Best Campgrounds near Claflin, KS

Campgrounds in central Kansas near Claflin provide a mix of established and primitive camping experiences, with several notable options within a 30-mile radius. Cheyenne Bottoms Campground offers free tent and RV sites with basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Wilson State Park, approximately 25 miles northwest of Claflin, features multiple campgrounds with waterfront sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. Smaller facilities like Hoisington RV Park and the unique Missile Silo Adventure Campground provide additional camping areas throughout this prairie landscape.

Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with muddy conditions affecting some sites during rainy periods. "Muddy site on a dirt road. Wouldn't try it in a heavy vehicle in wet weather, due to soft ground," noted one camper about Cheyenne Bottoms. The region experiences typical Kansas weather patterns with hot summers and cold winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups and water, though primitive sites may lack these amenities. Cellular coverage is generally available at developed campgrounds but can be spotty in remote areas. Several campgrounds require reservations through online systems, while others operate on a first-come basis with self-registration at entrance stations.

The camping experience near Claflin centers around water features and wildlife viewing. Wilson Lake, described by campers as "the clearest lake in Kansas," offers swimming, fishing, and kayaking opportunities directly accessible from many campsites. At Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, visitors can experience what one camper called "an explosion of wildlife" with abundant birds, frogs, and other wildlife, particularly during migration seasons. Campgrounds range from basic sites with minimal facilities to developed areas with showers, laundry, and dump stations. Quiet and solitude characterize many of the camping areas, though hunting seasons can increase occupancy at certain times. Several campgrounds feature concrete pads for RVs alongside more primitive tent sites, accommodating various camping preferences and equipment needs.

Best Camping Sites Near Claflin, Kansas (72)

    1. Cheyenne Bottoms Campground

    11 Reviews
    Hoisington, KS
    13 miles

    "It’s by a lake so this time of year it’s nasty! They have a septic toilet. So perfect if you need to take a bathroom break on a real toilet."

    "Campground is adjacent to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area, largest wetland in the interior US and important migratory bird location. About 45 minutes off I-70."

    2. Big Bluestem Hell Creek Area Campground — Wilson State Park

    23 Reviews
    Wilson, KS
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 658-2465

    $21 / night

    "Prime spot with large shade tree to block western sun. 20’ from water’s edge with path to drop kayaks in, swim or even sit lawn chairs into the water to cool off."

    "We stayed in a loop alone that could have had 3 other sites, next to beach access. Bathrooms were a bit of a walk but again, worth it!!"

    3. Minooka Park

    21 Reviews
    Dorrance, KS
    28 miles
    Website

    $8 - $200 / night

    "I think this campground is located on the only lake In Kansas. Very windy. Nights are Gorgeous. Showers and bathrooms on site. Located 10 mins from I-70"

    "We had a tent spot on the D loop next to the water. Not much shade available but temps definitely cooled down at night!"

    4. Hoisington RV Park

    1 Review
    Hoisington, KS
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 653-4134

    5. Missile Silo Adventure Campground

    3 Reviews
    Wilson, KS
    22 miles
    Website

    $35 / night

    "Showers available at nearby state park after park entrance fee. Enjoyed the chill time at the campfire on the silo. Worth the stop."

    6. Triple J RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Dorrance, KS
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 483-4826

    "There's a lot of highway noise, which should be expected since it's extremely close to I70. This was a handy and reasonably priced stop on our cross country journey."

    "Awesome little stop on my X-Country route, host was very sweet, I told her I know the spots are close but I like to be isolated when I can and she gave me a great site away from everything with a fire-ring"

    7. Hayland Farm's Horse Shoe Campground

    1 Review
    Dorrance, KS
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (314) 882-2495

    $35 - $40 / night

    8. Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park

    9 Reviews
    Kanopolis, KS
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 546-2565

    $10 / night

    "Then realized we had found one of the nest places in Kansas! We got a perfect camp spot all to ourselves. It was not necessarily private or in the woods. But we were right up against the lake."

    "The fire pit in our spot was up next to the shoreline where we didn’t want it so we built one with a hole and rocks. It did get a bit windy but we put the Jeep behind us so that blocked some wind."

    9. Buffalo Grass — Wilson State Park

    5 Reviews
    John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, OR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 658-2465

    "We found a space tucked nicely into the trees to afford privacy. The lake was only about a minute walk, and if you don't mind a little climb down some rocks, swimming is allowed."

    "Are you traveling i-70 in the middle of Kansas and just wanted a place to take a break and enjoy nature and a lake? Perhaps an overnight stay?"

    10. Wolf Pond Park

    Be the first to review!
    Ellinwood, KS
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 564-3896

    $8 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 72 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Claflin, KS

180 Reviews of 72 Claflin Campgrounds


  • wayne H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Buffalo Grass — Wilson State Park

    A beautiful, secluded place in North Central Kansas

    Are you traveling i-70 in the middle of Kansas and just wanted a place to take a break and enjoy nature and a lake? Perhaps an overnight stay? Then this is a great place to come to relax and unwind. The campsites were spread apart nicely so not crowded with the neighbors.

  • Elizabeth R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    COE Wilson Lake Sylvan Park

    A nice pleasant place.

    A nice quiet place. No highway noise. No boat noise, as the lake is on the other side of the dam from the campground. The sites are roomy and have concrete picnic tables. There are flush toilets, sinks, and showers.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Indian Grass — Wilson State Park

    Middle of the week and we’re looking over the lake

    It was a long day driving today and hot outside. We needed a camping spot with electric hookups to run the AC and that’s what we got!!

    This campground is very clean and the sites are nicely spaced. The view of the lake was little short of spectacular.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 23, 2025

    Coronado Motel and RV Park

    Perfect spot with tons of shade trees!

    Quaint little town very convenient RV park with full hook ups sewer, water, and electricity. And lots of shade trees. You must visit the blacksmith coffee shop when you’re in town!

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2025

    Big Bluestem Hell Creek Area Campground — Wilson State Park

    Beautiful park

    Stayed overnight while traveling, but it is one of 12 places on our trip I would like to have stayed another day. Did some hiking before we left.  Beautiful sunsets. Only problem was the terrible insects at dusk. Day time was great.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 15, 2025

    Sand Hills State Park Campground

    Peaceful

    It’s a small campground, nearby hiking but no other activities. It is clean, lots of trash cans and restrooms are clean.

  • Oleksiy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2025

    Old Mill Campground

    Great small campground with electric hookups

    Nice campground. Can pay online through Venmo @oldmillmuseum 12 without electric 15 with per night.


Guide to Claflin

Camping near Claflin, Kansas offers access to several prairie waterways and wildlife areas within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation with temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Central Kansas camping areas feature limestone formations and wetlands that create distinct habitats compared to surrounding farmland.

What to do

Birding at wetlands: Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area creates prime bird watching opportunities. "I drove almost 2 hours to get here to park for the night... This free campground is near Great Bend town (on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere) on a public land," notes Sofia A. about Cheyenne Bottoms Campground.

Mountain biking trails: Wilson State Park maintains extensive trail networks for cyclists. "The trails at this campground are super fun for mountain biking! Quick and flowy!" reports Sondra M. about Big Bluestem Hell Creek Area Campground.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes in the area provide fishing access year-round. "We like to fish and kayak - sometimes fishing from the kayaks, and we always have good luck at Wilson," writes Kate W. about Big Bluestem Hell Creek Area Campground.

Missile silo tours: For unique historical experiences, check the availability of guided tours. "Beautiful site, cool and informed tour, open placement for tent sites. No water available at time of my stay," explains Jason J. about Missile Silo Adventure Campground.

What campers like

Waterfront camping: Sites directly on Wilson Lake provide immediate water access. "We were right on the lake and it was stunning for sunrise," shares Randall K. about his experience at Minooka Park.

Sunset views: Prairie sunsets create spectacular evening displays. "I love the gorgeous sunsets, the beach area, the hiking trails, and picking guitar with my besties!" shares Kami J. about Sandyshore Campground.

Night sounds: Many campers appreciate the natural soundscape after dark. "After the rain is when the show really started. The marshlands exploded with sound. Frogs, crickets, owls, foxes, coyotes, and more wildlife sounds than I could identify," describes Frank A. at Cheyenne Bottoms Campground.

Privacy options: Some campgrounds offer secluded sites despite open terrain. "We found a space tucked nicely into the trees to afford privacy. The lake was only about a minute walk," notes Steve P. about Buffalo Grass campground at Wilson State Park.

What you should know

Seasonal insect conditions: Mosquitoes can be intense during warm months near water. "Great stop, by a lake = attack of bugs... Watch out for mosquitos. It's by a lake so this time of year it's nasty!" warns Owen T. about Cheyenne Bottoms Campground.

Road access limitations: Some campgrounds have access challenges during wet conditions. "Empty and quiet. Two clean toilets, muddy road to get there. About 20 minutes from the highway," reports Josh K. about Cheyenne Bottoms Campground.

Wind exposure: Prairie campsites often experience significant wind. "WINDY, WINDY, WINDY!!!!! This campsite is NOT for tents! We arrived hoping to cook and hang out on the lake but the 18mph winds had us huddled near the car as a winds shield," cautions Elizabeth M. about Buffalo Grass — Wilson State Park.

Hunting seasons: Campground demographics change significantly during hunting seasons. "There was a lot of RVs and tents. All men on hunting gear. I'm guessing it's hunting season," observes Sofia A. about Cheyenne Bottoms Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming beaches: Several areas offer designated swimming zones. "There's a beach, fishing and boating. Great for groups and families. Bathrooms are well kept," says Declan W M. about Minooka Park.

Playground access: Look for campgrounds with play equipment for children. "We tend to camp on the marina side of the lake, but the other side has a playground and swim beach - possibly more family friendly," recommends Kate W. about Big Bluestem Hell Creek Area Campground.

Site selection for tent camping: Families with tents should prioritize sheltered locations. "If you are in an RV you could enjoy the view from the protection of the RV. Otherwise, keep driving," advises Elizabeth M. about the wind exposure at Minooka Park.

Wildlife viewing with kids: Early morning and evening hours provide best wildlife opportunities. "Lots of birds and had a Barred Owl fly right past me while I was setting up. Campground is adjacent to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area, largest wetland in the interior US and important migratory bird location," shares Jeff P. about Cheyenne Bottoms Campground.

Tips from RVers

Level site availability: Most campgrounds offer concrete or gravel pads. "Sites are long and the utility hookups are good. There's a lot of highway noise, which should be expected since it's extremely close to I70," notes Jeff L. about Triple J RV Park.

Self-registration systems: Many parks allow after-hours check-in. "We pulled in very late last night, called ahead to tell them, very nice folks they left a note for us to park and a site that didn't wake up rest of the campers," shares carlene about Triple J RV Park.

Hookup limitations: Check each campground for specific amenities. "In the middle of Kansas, this is just a parking lot at the town's rec center. It says you can use the bathrooms and showers in the rec center but it was closed when I was there," reports T K. about Hoisington RV Park.

Highway proximity: Some RV parks prioritize convenience over scenery. "Convenient location. Accommodating staff. Well lit. Good dog run. We stopped in early November and Kansas was already cold and windy!" explains Lynn A. about Triple J RV Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Claflin, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Claflin, KS is Cheyenne Bottoms Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 11 reviews.

What parks are near Claflin, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Claflin, KS that allow camping, notably Wilson Lake and Kanopolis Lake.