Located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas at approximately 1,300 feet elevation, Council Grove offers diverse glamping options beyond standard camping facilities. The area experiences hot summers with average July temperatures reaching 90°F and mild winters with occasional snowfall. Council Grove's camping areas provide access to several lakes with fishing opportunities and designated swimming areas throughout the warmer months.
What to do
Kayaking on Milford Lake: At French Creek Cove, visitors can enjoy paddling across the nearly 7,000-acre lake with boat access through a small dock. One camper notes, "One of the nicer lakes I've been to, and cheap, the road is a little rough, but it's a neat place. Boat dock is very steep, small boats only."
Wildlife viewing: Eisenhower State Park provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching in grassy fields along the reservoir. According to a visitor, "Very scenic grassy fields and trees along a reservoir that has fishing, boating, & canoeing. Great birds for birding. Great lakeside campsites."
Swimming at Tuttle Creek Cove: The park offers a designated beach area perfect for summer swimming less than an hour's drive from Council Grove. A camper shared, "There is a nice beach area to swim, we rented kayaks and canoes for a leisurely paddle around the lake."
What campers like
Spacious campsites at Eisenhower State Park: Sites feature substantial distance between neighbors and many offer direct water access. One review states, "This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. At the end of May, it was almost empty. We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water. In fairness, most sites are on the water or have a water view. Spectacular sunsets."
Quiet weekday stays at Pomona State Park Campground: For those seeking peace during their luxury outdoor stay, weekday glamping provides significantly quieter experiences. A camper observed, "The park is very quiet 7/26/22. My wife is working, and I am setting and listening to the soothing sounds of nature, and trying not to fall asleep. Absolutely beautiful."
Shaded sites at Curtis Creek Milford Lake: Many campsites offer tree coverage for protection from summer heat. According to one visitor, "I stayed in spot A18, and if you are tent camping I would choose that one if you can. It is the last spot in the row of sites and is bordered on two other sides by the lake so you can have an uninterrupted view."
What you should know
Campsite reservation timing: For Eisenhower State Park Campground, online reservations must be made 48 hours in advance. One visitor notes, "Online reservations must be made 48 hrs in advance, otherwise, it's day by day."
Road conditions: Some glamping locations near Council Grove require traveling on unpaved roads. A French Creek Cove visitor shared, "Very nice spots, it is a cove off of the main lake nestled way back of the main, very dusty dirt road getting here but very nice spots."
Seasonal blue-green algae: Water conditions can affect swimming safety during summer months. A camper at Curtis Creek mentioned, "We booked the buddy sites to have an extra large site beside the beach area and it was worth it. All sites seemed well kept and level. Only downside is the blue-green algae made it unsafe to swim."
Tips for camping with families
Bring insect protection: Mosquitoes and chiggers can be prevalent in Kansas summer months. A camper at Randolph — Tuttle Creek State Park advised, "My husband and I stayed in a site with beautiful trees and sunflowers growing all around us. The monarchs must have been migrating because they were all over the trees. Bring bug spray, as the mosquitoes and chiggers were biting!"
Check playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. A visitor at Curtis Creek Milford Lake reported, "This was a good place to stay. It had water and electric for utilities. A pit toilet close by and new playground equipment in A loop."
Monitor poison ivy: Keep children away from affected areas. A Curtis Creek visitor warned, "If you bring kids keep away from tree trunks as I saw some poison ivy starting to grow at the base of several trees."
Tips from RVers
Level site options: Owl's Nest Campground provides flat parking for easy setup. One RVer shared, "This campground is Small, but a well laid out campground. They have daily, weekly and monthly rates. There are Full hook ups, pull thru and back in sites, so it's convenient no matter what you are driving. They nice level spots and definitely well maintained."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some Council Grove area glamping sites. A visitor noted, "I would give this place 3.5 stars for the visual atmosphere, however, given the noise levels from the interstate and highway, I can't give it four. It has lots of trees but they don't seem to do much to block the constant noise."
Utilities available: Most glamping sites offer electric hookups, but sewer connections vary. According to a reviewer at Sunset Ridge — Milford State Park, "Sunset Ridge is a small tenting campground along side sunset cabins. Sunset ridge is nicely shaded. Each site has a covered picnic shelter and grill. The sites are nice and spacious."
