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."
Ranger
