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Best Tent Camping near Council Grove Lake

265 Reviews

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

265 Reviews of 15 Council Grove Lake Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2019

    Cedar Point — Milford State Park

    Spacious, Shaded & Even

    Traveling to this State Park I didn't know much what to expect.   I did know that 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.    I can only imagine with the upcoming Labor Day weekend this will still be hot ticket!  

    When I checked out this campground the sites seemed larger and more spacious overall.   The upper loop still had that camping neighborhood vibe with sites clumped together a bit more closely but each was shaded and had a nice pull in and included a fire ring and picnic table, in some cases more than one.

    There was a nice restroom area which included showers, something many of the campgrounds did not have so this was a hot commodity for sure.   

    I can imagine this being a great location for RV campers with relatively even pull ins and for tents alike with lush grassy areas.   This campground did offer connections and water around camp.

    On the lower loop it was a Bir more secluded and felt more spacious.    I preferred the short walk to the restroom to keep that privacy.   

    Many of these sites were located on shoreline directly or on the cliffside of the area with great views.    Unfortunately these were also the ones which were more effected by the floods so only a portion of the area was able to be accessed.

    Tips:

    * 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.

    * Check the weather in advance.   There are many options for camping at the park when the weather has not been terrible but with limited sites available currently you will want to make sure you plan ahead with the weather and seek higher sites.

    * Bring your fishing pole or boat, this lake is amazing for fishing and has plenty of places you can launch your water vessel of choice.

Guide to Council Grove Lake

Tent camping near Council Grove Lake in Kansas offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying various amenities and activities.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy fishing and hiking trails at Kansas View - Council Grove Lake, where families have had great success with both.
  • Experience the beauty of the lake while playing frisbee in the fields at Kansas View, a perfect spot for outdoor games.
  • Take advantage of the peaceful surroundings at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, where you can fish during the day and enjoy quiet nights under the stars.

Local attractions to explore

Tent campers should check out these features

  • Kansas View - Council Grove Lake offers amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and fire pits, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • Experience the primitive charm of Outlet Park (KS), where you can enjoy the sounds of nature without modern distractions.
  • North Overlook Park (KS) provides a quiet setting perfect for picnics and sunset views, ideal for a relaxing day outdoors.

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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