Tom O.
Guide
GuideCircle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Awesome location
Beautiful surroundings. Very clean park. Convenient restroom and shower facilities.
Equestrian Camping near Garden City, KS
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Scott State Park provides equestrian trails for horseback riding enthusiasts visiting Garden City, Kansas. Located in Scott City, approximately 70 miles north of Garden City, the park features camping options with access to horse-friendly trails. Equestrian trails wind through the scenic park landscape, offering riders views of the lake and surrounding terrain. The park maintains campsites across multiple areas including Elm Grove and Circle Drive campgrounds, with both offering tent and RV sites with electric hookups and water access. Sites in these campgrounds can accommodate horse trailers with proper parking arrangements. Equestrian trails remain accessible year-round, though seasonal conditions may affect riding opportunities.
Trail riders can access multiple routes throughout Scott State Park with trailheads located near camping areas. Camping options include electric and water hookups suitable for RVs and horse trailers, with tent sites also available. Both Elm Grove and Circle Drive campgrounds provide facilities that support equestrian activities, including space for trailer parking. Riders appreciate the well-maintained trails that traverse varied terrain around the lake. The park's natural setting creates an ideal environment for day rides, with most trails being manageable for riders of various experience levels. Water access points along trails allow horses to drink during outings. Campers should note that while bathroom facilities are available throughout the park, they may have limited service during off-season periods. Scott State Park serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby natural attractions, including Monument Rocks and Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Garden City (3)
1. Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park
"This was our last stop in our Tour de Kansas. The landscape felt more like the west than the flatlands of Kansas we had come to love. We pulled in on a Thurs. The campground was almost empty."
"Boat access for fishing but it's a no wake lake Rv spots fill up quickly so reserve ahead of time.
Lots of walk up sites available
Equestrian and hiking trails
Historical sites"
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $21 - $22 / night
2. Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park
"Driving through Kansas and coming up on this park and it's views made it a great spot to stop at along the way. Able to pull up to campsites and park next to your tent area."
"It was around 40 some miles from the Interstate& all we saw were fields upon fields & no trees. The husband was grumbling when we turned off on the road to Lake Scott."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Lakeside Campground
"Great sites friendly staff Equestrian trails
Frisbee golf course
Well painted swimming area
Small store for essentials and bait. Mr. Larry is the best!"
Check Availabilityfrom $13 - $24 / night
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 15 min from Wichita, KS
- 3 hrs 32 min from Pueblo, CO
- 3 hrs 32 min from Amarillo, TX
- 4 hrs 5 min from Enid, OK
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Garden City, KS
28 Reviews of 3 Garden City Campgrounds
- DDev T.
TravelerCircle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Stunning lakeside views spacious sites
This campground is one of the best I’ve ever been to. I even learned that it made National Geographic’s top 20 campgrounds you can’t miss and I can see why. We pulled up to our campsite and it was very spacious with lots of grass and space between sites. Getting into the park was super easy. There is no gate or gate code needed since it is open 24/7 (confirmed with park service). You can come at any time of day, there is an honor system where you can pay $5 per vehicle and $20 a campsite if you come by needing somewhere to stay for the night. It seems like every site had a beautiful view of the canyon and lake the camp was situated in. There is a bathhouse with showers and bathrooms but you have to drive to it it is about .25 miles from the sites. There is a playground for kids, fishing, a camp store. Vault bathrooms closer to the groups of sites. The weather was so ideal when we visited in June of this year. I would definitely come back to visit.
- ssKenyonTraveler
Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Beautiful grounds & lake
Gorgeous scenery but sites are on gravel or grass & not always level for our 30' 5th wheel. Verizon cell is available as is electricity & water. Dumping service is at the entrance. No bathrooms/shower in our Lake View campground. Large lake with lots of fisher folk. Quiet this time of year but over 700 spots around the lake.
- Larry E.Guide
Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Level sites with some trees.
Sites are a little close to each other. Water and electric sites. Sites are not marked real clearly. Water not on at dump station.
jeanine B.TravelerCircle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Great little spot but few toilets open
Unexpectedly pretty and quiet little lake. We got a good spot but some are close together and not private. Worst problem is only one outhouse a bit of a walk away for ALL THESE FAMILIES HERE ON EASTER SUNDAY. They definitely should have had the toilets opened ...lots of kids and where are they hitting the head?
Cynthia K.
LegendElm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Clean your bathrooms!
It seemed like we drove a long time to get here. This was a stop on our way back home from Colorado. It was around 40 some miles from the Interstate& all we saw were fields upon fields & no trees. The husband was grumbling when we turned off on the road to Lake Scott. I felt a lot better when we took the road down into the valley & saw the lake!
This is not our first Kansas state park. We've been to Kanopolis & Mushroom Rocks. Lake Scott is supposed to be Kansas' most historic park. We stayed for 2 nights in the Circle campground. Water & electric. There's a few "seasonal" sites that offer sewer.
As before, there was no one at the gatehouse to check in, so we found our site ourselves. The camp host was never around, but there were a few people in golf carts who waved at us.
The site had some trees & a view of the lake. The site was clean
It was a short walk to the bathroom by the lake. There are flush toilets & showers & I've got to say, they are the filthiest I've seen camping. Apparently it's no ones job to take out the garbage or clean the sinks or toilets.
The beach was fairly crowded both afternoons we were there. I have no idea why anyone would want to swim in that disgusting water, but I guess that's all that's around. My husband says he saw fish jumping, so there is that to do.
This is a pretty scenic park. The rocks & the lake, ect. There was never anyone at the beach store & I found out it's only open on weekends. There was someone at the park office& I got some area info. It was closed by afternoon though. The Steele Home Museum was closed both days we were there.
Vanessa C.
RangerElm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Beautiful lovation
Stunning site! I loved being right near the water and the bathrooms were very clean and well kept.
I camped here in the winter so it got down to 5°, so make sure to prepare for that.
Ryan L.GuideElm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Elm Grove Campground
Standard Campground in middle nowhere Kansas. We were passing through to Colorado and were also planning to see the nearby Monument Rocks and New Jerusalem Badlands SP. We managed to be the only one in this campground. While this campground had a sign explaining their color coded services, there were no actual services. There were no formal fire rings on grills, but most sites had remains of improvised fire rings. There is a group camping site with large fire ring, grill, volleyball court etc. This campground had two available bathrooms. One is a pit toilet with no lights, so bring a flashlight. The second had sinks, flush toilets, and showers, but had no main bathroom doors and completely open to the elements at the 8 foot height.
Bob M.RangerElm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park
Scenic, quiet place
We enjoyed our 2 night stay in the Circle Loop. Only negative was no fire pits in this loop, but all the tent sites had fire pits. Strange.
Lots of positives, mainly the scenery and peace & quiet. Amazing sites nearby...Jerusalem Badlands & Monument Rocks about 15-20 minutes north off of US 83.
Scott City, 15 miles south has a great grocery store and eateries,gas stations.
Guide to Garden City
Scott State Park offers equestrian camping facilities near Garden City, Kansas. The park sits within a canyon containing a spring-fed lake, creating an unexpected contrast to the surrounding flat farmland. Located about 70 miles north of Garden City, the park maintains several campground areas with sites specifically designed to accommodate horses and trailers.
What to do
Hiking and exploring: Circle Drive campground serves as an excellent base for hiking the park's trail system. "There are lots of historic places in the park that we visited and hiking trails along with Monument Rocks just 19 miles to the East and Little Jerusalem 19 miles to the west. There is no shortage of things to do," notes Shannon G. from Circle Drive campground.
Water activities: The lake provides multiple recreation options during warmer months. "We spent the hot park of the days kayaking in the lake. The boat house rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats but only on weekend," explains a visitor to Circle Drive. For fishing enthusiasts, the lake offers accessible shore fishing. "The lake is small but very pretty, easy to kayak, SUP and fish," reports Nancy C.
Wildlife observation: The park and surrounding area support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Circle Drive campground observed: "In the area, we saw turkey, owl, lots of buzzards, geese, albino buffalo and more cows than I have seen in one place."
What campers like
Unique landscape: The park's setting distinguishes it from typical Kansas terrain. "As you approach this lake, you will think your GPS is lying to you. You are in the middle of corn fields and no lake is visible, even when you are just a mile away. The lake sits in a gorge, and you won't see it until you are right at the top of and/or descending into the gorge," explains Jason W. from Circle Drive campground.
Swimming areas: The designated swimming beach provides relief during hot weather. Shawn S. notes, "Small beach area but you can get in water anywhere. Dogs not allowed on beach anywhere. Had a great day kayaking and staying in water to keep cooled off."
Seasonal quietness: Visitor patterns follow predictable cycles at the park. "We pulled up on a Saturday afternoon and the park was packed. Thankfully we had reservations. By Sunday evening there was hardly anyone left so we felt like we had the whole park for the next couple days," reports a Circle Drive camper.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom availability varies by campground and season. At Elm Grove campground, one camper found: "This campground had two available bathrooms. One is a pit toilet with no lights, so bring a flashlight. The second had sinks, flush toilets, and showers, but had no main bathroom doors and completely open to the elements at the 8 foot height."
Site conditions: The terrain affects campsite quality throughout the park. "Sites are on gravel or grass and not always level for our 30' 5th wheel," reports a visitor to Circle Drive. Some areas have fire ring limitations, with Bob M. noting, "Only negative was no fire pits in this loop, but all the tent sites had fire pits. Strange."
Reservation system: During peak periods, securing a site requires planning. "RV spots fill up quickly so reserve ahead of time. Lots of walk up sites available," advises Keri F. The park maintains a self-pay station for late arrivals, with Emily G. commenting, "Love that there is a self pay station so coming in late is not a problem."
Tips for camping with families
Beach and swimming options: The swimming area provides family-friendly recreation. "Very nice park area with amazing swimming area," notes Keri F. from Lakeside Campground, adding that there's a "well painted swimming area" with a "small store for essentials and bait."
Playground facilities: Families with children can utilize dedicated play areas. "Nice state park hidden away in the middle of nowhere, great stop on the way to Colorado... nice playgrounds for kids," reports Steve W.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The park offers accessible wildlife observation appropriate for all ages. Nancy C. shares, "In the area, we saw turkey, owl, lots of buzzards, geese, albino buffalo and more cows than I have seen in one place."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should consider specific campground areas based on their needs. "Standard Campground in middle nowhere Kansas. We were passing through to Colorado and were also planning to see the nearby Monument Rocks and New Jerusalem Badlands SP," notes Ryan L. from Scott State Park.
Utilities and hookups: Electric and water connections are available at designated sites. "Verizon cell is available as is electricity and water. Dumping service is at the entrance," reports a Circle Drive visitor. Another camper notes, "Sites are not marked real clearly. Water not on at dump station."
Spacing considerations: RV sites vary in their proximity to neighbors. One camper observed, "Sites are a little close to each other," while another noted their site was "very private and spacious."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Garden City, KS?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Garden City, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Garden City, KS is Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Garden City, KS?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Garden City, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Garden City, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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