Top Tent Camping near Atchison, KS
Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Atchison? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Atchison with tent camping. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Kansas tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Atchison, KS (7)
2. Woodridge
13 Reviews•22 Photos•152 SavesThis recreation area is part of Clinton Lake
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
3. Agency Conservation Area
2 Reviews•2 Photos•15 SavesThe land for this area was donated to the Conservation Department in 1991. The timbered property straddles Rock Creek Road. The north tract of the area offers walk-in access to the Platte River. A graveled parking lot is located south of the county road. Both tracts are prone to flooding.
On department areas where camping is allowed, camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period. Personal property must be removed at the end of the 14-day period. Unless a special use permit is obtained, total camping days on all department areas are limited to a total of 30 days within one calendar year. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section.
Quiet hours are in effect in camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10 p.m. On camping areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Alcohol
4. Atchison State Fishing Lake
Be the first to review!•15 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Cabins
- Dispersed
5. Atchison County Lake
Be the first to review!•1 Save- Tents
- Drinking Water
6. Pony Creek Lake
2 Reviews•13 Photos•2 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Trash
7. Shawnee State Fishing Lake
2 Reviews•2 Photos•4 Saves- Pets
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Alcohol
Recent Tent Reviews In Atchison
361 Reviews of 7 Atchison Campgrounds
- kkarl
Guide
Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA
Good but pricey for overnight
Nice level sites. Clean facilities and friendly staff. Cost was a little steep for off season.
Jeff L.
Traveler
Weston Bend State Park
Over nighters.
We arrived around 1 pm and got the pull through site. It is a nice little park that will be closed from November 1, 2024 through April 14, 2025. An electric site was $25.00. The facilities were exceptionally clean and the camp hosts were very polite.
Mitch M.
Scout
Clinton State Park Campground
Close to town but far enough to enjoy the wilderness
Overall it was a good experience. We came on a weekend with good weather and were able to reserve easily a couple days in advance. There were a few campers near to us that we could see but no one that was right next to us and we couldn't hear them at all.
Pros:
Access to "modern" toilets that flushed. While the one closest to us was closed (see cons) there was one a bit further, maybe another 4 minutes walk away that was open. It had a few stalls and were in decent enough condition.
PLENTY of wildlife. Bunnies, Racoons (and babies), PLENTY of deer, a possum.
Bugs - While I've been here in early July and the bugs made me want to scream, in late July it seems they are better or at least being more in the open helped. A few flies and mosquitos. Nothing too bad.
Cons:
- It didn't seem like the host was there. There was a car driving around that asked us where a campsite was but it was in a weird format and they said the host wasn't around.
- The bathrooms nearest to us were a modern toilet and they were closed, but it didn't really say they were closed so the only indication was no lights and more spiders than I care to admit.
- Many of the camping areas (a vast majority) are surrounded by woodland and brush that makes it impossible to see, or even smell the lake. Getting down to it is a bit of a chore if you choose to do so.
- Though it had rained a few days before our campsite was bone dry, which is fine except that the ground was so hard that 80% of our set up time was trying to stake in. Could have just been our location though
- Angie A.
Ranger
Pony Express Lake Conservation Area
A beautiful spot by the lake
Beautiful spot by the lake. Be sure to turn left at first sign to find campsites. Was a little frustrating that a family seemed to have taken up permanent residence and was obnoxious with the generator. Trash was overflowing and could use a little more attention. Clean vault toilets with TP. It was really beautiful with the sunset.
- EE C.Traveler
Worlds of Fun Village
Amazing memories here
Beautiful park. Pay more for the pull through you’ll have tons of parking even if your rig is big. Our rig is 44 ft and we parked two 2500’s on the pad no problem. We reserve our days in advance and if we need to cancel we just change our reservation to a different date with no fees. The pool and clubhouse are well kept so are the bathrooms and laundry room. This Is our favorite campsite to date. So much to do.
Scott B.RangerClinton State Park Campground
Not bad
Nice park in a beautiful setting. Only downside was the bugs were horrible here. Swarms of gnats and mosquitoes. The bathrooms were pretty dated too.
Terry D.ScoutWeston Bend State Park
Short stay
Very nice lots was a Lil disappointed because this camp site was in mid missori and the agent I contacted it from was in meridian ms and had never been there was told it would have water n 30 amp service but all that was there was 30 amp no water but it was really nice I didn't have time to stay long just the night .
Kevin C.RangerLeavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
Nice and quiet
Camped here several days in late June. The were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light. I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable.
- JJulia H.Ranger
Topeka / Capital City KOA
The longer pull thru sites are Buddy site- we didn’t realize this
Our site was $56.78 We were in Site# 59 The check in was at 12pm but the office was closed until 3:30pm so we grabbed our sheet left out front and got ourselves to our site.
We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-through.
We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep (although the Jeep had to be parked straight across the front of our site to fit in). Also we were right on the highway.The site was easy to level.
Our site was not shaded and without any trees. The most FRUSTRATING part is that this was a buddy site (that is NO WHERE on their website). We have rescue dogs and don’t want to share our space with neighbors we don’t know. Literally no one wants to Kumbaya by the fireside with complete strangers. Therefore our trip went from one week originally to two nights. We would have left the next day but the husband wanted to see the Evel Knievel museum.The lot does not have a concrete patio but has a picnic table and fire grate.
They have a community fire pit with multiple swings around it. They sell wood for $6 a bundle.
They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster at the entrance.
You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They do not provide golf cart rentals. There is really not a need to have a Golf cart because it is a smaller campground.
They do have a saltwater Swimming pool. They have a catch and release fishing pond.
There is a Playground. They also offer a weight room and an adorable activities room with air hockey, a library, & a pool table. There is also a scenic walking trail. The trail is almost a mile and they’ve kept it mowed and easy to identify.
They have a basic general store. There is not a snack bar/restaurant on site.
The streets are gravel so not great for riding bikes.
They have cabins for rent and a tent area (electric & primitive options).
They have 2 shower houses. The shower house in the main barn has individual shower/toilet/sink areas. The shower house in the park has the typical stalls. These are kept very clean.
There is a laundry facility in both shower houses. It is a cash only facility.
They have a fenced in dog park which is unfortunately located in the front of the park away from RV sites.
Some fun things to do outside of the campground are the Evel Knievel museum and Brown vs. Board of Education historical park.
Staff are very kind. I would definitely stay here in the future but will know to secure a site that isn’t shared with others
Stephanie B.Scout
AOK Campground & RV Park
Great Spot To Stop
Traveling through on a cross country trip. Needed a spot to camp from my motorcycle. I was given a giant secluded spot by the pond, separate from the RV area. Has a lovely looking pool that was open, clean showers, and fire wood for sale. The owners are extremely friendly and helpful. The only reason it isn't getting 5 stars is the proximity to the freeway, you can hear it very clearly (jake brakes and all) continuously.
- DDaniel T.Scout
Clinton State Park Campground
Peaceful
Camped out at site 13 for a real peaceful Saturday. Half of our group took the trail and hiked to the campsite, the other half got there by kayak/paddleboard. The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout. Lots of hammock tree setups too.
Only real issue we had was there wasn’t a lot of flat ground. The tents we pitched were pretty close to the fire, and the biggest patch of flat ground was down wind from the fire.
Barbie G.TravelerWeston Bend State Park
Site 26 is Peaceful
This was our 2nd stay at Weston Bend SP. Both times, we had site 26, one of the few basic sites. While some of the other sites were very close to each other, this one is relatively isolated. It's big too. There's a vault toilet close by. It was clean and roomy. We didn't use the water but there are a few spigot throughout the campground. There's also a regular restroom near the campground entrance, but we didn't use it. We will definitely camp here again if we are passing through.
Clyde C.Scout
Deer Creek Valley RV Park
Amazing RV Park
This is an amazing park. The spot was 55 with a 5.50 Good Sam discount. It is gated, several spots mostly pull through. The roads and parking spots are all concrete with grass and picnic tables. Laundry, bathrooms, showers. Swimming pool and kids play yard. Large fenced pet area. This is just off interstate 70. The reservation desk was very friendly. Would highly recommend.
Craig W.Traveler
Woodridge
Nice campground with a group
We recently took our scout troop to Woodridge and had ample space for the group. The 4.5 mile trail was a nice activity for the scouts during the morning. The trail was moderately difficult and could be problematic if raining. The vault toilet was pretty clean and well taken care of. It was fairly busy between the car campers and those who utilized one of the many hike in sites. Several of the hike in sites looked promising and I hope to one day return and use one as well.
David L.ScoutPony Express Lake Conservation Area
A Small Free Drive-in Campground
This free campground has a water tap and a pit toilet. There are at least three first come first served campsites that have a picnic table and a fire ring.
- EEmily S.Traveler
Bloomington East - Clinton Lake
Great spot- Quiet and not busy
Stayed one night in Walnut at site 286. $20 a night. Clean showers and bathrooms. Plenty of hot water. Plenty of spaces in walnut, hickory was busier. Beautiful lake.
- Julie H.Traveler
AOK Campground & RV Park
Lovely find!
Very well cared for site. It's been well established for many years. I was visiting friends in St. Joe and was surprised to learn her parents used to came there many decades ago. It was a KOA and the new owners have kept it up to those standards. The owners/managers are friendly and acknowledged me by name when I walked up to register. A bit of freeway noise but not too bothersome, Great stay!
- Bill F.Traveler
Pony Express Lake Conservation Area
Great spot on the west side of the lake
We drove by the east side campsite and it was packed. We ran into a local and he told us about a spot on the east side of the lake. An old boy scout camp. It wasn’t maintained but there was nobody there. Our dogs ran free and that was what we were looking for. We ran our generator at night because we had no neighbors. We were a mile from the lake so we drove around and had access to the lake.
Angela C.Ranger
Basswood Country RV Resort
Very mixed bag
We booked a site here on our drive back East in August 2023. I saw “resort” and was like “Sign me up” after some real hot and grimy parks earlier in the trip.
Ultimately, most of the amenities were closed by the time we arrived. The game room, the restaurant, and store were all closing or closed. My kids did get some pool time (it was a nice pool) and loved the blob (whatever you call the bounce pads). There was a nice playground, pavilion and courts.
What is weird is that this is almost two parks - the front is the “resort” or old-fashioned campground, but where we were placed was in the back with what looked like a lot of long-term, single male residents. It was a longish-walk to front where the pool and store was and it definitely didn’t feel like a resort.
There were spots open in the front closer to the pool and lake - if we had camped there I think the experience would have been different.
Leni K.RangerClinton State Park Campground
Relaxing Car/Tent Camping Spot
Pros Off-season was quiet Open bathrooms were nice and well kept. Easy access to trails Lots of wildlife, vultures, deer, etc. Well marked and plenty of them spots Marina was a quick bike ride away and had a lot to offer during the season. Primate loops had some good spacing and tree cover, along with views of the lake. Inner loops not so much Potable water available year round. Was drinkable.
Cons Signs marked closed bathrooms but not the closest open bathrooms. One per campsite was still open with heat and electric. Weirdly all vaults were closed Office and hosts were unavailable so we had to leave for Casey's for firewood. While before the season, someone told us it's typically impossible to get firewood because the office is usually closed. Signs to the entrance to park and n avigation were pretty small, impossible to read at night, not lit. Electric parking pass only issued one day pass at a time. Would do the paper pass across the parking lot next time. Spacing is definitely a bit crowded for tent camping privacy this time of year. Will be curious to see how it feels in the summer/fall.
John G.ScoutLeavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake
Quiet spot
This is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. The pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles.
- Terry C.Scout
Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA
Ridiculous
Had to call numerous times to acully get thru. Asked about 6 weeks of staying. Inquired about long term. Was told that it would cost me $3400.00 to stay a mo th here. That's insane
Travis M.Traveler
Honey Creek Conservation Area
Good free camping
Good place for free camping just not a lot of things to do other than explore the woods or fish in the river which doesn’t have great access. They say there’s bike trails but it’s more just access roads.
It’s a big area with several access points. Here are the coordinates for the camping area along the river 39.95182° N, 94.99083° W.
BLBJRScoutWeston Bend State Park
Absolutely beautiful
This place is absolutely beautiful great for taking your family but if you need RV parts or repairs stay away from Camping World they will rip you off or even if you want to purchase an RV read the reviews on them.
Jamie V.Traveler
Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping
Nice little campground below the dam at Smithville Lake
We tried Smith Fork and liked it. The only downside is that some of the campsites are close together/congested, but that’s not necessarily a big negative. We have Verizon and service was good. Camp hosts were great!
- Jamie V.Traveler
Crow's Creek Campground
Great Campground near Smithville Lake
Very nice campground and we’ve stayed here several times without any problems. The hosts are great too. We’ve stayed at sites in Loop C improved which have water and 50amp service. We have Verizon cell service and had no issues.
Jennifer N.GuideTopeka / Capital City KOA
Lots of highway noise! 🛣️
Stopping for a quick overnight at the Topeka KOA, the staff was very nice. There is a small store with plenty of affordable firewood which was great for our chilly night. The bathrooms were large and very clean. Being a dog friendly campground, it had a cute little fenced area, but lots of poop not picked up which takes away the fun. (not the campgrounds fault, but nevertheless, no fun to be around. The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the proximity to the highway. We had a “deluxe rv site” that backed up to the highway. So tons of highway noise all night. Additionally, the sites were pretty close together and our neighbors had an outdoor tv that was blasting for hours. Takes away from peaceful camping. In the way n, less than a mile from the campground is Happy Basset Brewing Co. - highly recommend, as well as the food truck that was on site On the Hook!! 🐟🍟
Guide to Atchison
Camping near Atchison, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are several campgrounds to explore in the area.
What to do
- Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds, like Watkins Mill State Park Campground, have trails that let you enjoy the great outdoors. One visitor mentioned, "The area was clean and the bathrooms well maintained," making it a great spot for a family hike.
- Fishing and Boating: At Clinton State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing or take your boat out on the water. A camper noted, "The site was very secluded and had a very interesting layout," perfect for a quiet day by the lake.
- Wildlife Watching: Campgrounds like Crow's Creek Campground are great for spotting local wildlife. One reviewer shared, "We’ve stayed here several times without any problems," highlighting the peaceful atmosphere.
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A visitor at Blue Springs Lake Campground said, "Clean and spaces not too close together," which is a big plus for families.
- Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of campground hosts. One reviewer at Wallace State Park Campground said, "Camp hosts were always available and polite and friendly," making the experience more enjoyable.
- Secluded Sites: Campers love having space and privacy. A guest at Weston Bend State Park Campground noted, "Sites are not right on top of each other," which is perfect for a relaxing stay.
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Clinton State Park Campground, may not have all the amenities you expect. A camper mentioned, "The bathrooms were pretty dated too," so be prepared for some rustic facilities.
- Bugs and Wildlife: Be aware of bugs, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Bloomington East - Clinton Lake warned, "The beach trash on the first couple days was outrageous," so keep your area clean to avoid attracting unwanted critters.
- Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. One camper at Lake Shawnee County Campground said, "It’s a closed campground so you can only get in with a reservation," so plan ahead.
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A reviewer at Hackberry Hollow Campground mentioned, "Multiple playgrounds and shower houses throughout," making it a great choice for kids.
- Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can save you trips to the store. One camper at Ash Grove Campground noted, "We chased off several raccoons," so keep your food secure.
- Plan for Activities: Bring games or outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Lake Shawnee County Campground said, "A lot of well-maintained trails and a park," which is perfect for family fun.
Tips from RVers
- Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Crows Creek Campground mentioned, "We have Verizon cell service and had no issues," which is great for staying connected.
- Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds may have limited space for larger RVs. One visitor at Clinton State Park Campground noted, "The sites are a little close but nothing crazy," so be ready to maneuver.
- Use Dump Stations Wisely: Familiarize yourself with the location of dump stations. A reviewer at Weston Bend State Park Campground mentioned, "Dump station across from dumpsters and recycling," which can be helpful for planning your departure.
Camping near Atchison, Kansas, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Atchison, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Atchison, KS is Atchison SFL with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Atchison, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Atchison, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.