Best Equestrian Camping near Colby, KS

Historic Lake Scott State Park offers equestrian trails accessible from both Circle Drive and Elm Grove campgrounds. The park's trail system accommodates horseback riders with several miles of paths that wind through canyons and bluffs surrounding the spring-fed lake. Camping options include tent sites, RV spots with electric and water hookups, and cabins. While the campgrounds do not feature dedicated horse corrals, riders can set up portable containment systems in designated areas. Both campgrounds provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to showers and toilets. The sites are generally well-spaced with shade available in many areas, particularly in Circle Drive where mature cottonwood trees create natural shelter from the sun.

Trails at Historic Lake Scott State Park connect to surrounding natural areas, allowing for extended rides through diverse terrain unlike the flat farmlands typical of western Kansas. The unexpected landscape drops into canyon formations, creating scenic riding opportunities along mesa edges and rock formations. Day-use equestrian visitors should check in at the park office for current trail conditions and permit requirements. The campgrounds maintain a three-day advance reservation policy for electric sites, though walk-in availability exists for standard sites. St. Francis City Campground, located further north near the Nebraska border, offers an alternative free camping option for travelers with horses passing through the area, though with fewer trail options. Riders typically bring their own water troughs as natural water access is limited to the lake itself.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Colby, Kansas (3)

    1. Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    12 Reviews
    Scott City, KS
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 872-2061

    $21 - $22 / night

    "Boat access for fishing but it's a no wake lake Rv spots fill up quickly so reserve ahead of time.

    Lots of walk up sites available

    Equestrian and hiking trails

    Historical sites"

    "This was our last stop in our Tour de Kansas. The landscape felt more like the west than the flatlands of Kansas we had come to love. We pulled in on a Thurs. The campground was almost empty."

    2. Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    12 Reviews
    Scott City, KS
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 872-2061

    $10 / night

    "Driving through Kansas and coming up on this park and it's views made it a great spot to stop at along the way. Able to pull up to campsites and park next to your tent area."

    "It was around 40 some miles from the Interstate& all we saw were fields upon fields & no trees. The husband was grumbling when we turned off on the road to Lake Scott."

    3. St. Francis City Campground

    8 Reviews
    St. Francis, KS
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 332-2961

    "I stayed here on my first night in Kansas. The campground is nicely tucked away from the Main Highway. The bathrooms were clean and I got a free shower!"

    "This is a great free camping site in western Kansas right off 36 Hwy. Free for tents and RV’s if you boondock. $25 fee to hookup to electric and water."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Colby, KS

32 Reviews of 3 Colby Campgrounds


  • Vania Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2020

    St. Francis City Campground

    Nice

    I stayed here on my first night in Kansas. The campground is nicely tucked away from the Main Highway. The bathrooms were clean and I got a free shower! I got here in the evening and there were plenty of spaces. I think there might have been two other campers. If you’re a bit road weary and need a place to crash I would recommend this spot.

  • Keri F.
    Apr. 9, 2019

    Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    Heaven in the middle of nowhere

    Well maintained sites. Amazing swimming area. Helpful staff

    Small store by swimming beach. Mr. Larry is a great help!

    Boat access for fishing but it's a no wake lake

    Rv spots fill up quickly so reserve ahead of time.

    Lots of walk up sites available

    Equestrian and hiking trails

    Historical sites

  • Price T.
    Apr. 9, 2021

    Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    Great Surprise

    Driving through Kansas and coming up on this park and it's views made it a great spot to stop at along the way. Able to pull up to campsites and park next to your tent area. Everything was clean and my spot was a nice wake up view looking across the lake. Only caught a catfish while there but still great fun. Wish I could've gotten video of the thunderstorm that rolled through in the distance. Overall though, great hiking around the lake and good spots. Just a short drive to town also if you need to pick anything up.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2024

    St. Francis City Campground

    Great free camping with showers, bathrooms and near restaurants and stores

    This is a great free camping site in western Kansas right off 36 Hwy. Free for tents and RV’s if you boondock. $25 fee to hookup to electric and water. Shower house and bathrooms were a little run down, but worked just the same as a 5 star hotel. Pizza Hut, Dollar General and gas stations within walking distance. Our stay was quiet and we were the only campers. Right behind the city public works facility so there was some noise and traffic there but not at all annoying.

  • S
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    Kansas Oasis

    There is not a lot to see on the flat western plains of Kansas and you would not see this state park either if you didn’t know it was there. This lake is like a sunken oasis of trees and water. The area itself was great! There’s even a few histoical sites to visit and it is close to Monument Rocks, which is what bought us to Kansas.

    The campground, however, is just ok. Perhaps it would’ve been better if they had rain to green up the grass, but it was mostly brown in June when we camped there. They have a large selection of sites and on a Monday night in June, we had many choices available for tent camping. It appeared that most who camp here have an rv and those spaces looked about full. Thankfully, those are two different areas of the campground because they were packed into a parking lot style campground. The tent area probably would’ve looked packed in too since the sites are small, but with only a handful of tents, we had some space.

    One thing that did limit our choice of sites was a LARGE herd of geese that covered all of the lakeside sites as well as the next row in. I didn’t want to set up in bird poop in the dry grass so the sites with a decent view were out. We did luck out and find site 2 of the Flatland area which was up above the water line so the geese couldn’t swim up and walk in. Site 2 had a great view of the lake and was set apart from the other sites along with site 1. Site 1 would’ve been the better site but it was occupied by a tent that appeared to have been abandoned. Site 2 was not level by any means, in fact it sloped quite a bit compared to the rest of the sites. There was no tent pads, which would’ve helped a lot for this site. We just set up so our heads would be at the high end and it worked. It was too nice of a view to let a bumpy sloping site stop us!

    The campground has a host and everyone was quiet for the night. We slept pretty well, other than the high humidity of Kansas.

    The bathhouse left a lot to be desired. A good cleaning to remove dead bugs would’ve went a long way. A fresh coat of paint would make it inviting. It looked like nobody had checked on its’ condition for many years. We were hoping to use the showers, but they were no cleaner and had an odd design with no doors or shower curtains. The lighting was very dim as well, making it all look a little too creepy for a shower there. A fresh coat of paint, brighter lighting, some shower curtains, and a good scrub down would make this facility SO much better! We also checked the other batthouse on the opposite side of the lake and it was the same way...only creepier because there was one lone rv camped near it.

    Overall, I would not camp here again unless I read some reviews indicating the the bathhouse has been improved. It’s not a dealbreaker to not have a shower, but if this campground had been fuller, the geese all over the sites may have been. If you have an rv and pay for full hookups, you might like this campground. If you are tent camping, keep looking.

  • Cynthia K.
    Jul. 5, 2022

    Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    Clean your bathrooms!

       It seemed like we drove a long time to get here. This was a stop on our way back home from Colorado. It was around 40 some miles from the Interstate& all we saw were fields upon fields & no trees. The husband was grumbling when we turned off on the road to Lake Scott. I felt a lot better when we took the road down into the valley & saw the lake!

        This is not our first Kansas state park. We've been to Kanopolis & Mushroom Rocks. Lake Scott is supposed to be Kansas' most historic park. We stayed for 2 nights in the Circle campground. Water & electric. There's a few "seasonal" sites that offer sewer. 

    As before, there was no one at the gatehouse to check in, so we found our site ourselves. The camp host was never around, but there were a few people in golf carts who waved at us.

       The site had some trees & a view of the lake. The site was clean 

        It was a short walk to the bathroom by the lake. There are flush toilets & showers & I've got to say, they are the filthiest I've seen camping. Apparently it's no ones job to take out the garbage or clean the sinks or toilets. 

        The beach was fairly crowded both afternoons we were there. I have no idea why anyone would want to swim in that disgusting water, but I guess that's all that's around. My husband says he saw fish jumping, so there is that to do.

        This is a pretty scenic park. The rocks & the lake, ect. There was never anyone at the beach store & I found out it's only open on weekends. There was someone at the park office& I got some area info. It was closed by afternoon though. The Steele Home Museum was closed both days we were there.

  • Nancy C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    It doesn't look like Kansas

    This was our last stop in our Tour de Kansas. The landscape felt more like the west than the flatlands of Kansas we had come to love. We pulled in on a Thurs. The campground was almost empty. Buy Friday afternoon, it was pretty full. By Sunday afternoon, we had it to our self again. We got a pull through site with 30 and 50 amp. Only 1 shower house was open in early April. But, it was 4 individual rooms, not common area setup.

    The lake was small but very pretty, easy to kayak, SUP and fish. There are a few short trails to hike. As other have mentioned, there are amazing sites within 20 miles. The Little Jerusalem SP is a must. In the area, we saw turkey, owl, lots of buzzards, geese, albino buffelo and more cows than i have seen in one place. On Saturday, the local car club drove their vintage cars to the park for a pop up car show. The people were very nice. Garden City is about 40 miles away and offers everything you could want, brewery, good food, shopping galore, etc.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    A Diamond in the rough

    While traveling through Kansas we found a beautiful spot to camp that we would recommend to all campers whether beginning, tenting, RV or even to just stop and spend the day. There is plenty of camping sites, fishing areas, swimming beach, a beach/boat/market house, historical markers and dwellings along with beautiful rolling hills and bluffs. Camp hosts were pleasant and helpful and area was clean. Some areas are shaded better than others as seen on google maps. And not to forget that Monument rocks are about a 20 minute drive from there and a must see-amazing that they could be there.

  • Ryan L.
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    Elm Grove Campground

    Standard Campground in middle nowhere Kansas. We were passing through to Colorado and were also planning to see the nearby Monument Rocks and New Jerusalem Badlands SP. We managed to be the only one in this campground. While this campground had a sign explaining their color coded services, there were no actual services. There were no  formal fire rings on grills, but most sites had remains of improvised fire rings. There is a group camping site with large fire ring, grill, volleyball court etc. This campground had two available bathrooms. One is a pit toilet with no lights, so bring a flashlight. The second had sinks, flush toilets, and showers, but had no main bathroom doors and completely open to the elements at the 8 foot height.


Guide to Colby

Historic Lake Scott State Park offers equestrian trails in western Kansas with unexpected terrain changes and canyon formations that create diverse riding experiences. The park sits within a gorge carved into prairie land, dropping 100 feet below the surrounding flat farmlands. Both Circle Drive and Elm Grove campgrounds connect to trail systems accommodating horseback riders, though availability varies seasonally with spring and fall providing optimal weather conditions.

What to do

Fishing access points: Historic Lake Scott State Park features ADA fishing docks with paved walkway access. "The lake is small and quiet with fishers and kayakers. We swam a lot, fished a bit even though the fish weren't biting, explored the dam, hiked on the bluffs trail," according to Angie S.

Water activities: The spring-fed lake maintains consistent water levels for recreational use. "We spent the hot part of the days kayaking in the lake. The boat house rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats but only on weekend," notes Shannon G.

Nearby geological formations: Monument Rocks and Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park provide additional destinations within 20 miles. "Close to Castle Rock Badlands, monument rocks and Little Jerusalem Badlands which made for a great time," reports Chris S. from Scott State Park.

What campers like

Unexpected landscapes: Elm Grove Campground offers views unlike typical Kansas terrain. "This lake sits in a gorge, and you won't see it until you are right at the top of and/or descending into the gorge," explains Jason W. The dramatic elevation change creates a microclimate with different vegetation than surrounding areas.

Seasonal variations: Weekday visits offer more solitude particularly in non-summer months. "We pulled in on a Thursday afternoon late August. Found spot #3 on the east side to have the best views," shares Jason R. who appreciated the "decent views of bluffs" and "relaxing sounds of fish jumping."

Wildlife viewing: The park attracts diverse bird species throughout migration seasons. "On Saturday, the local car club drove their vintage cars to the park for a pop up car show. In the area, we saw turkey, owl, lots of buzzards, geese, albino buffalo and more cows than I have seen in one place," notes Nancy C.

What you should know

Campsite selection strategy: St. Francis City Campground provides an alternative with different pricing. "Free for primitive. $25 for electric hook-up," explains Jerry D. For those wanting to camp with horses but seeking free options, this location about 78 miles north of Colby serves as an alternative.

Seasonal staffing limitations: Park services vary by season and day of week. "The boat house rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats but only on weekend," reports Shannon G., while another camper noted limited bathroom availability during off-peak times.

Water conditions: The lake has varying depths that affect swimming and boating. "Lake isn't deep - could stand pretty far out. Small beach area but you can get in water anywhere. Dogs not allowed on beach anywhere," mentions Shawn S.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups. "Nice state park hidden away in the middle of nowhere, great stop on the way to Colorado, camp sites are spaced apart, nice play grounds for kids," notes Steve W.

Swimming considerations: Circle Drive Campground offers family-friendly water access. "Camped in Circle Drive in our Popup. Friendly staff, clean grounds and lots of trees. Lake isn't deep - could stand pretty far out. Small beach area but you can get in water anywhere," shares Shawn S., highlighting the gradual depth good for younger swimmers.

Educational opportunities: Incorporate historical sites into your itinerary. "There are amazing sites nearby... Jerusalem Badlands & Monument Rocks about 15-20 minutes north off of US 83," recommends Bob M., which can serve as educational field trips during longer stays.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness: Prepare for uneven terrain at certain sites. "Gorgeous scenery but sites are on gravel or grass & not always level for our 30' 5th wheel. Verizon cell is available as is electricity & water. Dumping service is at the entrance," advises sKenyon.

Reservation timing: Plan ahead during peak seasons. "RV spots fill up quickly so reserve ahead of time. Lots of walk up sites available," recommends Keri F. Most electric sites require reservations 3 days in advance, while standard sites often remain available for walk-ins.

Hookup locations: Note that facilities aren't evenly distributed throughout campgrounds. "No bathrooms/shower in our Lake View campground. Large lake with lots of fisher folk. Quiet this time of year but over 700 spots around the lake," shares sKenyon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Colby, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Colby, KS is Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Colby, KS?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Colby, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.