Milford Lake dominates the glamping scene near Clay Center, Kansas, a rural community located about 30 miles southeast of the lake. The region sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation in the Flint Hills ecoregion, characterized by tallgrass prairie and limestone outcroppings. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making water access particularly valuable for comfort during peak camping season from May through September.
What to do
Kayaking and beach activities: At COE Milford Lake Curtis Creek Park, visitors can enjoy multiple water-based activities. "We went kayaking and playing on the beach. We booked the buddy sites to have an extra large site beside the beach area and it was worth it," reports one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Milford Lake offers excellent fishing access with multiple shoreline spots. A visitor to Farnum Creek noted, "Clean area with plenty of firewood and a picnic table. Paid 14$ for a campsite... We camped right across from the boat ramp but was still a beautiful view."
Hiking and wildlife viewing: The area trails provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Cedar Point in Milford State Park, campers can observe "the large flock of turkey vultures who live in the dead trees of cedar point."
What campers like
Spacious sites: The camping areas around Milford Lake offer generous site dimensions. At Cedar Point, campers appreciate "very spacious primitive and tent sites. There are also some with electric and water. Some of the sites in this campground have nice water views."
Water views: Sunset Ridge — Milford State Park provides scenic vistas. One visitor mentioned their site had a "covered pavilion with a view of the lake. We happened on it thru Dyrt on our way out to Yellowstone and it fit our needs exactly. Close to I-70, but you felt away from everything."
Clean facilities: Tuttle Creek Cove maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. A camper noted it's "beautiful and peaceful while going kayak," while another described it as having "clean, convenient, and beautiful views."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most glamping locations near Clay Center operate from April through October. Tuttle Creek Cove specifically runs "April 15 to October 31," making advance planning essential for shoulder season visits.
Reservation requirements: Online booking is required at many sites, and the process can sometimes be challenging. At Farnum Creek, a camper reported, "The check in process was severely frustrating. They only do online. So when we got there with little sun left it took 30 minutes to actually reserve the spot."
Blue-green algae concerns: Water quality issues may affect swimming access during summer months. A visitor to Curtis Creek mentioned, "Only downside is the blue-green algae made it unsafe to swim but that is not a fault of the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Salina Campground offers numerous recreation options for children. "Very nice, clean bathrooms, along with a clean pool, playground, basketball court, and jump pad," wrote one family camper.
Swimming options: Despite being further from Clay Center, Salina Campground provides reliable water recreation. A visitor noted, "Kids enjoyed the basketball court, playground, and swimming pool. Clean bathroom/showers."
Activity variety: Family-friendly glamping near Clay Center benefits from diverse recreation options. One Salina camper listed the activities: "Pool, playground, jumping pad, horse shoes, roomy tent sites, gem mining, friendly staff, great price. They also had bikes and a train for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Acorn RV Resort offers full-service sites with lake access. A traveler in a "38' Class A Motorhome" described it as a "totally awesome resort - everything you need... from cabin, rv, tent or yurks! Nestled on a beautiful lake."
Level sites: Milford Lake campgrounds generally provide well-maintained RV pads. At Curtis Creek, campers noted "all sites seemed well kept and level" and appreciated that "boat ramp was close and boats were able to anchor on the beach at night for campers to easily launch near the campground."
Easy access options: For those needing convenient highway access, Owl's Nest Campground provides a practical stopover. A visitor mentioned it was "super easy to pull off the highway and stay for the evening" and offers "full hookups in pull-through half circle asphalt tar or back-in sites."
