Best Tent Camping near Clay Center, KS

Looking for the best options for tent camping near Clay Center? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Clay Center. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Kansas tent camping excursion.

Best Tent Sites Near Clay Center, KS (11)

    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

    1. Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

    13 Reviews
    21 Photos
    169 Saves
    Manhattan, Kansas

    Primitive camping is allowed in the designated areas.

    The 179 acres surrounding the lake is a wildlife refuge, predominately riparian timber with some native grass on the upland area. Primitive camping is allowed on the west side of the lake. Boating is restricted to fishing only. The lake population includes Channel Catfish (which are stocked during the summer months thanks to funding from the Urban Fishing Program), Black bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Flat-head catfish, and Walleye.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Grove — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Grove — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Grove — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Grove — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Grove — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Grove — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Point — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Point — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Point — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Point — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Point — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Point — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from North Overlook Park (KS)
    Camper-submitted photo from North Overlook Park (KS)
    Camper-submitted photo from North Overlook Park (KS)
    Camper-submitted photo from North Overlook Park (KS)

    5. North Overlook Park (KS)

    1 Review
    4 Photos
    2 Saves
    Fort Riley, Kansas

    Overview

    North Overlook Park is a one of the many day use parks at Milford Lake with two shelters available for reservations, great fishing access, and a playground. Also within walking distance of the shelters is a baseball field, horseshoe pits and a volleyball court. With these features offered, North Overlook Park is sure to have something for the whole family. Click here for the Milford Lake Virtual Tour.

    Recreation

    Activities at Milford Lake include boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing and biking. Milford Lake is known to have great sail boating opportunities as well.

    Facilities

    Each shelter has picnic tables and grill available for use. Shelter 2 also has a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits available. And there is a playground, vault toilet and baseball field located between the two shelters.

    Natural Features

    NATURAL FEATURES: Milford Lake is nestled on the edge of the Kansas Flint Hills and is fed by the Republican River. Milford Lake stands as the largest man-made lake in Kansas, with a surface area of 15,700 acres and 163 miles of shoreline. Milford Lake is also the home of the states third largest wetland and is known to a variety of wildlife.

    Nearby Attractions

    The Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatchery is nearby just below the dam. There you can find live animal exhibits as well as learn about the ecosystems of Kansas. A golf course is adjacent to the nature center on the north end of the Dam and the town of Junction City is approximately five miles from North Overlook Shelter.

    • Tents
    • Group
    • Trash
    • Picnic Table

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Outlet Park (KS)

    6. Outlet Park (KS)

    1 Review
    1 Photo
    14 Saves
    Junction City, Kansas

    Overview

    Outlet Park is a day use park at Milford Lake located just below the Milford Dam. With one shelter available for reservation, those visitors interested in angling and wildlife observation will enjoy its location near the Outlet Pond, a popular fishing pond and wildlife attractor. Inside the park is also a great fishing areas and access to the Riverwalk Trail. Click here for the Milford Lake Virtual Tour.

    Recreation

    Activities at Milford Lake include boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing and biking. Milford Lake is known to have great sail boating opportunities as well.

    Facilities

    The shelter has a vault toilet and grill available for use and also has a playground, horseshoe pit and sand volleyball court nearby. The shelter is located by a fishing pier which offers great fishing access.

    Natural Features

    Milford Lake is nestled on the edge of the Kansas Flint Hills and is fed by the Republican River. Milford Lake stands as the largest man-made lake in Kansas, with a surface area of 15,700 acres and 163 miles of shoreline. Milford Lake is also the home of the states third largest wetland and is known to a variety of wildlife.

    Nearby Attractions

    The Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatchery is nearby just below the dam. There you can find live animal exhibits as well as learn about the ecosystems of Kansas. A golf course is adjacent to the nature center on the north end of the Dam and the town of Junction City is approximately five miles from North Overlook Shelter.

    • Tents
    • Group
    • Picnic Table

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Ottawa SFL
    Camper-submitted photo from Ottawa SFL
    • No image available

      8. State Park Campground

      Be the first to review!
      Milford Lake, Kansas

      This recreation area is part of Milford Lake

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      • No image available
        • No image available

          10. Jamestown Wildlife Area

          1 Review
          1 Save
          Jamestown, Kansas

          Of the 5,124 acres of public hunting now available on the area, over 1,900 acres are wetlands. The marshes are very shallow and have accumulated silt from the Marsh Creek watershed. As a result, the Department is embarking on a multiple year renovation for the areas wetlands beginning with Gun Club. Plans include new wetlands, new water control structures and renovation of existing wetlands by subdividing into units so water and vegetation can be managed more effectively. During renovation construction activities will impact and change uses of the area in the process of reaching the renovation goals. The goal of the renovation is to provide optimum wildlife habitat, improved user opportunities and play an important role in the overall Lower Republican River watershed management and life span of the marshes.

          This area is located along a major migration route for the Central Flyway. The first waterfowl and shorebirds migrate through the area in late August. An 800-acre refuge is located at the north end of Gamekeeper Marsh. The refuge is closed to all activity from Oct. 1 through Mar. 1 except for the SPECIAL HUNTS conducted during hunting seasons. The refuge gives migratory birds a resting place and increases hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities on the area.

          There are varieties of other wildlife habitats on the area. Upland birds and small game species use weeds, crop fields, grasses and shrubs, while big game prefers the timbered areas. The area offers excellent opportunities to view and photograph wildlife. Marsh Creek, Gamekeeper Dam, and Muskrat Landing are shallow boat landings for hunter access to waterfowl areas.

          The limited public lands in Kansas require intensive wildlife management and some special restrictions. This area receives heavy hunting pressure. Wildlife population and hunter use surveys are conducted to evaluate management and the effects of heavy pressure on the area.

          Map: https://ksoutdoors.com/content/download/26953/183708/version/1/file/Jamestown+Map.pdf

          • Pets
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          • Phone Service
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          • Dispersed
          • Toilets
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        Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

        Recent Tent Reviews in Clay Center

        174 Reviews of 11 Clay Center Campgrounds


        • Lisa M.
          Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Pond City Park Campground
          Oct. 14, 2024

          Rocky Pond City Park Campground

          Nice park with lots of amenities

          This is a self service park and it’s $20 for full hook ups although some of the spaces only had 50 amp service instead of 50 and 30. If you stay in the upper level, you might want to make sure you have a long sewer hose as it is quite a ways behind the trailer. Park does have bathrooms and a shower that were so so. There also is a disc golf available at the back of the lake. Nice walk around the lake. Sidenote there’s a nice nine hole golf course here that was fairly inexpensive and highly recommend los Primos Mexican restaurant for dinner.

        • Cande D.
          Camper-submitted photo from Covered Wagon RV Resort
          Sep. 14, 2024

          Covered Wagon RV Resort

          Convenient for 1-3 night stay

          It's a quaint little campground that has been around for 60 years. It's just down the street from President Dwight D Eisenhower presidential museum and library. The entrance is marked with a square blue sign I found difficult to read when approaching the campground. Our site was very level with about 15-18 foot swath of grass on either side.

          If you get the chance visit the early 1900's wooden Carousel and old Abilene historic buildings. Check out the The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad heritage railway. Ride the Flint Hills Express on track built by the Rock Island Railroad in 1886! M&R Grill had good food, reasonable prices, and generous portions. Staff was friendly and helpful.

        • Linda H.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Washington City Park
          Aug. 11, 2024

          Washington City Park

          Nice little city park

          Easy access from highway. Most sites are 30 amp back in with 4 30/50 posts marked with pull thru. Showers and restrooms at swimming pool a block north. Dump at entrance of campsite. Water hydrants but not at all sites. Would stay again for quite overnight stay. August 10, 2024 $15 night Dropbox

        • cThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
          Jul. 13, 2024

          Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

          Beautiful lake sunset

          Kansas has over 40 state fishing lakes with free camping. Lots of fishermen. I’d say over a dozen camping sites. We had a shelter, picnic table, toilet building, view of the lake. We rode our motorcycles here to tent camp. Raccoon couldn’t wait for me to zip my tent to come out and see what we left out.

        • D
          Camper-submitted photo from Owl's Nest Campground
          Jun. 30, 2024

          Owl's Nest Campground

          One Week Acceptable

          Reserve online, reasonably priced. One week stay in this little park, close to Junction City and Fort Riley. Full hookups in pull- thru half circle asphalt tar or back-in sites. Close to Hwy 70 with some noise. Laundry/shower area available.

        • Courtney P.
          Camper-submitted photo from Walt's Four Seasons Campground & Country Store
          Jan. 14, 2024

          Walt's Four Seasons Campground & Country Store

          Exceptional family friendly campground!!

          In June of 2023, my husband& I decided to move into our 42' toy hauler. We searched& searched within a 30-minute radius of our property that we had bought for a campground with great amenities and where we would feel safe with our 2 babies. Walt's is by far the safest, friendliest, fun-filled campground compared to any of the others we visited around. We were greeted with friendly faces and welcoming staff from our very first day of move-in. They made sure we got settled& hooked up ok and have continued to make us feel right at home. My husband is a truck driver so isn't always home when things go wrong with the camper. The staff has always been there to help when something happens especially when we have had issues with propane leaks, or the heater not working during the colder temps. This campground offers put-put course, swimming pool with poolside pub, horseshoes, catch& release fishing, walking trail, small dog park, playground for children, shower houses/restrooms, laundry facility, on site gas station, a country store with made to order pizzas, sandwiches& tex mex! They do several family friendly events throughout the year. At the country store they have anything of convenience that you may need from toiletries, drinks, snacks, ice cream, games, books, alcoholic beverages, etc. We absolutely love staying here. The sites have been freshly graveled. During the summer the lawn, gardens, pool, etc. Were maintained regularly and they are constantly doing updates weekly here. The best part it is also right off I-70. For long term campers that are truckers they do have a small area for semis. They also have a rentable party room inside the country store as well as outdoor areas for party rentals!

        • Beth W.
          Camper-submitted photo from Marysville City Park
          Nov. 21, 2023

          Marysville City Park

          Donation Only!

          A sweet little city park in a sweet little city. Electric hookups. Water available at a central pump. Bathrooms were closed for the season Nov. 20 when I was here.

        • James B.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
          Oct. 27, 2023

          Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

          Three Day Stay

          We stayed for three nights while staying close to Nebraska for a wedding and work obligations. Quiet lake, we were the only campers there. Little traffic through the park. Can sometimes hear the highway 77 noise but not really inside the camper. Great free spot.

        • Kari M.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
          Sep. 28, 2023

          Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

          Quick overnight was decent

          Multiple spots are available on the lake, and there are a couple in a grassy wooded area. They have picnic tables and fire pits already there. I stayed in the grassy wooded area and enjoyed the night. Road noise dies down around 8 or 9 and then you only hear occasional cars if you are awake... didn't bother me much. Had a dog and she had a good time.

        • C
          Camper-submitted photo from Salina KOA Holiday
          Jul. 26, 2023

          Salina KOA Holiday

          Decent stop over

          This is a decent stop over during travel. The site was wide and level and had mature trees. The park itself isn't far from the interstate, which makes it fantastic for an easy off and on, but also comes with some road noise. There is also a truck stop at the end of the road for convenient fill up.

        • Emma P.
          Camper-submitted photo from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2
          Jul. 2, 2023

          Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

          Nice site close to 70

          Beautiful campground! It had pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Solid free camping! Other campers were sort of rowdy, but it was a holiday weekend.

        • KThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from West Rolling Hills
          Jun. 30, 2023

          West Rolling Hills

          Nice place to rest

          Sites are nice; although very exposed to the neighbor and close together. It was really windy. Almost all sites in the b loop on the lake. Bathrooms clean. Not sure if there is a shower somewhere.

        • Always C.
          Camper-submitted photo from Marysville City Park
          Jun. 11, 2023

          Marysville City Park

          City park RV and tents

          As you enter the park off of 10th street the bathroom and dump station are on the right. 3 spots have electric. 2 were taken when we arrived. Donations accepted ( how could you not) there were a couple of potable water spigots available. Previous reviews were spot on. Great little town. For the tent campers there are 5 spots with 20 amp power plugs also.

        • Katelynn C.
          Camper-submitted photo from Walt's Four Seasons Campground & Country Store
          May. 18, 2023

          Walt's Four Seasons Campground & Country Store

          1 night stay

          Close to the highway was our only downfall. Kinda loud when trying to fall asleep at night. Other than that it deserves 5 stars from us! Easy pull off of I-70. Very friendly staff, big snack shop with pizza, ice cream, adult beverages! Lots of things to do for kids- putt putt, playground. The pool is being worked on but will be up and running soon. Very happy about our stay!

        • Michael S.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Marysville City Park
          Mar. 22, 2023

          Marysville City Park

          Nice place to stay

          Very nice place, sites are not well marked. You have to climb the curb to get to the site, and its dirt, with some grass, and lots of nice trees. We had electric at our site and they did have water available in March, dump station is nearby as well. Bathrooms where closed.

        • S
          Camper-submitted photo from Woodland Hills — Milford State Park
          Oct. 15, 2022

          Woodland Hills — Milford State Park

          Cute place!

          There’s a sewage dump station the next camping loop over (Hickory Hollow) if you can’t stay at a space with a sewage hookup. Pull through and back in spaces, decent amount of shade at almost every spot, primitive and RV/Camper sites. There’s even a firewood crate ($7). Close to trails and we even saw 2 deer on our way to park. Gorgeous fall leaves this time of year (October). Water has a slight sulfur smell, but who’s sink in KS doesn’t.

        • jThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Salina KOA Holiday
          Sep. 24, 2022

          Salina KOA Holiday

          One building Fow showers and one trash receptacle for entire campground.

          Showers very nice. Could use more trash bins and more than one shower house.

        • S
          Camper-submitted photo from Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
          Sep. 20, 2022

          Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

          Great place

          There are a few designated camping areas with fire pits and picnic tables, but you can park and camp anywhere around the lake. Perfect for fishing, exploring, camping, boating, fishing and more. Campfires and leashed pets are allowed. Don’t forget to visit the waterfalls (entrance on State Lake Rd).

        • Wally C.
          Camper-submitted photo from COE Milford Lake Curtis Creek Park
          Sep. 18, 2022

          COE Milford Lake Curtis Creek Park

          Just Passing Through

          While traveling from Alabama to Colorado I stopped at West Rolling Hills. Since it was Labor Day weekend the campground was crowded. I ended up in my tent next to R.V.'s. Despite these things I enjoyed the stay so much I made it two nights. The facilities were clean, showers and bathrooms were well maintained. Folks were friendly. I'd recommend this as a good spot to stay if traveling.

        • tamala C.
          Camper-submitted photo from Salina KOA Holiday
          Sep. 1, 2022

          Salina KOA Holiday

          Nice

          KOA campgrounds are a quick stopover for us, never a destination. This location has it all. Cabins, tent sites. Great RV http://essaypapers.reviews/ sites, even a yurt! Some highway noise. Clean, great kid play area(with ping pong) and a nice playground. New furniture provided and built in fire pits.



        Guide to Clay Center

        Tent camping near Clay Center, Kansas offers a variety of scenic spots and amenities for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds that cater to tent campers.

        Tent campers should check out Milford State Park

        • Cedar Point — Milford State Park features spacious sites with shade, fire rings, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
        • Walnut Grove — Milford State Park provides a beautiful setting with access to water and trails, perfect for those who enjoy fishing and hiking.
        • Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park offers full hookups and a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for campers seeking a quiet escape with nearby hiking options.

        Activities for outdoor enthusiasts

        • At Cedar Point — Milford State Park, visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, and swimming in the lake, making it a versatile destination for various outdoor activities.
        • Walnut Grove — Milford State Park is known for its excellent fishing opportunities and trails, allowing campers to explore the natural beauty of the area.
        • Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park features hiking trails and water activities, providing a great mix of relaxation and adventure.

        Some prices for tent camping range from $15 to $30

        • Camping at Cedar Point — Milford State Park typically costs around $15 per night, offering great value for spacious sites with amenities.
        • Walnut Grove — Milford State Park has sites available for approximately $20, making it an affordable option for families looking to enjoy the outdoors.
        • Hickory Hollow — Milford State Park charges around $30 per night for full hookups, catering to those who want a more comfortable camping experience.

        Frequently Asked Questions

        • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clay Center, KS?

          According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clay Center, KS is Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.

        • What is the best site to find tent camping near Clay Center, KS?

          TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Clay Center, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.