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Two state fishing lakes near Gardner, Kansas offer free dispersed camping with primitive lakeside sites. Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake offers designated camping areas with lake views and basic pit toilets. The area remains generally quiet with few campers, even on weekends. Roads include gravel pull-offs and a lakeside gravel road, though access may be difficult for larger vehicles. A 7-day camping limit is enforced by park officials.
Osage State Fishing Lake provides free dispersed camping with multiple waterfront sites. The lake features both main camping areas near toilets and more private loops along the shoreline. Basic amenities include pit toilets and some fire rings, but no trash receptacles, drinking water, or hookups. Campers must pack out all waste. The area accommodates both tents and RVs, with one visitor noting "our 43' RV navigated smoothly" on the well-maintained roads. Both locations offer peaceful settings for boondocking, with one camper describing Osage as "beautiful and quiet" with "pretty lake views."
"Pit toilets. Some traffic visiting the fishing spot, but it quiets down at night. Not too far from i-70."
"Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice. A few other overnighters were there. Not too much time is added if you’re traveling i70."
"Wonderful free campsites overlooking a lake. There is a boat dock and outhouse. It is primitive and you need to pack your trash out, but it’s beautiful, free, and not far off the highway."
"Despaired, camping on quaint little lake for fishing, Kayaking sites have firings and gravel pull outs. vaulted restroom, no water or power"
"So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic!"
"Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend."
RangerSo glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic! Beautiful area, campfire rings in several locations, and our 43' Rv navigated smoothly (well, husband navigated smoothly!) Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads....leave no trace, and enjoy!
RangerWe found a great spot for our van that was right on the water and mostly secluded. Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill. Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend.
Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there’s lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy. No trash so pack it out.
GuideThe area is surrounded heavily with ticks. Be prepared if bringing animals. There is also quite a fair amount of garbage laying around the sites and down by the lake, which is sad given is seclusion and beauty. No water or power. Vaulted toilet, not well cleaned. All spots were very level and great for tent/car camping. It looked like 4 spots with fire rings and tables and a spot or 2 that you could pull into with no ring or table. Lovely fishing spot from what the locals said. Bass, catfish, and bluegill in the lake. Lake is not swimmable. Overall still nice and quiet.
GuideThis area had several spots around the lake. I had enough signal to make and receive calls and texts but being able to surf the internet was challenging almost impossible. I have Spectrum. The spots aren’t that private but I felt relatively safe. Clean. Gas station about 10 mins away. The area isn’t very remote. There are a couple pit toilets around.
TravelerThis is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. The pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles.
ScoutSoft level grass to camp on. Pit toilets. Some traffic visiting the fishing spot, but it quiets down at night. Not too far from i-70.
GuidePulled in late and left early. Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice. A few other overnighters were there. Not too much time is added if you’re traveling i70. Poop on the toilet seat in the pit toilet so we waited until we got to a gas station in the morning. People are animals.
RangerThere's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground. Everything is as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump, but that's usually rare to find water and a grey dump at a free site.
I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave. So I'm going to treat all Kansas places as a 7-day limit.
ScoutPretty lake views, easy to drive in and find pretty private sites, and some fire ring
Gardner, Kansas offers several primitive camping locations with lakeside views between 30-40 miles outside Kansas City. These state-managed fishing lakes provide dispersed camping opportunities with minimal facilities during all four seasons. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring typically offering the highest water levels for fishing and boating access.
Fishing opportunities: Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake spans about 160 acres with various fishing spots accessible from shoreline camping areas. Reagan G. notes the lake has "a beautiful view" with "designated camping areas" that can be located using the online brochure.
Sunrise viewing: Early risers can take advantage of eastern-facing campsites at Osage State Fishing Lake for prime morning views. Joseph J. reports, "Woke up to a beautiful sunrise" after setting up camp late at night, mentioning that the "spots were nice and spaced out."
Overnight stays: Both lakes serve well for travelers needing a quick stopover while traveling through Kansas. Katie B. describes Leavenworth as a "great stop for the night" where they "pulled in late and left early" with "lots of level grassy space available" without adding much time when traveling near I-70.
Midweek quietude: Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake remains uncrowded most days, even during summer. Kevin C. reports "camped here several days in late June. There were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light."
Multiple loops for privacy: Osage offers various camping areas with different privacy levels. Lucy P. advises, "Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there's lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy."
Waterfront access: Nearly every site at Osage provides direct water views. Ray L. observes that "it seems that every spots are waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place."
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities at these primitive sites receive limited maintenance. John G. notes Leavenworth has a "pit toilet [that] is not well maintained," while Lucy P. found toilets at Osage State Fishing Lake "in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend."
Seven-day maximum stays: Kansas state fishing lakes enforce stricter camping limits than many public lands. Rick M. cautions, "I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave."
Pack out requirements: No trash receptacles exist at either location. Loren L. reminds campers about Osage: "Some trash from other campers... remember to pack it in and pack it out!"
Weekday timing: For the most peaceful primitive camping near Gardner, Kansas, arrive midweek. Kevin C. found Leavenworth "nice and quiet" with "very few campers, even on the weekends."
Pet control: Loose dogs can create conflicts at these fishing lakes. Lucy P. reports that Osage "got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems."
Cell service: Remote communication remains possible at Osage State Fishing Lake for those needing to stay connected. Lucy P. confirms "decent cell service with Verizon" during their stay.
Size considerations: Leavenworth presents challenges for larger rigs. John G. cautions the area is "not suitable for larger vehicles" with only "gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road."
Road conditions: Osage State Fishing Lake accommodates larger recreational vehicles with well-maintained access routes. Brenda Y. shares their experience: "our 43' RV navigated smoothly... Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads."
Transit vans: Smaller camper vans access these locations with minimal difficulty. Robert B. confirms "easy in for a Ford transit" at Osage, while Lucy P. "found a great spot for our van that was right on the water and mostly secluded."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gardner, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gardner, KS is Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake with a 4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gardner, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Gardner, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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