Kylee R.
Ranger
RangerMcPherson State Fishing Lake
Kansas hidden gem
We got here super late after being on the road all day. Picnic tables and fire pits are at each designated site, but no other amenities. Lake is beautiful. It was very quiet.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Gypsum, KS
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McPherson State Fishing Lake offers pet-friendly camping near Gypsum with tent, RV, and cabin accommodation options. Located directly in Gypsum, Kansas, this established campground permits pets throughout the property with standard leash requirements. The campground features picnic tables, trash disposal, and basic toilets, creating a simple but functional environment for campers with dogs. Several other pet-friendly options exist within a short drive, including Salina KOA Campground and Lakeside RV Park in nearby Assaria, both offering full hookups for RV campers traveling with pets. Clean bathrooms and immaculate facilities make overnight stays comfortable for both pets and their owners.
Camping with dogs near Gypsum provides access to McPherson State Fishing Lake's shoreline trails and water activities. The surrounding area features multiple pet-friendly accommodation types ranging from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks with 50-amp hookups. KOA Campground in Salina, approximately 25 miles north, offers additional amenities including a swimming pool, playground, and spacious sites that accommodate families with pets. For RV travelers, Lakeside Recreational Park provides full hookup sites with water, sewer, and electric connections where pets are explicitly permitted. Highway access is convenient for travelers passing through with pets, though some campgrounds like Salina KOA experience noticeable road noise from nearby Interstate 70.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Gypsum (75)
1. Salina Campground
"If you stay towards the back of the site you can hear the highway, but it’s not too distracting! We don’t have children, but lots of activities for children for families here!"
"The staff was very nice and accommodating and walked me over to my tent site when I arrived. Very nice touch! The bathrooms here were warm on a cold night and very clean."
Check Availabilityfrom $46 - $65 / night
2. McPherson State Fishing Lake
"Can get a little busy during the day on the weekend but there are some great spots up in the trees away from the water that stay pretty quite."
"Bathrooms were at drive away at the entrance of the camping sites."
3. KOA Campground Salina
"Right off the highway, there is some road noise but for someone passing through it was great because it didn’t add more miles to our trip."
"The dog run was good size and well kept. Highly recommend!"
4. Lakeside RV Park
5. Old Mill Campground
"The only downfall is, the locals let their dogs run loose. So I have to be extra cautious when I let my dog out. At one time I had four dogs around my camper."
"Surrounded by trees along a river in a nice little city park. Will definitely stop again if i ever pass through."
6. Old Mill Campground
"Lindsborg is a super cool little town with a good bit of stuff to do within walking distance of the campsite. Lots of Swedish culture (read up on it)."
"The town is a nice walk into town and the people were so friendly. We will purposefully find every opportunity to return!"
Check Availabilityfrom $7 - $10 / night
7. Rest Area I-70
"We parked closer to the exit than the entrance of the rest area, which provided us a little more quiet, in my opinion. No one bothered us and there were multiple other overnight parkers."
8. Coronado Motel and RV Park
9. Walt's Four Seasons Campground & Country Store
"The pool, fishpond, kids playground,nature trail, and dog park are just some of the amenities. We all had some sandwiches made for us while we checked in."
"Walt's is by far the safest, friendliest, fun-filled campground compared to any of the others we visited around."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $36 / night
10. Covered Wagon RV Resort
Drive Time
- 1 hr 4 min from Manhattan, KS
- 1 hr 17 min from Wichita, KS
- 1 hr 40 min from Topeka, KS
- 2 hrs 1 min from Lawrence, KS
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Gypsum, KS
8 Photos of 75 Gypsum Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Gypsum, KS
258 Reviews of 75 Gypsum Campgrounds
Heather W.
TravelerKanapolis Drive In
Best Surprise Roadside Attraction Ever!
I happened to look up and see a billboard saying Kannapolis Drive-in so I looked it up online and noticed they had a button for camping at the drive-in. For not a very huge fee you can watch two movies get one of the best drive-in burgers, and loaded fries I’ve ever had, have available bathrooms and Park and camp all night long here in this lovely little drive-in. I am so excited I found this and I hope more people keep coming to it so that it doesn’t have to go away like the rest of the drive-ins in the country. It’s a few minutes off of that main drag of I 70 but well worth the drive . Come by if you’re driving cross country, it’s a great place to stop!
T T.
GuideChina Camp CA State Park
Bad t mobile and limited starlink at the current site
Seems like a nice place, but we just arrived. It’s late at night and there’s no signal and for some reason the Starlink is not working well.
Travis A.RangerGeary County Fishing Lake
Nice fishing lake
It's a nice fishing lake, off hwy 77 close to Junction City. Locals use it often. Road noise is loud and constant. There are 12 camp sites with fire rings and picnic takes, some are covered. Several light posts, so star gazing is out of the question. The grass hasn't been mowed in a while. Two Pit toilets, in bad shape. When you drive in,there are two main loops. A lower loop with three large camp sites with lots of shade. If you drive straight to the main area, there are 9 camp sites, and boat ramp. You will be parking on the grass. It's been raining for several days so the possibility of getting stuck is a concern. The main roads are gravel. I have ATT and the signal is very weak depending where you park. No trash or water. Some fire pits are clean, others aren't. My fire pit had beer cans and a needle- syringe 💉
MaxTravelerRest Area I-70
Bathrooms stay open at night
This was not a bad overnight by any means. We parked closer to the exit than the entrance of the rest area, which provided us a little more quiet, in my opinion. No one bothered us and there were multiple other overnight parkers. Most importantly, bathrooms do not lock at night. You wouldn't really expect that to be an issue at a rest stop, but I have run into that problems more times than I would have liked.
- Horry D.
ScoutLakeside RV Park
Worst
Stayed here one night passing through. That was too long. Almost all sites are taken by older trailers that are long term. I saw a 5 star rating and thought $40 was a good price. That is $50 to much. The 1 !/2 mile gravel road from the highway to campsite was as rough a washboard as I have driven on, no potholes just rough. I seldom leave negative reviews but fellow campers passing through need to be warned.
- MMarvin E.Traveler
Markley Grove Campground
Green and quiet
The people at city hall are friendly and informative. Payment can be made at the site via QR code through Venmo.
- LLCassarScout
West Rolling Hills
Very Nice
The camp host was very nice and friendly. The campsite and bathrooms were exceptionally clean.
- KKarlee F.Guide
Salina Campground
Family friendly spot
Great experience! Front desk was super helpful and nice. If you stay towards the back of the site you can hear the highway, but it’s not too distracting! We don’t have children, but lots of activities for children for families here! Nice large dog run area, which was great for our pups. The site has many decorations and some photo opportunity spots too!
Guide to Gypsum
McPherson State Fishing Lake offers primitive camping with picnic tables and fire pits surrounding its 46-acre waters. Located in central Kansas at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, this free camping destination sits in the Smoky Hills region where seasonal weather fluctuations create varying camping conditions throughout the year. While some sites near McPherson State Fishing Lake provide shade, many primitive camping spots are open to sunlight with grassy parking areas.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: McPherson State Fishing Lake provides year-round fishing access with multiple shore fishing locations. According to a camper at McPherson State Fishing Lake, "Free camping on a lake with tables, fire rings, some have shade, vaulted toilets. Quiet but close to a little town."
Wildlife viewing: The surrounding area offers unique wildlife experiences. A visitor to McPherson State Fishing Lake notes, "Awsome fishing lake, wild bison a mile or 2 down the road. Very nice camp spots with electrical hookups up on a hill and primitive down by the water."
Swedish cultural exploration: Just 20 miles northwest in Lindsborg, campers can experience Swedish heritage while staying at Old Mill Campground. As one camper shared, "The town is a nice walk into town and the people were so friendly. We will purposefully find every opportunity to return!"
What campers like
Affordability: Free camping at McPherson State Fishing Lake appeals to budget-conscious travelers. One regular visitor commented, "One of our favorite places to camp. Close to home for us and free. There's quite a few spot to camp. All primitive."
Family amenities: For families seeking more facilities, Salina Campground offers extensive recreation options 30 miles north. A camper noted, "My kids loved the ping pong, basketball, inflatable jump pad, old metal playground and outdoor pool."
Peaceful environment: Many campers appreciate the quiet setting at these rural Kansas campgrounds. A visitor to Old Mill Campground described it as "Beautiful trees. Grass field with electric. 15$ per night. In middle of cool Swedish town. Trails. Will be back."
What you should know
Limited facilities: McPherson State Fishing Lake offers basic amenities with restrooms located away from camping areas. One camper observed, "I only with the bathrooms and clean water were closer to the campground instead of a 10 to 15 minutes walk just to do business."
Seasonal considerations: Central Kansas experiences hot summers and cold winters with varying campground conditions. A camper at Old Mill Campground noted the campground is "separated from the city by the river, you cross an old highway bridge turned pedestrian bridge to get to the town."
Site variations: Different camping spots offer varied experiences around McPherson Lake. A regular visitor explained, "Can get a little busy during the day on the weekend but there are some great spots up in the trees away from the water that stay pretty quite."
Tips for camping with families
Explore water activities: McPherson State Fishing Lake offers fishing and shoreline exploration for children. A camper noted, "This site was beautiful, camping in a tent, had picnic table, and fire pit. Bathrooms were at drive away at the entrance of the camping sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Gypsum, KS?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gypsum, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gypsum, KS is Salina Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 26 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Gypsum, KS?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Gypsum, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Gypsum, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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