Glamping near Burden, Kansas offers visitors easy access to the expansive Flint Hills region, with its rolling tallgrass prairie and limestone outcroppings. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F from June through August and mild winters where overnight temperatures can drop below freezing. Most glamping accommodations in this region sit within driving distance of several reservoirs that provide fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: 10+ miles of varied terrain at Santa Fe Lake provide routes for beginners and experienced riders. "The main trail is composed of a gravel camping road that encircles the man made lake. Several trails offshoot from this main road, each is marked for either hiking (trail running), mountain biking, or camping," notes Armaan M.
Sunset viewing: Clear western horizon views make Whitehall Bay an ideal spot for evening photography or relaxation. According to Brittany G., "We picked a spot right on the point of the cove where we could see all of the lake and its beauty! Sat by our campfire and watched the gorgeous sunset."
Kayaking on smaller lakes: Less boat traffic means better paddling conditions at Santa Fe Lake. "This lake is a nice break from places like Cheney and Afton. It's small so there aren't a lot of big boats disturbing the water, which makes paddling a lot more enjoyable," shares Chris L.
Historic aviation exploration: Beaumont Hotel & RV Park offers a unique opportunity to experience Flint Hills history. Joyce R. reports, "Located in the Heart of the Flint Hills in Kansas. Right off highway 400 about 26 miles east of Augusta, Kansas. Fly in with your own plane, drive your car/RV or ride your bicycle. Beaumont with their own airport, hotel, campground, and cafe with a lot of Frisco Railroad History."
What campers like
Private camping areas: Sites with natural separation provide solitude at Coon Creek Cove. Christine N. mentions, "Campsite #35 is at the end of a row and well shaded. Get up early and watch the pelicans come in to the cove."
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance keeps Coon Creek Cove in good condition for visitors. "The shower house since they don't have full sewer hook up. It was kept clean and you could see a crew once a day cleaning the bathroom/shower," notes Monte C.
Off-season value: Lower rates and fewer crowds during non-summer months make for a better experience. Sara H. explains her experience at Whitehall Bay: "With Dad's senior national park pass, site #3 (60' gravel for up to a 40' rig) (electric only) was only $8.50. As we were parking, the gentleman caring for the park greeted us and on finding we had pre-registered, offered us an upgrade to a full hook up site."
Quick check-in process: Efficient arrival systems at Wellington KOA make late arrivals easier. Aaron S. shares, "Pulled in around 11pm, had to use the late check-in process. Well organized and easy with individual maps for each site number."
What you should know
Road conditions: Last miles can be rough on vehicles and gear when accessing some glamping sites near Burden. Regarding Whitehall Bay, J M. warns, "The last 4-5 miles are very narrow, with the vegetation growing right up to the pavement. The last 2-3 miles are riddled with potholes. Was gear was scattered inside by the time I got to my site."
Campsite proximity: Some sites cluster together more closely than others, affecting privacy. Brandon B. notes about Whitehall Bay, "Our site was a group of three that were tightly grouped together in a full hook up area. This was our first time with full hook ups so that could have been the issue but we felt like we were right on top of our neighbors."
Alcohol restrictions: Policies vary by location with some areas enforcing strict rules. "The only real downside is that there is no alcohol allowed, but nobody really came around checking that we noticed. We also didn't leave beer cans scattered all around so that probably helped," explains a camper about Santa Fe Lake.
Pricing variations: Costs range from $8.50-$32 per night depending on amenities and season. Shaanti O. notes about Santa Fe Lake: "It was $32 to stay the night, and the showers were coin-op. The view over the lake was gorgeous when we woke up, but we were sandwiched between the lake and the main entry road."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas at Sarge Creek Campground keep children entertained. While the campground has limited privacy, Katherin mentions it "is right on Kaw lake, is clean and all maintained, and even has showers."
Swimming beaches: Designated swim areas provide safer water access for children. Christine N. notes that Coon Creek has a "Playground, boat ramp, no beach or swim area."
Ranger presence: Regular security patrols contribute to family safety at multiple sites. Monte C. appreciates that at Coon Creek Cove "the Park Ranger was present and making rounds frequently."
Avoid specific cabins: Quality varies widely within the same campground. One reviewer at Bluestem Point Area had a very negative cabin experience with cleanliness issues and recommends avoiding certain accommodations.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup advantages: Sewer connections at site eliminate need for dump station visits. Janice B. emphasizes, "The best part of Whitehall Bay is the sewer is directly at your campsite, so no dumping afterwards. A big plus for me!!!"
On-site laundry facilities: Available at select locations for longer stays. The Wellington KOA is noted by Jack B. as "very clean and well maintained. We just needed one night and used the coin operated laundry."
Level site selection: Gravel sites need evaluation before setup. Mark S. reports about Wellington KOA: "Sites are gravel and maybe a little rutted, some more gravel would help level things up."
Late check-in procedures: Streamlined process for after-hours arrival at Wellington KOA with individual site maps provided for late arrivals according to visitor reviews.
