Council Grove Lake in Kansas spans 3,300 acres at an elevation of 1,322 feet with six Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds surrounding its shoreline. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring typically offering highest levels for boating access. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making shaded campsites particularly valuable during peak camping season from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Council Grove Lake contains multiple species including crappie, catfish, and walleye. Canning Creek campers report successful fishing directly from their sites, with one visitor noting they "took the kayak down with us and drive around the lake to the beach area and had a great time."
Wildlife viewing: The lake area supports diverse wildlife including wild turkeys. A camper at Canning Creek mentioned, "Saw 15 turkeys at the wild like area," making morning and evening walks productive for wildlife spotting.
Waterfall exploration: Though not directly at Council Grove Lake, Geary State Fishing Lake is within driving distance and offers a unique waterfall feature. "A small hike and you're at the waterfall. We visited in mid September and the falls were just a trickle. I guess in spring it's at full force."
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide beach access for swimming. Richey Cove South features "a nice sandy beach! Part of it cordoned off for just swimmers to enjoy. Also a boat ramp and dock."
What campers like
Spacious camping pads: Many campsites feature well-designed concrete pads. At COE Council Grove Lake Canning Creek Cove, campers appreciate the "cozy site with lake access. Covered picnic table, lake view, good fishing."
Affordable pricing: Corps of Engineers campgrounds maintain reasonable rates. According to a camper at Richey Cove, sites are "reasonably priced at 23$ per night...including electricity. Covered picnic table and trees. A view of the lake from just about every site."
Covered picnic tables: Most developed sites include covered concrete picnic tables, providing shade during meals. A camper at Canning Creek noted, "Great camping pads with covered picnic tables and built in grills."
Campground maintenance: The Corps of Engineers maintains clean facilities. One camper at Canning Creek described it as "very clean, large private showers, with enough hot water. Daily trash pick up."
What you should know
Reservation systems: Most Council Grove Lake campgrounds use recreation.gov for bookings. A camper at Richey Cove advises: "Go to recreation.gov for fast and easy sign in and go!"
Check-in timing: Corps of Engineers campgrounds have specific check-in policies. A visitor to Canning Creek noted: "My only beef is that check-in time is 6 pm, although if it is not crowded, you could check in earlier."
Cell service limitations: Some areas have limited connectivity. At Canning Creek Cove, a camper reported "Poor cell coverage with Verizon," which affects planning for those needing to stay connected.
Site availability: Weekend occupancy rates can be high during summer months. Most campgrounds have both reservable and first-come-first-served sites, with reservations recommended for holidays and summer weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Limited playground facilities exist in select camping areas. A visitor to Canning Creek noted there are "minimal playground facilities (mostly in the loop with sites 1-23) and horseshoe pits."
Swimming areas: For families with children, Santa Fe Trail offers lakeside access. A camper mentioned, "Campgrounds at Santa Fe are not crammed together, plenty of room, most with shelters and firepits."
Supply access: Council Grove town provides convenient access to supplies. According to one camper, "the town of Council Grove is 10 minutes away" for groceries and camping essentials.
Dog-friendly swimming spots: For those seeking dog friendly campgrounds at Council Grove Lake, several areas allow pets to swim in designated sections. Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds welcome dogs throughout their facilities, requiring they remain leashed when not swimming.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Most Council Grove Lake campgrounds offer electric hookups with varying amperage. At Richey Cove, campers note they "have nice paved spots with water and electrical hookup (30/50)."
Pull-through accessibility: Certain campgrounds feature pull-through sites ideal for larger rigs. At Canning Creek, "Sites 1-5 (which are not reservable) have very long pull-through drives," making them suitable for bigger RVs.
Site leveling: Most developed sites have level gravel pads. A visitor to Canning Creek observed, "Sites are fairly level and good size with a gravel pad," reducing the need for extensive leveling equipment.
Dump station location: Canning Creek provides a sanitary dump station for RVers. Since not all campgrounds around Council Grove Lake offer sewer hookups, knowing dump station locations helps when planning longer stays.
