Looking for the ultimate pet-friendly camping experience near Cottonwood Falls? Finding pet-friendly campgrounds in Kansas is easier than ever. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a happening campground near the attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to go camping with your dog.
The lake has a steep to shallow rocky shoreline and shallow mudflats on the upper end. Water clarity is usually very good. Eight fishing piers and many rock and brush fish attractors enhance angling opportunities at the lake. Fair to excellent populations of channel catfish, black bass, saugeye, crappie, white bass, and bluegill are found in the lake. Adjacent uplands primarily consist of native grass prairie. A diversity of wildflowers exists on the property and can provide outstanding viewing opportunities. Several small woody draws also exist on the property, primarily below the dam. Hunting is allowed but game populations are limited. The area does provide opportunities to hunt species such as quail, rabbit, white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrels, waterfowl, and prairie chicken. Camping is allowed (first come, first served) in designated areas along the north shore of the lake.
Canning Creek Cove Park is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.
Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and two boat ramps are located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catfish being the most abundant. Council Grove was also the first lake in Kansas to receive stocking of Saugeye. Hunters will find populations of quail, prairie chicken, wild turkey and deer on the nearly 2,700 acres of public hunting land surrounding the lake. Hiking trails wind along the lakeshore and into the forest. Pioneer Nature Trail is known as the most scenic trail, with plenty of wildlife, greenery and wildflowers creating a beautiful background. Council Grove is also a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. This byway travels through the best of the remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America. Along the byway and 25 miles south is the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where visitors can spot colorful wildflowers in the spring and array of autumn colors in the fall.
Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy prairie of east Kansas, known as the Flint Hills. The lake was created by a dam built in 1964, and now offers recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Historically this area is where the Osage Indians signed a treaty to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail. A marker in the town of Council Grove indicates the place where the treaty was signed.
The town of Council Grove, located about 2 miles southeast of the lake, is a National Historic District, with seven Santa Fe National Historic Trail sites in the community.
$20 - $80 / night
Cottonwood Point is a spacious and shady campground located on the shores of Marion Reservoir. This Kansas getaway draws in thousands of visitors annually to enjoy the pristine lake shoreline and surrounding canopy of forest.
Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting. Numerous hiking and biking trails snake through the forest around the lake, and the The Willow Walk Nature Trail is especially popular for wildlife enthusiasts. Campers are likely to spot white-tailed deer, pelicans, raccoons and various other waterfowl. Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.
Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.
The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
$10 - $21 / night
Richey Cove Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.
Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and a boat ramp is located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catfish being the most abundant. Council Grove was also the first lake in Kansas to receive stocking of Saugeye. Hunters will find populations of quail, prairie chicken, wild turkey and deer on the nearly 2,700 acres of public hunting lands surrounding the lake. Hiking trails wind along the lake shore and into the forest. Pioneer Nature Trail is known as the most scenic trail, with plenty of wildlife, greenery and wildflowers creating a beautiful background. Council Grove is also a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. This byway travels through the best of the remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America. Along the byway and 25 miles south is the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where visitors can spot colorful wildflowers in the spring and array of autumn colors in the fall.
Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy Flint Hills. The lake is created by a dam built in 1964, and now offers recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Historically this area is where the Osage Indians signed a treaty to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail. A marker in the town of Council Grove indicates the place where the treaty was signed.
The town of Council Grove, located about 2 miles southeast of the lake, is a National Historic District, with seven Santa Fe National Historic Trail sites in the community.
$100 - $130 / night
Kanza View Picnic Shelter is located at the east end of Council Grove Dam just off Kansas Highway 177. It offers some of the most scenic views of the lake.
Although Council Grove Lake has excellent fishing and boating opportunities, access to the water limits these activities at Kanza View. Picnicking and tent camping at Kanza View's primitive sites are this location's primary activities.
The park sits on top of a hill adjacent to the lake offering breathtaking lake views. Although the park has many open grassy areas interspersed with large Cottonwood and Oak trees, access to the lake is limited due to the steep, rocky terrain.
Multiple developed campgrounds surround Council Grove Lake in the near vicinity. The town of Council Grove affords an array of historic sites and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is 18 miles south on Highway 177.
$25 - $30 / night
Santa Fe Trail Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.
Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and a boat ramp is located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catfish being the most abundant. Council Grove was also the first lake in Kansas to receive stocking of Saugeye. Hunters will find populations of quail, prairie chicken, wild turkey and deer on the nearly 2,700 acres of hunting lands surrounding the lake. Hiking trails wind along the lake shore and into the forest. Pioneer Nature Trail is known as the most scenic trail, with plenty of wildlife, greenery and wildflowers creating a beautiful background. Council Grove is also a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. This byway travels through the best of the remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America. Along the byway and 25 miles south is the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where visitors can spot colorful wildflowers in the spring and array of autumn colors in the fall.
Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy Flint Hills. The lake was created by a dam built in 1964, and now offers recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Historically this area is where the Osage Indians signed a treaty to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail. A marker in the town of Council Grove indicates the place where the treaty was signed.
The town of Council Grove, located about 2 miles southeast of the lake, is a National Historic District, with seven Santa Fe National Historic Trail sites in the community.
$27 - $140 / night
Traveler
Beautiful well-kept park with gorgeous trails, beach, lots of shade, and quiet camping. We’ve been here three times now and just love it. Outlet park is below the dam. If you’re into fishing/boating the giant lake has a marina with everything you need to get out on the water as well as a kitchen where they serve hamburgers and other food items. The Marina is currently closed as of 8-2-24 due to weather damage but will reopen.
ScoutNice campsite, tons of sites with nobody else here. Not buggy either.
Guide
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.
Scout
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.
TravelerCamp site was fine. Just disappointed in the amount of trash surrounding. Easily filled up a large trash bag at the single site I was on. Could be so much better if maintained.
Traveler
Stayed here off season for free. They do not close the gates so you can enter but no access to facilities, water or electric. Campground slopes to the river so very few level sites. Some noise from the road but otherwise peaceful as nobody was there.
TravelerCampsite is clean and peaceful. Beautiful lake with a waterfall a little more north. The highway nearby is a little noisy but not off putting. Regular drive bys from locals but completely normal.
Scout
The park was clean and friendly. I loved the dog park so I could let my pups run free. The laundry facility was very helpful so i didnt have to travel to find one. There was free wifi in the park as well, which my kids loved. There is a very pretty pond area on the property, with very nice walking trails. Wichita, KS is very close by with lots of fun things to do. Enjoyed my time there, will def stay there again if back in the area!
GuideClean restrooms and showers. Quiet campground. Downfall is right next to interstate. Internet is not the best, but it is secure.
RangerWe 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.
GuideMultiple 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.
Guide
Pleasant small family owned campground. Lyndel was very sweet. Hot showers with lots of water pressure, laundry room and full hookup. If you need a spot to take a break from driving, this is a nice spot.
Traveler
It’s very quiet. Trails are nice and plenty of critters.
TravelerHerd this campground is closed even though I read it's 10$ a night no hook ups. Anyone knows different it would be nice to know. My son lives in Lebo and he said it's closed due to flooding a few years ago. Emailed the lake and COE and got no response.
Traveler
easy access to the lake. facilities can be dirty
Traveler
We camped in our RV at Turkey Point. The grounds are well-maintained, bathrooms were clean, hosts were friendly. No problems with water and electric hookups. Sites are well spaced, include fire rings, and almost all have shade. Gravel hiking trail, too. This was our very first trip in our brand new r v. It is only about an hour away from our house, but we will be back!
Guide
One of the nicer lakes I’ve been to, and cheap, the road is a little rough, but it’s a neat place. Boat dock is very steep, small boats only. Pay online is very easy. Shorter RV trailers are preferred. 30 amp service.
Guide
COE did a great job providing cozy site with lake access. Covered picnic table, lake view, good fishing.
Out of the way but close enough to town to get supplies. Poor cell coverage with Verizon
GuideFound this spot and had to share! Plenty of tent spots and places to park an RV. Vault toilets available. Boat ramps available. Best part is its FREE!
TravelerThere 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).
Scout
Good fishing, swimming, boating. Camping site clean. Bathrooms very clean.
GuideWe had a great family trip to Melvern Lake. Fishing at the Dam release was fun but pretty difficult to reel in fish. Camp was pretty quiet, and bathrooms were pretty good (toilets, showers, and sinks with warm water). The water was pretty gross for swimming and rocky. Saw deer and turkey.
ScoutBut not really scenic. Very little grass mostly gravel. Did have a dog park that was convenient. Wi-Fi was a bit tricky and we couldn’t connect our smart tv
Scout
Primitive camping though there is a pit toilet. FREE. Pack it in, pack it out
Traveler
Our 2nd day here they did a controlled burn without any notification. This was less than 300 ft. from us and wind blowing in our direction. The dump station is designed poorly so using a portable tote is very difficult. The only good thing is the campsites are very spacious
Traveler
We stopped here for the night because it was in the right location, but were surprised by how nice it was. The campground itself isn't anything special (it had full hookups like we wanted), but the history of the hotel and accompanying landing strip was fascinating, and the path to the ponds at sunset was beautiful.
Guide
This is a beautiful park. It has a river that runs through it and a man-made lake. The campsites are separated a little from each other. Lots of nice trees. There are lots of paved trails and paved roads in the campground that are nice for biking. There are some trails through the woods also. We had electric and water.
We visited this park in early April. It was very confusing to get a site because there was no camp host available and the park office was closed. (It was Saturday.) There were a lot of local campers in the park. There are maps on bulletin boards but no printed maps were available. This is a BIG park with multiple camping areas so it was difficult to figure out on our own.
Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, opens up a world of adventure for you and your furry companions. With a variety of well-reviewed campgrounds that welcome pets, you can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cottonwood Falls, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cottonwood Falls, KS is Chase State Fishing Lake with a 4.5-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cottonwood Falls, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 42 dog-friendly camping locations near Cottonwood Falls, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
