Camping sites near Brookville, Kansas range from lakefront facilities at Kanopolis Reservoir to horse-friendly campgrounds in the prairie region. Located in the central Kansas Smoky Hills region at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, camping options experience dramatic temperature shifts between seasons with summer temperatures regularly reaching the mid-90s. The region's limestone terrain creates unique hiking conditions with several cave formations accessible from multiple campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking cave trails: The north side of Kanopolis State Park features 27 miles of multi-use trails with limestone cave formations. A visitor at Caving Banks Campground noted, "Easy walk to the beach through the cottonwood grove to cool off. Wanted to camp on the northside to hike the trails easier."
Fishing access: Multiple sites offer direct lake access for fishing, with many campgrounds positioned along the shoreline. At Venango Park, campers appreciate the "beautiful sunsets" and note it's "great for a stopover, reset, or water lovers" with convenient fishing access.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide swimming access, particularly during summer months. A reviewer at Sandyshore Campground commented, "We went for the weekend, mostly to do some hiking. Then realized we had found one of the nest places in Kansas! We got a perfect camp spot all to ourselves... right up against the lake. There was sand like a beach."
What campers like
Shower facilities: Clean showers are available at multiple campgrounds, with varying seasonal availability. At Rockin' K Horse Campground, a visitor mentioned, "It was a short walk to the showers, which were nice and warm," while another noted the "shower house that we used which was very clean and the water was actually hot!"
Wildlife viewing: The reservoir area supports diverse wildlife, particularly bird watching opportunities. At Eagle Point Campground, campers enjoy "campsites with incredible views and Bald Eagles soaring overhead."
Waterfront sites: Lakeside camping represents a major draw for the region. A camper at Sandstone Campground recommended site 408, stating it's "IMO the best site on this side. Great view of the lake. The sites are generous in size & clean."
What you should know
Reservation options: While some campgrounds require reservations, others operate on a first-come basis. At Sandyshore Campground, a camper noted, "Wish they would make these spots reservable as they fill up very quick since they are first come first serve. Especially on weekends."
Wind exposure: Many lakeside campsites experience significant wind. A camper at Venango Reservoir described "the wind was significant and was super annoying all night, but the grounds were nice, well maintained, and the campground was very quiet."
Bathroom maintenance: Cleanliness varies across facilities, especially during busy periods. A camper at Sandstone Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms/showers are typical state park, but they were DIRTY! No one cleaned them Sat. There were spiders & cobwebs everywhere."
Campground navigation: The park layout can be confusing for first-time visitors. A camper noted, "This park is huge and it can be confusing to find your way if you haven't been here. We had a park host help us, which was great."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer family-oriented recreational options. At Salina KOA, a reviewer highlighted, "My kids loved the ping pong, basketball, inflatable jump pad, old metal playground and outdoor pool," while another mentioned "pool, playground, jumping pad, horse shoes, roomy tent sites, gem mining, friendly staff."
Seasonal considerations: Summer weekends see higher occupancy and bug activity. A KOA visitor noted, "Mosquitos were bad at dusk and dawn. Sites were tight and the standard site we had didn't include a fire ring."
Food options: Some campgrounds offer on-site food services. A visitor to KOA mentioned, "Had a pizza delivered to the site, which was fun," while another campground offers "$4 all you can eat pancakes on the weekends."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many lakefront sites require leveling equipment. A camper at Venango Park advised, "site was pretty sloped back to front and side to side but just bring leveling blocks and you're fine."
Hookup locations: Utility placement varies across campgrounds. One camper at Cottonwood Campground noted, "The good thing was all sites(16) in Sumac have all 3 utilities, which in a State Park is quite a few. However, the placement of the sewer was awkward if you have a backend bathroom."
Highway noise: Sites near major roads experience traffic noise. A Salina campground reviewer warned, "Convenient location along I-70 meant lots of highway noise," while another mentioned, "Being right on I-70 was great for a quick stop over. Being that close to I-70 brought some noise that was easily drown out with our AC."
