Best Tent Camping near Fort Riley, KS
Tent campsites near Fort Riley, Kansas include several established options within a short drive of the military installation. Milford State Park offers two distinct tent camping areas: Walnut Grove Campground and Cedar Point. Walnut Grove provides primitive tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables, many positioned along the shoreline of Milford Lake. Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, located approximately 30 minutes from Interstate 70, offers free tent camping with basic amenities.
Most tent sites in the Fort Riley area feature dirt or gravel surfaces with minimal leveling, which can present challenges during rainy periods. Pottawatomie County State Lake provides pit toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supply. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at most locations, though their condition varies. Milford State Park's tent areas include restrooms and shower facilities, making them suitable for longer stays. During summer months, shade becomes a critical consideration, with Walnut Grove offering tree cover that Cedar Point sometimes lacks for tent campers.
Areas farther from the main campgrounds provide deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking quiet experiences. The shoreline tent sites at Pottawatomie County State Lake offer excellent fishing access and wildlife viewing opportunities, with minimal light pollution for stargazing. Ottawa State Fishing Lake provides primitive tent camping with no electric hookups or water, creating a more immersive outdoor experience. According to one visitor, "Pottawatomie County State Lake was completely empty on a Monday night in early September and I woke up with a picnic table and a fire pit next to a calm lake with jumping fish." Tent campers frequently report seeing owls, beavers, and other wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk when the fishing areas become less crowded.
