Best Campgrounds near Fort Riley, KS

Camping options near Fort Riley, Kansas concentrate around Milford Lake, where several developed state park campgrounds accommodate a range of outdoor experiences. Milford State Park features multiple campground loops including Prairie View, Woodland Hills, Cedar Point, Walnut Grove, and Sunset Ridge, offering both lakeside primitive sites and full-hookup RV camping. Many campgrounds provide cabin rentals for those seeking more comfortable accommodations. Additional options include West Rolling Hills and Owl's Nest Campground in Junction City, approximately 10 miles southwest of Fort Riley, and Tuttle Creek State Park's River Pond Campground near Manhattan, about 15 miles northeast.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping at Milford Lake, particularly during rainy periods when flooding can affect lower-elevation sites. Prairie View Campground is especially vulnerable to flooding, with water levels occasionally limiting available sites during wet seasons. Most campgrounds offer electricity and water hookups, with several providing full sewer connections and shower facilities. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly. "Nice lake view, and quite. It was late July so pretty buggy outside the tent. Reservations were easy and the scenic drives around the lake are beautiful. Junction City is 10 minutes away for all your needs," noted one Milford Lake camper.

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with many sites offering direct lake views and shore access. Several campgrounds feature boat ramps and swimming areas, making them popular for fishing and water recreation. "We were in site 116, which our camper door faced a cove of the lake and the boat ramp. It was like there was no one else camping by us. We were able to launch our kayaks a few feet from our campsite which was nice," shared one visitor to Prairie View campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities include blue herons, golden eagles, and bald eagles. While primitive tent sites are available, many reviewers note that the region's campgrounds are particularly well-suited for RV camping, with numerous developed sites featuring level pads and hookups. Shaded sites are plentiful in certain campground loops, providing relief during hot Kansas summers.

Best Camping Sites Near Fort Riley, Kansas (73)

    1. West Rolling Hills

    11 Reviews
    Junction City, KS
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 784-4447

    $14 - $24 / night

    "Lake side spots. Friendly camp hosts. Great campground."

    "I did however discover the campground was locked and a sign had been placed at the entrance of the camp that it would not be opening again until April 2020."

    2. Woodland Hills — Milford State Park

    6 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    $10 - $22 / night

    "We stayed lakeside at one of the primitive sites. Nice lake view, and quite. It was late July so pretty buggy outside the tent."

    "There are clean restrooms and shower house, a dump, and access to trails. There are group sites near by with extra long tables, volleyball,basketball,horseshoes,and trails."

    3. Prairie View — Milford State Park

    5 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    $21 / night

    "Milford lake is a large beautiful lake near Junction City Kansas. There are 8 different campgrounds around the lake,3 cabin areas, multiple marinas and day use areas and swim beaches."

    "Great activities to do in lake and a fun splash pad for the kids. Lots of trails and equestrian trails to hike. Fishing was fun and I believe the lake is regularly stocked. Will stay here again."

    4. Acorn RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Milford, KS
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 463-4000

    "A very beautiful lake, this area is pristine clean and water clear. A very large lake with many areas of camping and fishing."

    "Nestled on a beautiful lake. Definitely will stay again!"

    5. River Pond Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park

    14 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    16 miles
    +1 (785) 539-7941

    $10 - $90 / night

    "The bathrooms were located by the camper areas and not the primitive area. Lots of room near the shelters for multiple tents. There was no management and they have a self pay system."

    "For the price you can’t beat the great location, views, and resources this place has to offer. Plenty of nice people who come and go year round and have plenty of privacy for camping and fishing."

    6. Cedar Point — Milford State Park

    5 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    "The outer spots put you right next to the lake. We love camping here."

    "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."

    7. COE Milford Lake Curtis Creek Park

    5 Reviews
    Milford, KS
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-5714

    $14 - $24 / night

    "A pit toilet close by and new playground equipment in A loop. I didn’t use the showerhouse, but it was a bit of a ways off outside our campground loop."

    "I stayed here as i was driving through Kansas, so it was just a quick overnight, but it was very beautiful and peaceful."

    8. Sunset Ridge — Milford State Park

    4 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    $10 - $80 / night

    "Covered pavilion with a view of the lake. We happened on it thru Dyrt on our way out to Yellowstone and it fit our needs exactly. Close to I-70, but you felt away from everything. Highly recommend."

    9. Walnut Grove — Milford State Park

    4 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    $10 / night

    "Access to the water. Safe cove of water away from boats. Big area. Near trails"

    "beautiful view watching sunsets over Milford lake as our camp site was right off the water."

    10. Owl's Nest Campground

    6 Reviews
    Junction City, KS
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-0778

    "One week stay in this little park, close to Junction City and Fort Riley. Full hookups in pull- thru half circle asphalt tar or back-in sites. Close to Hwy 70 with some noise."

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Fort Riley, KS

204 Reviews of 73 Fort Riley Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Richey Cove

    Richey Cove Camp Grounds.

    Reasonably priced at 23$ per night…including electricity.Covered picnic table and trees😁 A view of the lake from just about every site. Clean enough showers and toilet facilities. Camp just was very nice and helpful.

  • Zach L.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Calvin's RV & Tent Camping

    Calvin's RV

    A small RV park on the east edge of Wamego KS. Full electric (30A,50A, and 120V), water, and sanitary dump. Most sites are paved pull through sites. Booking online through Rover Pass was simple and affordable. There is a guest bathroom in the basement of the office building. We were greeted by the owner and the grounds are well maintained and quiet. Just 20 min from Manhattan.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Salina Campground

    Great stop over on our way west

    Very friendly check in. Full hook ups. Clean laundry room. Playground for the little ones. Right off the highway so the noise is expected but it’s a good price for a safe stop.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Smoky Hill RV Park

    Great one night stay

    Well-maintained campground. Very close to Highway 70 (you can hear the vehicles) and services (gas, restaurants, Walmart). Ideal for an overnight stay on the road. The sites are long (several large RVs on site), with services and picnic tables on cement patios. No fire pits on the sites (there is one in a common area). Modern bathrooms and showers. Everything is very clean. Laundry room ($0.25 required).

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake

    Nice and secluded!

    Not many insects, nice and secluded. Beautiful scenery, nice lake. Everything is perfect here. The only thing that make it better is if they had trash cans, potable water and a grey water dump.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

    Thumbs up

    Nice place by the lake. Has a worn out picnic table and a fire ring. Can’t beat free campground tho.

  • papa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Acorn RV Resort

    Beautifull lake

    A very beautiful lake, this area is pristine clean and water clear. A very large lake with many areas of camping and fishing.

  • papa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    River Pond State Park Campground

    Love this place

    Rocky ford campground is the most awsome in the area.very shady and many activities, rent a conoe, kayake stand up boards, very good fishing.

  • Edith L.
    Jun. 13, 2025

    West Rolling Hills

    Wonderful Campground!

    The host was very friendly and helpful. The lake is peaceful. The sites are far apart, some have large trees, and all seemed to be by the lake. There are many shower stalls with no need for quarters. We got a site with full hookups at half the regular $24, with a senior pass. All of this for $12! Oh, did I mentioned that we are far from the I-70, with rolling hills and trees? We highly recommend it!


Guide to Fort Riley

Camping spots near Fort Riley, Kansas center around Milford Lake and nearby water bodies where options range from primitive shoreline sites to full-hookup RV spaces. The region sits at approximately 1,080 feet elevation with hot, humid summers often reaching 90°F and mild spring and fall seasons. Winter camping requires preparation for occasional snow and temperatures that can drop below freezing.

What to do

Fishing access: At West Rolling Hills, campers find easy shoreline fishing opportunities. "This is a great place to spend the day. It has easy access for fishing, a nice little playground for the kids and a decent beach for swimming," notes one visitor.

Kayaking from campsites: Riverside sites at Prairie View — Milford State Park offer direct water access for paddlers. "We were able to launch our kayaks a few feet from our campsite which was nice," shares a camper who stayed at site 116.

Trail exploration: Multiple hiking trails surround the camping areas. "There's trails, mudding areas, and areas called ledges for climbing. We will definitely be returning again!" reports a visitor to River Pond Campground.

Wildlife viewing: The region hosts substantial bird populations. "We were able to see a few blue heron and a Golden and a bald eagle," reports a Prairie View camper, highlighting unexpected wildlife viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Site spacing: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing at West Rolling Hills. "The spots are nice. Every third is a pull in non reservable site. Lake side spots. Friendly camp hosts. Great campground," explains one regular visitor.

Accessibility to supplies: The proximity to larger towns provides convenient access to necessities. "Junction City is 10 minutes away for all your needs," notes a Milford Lake visitor, while another mentions "Junction City about 15 minutes away for groceries & services."

Covered picnic areas: Sunset Ridge — Milford State Park offers weather protection at sites. "Each site has a covered picnic shelter and grill. The sites are nice and spacious," explains a camper who visited the area.

Beach access: Swimming options exist at multiple locations. "Milford lake is a large beautiful lake near Junction City Kansas. There are 8 different campgrounds around the lake, 3 cabin areas, multiple marinas and day use areas and swim beaches," notes one visitor.

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Some areas close during colder months. "This area looks fabulous. I was looking forward to staying here in early November, but it was closed. All the Corps campgrounds close for the winter," reports a visitor to West Rolling Hills.

Flood potential: Water levels significantly impact site availability. "This campground is prone to lower sites flooding when rains are abundant," cautions a reviewer about Prairie View Campground.

Blue-green algae: Water quality concerns occasionally arise. "Only downside is the blue-green algae made it unsafe to swim but that is not a fault of the campground," notes a camper at Curtis Creek.

Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. "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," explains a visitor to Owl's Nest Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Playground options: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "There is an older playground near the boat ramp and a much nicer and newer one located closest to the larger parking area and largest pavilion," reports a camper at Cedar Point — Milford State Park.

Life jacket availability: Safety equipment is provided at some swimming areas. "This campground has water access and a beach area. I think it's so neat how they have life jackets hanging in case you didn't bring any," notes a visitor to Woodland Hills.

Off-road exploration: Families with appropriate vehicles can access special recreation zones. "The orv area was amazing to take the jeeps out to! There's trails, mudding areas, and areas called ledges for climbing," enthuses a visitor to River Pond Campground.

Group camping facilities: Designated areas accommodate larger family gatherings. "There are group sites near by with extra long tables, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, and trails," explains a Woodland Hills camper.

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Some areas present difficulties for tent campers but work well for RVs. "While our family loved the scenery this is not a lake for tent camping. Unless you like sleeping at an angle. Very limited tent camping as well. This lake is made for those with RVS," advises a visitor to Cedar Point.

Seasonal site selection: During wet periods, RV campers should target higher elevation sites. "With limited sites available currently you will want to make sure you plan ahead with the weather and seek higher sites," recommends a reviewer at Walnut Grove — Milford State Park.

Self-pay systems: Many campgrounds operate without staff. "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," advises a Cedar Point visitor.

Contactless check-in: Some private campgrounds offer streamlined arrival procedures. "I would stay here again for one night in a pinch but would not enjoy being here long-term. I did like the contactless check-in," notes a visitor to Owl's Nest Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make reservations for Fort Riley Campground?

Reservations for camping near Fort Riley can be made online. Prairie View — Milford State Park, located close to Fort Riley, allows online reservations through their official booking system. The park offers multiple campgrounds with beautiful lake views. For other nearby options, COE Milford Lake Curtis Creek Park offers reservable sites with water and electric hookups. For last-minute stays, some campgrounds may have self-registration available if you arrive after hours, where you can fill out information and payment details at the entrance.

What amenities are available at Fort Riley RV Park?

Fort Riley area RV parks typically offer full hookups with water, electric, and sewer connections. Owl's Nest Campground near Fort Riley features pull-through and back-in sites on asphalt pads with full hookups. The campground includes laundry facilities and shower areas for campers. While small, it's well-laid out and offers daily, weekly, and monthly rates. For those seeking alternatives near Fort Riley, Rocky Ford Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park provides shaded sites with full hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits in a more natural setting with water views.

What recreational activities are available at the Camp Center Fort Riley?

The Fort Riley area offers abundant recreational activities centered around water and outdoor pursuits. River Pond State Park Campground provides easy access to walking trails and water activities with clean facilities. At Stockdale near Fort Riley, campers can enjoy strong digital TV signals for entertainment while using the campground as a base to explore nearby attractions including Manhattan, KS and the Oz Museum in Wamego. The greater Fort Riley region also features Milford Lake with swimming beaches, marinas, fishing opportunities, and even an equestrian campground with stalls and riding trails.