RV campgrounds near Dodge City, Kansas provide convenient access to western Kansas attractions with most sites offering level pull-through spaces for easy parking. The area sits at approximately 2,500 feet elevation with typical high prairie terrain characterized by rolling grasslands and relatively flat landscapes. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, making seasonal considerations important when planning a stay.
What to do
Historic attractions: 30 minutes or less from most Gunsmoke RV Park sites, Dodge City's Boot Hill Museum and historic downtown area showcase the town's western heritage. "We stopped here for the night. There are a lot of stores not far down the street," reports camper Smitty S.
Horse viewing: Free entertainment at Cimarron RV Park where guests can observe nearby horse facilities. "Just to the North of the park is what appears to be a horse ranch and to our pleasant surprise there were no less than 16 to 20 very young colts with their mothers," notes one visitor.
Water recreation: 30 miles north of Dodge City at Horse Thief Reservoir, where boating, swimming and fishing are available. A camper observes, "I don't fish but see and hear fish jumping all the time. It's new so the trees haven't grown to provide a ton of shade yet."
What campers like
Wide site spacing: Many campers appreciate generous site dimensions at certain parks. At Gunsmoke, "Sites 50 through 82 are in the back away from the highway and very quiet... 50 to 82 have 20 feet of grassy space between sites," notes Paul Y.
Affordable overnight options: Budget-conscious travelers can find economical sites throughout the area. At Prairie Wind RV Park in Montezuma, campers enjoy "30 and 50 amp hookups, sewer and water. All for only $20/night. Each slot is a gravel drive with a concrete pad on the side that has a concrete picnic table."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise. At 4 Aces RV Park in Kinsley, visitors note "It was a clean, quiet campground. The bathrooms were clean. Parking pads were level."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway and train noise affects certain sites in the area. At Gunsmoke RV Park, "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."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds remain open year-round, but some have limited seasons. Gunsmoke RV Park operates "Mid January - Mid December" according to their listing.
Bathroom facilities vary: Some parks offer full facilities while others have limited amenities. At Greensburg RV, visitors report "The bathroom and laundry room was very clean. This is a basic campsite but they've done a wonderful job with value for the money."
Shade availability: Tree cover is limited at many campgrounds in this prairie region. At Horse Thief Reservoir, campers note "It doesn't have much if any shade, so bring your own. Otherwise it is a great place to stay, especially if you have a boat."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some Dodge City RV campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children during summer months. At Gunsmoke RV Park, one visitor mentioned, "There's a vice of 50 or 30 amp power, water, dump, showers/bathrooms, laundry, game room and pool."
Grocery proximity: When camping with kids, easy access to supplies is essential. Multiple parks offer nearby shopping. One camper at Cimarron RV Park noted it's "just a short walk across the street to White's Foodliner which has all the conveniences of a small town grocery store plus serves food."
Security features: For family safety, some RV parks provide controlled access. A Gunsmoke visitor explained, "They have a code on the entrance gate and bathroom and laundry doors. The gate is open during the day and closes at night."
Tips from RVers
After-hours arrival procedures: Many RV campgrounds near Dodge City accommodate late arrivals. "We had to arrive after office closure and the owner was very accommodating about sending our space number, map to the site, and codes by text," reports one Gunsmoke RV Park guest.
Big rig positioning: Parks have different approaches to accommodating large vehicles. At Gunsmoke, "They made these front sites big rig friendly by using the site next to yours for unhooking your tow or towed vehicle."
Wind protection strategies: The Kansas prairie experiences significant wind. At Gunsmoke RV Park, one visitor learned "it is very windy here, so awnings are not used very often."
Utility reliability: Electrical service quality varies between parks. At Watersports Campground, "Many 30 amp less 50 amps, water at every site and a dump station."
