Camping options near Hanover, Kansas include several small city parks and private RV facilities within a 30-mile radius. The area sits on the northern Kansas plains at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, characterized by gently rolling terrain and open grasslands. Temperatures range from summer highs in the 90s to winter lows well below freezing, making April through October the primary camping season for most visitors.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Three spring-fed lakes at Crystal Springs Lake in Fairbury, Nebraska provide fishing options without motorized boats. "There are 3 small spring fed lakes that are open for fishing. No motorized boats but perfect for kayaks," notes a regular visitor.
Frisbee golf course: Riverside Park offers an 18-hole frisbee golf course throughout the grounds. "The reason to stay was to Frisbee golf and camp ALL weekend. They have a nice 18 hole course throughout the park," explains one camper who enjoyed the recreational amenities.
Walking paths: Multiple parks feature walking trails along rivers or through scenic areas. "There is a nice paved walk/bike path along the river," mentions one visitor to Riverside Park in Beatrice. The trails provide easy exercise options during your stay.
What campers like
Free or donation-based sites: Several city parks operate on donation systems. At Marysville City Park, "Sites are free, donations accepted- box is located on the building that houses the restrooms and near water station," according to one regular visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Native wildlife adds interest to camping experiences. "The squirrels, black squirrels are everywhere," notes one camper about Marysville City Park, while others mention seeing raccoons at various campgrounds in the region.
Quiet overnight options: Many campers appreciate the peaceful nature of smaller parks. "It was quiet once it got dark. Slept with my windows open and heard no traffic or trains," reports one visitor at Riverside Park, making these locations ideal for travelers seeking restful stops.
What you should know
Site access variations: Some camping spots require creative parking approaches. At Marysville City Park, "Sites are not well marked. You have to climb the curb to get to the site, and its dirt, with some grass, and lots of nice trees," explains a camper who stayed in March.
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary significantly between parks. Some offer showers while others provide basic toilets only. "Bathroom was clean although stalls have no doors. I did not use the showers but I looked in and they were clean," notes a visitor at Riverside Park.
Seasonal closures: Several parks have limited seasonal availability. "Bathrooms were closed for the season Nov. 20 when I was here," reports a late-season visitor at Marysville City Park, highlighting the importance of checking facility status during shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks feature play equipment for children. At Riverside Park, "There are two giant playgrounds to keep the kids busy," making it suitable for families with younger children.
Swimming restrictions: Not all water features allow swimming. At Crystal Springs Lake, "The only downside to this campground is the abundance of snapping turtles. You can still fish and kayak just no swimming," warns one visitor, important information for families planning water activities.
Weekend noise levels: Some otherwise quiet parks experience increased activity on weekends. At Flagstop Resort and RV, one camper noted it "was not crowded at all throughout the whole week but gets crazy on the weekend with people loud and partying until 1am or so."
Tips from RVers
Pad quality: Concrete pads are available at some rv sites near Hanover, Kansas. "Nice concrete pads large enough for our fifth wheel," mentions a visitor to Riverside Park, noting the stability advantage for larger rigs.
Site sizing: Many parks offer adequate space for larger RVs. At Crystal Springs Lake, "Sites are big enough for our 38 foot 5th wheel with room to spare," according to one RVer, providing comfort for those with larger vehicles.
Hookup details: Electric service varies between locations. Most parks offer either 30-amp or 50-amp service, sometimes both. "Each site has 30 and 50 amp electric. Water also at each site," notes a Crystal Springs Lake visitor, information essential for planning power needs.
RV travel patterns: Sites fill differently based on weekday versus weekend stays. "We initially thought oh what a great overnight spot but have found this to be so much more," explains one camper about the limited electric hookup sites available at Marysville City Park.
