Casey B.
Scout
ScoutUSI RV Park
Clean but tightly packed
The small park is located in a commercial area but has fairly close access to downtown Wichita. It does have a small dog park and playground set an is good enough for a overnight visit.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Cheney, KS
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West Shore Camping Area at Cheney State Park provides designated pet-friendly campsites with full amenities including water, electric, and sewer hookups. The park strictly enforces leash laws throughout all camping areas and trails. Campsites are cleaned daily by camp hosts and offer fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Lake Afton Park also welcomes pets at all campsites with water and electric connections available. Both parks maintain clean facilities and offer spacious sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and camping trailers. Bathroom facilities are regularly maintained, though summer visitors note they can become busy during peak season. The campsites by the lake at West Shore feature the best views and direct water access where pets can cool off under supervision.
Multiple trail systems around Cheney State Park provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, including a 9-mile trail suitable for on-leash hiking with pets. Bald eagles can frequently be spotted during walks, particularly in the off-season. Most campsites feature enough space between neighbors to provide privacy when camping with pets. Water spigots at designated winter camping areas are insulated to prevent freezing, making year-round camping with pets possible. Several camping loops within Cheney State Park offer different experiences - Smarsh Creek loop provides shaded sites under giant cottonwood trees, while waterfront sites at Hobie loop allow for launching kayaks or paddleboards with dogs directly from camp. The nearby bait shop stocks pet supplies and ice for campers.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Cheney (46)
1. West Shore Camping Area — Cheney State Park
"They are pet friendly and have a leash law. The boat ramp and dock are good sized and kept maintained. I have a great time everytime I go. I recommend it as a stop while you are in Kansas."
"If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9 + mile trail ( we walked it)."
from $10 - $23 / night
Check Availability2. Lake Afton Park
"Great time to chill and hangout around the fire. Good facilities great time riding bikes"
"Lake view is great and the sites are big! Ranger lives on site and super helpful!!"
3. East Shore Camping Area — Cheney State Park
"While the park is nice, with plenty of places to walk, it was just too hot."
from $10 - $23 / night
Check Availability4. Deweese Campground
"I camp here often, it is free and away from people very peaceful"
"Lovely drive out here and it’s always nice to know there will be a place to pull in when taking backroad trips and there is nowhere to park let alone pull in for a night."
5. All Seasons RV Park
"Nice staff dog park . Campers close together. A nice rest stop for traveling through."
"Surrounded by open fields so we were able to fall asleep to the crickets. Such an easy stop for a cross country trip."
from $45 - $50 / night
Check Availability6. Champion Ridge Inn & Country RV Park
"There’s a lot of great history in the surrounding area and lots to see."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability7. Sedgwick County Lake Afton Park
8. Cheney State Park Cabins
from $100 - $165 / night
Check Availability9. Kingman State Fishing Lake
"There is a rver near by. Awesome time at the kingman state fishing lake"
"Pulled in on a Monday afternoon, had many choices of sites at the waters edge. No hookups, boondocking only. No charge. Stayed through Wednesday morning."
10. Air Capital RV Park
"Got tired of driving and found this RV Park on Dyrt App. Nice clean looking park easy to get in and around. We had no reservations and they were almost full but enough for us"
Drive Time
- 22 min from Wichita, KS
- 1 hr 45 min from Enid, OK
- 2 hrs 20 min from Manhattan, KS
- 2 hrs 54 min from Tulsa, OK
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Cheney, KS
15 Photos of 46 Cheney Campgrounds
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Cheney, KS
135 Reviews of 46 Cheney Campgrounds
- Bonnie A.
RangerUSI RV Park
Great place to stay over in Wichita
Close to everywhere, flat gravel sites, friendly owners and employees, full hookups, nice dog park and kid's playground. We travel through Wichita frequently and are happy to have found a place to stay overnight or longer when needed.
Chip K.
GuideAll Seasons RV Park
Friendly
Basically an average park all the amenities full hookups. Nice staff dog park . Campers close together. A nice rest stop for traveling through.
Melissa H.ScoutWest Shore Camping Area — Cheney State Park
Summer fun
The campsite has friendly staff, the facilities and campsites are clean, great swimming area. They are pet friendly and have a leash law. The boat ramp and dock are good sized and kept maintained. I have a great time everytime I go. I recommend it as a stop while you are in Kansas.
Shannon G.
LegendPayne Oil RV Park
Full hook ups-self pay
Payne Rv park has 18 full hook up sites and is located outside of Newton. It is perfect for a night but not a lot to see otherwise. The fee is $20 per night and you pay across the road. The sites are gravel,pull they,and have 50/30/20 amp. Pets are allowed and our cell service was full bars.
- Debbie T.Scout
Lake Afton Park
Sad
Spots make no sense. Not someplace to bring a large camper. Bathrooms nasty with very rude campers. Go 15 min west to Cheney
Chris L.
TravelerSanta Fe Lake
Chill Little 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. Our campsite had a nice little launch spot which made things super simple.
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.
Nancy C.LegendWest Shore Camping Area — Cheney State Park
BALD EAGLES!!!
Yep, we saw bald eagles every day of our stay. Majestic!
This campground is large and spread out. 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). It's flat and not challenging, but really nice, secluded and if you bring a lunch, there are 3 picnic tables on the lake that can only be reached by boat or the trail. Boating, fishing, birding, 18 hole disc golf course, swimming, biking or just relaxing, this place is great.
There are several loops within this State Park. The Gapher loop is for tents. If you are a tenter, you are in for a treat. Sites right are right on the water. The restroom water was on in this loop only.
Smarsh is a loop that is not on the lake side, but the only w/e loop that had water turned on during off season. It looks older and is low land. A large area of standing water was by the road. Even though it is older, has giant Cottonwood trees shading the sites.. one of the 10 modern bathhouse was conveniently located at the entrance to the loop. A playground and walking trails are across the main road. The longest trail runs through this loop.
The Hobie Loop has no services, but the amazing views make up for it. Half the sites are right on the water. Kayaks, Canoes, SUP can be launched right from the sites or just across the road. You pass a HUGE boat launch area before you get to this loop.
The last 2 loops ( North and South) are w/e loops, but water was off for the season. You could fill tanks at the vacant host site or the dump station.
The sites are all gravel or grass with the exception of handicap sites. I wouldn't they were level, but all doable.
It was WINDY every day so I couldn't kayak or SUP. I think it is just Kansas, though. I was sad to see so much trash on the road and the most remote part of the long hiking trail. Some could be from windy blowing stuff around, but the bad of empty beer bottles discarded on th me trail was not. We reported it.
A small store is just outside the entrance and Witchita is only 30 minutes away. Hutchinson is maybe 15 mi.
- BButch K.Ranger
Kingman State Fishing Lake
The campground is quiet Highway 400 is not
About 10 drive-through sites requiring a turning radius my 20 foot trailer could hardly manage, spaced out quite nicely mostly right on the bank of the fishing pond. Most people would not consider a body of water where you can see the bottom as a lake, that would be a pond. Kansas State fishing lakes are mostly ponds. this one is shallow enough. I think you could walk across it in waders. The highway noise is not too bad. It's been so windy here with severe thunderstorm warnings that you cannot hear the highway traffic. Picnic tables, fire rings and a pit toilet. That's it. They recently buried some culverts under the road which should prevent any future washouts. But beware the sandy road base could get you stuck.
Guide to Cheney
Cheney State Park spans over 1,900 acres surrounding the 10,000-acre Cheney Reservoir. Located on the Arkansas River, the park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet and experiences hot summers with average highs in the 90s and cold winters with frequent below-freezing temperatures. The area features rolling prairie terrain with limited natural shade, making tree cover a premium commodity at certain campgrounds.
What to Do
Wildlife viewing along trails: Campers at East Shore Camping Area can access multiple trail systems for wildlife observation. Winter campers report that "bald eagles can frequently be spotted during walks, particularly in the off-season." Specific winter camping sites have insulated water spigots to prevent freezing.
Mountain biking on flat terrain: The 9-mile trail near West Shore Camping Area offers a manageable ride for most skill levels. A reviewer noted, "If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9+ mile trail. It's flat and not challenging, but really nice, secluded."
Disc golf: An 18-hole disc golf course is available within the park system, providing an alternative recreational activity when water conditions are unsuitable for lake activities. During summer heat waves, morning rounds offer more comfortable playing conditions before temperatures climb.
What Campers Like
Lakefront primitive camping: Kingman State Fishing Lake provides free primitive sites along the water. One camper shared, "Plenty of primitive sites right along the lakeshore, well spaced and most shaded by cottonwood trees. No hookup, just a picnic table and a fire ring." The camping area allows generators for those needing power.
Shaded sites under large trees: At certain loops within Cheney State Park, massive cottonwoods provide natural cooling. A camper mentioned, "Smarsh is a loop that is not on the lake side... Even though it is older, it has giant Cottonwood trees shading the sites." These shaded sites become particularly valuable during hot Kansas summers.
Secluded picnic spots: Along the 9-mile trail, hikers can discover hidden picnic areas. According to a visitor, "There are 3 picnic tables on the lake that can only be reached by boat or the trail." These remote tables provide private lunch spots away from crowded camping areas.
What You Should Know
Bathroom maintenance varies by season: While facilities are regularly cleaned, summer can strain resources. A camper at Lake Afton Park noted, "On Sunday night the restrooms & showers were in need of a clean." Another mentioned, "Bathroom facilities adequate and they have showers."
Site layouts can be confusing: Some campgrounds have counterintuitive site arrangements. A Lake Afton visitor remarked, "Most screwed up backward spot choices I've ever seen. Seriously. Does not make sense." First-time visitors should check site maps or scout locations before setting up.
Pet policies are strictly enforced: While most areas are dog friendly campgrounds near Cheney, leash laws are consistently enforced. Penalties for unleashed pets can result in fines. Dogs must remain leashed at all times, including at water access points.
Tips for Camping with Families
Cabin options for non-tent campers: Families without camping equipment can use the cabins at Cheney State Park Cabins. A visitor explained, "We love camping here because the campsites are decent size and they have cabins for our family without campers or tents."
Playgrounds for children: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment to keep children entertained. One reviewer mentioned, "We also enjoy the lake and playgrounds for the kids. It is close to home but a nice getaway."
Nature trails with kid-friendly difficulty levels: The trails surrounding the park system offer walking routes suitable for various ages. Staying on designated paths helps protect the prairie ecosystem and reduces encounters with wildlife or poison ivy patches common in the region.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping considerations: RVers planning winter stays should select specific loops with winter services. A camper at Deweese Campground mentioned, "We were the only ones in the campground. There is a nearby shooting range which you can hear but closes in the evening and then all is quiet." Winter visitors should verify which services remain operational before arrival.
Storm preparation is essential: Kansas weather can change rapidly, especially during spring and fall. High winds frequently affect the area, as one camper noted, "It was WINDY every day so I couldn't kayak or SUP. I think it is just Kansas, though." RVs should be properly secured with stabilizers and awnings retracted when not in use.
Dump station locations: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Cheney offer sanitary dump stations, but not all sites have sewer connections. Year-round camping areas maintain operational dump stations even during winter months. Plan accordingly as some loops close seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Cheney, KS?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cheney, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cheney, KS is West Shore Camping Area — Cheney State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Cheney, KS?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cheney, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 46 dog-friendly camping locations near Cheney, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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