations: Water access varies by season. "The bathroom where close i assume they will open later in the season," notes a Napawalla Park camper in March. At Winfield City Lake, a reviewer mentioned "Showers were closed and turned off" during their visit.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. Wellington KOA campers note "Sites are gravel and maybe a little rutted, some more gravel would help level things up." At Bear Creek Cove, "you will travel the countryside and down a gravel road."
Noise levels vary by timing: Weekend camping experiences differ from weekdays. One Winfield City Lake camper reported, "We must have camped at part central. Mud lake. Noisy.. crowded... No longer a favorite place to stay because of the partying."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature children's play areas. At Cherokee Strip Campground, "Located on the highway so there is highway noise but plenty of shade trees. Small convenience snack store next door." Cave Park also includes "playground equipment and several pavillons."
Multi-activity sites: Look for campgrounds with diverse recreation options. Napawalla Park offers a "playground, disc golf, shelters, basket ball court" according to a reviewer. Another notes it's "a nice quiet little park to camp at and have reunions."
Bathroom facilities: Family-friendly sites generally offer restroom access. One camper at Napawalla Park appreciated "Clean restrooms and free hot showers." Wellington KOA receives consistent praise for "extremely clean bathrooms and showers!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites with full utilities are limited but available. At Napawalla Park, a reviewer shared "Lots of hookups(20-50 amp) Shade everywhere... Dump station." Another noted, "The campground have 30 and 50 AMP hook ups, and water."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven surfaces at some campgrounds. Wellington KOA campers mentioned "Sites are gravel and maybe a little rutted, some more gravel would help level things up." Having leveling blocks is recommended.
Short-stay convenience: Several campgrounds cater well to overnight travelers. Napawalla Park was described as "Perfect for a 1 nighter on the way" while Wellington KOA's late check-in process was praised: "Well organized and easy with individual maps for each site number."
