Campgrounds near Dodge City sit in southwest Kansas at approximately 2,500 feet elevation where the high plains climate brings hot summers and cool winters with frequent winds. Most camping options cluster within a 30-mile radius of the city with limited tree cover due to the region's prairie ecosystem.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Ford State Fishing Lake offers free primitive camping with no hookups for those wanting to cast a line. "A favorite local fishing spot, but cleared out by nightfall," notes Lena H. about this no-frills location where boondocking-style camping is available.
Water recreation: At Horse Thief Reservoir, campers can enjoy boating, swimming, and water sports about an hour from Dodge City. "A quick hour drive from Garden City and you can be on the water or setting up your camper," reports Cody. The reservoir provides a welcome water feature in the otherwise dry plains.
Local attractions: Dodge City KOA puts visitors within walking distance of downtown. "Within walking distance is a super affordable water park, free zoo, playground, and Boot Hill Museum," shares Samantha S. The location makes it convenient for exploring western heritage sites.
What campers like
Spacious sites: At Gunsmoke RV Park, the layout receives consistent praise for site separation. "This Campground has one of the most separated sites of the places we've stayed. Most of the sites at the rear part of the park have spaces separated by one's own grassy area and trees," reports Grace D.
Concrete pads: Campers appreciate the solid surfaces at Dodge City KOA which make setup easier. "Nice large concrete pads. Plenty of grassy area behind site 27 for kids to play," notes Dustin S., highlighting a feature that stands out in a region where many campgrounds offer only gravel surfaces.
Budget-friendly options: Free camping at Ford State Fishing Lake appeals to cost-conscious travelers. "Free camping" and "nice FREE camping" appear in reviews, with Angela H. adding, "The sites are gravel and have their own picnic tables."
What you should know
Wind conditions: The plains location means wind is a common factor at campgrounds. At Horse Thief Reservoir, "It doesn't have much if any shade, so bring your own," warns Shawn, while another reviewer at Gunsmoke notes, "Come to find out, it is very windy here, so awnings are not used very often."
Variable site quality: At Boot Hill Casino, which offers free overnight parking for self-contained units, site selection matters. "Finding a level spot was not easy. It wouldn't have mattered as much, but the 35-40 mph spring winds with gusts made it necessary," reports Nancy C.
Weekend busyness: Some campgrounds experience local traffic on weekends. At Ford County State Park, one camper advises: "My suggestion would be to stay here during the week and not on a Saturday night. We had a group about 50 feet away who wanted to fiesta all night instead of siesta all night. They kept us up until 3 AM."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Families staying at Dodge City KOA benefit from proximity to kid-friendly attractions. "Within walking distance of a super affordable water park, free zoo, playground, and Boot Hill Museum," writes Samantha S., making this one of the best places to camp near Dodge City for families.
Play spaces: Look for campgrounds with dedicated areas for children. "Behind our site and a bunch others is a large grassy area perfect for kids to play," notes one reviewer about Dodge City KOA.
Swimming options: Cimarron RV Park offers basic amenities at reasonable rates, while Horse Thief Reservoir provides swimming access. "Great camp ground with clean and maintained amenities. Having a lake this close is a treat even if it's not a big lake," shares Matthew G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Gunsmoke RV Park, experienced RVers recommend specific site numbers. "Sites 50 through 82 are in the back away from the highway and very quiet. 33 through 44 are back in sites and front the highway and are noisier," advises Paul Y.
Highway noise considerations: Several campgrounds near Dodge City sit close to highways or railroads. At Gunsmoke, a reviewer notes, "We could not open our awning in the first assigned spot, so the staff was accommodating and moved us over one spot."
Overnight parking options: For travelers just passing through, Blue RV Park offers easy access. "If you're looking for an easy off-on with large rig-friendly pull-through pads, this is your spot," says Connie O. The Boot Hill Casino also permits overnight RV parking, with Nancy C. noting, "We stayed 1 night, but felt certain that multiple nights wouldn't have been a problem."
