Harvey County sits in central Kansas at approximately 1,460 feet elevation with prairie terrain and small lakes offering fishing and water recreation opportunities. Near Burrton, campgrounds remain open year-round despite seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs often exceeding 90°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. Several parks within 30 minutes of Burrton maintain campsites for both tent and RV camping.
What to do
Kayak fishing: Harvey County East Park offers accessible fishing spots with shoreline camping options. "Most campsites have easy access to the lake" according to camper Bj T., who notes that while "facilities are dated" they are "for the most part, clean." The park features sandy beaches that attract families during summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Deweese Campground provides natural habitats for observing local wildlife. Melissa C. reports hearing "lots of nature noises. Birds, frogs, owls and more" during her stay. The free campground offers riverside sites with basic amenities including vault toilets.
Disc golf: West Shore Camping Area at Cheney State Park features an 18-hole disc golf course along with multiple recreational options. Nancy C. notes, "We road our bikes over every inch and clocked 12 miles. If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9+ mile trail (we walked it)." The park has multiple camping loops catering to different preferences.
What campers like
Affordable options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Burrton offer budget-conscious pricing. At Sand Hills State Park, Victoria S. mentions, "We paid $12 for the night since we got in super late otherwise it's $25 a night. Also saw a dump station that was free."
Quiet atmosphere: Cottonwood Grove RV Campground provides a peaceful setting for overnight stays. Scott F. calls it a "fantastic little campground" with "trees for shade and right off the freeway." Cindy C. adds that while it's "close to the highway" it remained "very quiet" during their stay.
Lake access: Harvey County East Park features direct lake access from many sites. Stanleigh S. appreciates "how they put boat docks behind all of the lake side sites" and notes the campground has "both 50 and 30 amp sites. All of the 50 amp sites are on the inner loop and all of the lake side sites are 30 amp."
What you should know
Shared water hookups: At Harvey County East Park, water connections are limited. Recent visitors report seeing signs stating "15 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. Do Not Leave Water Hose Connected, Even If You Have A Splitter." Stanleigh S. confirms this limitation: "The biggest con for this campground is that you have to share a water source with the campsites next to you."
Primitive camping considerations: Several pet friendly campgrounds near Burrton offer primitive sites. At East Shore Camping Area of Cheney State Park, papa T. notes "the primitive area is where i like to be. Right on the water." Be aware that some primitive areas lack typical amenities.
Seasonal limitations: Winter camping requires preparation. Michelle G. shares about East Shore Camping Area: "There are specific sites available year round that have water and electric available. These are located in the Marina and Lakeside campgrounds on the East side. The water spigots are insulated."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lighthouse Landing RV Park offers recreational facilities for children. Justin C. reports, "There was a nice playground for our children and the sites were plenty big enough for us to get our truck and rig into." The park also has cabin options for families without camping equipment.
Swimming beaches: Harvey County East Park features designated swimming areas with natural beaches. Rita G. describes it as a "relaxing and clean swimming area" with clean bathrooms. Anika L. adds that "sandy beaches at most of the tent campsites are our favorite things about this lake!"
Cabin options: Cheney State Park provides alternatives for non-campers. Holly D. explains, "We love camping here because the campsites are decent size and they have cabins for our family without campers or tents. We also enjoy the lake and playgrounds for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Winter hookups: For year-round RV camping, East Shore Camping Area at Cheney State Park offers insulated water hookups in designated areas. Michelle G. advises: "50 amp available at Marina campground only. 30 amp at both." She adds that "the available sites aren't clearly communicated. We drove to every site until we found the right one."
Overnight stops: Inman RV Park provides convenient full hookup sites for travelers passing through. James H. describes it as "$25 FHU, easy, in a nice small town" with a "minimalist place" setup. The park has "washer & dryer in the shed with the drop box - no bath house" and "a cafe nearby open at 6am."
Dump station access: When traveling with an RV near Burrton, plan for waste disposal needs. Victoria S. notes that Sand Hills State Park has a "dump station that was free," providing essential services for RVers passing through the area.
Traveler
