Best Tent Camping near Collyer, KS

We camped in a tent around the flood line of the Waters edge. The water was down so the water was way out in the distance. Restrooms were quite a bit away. Bugs were bad. Everything else was good. Large picnicking table and fire pit. Very private

Nice native buffalograss for tent camping and you may be the only tent camper in the park haha. If using the “non-specific primitive” sites, you’ll need to drive to access the dumpster, bathrooms/shower, and water. The Lakeview primitive sites had morning sun and were shaded in the afternoon/evening.

We got here very late, and the place was empty. There was a stack of firewood next to the forepit, and the tent site was very even. Weather was gorgeous, and we didn't mind the mooing cows in the distance. There was a picnic table, and though the road was a bit rough on the minivan, it was a well maintained campsite.

While there isn't much to do in the area, it is a great spot to stop for a day. Safe, well kept, and lots of amenities. Basketball, cornhole, swimming pool, playground, FREE COFFEE, clean shower facilities, and a beautiful view of the rolling plains.

The owners go above and beyond to make sure their guests are taken care of. We were tent camping and as we were driving in, they sent us a message to warn us about rain. During the storm the internet went out, so the next morning they gave everyone a free bag of ice.

First time in Kansas, had a quick one night stop during our road trip. This was a gorgeous lake tucked not far from the highway. The tent only sites were totally empty and we were the only ones in the loop. Gorgeous view, just up the bank from a small beach. Self check in was easy and the bathrooms were clean. Only complaint is that it got very buggy at night, but that's what you get for a spot so close to the water. I'd definitely come back again!

Simply picked the first loops on the lake. if you want to swim I would suggest camping on the other side. I picked this spot because no one else was around I had the whole loop to myself. Which is what I was looking for. The other side had a lot more people. Maybe not the best place for tents a lot of geese around and their droppings but there was plenty of grass and soft ground. I am not use to seeing a campground not full. I was surprised how easy it was to find open spots must be a Kansas thing. Beautiful sunset and sunrise in early July.

I am always looking for a cool spot to see geology (especially in Kansas), the only downside to this place, is it can be difficult to find.

Really nice people! great view will definitely go again for another week day tent trip

We stayed here as it was right in the middle between Kansas City and Denver where we were headed. Looks like everyone that stayed the night had the same thought. When we arrived in the evening, the campsite was full and every space was taken. When we woke up the in the morning, the campsite was empty as all the RVs had cleared out to be on their way. It was a comfortable stay right on the highway to Denver so easy access to be on our way out.

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.

$5/vehicle. $12.75 / tent. No change. My buddy and I stopped here for a night while crossing the state. One primitive camping spot for two adults in two vehicles. We each had to pay per car and per rent. Oh! And they couldn’t make change. $40 for a primitive spot in an empty state park. I won’t be back.

Stayed in a tent sight on a hill over looking the lake. Had a fire pit, picnic tables, and small pavilion. Watched a full moon rise over the lake with a slight breeze. Quiet and peaceful. Left the next morning. Would stay again as an overnight on a road trip. I could see it being a cool spot to spend a weekend with a boat. Only downside was the proximity to the road with the occasional vehicle going by quite late at night.

Quintessential plains of Kansas. Pure beauty as far as the eye can see. Blue water. Generously spaced and well maintained sites, though a lot of them have limited shade. Not an issue in April. Beautiful views with brilliant sunsets over the water. In early April, there were only a handful of other campers. Only 1 small shower house was open, but it was warm and clean. The swimming beach is large and looked clean. There is new looking playground equipment. The most precious thing I have seen, Pa's Lake. It's a little lake built for disabled and youths to fish in. They even have a giant fishing pole and the bobber is a light. There are cabins with great views. Plenty of day use areas, a large boat launch with a dock, so you don't have to pull your boat out in the evenings. I had hoped to paddle board to the cliffs, but 30 mph winds nixed that. If you want dark skies and solitude, this is the place. There is one small store just outside the entrance. Other than that, Hayes is the closest town, 30 min. by dirt road or 40 by interstate. The rangers were really helpful. I would definitely recommend.

Feel like you're camping like a smurf, almost.  Mushroom camping area are a series of campsites which have a mushroom like shelter over each sites picnic tables (except for one that has a different shaped structure)  Each covered area sits on a concrete pad and has two picnic tables.  Site also has a metal fire ring.  The spots all have plenty of grass around them for your tents.  These sites are listed as primitive so cost only $12.75 for the night.  Their is a vault toilet in the area, but it is only really conveniently located near two of the sites.  These sites are spaced far apart from each other.  No water available in the camping area, but you can get it and other services from some of the other campgrounds in the area.  Most of the sites sit out in the open.  The site I stayed at did have two trees which I was able to use for my hammock.

Old Marina campground is mostly a RV campground, but plenty of grass behind each side for a tent.  This campground is in two areas, if you turn left as indicated by the sign you enter a loop that has numerous sites all pretty much right next to each other.  All these sites are perfectly level.  A small shelter is at the end of the loop.  A playground is in the middle of the loop and restrooms/showers are on the north end of the loop.  If you turn to the right you will come to a large parking area for the boat launch, and another set of campsites, you are just parking in a parking lot with numbered spots containing your hook ups and picnic tables with covers.  All sites in either section have picnic tables and metal fire rings as well as water and electric hook ups.  An RV dump is located on the road just before the turn to Old Marina.  Several dumpsters are in the area.  The loop section has large trees providing shade.  A sign on the restroom indicates that WIFI is available.

Nothing fancy, but it was a great place to stop for the night. Both times I've stayed I arrived after dark and was only passing through, so I opted not to set up the tent and instead slept in my crossover, which is set up to sleep in. The area was well lit at night, and I felt very safe.

The campground: It's small, mostly quiet, flat, and had a decent amount of shade. The area I stayed in had pull through spots that faced the water (a reservoir, I believe). There's a small dock on the water. My site included a picnic table, grill, and water spigot. I'm not sure about electric hookups and dump stations, since I have no need for those things. The bathrooms were clean, and had both toilets and showers.

Booking: The campground does not take reservations, which I think is great, as it allows me to be a little more spontaneous. There's a self-pay station in front of the bathrooms near the entrance to the campground. I stayed here on a Monday night in late October, and had no problem getting a site. The cost depends on if you're there in the off-season or not, but I believe the most expensive fee is $25 for RVs.

The area: Ellis is a small town. If you're arriving later in the evening I would recommend stopping to eat somewhere prior to arriving in Ellis. In the morning, I made a quick detour down the main street and saw a café, a pizza place, and a Mexican restaurant. There's also a railroad museum. The campground is pretty close to the highway; right off the highway are a couple gas stations with fast food places inside.

Cell Service: I have Verizon, and my service was good enough to stream a live hockey game. The campground said it had WIFI, but I didn't try it out.

Clean, friendly, safe, a good place to rest your head after a long day of traveling.  The pool was super refreshing!