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When you think of Kansas, forget about flat. There’s a world of unexpected outdoor adventures waiting for you in the heart of America. Camping in Kansas brings you closer to world-class hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and the ability to enjoy a sunset over the plains. With twenty-six state parks, multiple lakes, and an abundance of trails and wildlife, camping in Kansas is sure to surprise you.


The scenic Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge lies in the broad, flat, and beautiful Neosho River Valley. It’s the country’s largest remaining tract of tallgrass, complete with captivating wildflowers and a nearly endless horizon. El Dorado State Park is situated conveniently at the edge of the Flint Hills and perfect for camping nearby. A destination for boating, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, the hills make camping in Kansas as fun-packed as it is gorgeous.


For water lovers, there are a handful of public camping areas near the Kansas River Trail, as well as sandbars welcome to campers scattered along the way. Cyclists and hikers will love camping in Kansas for the numerous trails winding through Kansas River State Park’s breathtaking oak-hickory forest. Plus, you can access the Kansas River (also known as Kaw River) from a boat ramp for canoeing, kayaking, and other small watercraft.


If you’re looking for fresh air, awe-inspiring views, and crystal water, Kansas may have just the right thing. With tall grass, stretching fields, and open skies, the Sunflower State is perfect for those who love trail exploration, wildlife, and even archery! From the Flint Hills to the Kansas River and everything in between, camping in Kansas is perfect for a picturesque and peaceful getaway.

Kansas

The Best Camping in Kansas | 100+ KS Campgrounds

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Council Grove Lake. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Council Grove Lake camping trip.

Council Grove Lake

The Best Camping Near Council Grove Lake, Kansas

## Overview

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. 

## Recreation

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. 

## Facilities

Kanza View offers five undeveloped campsites most suitable for tent camping. The roofed day-use picnic pavilion has six picnic tables seating 40 people. The picnic pavillion is the only facility that may be reserved in advance. There is no electricity. A single water hydrant for shared use is located near the pavillion. Bathroom facilities are masonary vault toilets. 

## Natural Features

**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.**

## Nearby Attractions

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.

Kansas View

## Overview

Canning Creek Cove Park is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.

## Recreation

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.

## Facilities

Canning Creek Campground offers 43 reservable campsites, including three group sites that can accommodate 40, 75 and 100 guests. Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided.   
  
The campground has plenty of shade, along with open grassy areas for games and recreation.

## Natural Features

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. 

## Nearby Attractions

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.

Canning Creek

## Overview

Richey Cove Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.

## Recreation

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.

## Facilities

Richey Cove Campground offers 43 reservable campsites, including one group camping area that can accommodate up to 40 guests. Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided.   
  
The campground has plenty of shade, along with open grassy areas for games and recreation.

## Natural Features

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. 

## Nearby Attractions

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.

Richey Cove

## Overview

Santa Fe Trail Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.

## Recreation

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.

## Facilities

Santa Fe Trail Campground offers 35 reservable campsites, including one group camping area that can accommodate up to 75 guests. Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided.   
  
The campground has plenty of shade, along with open grassy areas for games and recreation.

## Natural Features

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. 

## Nearby Attractions

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.

Santa Fe Trail

Kansas View - Council Grove Lake

Richey Cove South

North Richey Cove

Located on the Flint Hills Nature Trail in Allen Kansas, Basecamp Flint Hills offers camping at the gateway to the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas.  BFH is 20 miles north of the world capital of gravel cycling, Emporia KS, and 20 miles east of historical Council Grove.

Perfectly situated for those passing through on the Flint Hills Nature Trail or exploring world class gravel cycling, BFH can accommodate bike packers, cross country cyclists, gravel cyclists, hikers, and hunters.

Ideally suited for group tent camping, BFH has shaded acreage and a large communal fire ring.  Two back-in camper sites with power and water are also available for those who prefer a bit more luxury. 

Seasonal facilities include an open air cold water shower and porta-potty available April through October. 

Basecamp Flint Hills

Emporia RV Park

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.



Chase State Fishing Lake

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Wichita

The Best Camping in Wichita, KS | Kansas Campgrounds

Overland Park is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Overland Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Overland Park

The Best Camping Near Overland Park, Kansas

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Topeka, KS has a lot to offer. Topeka is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Topeka. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Topeka

The Best Camping Near Topeka, Kansas

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The Best Camping Near Olathe, Kansas

Join the fun near Lawrence. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Lawrence. Discover great camping spots near Lawrence, reviewed by campers like you.

Lawrence

The Best Camping Near Lawrence, Kansas

Shawnee is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Shawnee is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Kansas camping adventure.

Shawnee

The Best Camping Near Shawnee, Kansas

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Manhattan

The Best Camping Near Manhattan, Kansas

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The Best Camping Near Dodge City, Kansas

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The Best Camping Near Garden City, Kansas

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The Best Camping Near Derby, Kansas

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PSICC

The Best Camping Near PSICC, Kansas

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The Best Camping Near Big Hill Lake, Kansas

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The Best Camping Near Clinton Lake, Kansas

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THE BEST CAMPING NEARCouncil Grove Lake, Kansas

About Council Grove Lake Camping

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