Best Campgrounds near Fort Scott, KS
Fort Scott, Kansas provides several camping options within a short drive of the historic downtown area. Gunn Park, located within city limits, offers camping with electric hookups, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails along a small lake. Just a few miles outside town, Bourbon County Fairgrounds Campground features basic RV sites with electric hookups and a dump station. The region includes both private RV parks like Crossroads RVs and Cabins, which offers full hookup sites and cabin rentals, and state park options like Crawford State Park approximately 20 miles south with lakeside camping areas for tents and RVs.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with fuller services available from May through September. "We stayed at Rocky Cove Campground on the lake. The lake itself is dotted with campgrounds. Rocky Cove has concrete pad sites, nice and level, both on and away from the lake," noted one camper about Crawford State Park. Water access is a key feature at many sites, though facilities vary considerably between locations. Gunn Park's camping area has basic restrooms but no showers, while Crawford State Park offers more complete facilities including showers and laundry. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-95°F with high humidity, making water access particularly valuable during peak season.
Lakefront camping consistently receives positive reviews throughout the Fort Scott area. Crawford State Park's various campgrounds provide water-based recreation with both primitive and developed camping areas. "The bathrooms and office are close during winter season. There is a nice beach area and playground in the park. Easy self-pay kiosk. Roads and camp spots in good condition," reported one visitor about Rocky Cove Campground. Fairground camping offers convenience to town amenities but less privacy than park settings. Some campers mention that Fort Scott Lake is tent camping only with no amenities like water, electric or bathrooms, making it suitable primarily for self-sufficient campers. Most developed campgrounds in the region accept both tent and RV camping, though hookup availability varies significantly between locations.
