Cheney State Park and Lake Afton Park stand as the primary camping destinations near Goddard, Kansas. Located in the central plains of Kansas with elevations around 1,300-1,400 feet, these areas receive about 30-35 inches of annual precipitation. Camping options range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV spots with electrical and water hookups, allowing for extended stays during spring through fall.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Enjoy the 9-mile trail at Cheney State Park where biking enthusiasts can explore various terrains. "We road our bikes over every inch and clocked 12 miles. If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9 + mile trail (we walked it). It's flat and not challenging, but really nice, secluded," shares a visitor.
Disc golf course: The 18-hole disc golf course at Cheney State Park provides recreational opportunities for groups. "Boating, fishing, birding, 18 hole disc golf course, swimming, biking or just relaxing, this place is great," notes one camper about the diverse activities available.
Nature trails for kids: Harvey County East Park offers family-friendly natural areas for exploration. "Nature trails are great for the kids," mentions a reviewer, highlighting the accessibility of outdoor exploration for younger visitors.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing spots exist around the lakes with accessible shorelines. "Great place for families to enjoy spending time with one another! Love the cleanliness of bathrooms and outdoors! Lots of fish!" reports a visitor to Harvey County East Park.
Kayaking and paddling: The smaller lakes provide calmer waters for non-motorized boats. At Santa Fe Lake, "This lake is a nice break from places like Cheney and Afton. It's small so there aren't a lot of big boats disturbing the water, which makes paddling a lot more enjoyable."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Sites at Cheney State Park offer adequate room between neighbors. "The campsite has friendly staff, the facilities and campsites are clean, great swimming area. They are pet friendly and have a leash law," mentions one regular visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bird watching ranks highly among visitor activities. "Yep, we saw bald eagles every day of our stay. Majestic!" shares an enthusiastic camper at Cheney State Park.
Clean facilities: El Dorado State Park maintains well-kept amenities according to visitors. "Park is nice & clean! Ross at the main entrance is a great guy with lots of information about the parks & lake," notes one camper, though they did mention avoiding the bait store due to customer service issues.
Sandy beaches: Some camping areas feature natural sand shorelines. At Harvey County East Park, one visitor mentions, "Sandy beaches at most of the tent campsites are our favorite things about this lake! Also, super affordable camping."
Shaded sites: Tree coverage provides relief during hot summer days. "Even though it is older, has giant Cottonwood trees shading the sites... one of the 10 modern bathhouse was conveniently located at the entrance to the loop," reports a Cheney State Park visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal water availability: Water systems may be winterized during colder months. "Smartsh is a loop that is not on the lake side, but the only w/e loop that had water turned on during off season," explains a camper at Cheney State Park.
Lake water levels fluctuate: Flooding can impact campsite availability. "The lake was high due to flooding so we were moved the week before from our original booking," shares a reviewer about their experience.
Shared water hookups: At Wellington KOA, water sources may be shared between campsites. "The biggest con for this campground is that you have to share a water source with the campsites next to you," notes a camper about Harvey County East Park.
Park entrance fees: Some parks charge additional entry fees beyond camping costs. "We had to pay another $5 just to enter the park to get to our campsite," mentions a visitor about Cheney State Park.
Varying quality of shower facilities: Bathroom amenities differ between campgrounds. "The showers/restroom facilities are a bit rough, but there if you need them," reports a recent visitor to Harvey County East Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sedgwick County Lake Afton Park has facilities for children. At Cheney State Park, a visitor notes, "We also enjoy the lake and playgrounds for the kids. It is close to home but a nice getaway."
Swimming areas: Designated swim beaches provide safer water recreation. "Decent beach area with playground equipment for kids. The general store carries camping essentials, beer, and ice," shares a reviewer about El Dorado State Park.
Cabin options: For glamping close to Goddard, Kansas with kids, cabins offer comfort without tents. "We love camping here because the campsites are decent size and they have cabins for our family without campers or tents," mentions a family visitor.
Proximity to amenities: Some campgrounds have stores with supplies. "A small store is just outside the entrance and Witchita is only 30 minutes away. Hutchinson is maybe 15 mi," reports a camper about location convenience.
Weekday visits for quieter experience: Weekends can get crowded at popular sites. "Relaxing and clean swimming area. Bathroom was clean," notes a midweek visitor at Harvey County East Park.
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: Know where to empty tanks before departure. "You could fill tanks at the vacant host site or the dump station," advises a Cheney State Park visitor.
Site leveling considerations: Gravel pads may require additional leveling blocks. "The sites are all gravel or grass with the exception of handicap sites. I wouldn't [say] they were level, but all doable," shares an RVer.
Electric hookup variety: Different loops offer various amperage options. "Very few 50 amp site[s] to choose from and no 50 amp sites with shade," notes a camper at El Dorado State Park.
Late arrivals: At some campgrounds, after-hours check-in procedures are available. "Pulled in around 11pm, had to use the late check-in process. Well organized and easy with individual maps for each site number," reports a visitor at Wellington KOA.
Water restrictions: Some parks limit continuous water hookup use. "Just to note, the water hookups are shared between sites and currently have signs reading, '15 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. Do Not Leave Water Hose Connected, Even If You Have A Splitter,'" cautions a recent visitor to Harvey County East Park.
