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Best Tent Camping near Council Grove Lake

270 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Council Grove Lake in Kansas provides several tent camping options within the Flint Hills region. Kansas View at Council Grove Lake offers tent-only sites with water views and basic amenities. This established campground maintains a 5.0 rating and features picnic tables, water hookups, and allows fires. For those seeking primitive tent camping experiences, Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, located about 30 minutes from Interstate 70, provides free tent campsites with both drive-in and walk-in access options. Cedar Point at Milford State Park, though primarily designed for various camping styles, includes tent-friendly areas with shaded sites.

Tent campsites at Council Grove Lake typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of amenities. Kansas View offers water hookups but no electric connections, making it suitable for traditional tent camping. Pit toilets are available at most locations, though shower facilities are limited. Weather conditions can affect site availability, particularly after heavy rains when some areas become muddy and difficult to access. Summer temperatures can be hot, so shaded sites are valuable for tent campers. Campfire regulations are generally permissive, with fires allowed at most locations, though campers should check current fire restrictions during dry periods.

The tent camping experience around Council Grove Lake features lakeside sites with fishing opportunities and water access. Many tent campsites are positioned along the shoreline, providing scenic views and easy water access for kayaking or fishing. According to reviews, Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 offers particularly peaceful tent camping with minimal crowds. One visitor noted, "This was one of our favorite spots because it wasn't overly populated. The wildlife was great." Walk-in tent sites at some locations provide additional privacy and a more secluded backcountry feel. Local fishermen frequent the area during daylight hours but typically clear out by evening, creating quiet nights for tent campers. Morning sunrises over the lake are particularly noteworthy from lakeside tent sites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Council Grove Lake (15)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Council Grove Lake

4 Photos of 15 Council Grove Lake Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Council Grove Lake

270 Reviews of 15 Council Grove Lake Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Cedar Park

    Beautiful area.

    Great area, friendly guests even the kids showing up on the weekends were well behaved. One vault toilet they maintain the best they can. Area is patrolled by Park Rangers and law enforcement, not sure if local, county, or state. While there the park placed plaques marking site numbers and eventually they will add a kiosk that will have a QR code for payment, they were not sure what the fee would be (free for now). The sites are huge and not right on top of each other, they offer a picnic table, fire ring, and a gravel parking spot for your camper or grassy areas for tents. Very dusty roads getting here but worth it. Watch out for wildlife, deer, turkeys, and vultures are always on the roads including the pup that chases you're truck, just down the road from here, lol. Hope this helps, Happy camping you all!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2021

    Canning Creek

    Not a bad site in the entire campground!

    General: Canning Creek is one of six camping areas operated by the US Army Corp of Engineers on Council Grove Lake. It is spread out on the lake so that all but four sites- 24, 26, 27& 28 (and the group camping areas) are directly on the water. Even though there were only a handful of people camping when we were there on a Monday in mid-April, there was an attendant on duty until 8 pm. 

    Site Quality/Facilities: Most sites have generous concrete pads, some of which could easily accommodate two vehicles, a concrete picnic table (covered by a shelter), a bbq, and a lantern hook. Some sites are reservable and others are not. The rates are very reasonable, as they are for all CoE campgrounds, especially for seniors. All sites have reasonable separation between them. On the map, sites 6-23 look to be very close together but they are reasonably distanced apart. Sites 1-5 (which are not reservable) have very long pull-through drives. All sites (except the group sites) have electric and water and some have 50 amp (these are noted on the map) 

    Bathhouse: Some loops have vault toilets (which were very clean), some have flush toilets, and some have flush toilet/shower combos. None have soap dispensers. We were in site 46 with access to one of the combos. I appreciated the hot water, especially since we woke to snow the next morning! Sites 1-23 have a vault toilet but there is a flush facility within reasonable walking distance. 

    Activities/Amenities: Swimming, fishing, and boating in season but we were passing through, so we did not participate. Minimal playground facilities (mostly in the loop with sites 1-23) and horseshoe pits. There was a hiking trail, but I did not explore it. 

    We always have a good experience at a CoE campground – they are well run, clean, affordable and, of course, located on or near water. My only beef is that check-in time is 6 pm, although if it is not crowded, you could check in earlier.

  • T
    Jun. 21, 2022

    Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

    Peace and quiet

    Nice spot to pull in for the night. Lots of spots on Sunday night in June. A few fisherman and kayakers out. Lots of shade and level spots for rvs. Can’t swim but dog had fun in lake. Water smelled fishy. Lots of trash laying around. Leave no trace people!

  • Joey B.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Farnum Creek

    Great spot for on the lake views and weekend camping.

    Went with a buddy for tent camping 1 night this August. Clean area with plenty of firewood and a picnic table. Paid 14$ for a campsite, grass definitely could of been trimmed at our designated campsite. card only at the entrance because of COVID-19 at the moment. We camped right across from the boat ramp but was still a beautiful view

  • Vanessa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2020

    Chase State Fishing Lake

    Primitive and quiet

    There are several areas to set up camp, each area has different advantages: proximity to vault toilets, picnic tables, privacy... The area is easy to navigate and sites are lakeside.

  • T
    Jul. 31, 2018

    North Richey Cove

    Custer Campground north of Richey Cove

    Primitive sites. Vault toilets, bbq, covered picnic tables and fire rings. 3 tents allowed per site. You can shower at the north Richey campground. All are close to the lake and there is a boat ramp at the entrance. Small campground with maybe 12 sites.

  • Christina H.
    Apr. 23, 2021

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Primitive camping was small and exposed, but fun

    The fivestar loop is decent for tent camping. The sites were fairly small and jammed next to each other, and half of them didn't have great tree cover, but they all have a nice firepit and picnic table.  It was super duper windy off of the lake for us, so be ready for wind.  Bathrooms were nice and clean and the staff were very nice.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Beautiful place - big rig friendly

    So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic! Beautiful area, campfire rings in several locations, and our 43' Rv navigated smoothly (well, husband navigated smoothly!) Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads....leave no trace, and enjoy!

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Cedar Point — Milford State Park

    Spacious primitive sites

    Cedar point has some very spacious primitive and tent sites. There are also some with electric and water. Some of the sites in this campground have nice water views. Most have fire rings and tables. There are restrooms, bath house, trash receptacles and a dump. There is also a swim beach and a hiking trail. It’s a very pretty area and this park has wildlife to view like the large flock of turkey vultures who live in the dead trees of cedar point.

Guide to Council Grove Lake

Council Grove Lake in Kansas offers tent camping opportunities within a flat to gently rolling landscape at approximately 1,300 feet elevation. Located in the Flint Hills region, the area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cold winters. Camping sites are positioned at various elevations around the 2,600-acre reservoir, with water levels that can fluctuate seasonally.

What to do

Kayaking access points: Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 provides easy shoreline access for launching kayaks in a protected cove. One camper noted, "Great for kayaking. Couple geocaches as well. I live near by and have gone every month of the year."

Fishing year-round: Walnut Grove — Milford State Park offers excellent fishing opportunities with boat ramps and slips available. "The lake has excellent fishing," reports one visitor, while another mentioned their site was in a "Safe cove of water away from boats."

Trail exploration: Multiple walking paths surround the camping areas. A visitor to Cedar Point noted, "There's also a few trails around the lake that were nice to run on with the pups!" Some trails connect different camping areas, allowing campers to explore more of the shoreline on foot.

What campers like

Peaceful mornings: The quiet atmosphere, especially on weekdays, creates ideal conditions for early risers. A camper at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 shared, "Beautiful sunrise on the lake. Wildlife heard all around. I enjoyed my stay."

Sunset views: Lakefront sites provide spectacular evening views. At North Overlook Park, one visitor remarked, "Its a nice quiet place for a picnic with a decent playground for the kids to play. Its also a great place to watch the sunset."

Wildlife watching: Multiple camping areas offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 shared, "We saw a beautiful owl that flew between the trees," while another mentioned, "had some beaver neighbors catching fish all night."

What you should know

Variable road conditions: Access roads to some sites can be challenging, especially after rain. A visitor to Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 warned, "Pretty rough access road. Gravel + washout + steep hill down to lake level."

Pit toilet availability: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. One camper noted, "The toilets weren't the cleanest but it was nice to have them," while others mentioned no facilities at all at some locations.

Campsite leveling challenges: Some areas require work to set up tents properly. A reviewer at Cedar Point — Milford State Park observed, "Very limited tent camping as well. This lake is made for those with RVs."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Kansas View offers recreational spaces for children. One visitor mentioned, "Depending on where you went there were nice fields to play frisbee in."

Storm safety planning: Weather can change quickly in the region. A visitor to Cedar Point noted, "The state parks weather alerts could be followed online easily and there are tornado sirens in the park with shelters nearby."

Youth group opportunities: Scout troops and youth organizations frequently use the lake for outdoor education. One camper shared, "Spend three nights with the cub scouts on this lake. We had lots of success with fishing and the kids really enjoyed some of the hiking trails."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: When booking, consider space limitations at primitive sites. A camper at Walnut Grove — Milford State Park reported, "Primitive site was a bit tight to pull a 36' fifth wheel into, but it's what we signed up for in a pinch."

Seasonal access considerations: Spring flooding can limit available camping spots. One visitor noted, "A lot of the camping was not accessible because of the recent flooding but they did maintain the self pay station for those wanting to snag the limited sites available."

Payment preparation: Not all locations accept credit cards. A camper advised, "Book Online or carry cash, there is no fee station currently and self pay is the only option. This does not allow you to use card."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Council Grove Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Council Grove Lake is Kansas View - Council Grove Lake with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Council Grove Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Council Grove Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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