The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Hays. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Kansas camping has to offer. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$35 / night
This recreation area is part of Wilson Lake
$18 / night
You won't believe you are still in Kansas! C2T Ranch is a working regenerative cattle ranch, with over 4 miles of Saline River running through it. Amazing 150' tall limestone cliffs rise above river and several spring fed creeks feed into the river. There is hiking galore in the canyons or on the cliffs, fishing in the rivers, or bird watching on the native prairie above the cliffs. Fossil hunters can find a variety of fossilized shells, as well as native septarian and calcite for the rockhounds.
Our picturesque, secluded campground has primitive and powered campsites, plus several glamping tent, all dispersed along an amazing horseshoe bend of the Saline River, each with direct river access. We're only a 20 minute drive north of Hays, Kansas and I-70, come visit us today!
$35 - $60 / night
Minooka Park Campground is located on the south side of Wilson Lake in the wide open spaces of central Kansas. Named for the Otoe Indian word meaning "Good Earth," this park offers many campsites with scenic lake views and excellent shoreline access.
Boating is the most popular pastime on the lake, with plenty of room for water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, sailing and more. The high salinity content of the Saline River makes drinking and irrigation difficult without special treatment, but it aids the stocking of ocean-native Striped Bass, which have been known to reach enormous sizes in Wilson Lake. This and many other game fish species have been enhanced by a stocking program conducted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Walleye, Large and Smallmouth bass can be found in abundance in the lake, as well as White bass, Striped bass, and channel and flathead catfish. Several trails are also available to visitors, including the Prairie Fire Trail, a self-guided interpretive trail. Wilson Lake also offers hunting opportunities for a variety of game animals, including pheasant, quail, prairie chicken, whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl and rabbit.
Wilson lake, known as the "clearest lake in Kansas," is located in the Smoky Hills of North Central Kansas--a rolling landscape of hills, buttes and hazy valleys. Also known as Post Rock Country, the area contains thousands of miles of stone fenceposts and buildings that have been constructed out of the area's local limestone. This and other unique geologic formations and mixed grass prairie lands provide an excellent scenic backdrop for recreation around the lake.
Visitors may want to explore other nearby recreation areas including Lucas and Sylvan Parks, as well as Wilson State Park, located on the south side of the lake. The nearby town of Lucas is known for its unique artistic spirit and attractions, while the town of Wilson and other nearby communities offer visitors a rich historical heritage to explore.
$20 / night
$18 / night
Guide
This is a great stop if you’re traveling and just need a spot to park and camp for a night! Lots of bugs though! But it’s quiet, nobody else here, and a free simple place to sleep while we are passing through. Our pop up camper was super easy to pull in and the ground is flat :)
Scout
Clean and new facilities. Lots of spots, many pull through.
Guide
Stayed on a Thursday night 9/12 and there were hardly any people there. It was a beautiful spot but quite exposed so expect some wind.. I would definitely stay there again.
Guide
It was beautiful at sunset, very nice campground with good hot showers.
GuideLast minute reservation easily accommodated. Beautiful and super clean. Amazing bathhouse and coffee house. Cabins also available for rent. One of the nicest rv parks we’ve stayed in.
Scout
If you are traveling I 70, this is a great spot for a night to break up the drive. Only a few miles off of the highway, clean, quiet, with water and electricity. We stop here almost every trip. Sites are spaced out nicely.
Guide
Nice native buffalograss for tent camping and you may be the only tent camper in the park haha. If using the “non-specific primitive” sites, you’ll need to drive to access the dumpster, bathrooms/shower, and water. The Lakeview primitive sites had morning sun and were shaded in the afternoon/evening.
ScoutIt is quiet and it is free and near a real nice town. Level but with gravel. Not smooth or grassy enough for ground sleeping without an air mattress. The road to get there has been graveled well so isn’t muddy anymore. Lots of trees to break the wind BUT then it doesn’t blow away the mosquitos. We didn’t have a tent and were going to sleep in tarp sandwiches BUT the mosquito army drove us on.
Guide
We stayed at this COE campground on a very stormy night in June 2024. It is a well kept Corp campground and we will stay there again as we travel through Kansas.
Ranger
Mostly big rigs, camped there in a van. Hookups were good. Sites spacious but not very private, we were lucky to get one on the edge. Lake is nothing special and no hiking trails or anything, seemed to be mostly boating or fishing.
Very quiet mid-week in May, which was lovely. The bathrooms suck and I saw a copperhead right by the bathhouse so be careful.
Guide
Ok it's more of a pond but still nice. Normal KOA esk camping. $20 in off season for pull through spots. $25 during on season.
ScoutI stayed there 2 nights. The first night it rained like the dickens for about an hour after the rain is when the show really started. The marshlands exploded with sound. Frogs, crickets, owls, foxes, coyotes, and more wildlife sounds than I could identify. I can identify a lot. Like 5! The first night was so awesome I stayed a second night. The second night wasn't as dramatic, but it was still a wonderful calypso of sound to fall asleep too. The campground is very well kept and even though next to the road it was peaceful. I will be back next spring!
Scout
Tom and Heddy are very nice folks. Warm and welcoming. Their property is quiet and beautiful. We hope to visit again soon.
TravelerConvenient and safe. Spent one night on our way west and was glad to find this nice relaxing, shaded place. It had water and electric for $25.
ScoutLove this place. Discovered it by accident trying to avoid the loud motels off I70. Love that tent sites are free during the week. It was quiet but I wasn't alone. Sunset was amazing on the reservoir. But the wind comes up quite strong as it cools down so stake that tent down!
RangerThis place is GREAT!
First off - Monday - Thursday this place is free if you are in a non electric standard site.
Second, the sites are really beautiful and big with great views. We were right on thr lake and it was stunning for sunrise.
Third, the facilities are fantastic. Clean vault toilets and clean shower facilities with perfect water temp and pressure.
Fourth, the host was really nice and helpful!
You can’t really go wrong here. Would love to come back and spend a few days just relaxing. Plenty of bugs (not as bad as I was expecting though) so plan to bring spray.
Ranger
Perfect camping! Wide open spaces with lots of room. Beautiful views of the lake and lots of animal activity - cows, bunnies, birds and bugs. Lots of bugs! Not teeming with mosquitos but just many bugs. Some of them are HUGE.
I didn’t think the bugs were that bad just more interesting. Been to many other places with a bug problem and that didn’t seem like this to me. But it as prob enough that I wouldn’t want to hang outside and play cards.
Views in every direction and it’s absolutely stunning! Very peaceful and quiet and literally just perfect.
Plus if you are on a standard non electric tent space it’s free Monday -Thursday!
Great showers and bathrooms too! This is a hidden gem for sure!! Perfect sunrise from our site!
RangerThis is prob a little gem for rv rigs. Almost all sites are set up for this. There are some tent sites. Right on a creek - super buggy and just in a slightly strange area of town. Not bad or anything like that - you have the creek on one side and old broke down commercial buildings on the other.
I just can’t see what the point of staying here is at all. This is only a place you’d stay for a night and a car/tent camper is rather save my money and sleep at a truck stop.
I feel bad giving it such a harsh review and to be fair - we did not stay here. Took a few loops around and decided it was just kind of depressing. Again I think in an rv passing through it would be fine. But for a tent/car it just didn’t sit right with me (however there was a tent set up at the very end). And to note it’s kind of busy. There was at least 15 rvs there on a Tuesday night. It’s not scary or anything it’s just why?
Did see some cool birds though.
TravelerBEAUTIFUL views!!! Very windy but worth it for water front. We stayed in a loop alone that could have had 3 other sites, next to beach access. Bathrooms were a bit of a walk but again, worth it!!
Thought I had seen a mirage once we pulled into the park after miles of Kansas greens and browns.
Self reg station (electronic) at the park as well as reserve early online.
ScoutA nice layout, clean site and bathrooms. The trees are young but the over all camp is great.
GuideWhat a beautiful camp site. The ground has plenty of sites, almost all that have a beautiful lake front view. We stayed during the week and it was pretty quite - cows moooin’ were the loudest noise all night! There are walking trails, beaches, a boat launch, and bathrooms. We stayed at a non-electric but there are plenty of hookups to go around too. Happy camping!
GuidePleasantly surprised at pulling into this great spot after many hours driving cross country. Pick your site then pay online, super easy. Verizon service was great. Very well kept grass and stone site pads. Got a spot right on the lake. We were tempted to spend a second night it was so nice.
TravelerQuiet, and very clean just what we needed for an overnight stay. Worth 25 dollars for a nice shower!
TravelerBest site I’ve had on my 2 week road trip! Would for sure come back here if I’m ever needing a campsite in Kansas.
TravelerWe've camped at Wilson State Park three times now on eastbound road trips and I can't recommend it enough! There are sheltered sites on green lawns where tent campers can spend a quiet night. Trees provide shelter from wind and thunder storms. Depending on where you camp you can walk to swim in the reservoir. And the Switchgrass MTB is surprisingly fun! Just be careful to let it dry out before you ride since that wet sand can wreak havok on your drive train. I've only camped at Wilson on weekdays and it's never crowded.
Guide
Our young family of six stayed for 2 nights during our cross country drive and wow what a welcome respite it was from driving! My kiddos LOVED the pool. We spent the entire day lounging and enjoying the basketball court, corn hole, park, ice cream social, and of course, the swimming pool! We stayed in site 4 which was super accessible, complete with picnic table and full hookups. I was really happy with the cleanliness of the park in general including the laundry facility, bathrooms, grounds, and shop. The laundry facility was very well priced and very efficient. The owners were incredibly kind and welcoming and obviously take pride in this campground. We would be happy to stay again if we are ever in the area again! Highly recommend!
ScoutQuick in - quick set up. Pretty setting right near a large creek - large trees for shade. Bathroom and shower but very old and a little sketchy. A lot of locals driving through - hoping that will stop after dark. Fairly level sites - a few spots for tents and pull throughs with gravel pads for RV’s with power and water. Dump station. Picnic tables and grill and/or fire ring
Camping near Hays, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful spot by the water or a family-friendly campground, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Hays, Kansas, has something for everyone, from scenic views to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the bugs and check the amenities before you go!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hays, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hays, KS offers a wide range of camping options, with 57 campgrounds and RV parks near Hays, KS and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Hays, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hays, KS is Ellis Lakeside Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hays, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Hays, KS.
What parks are near Hays, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Hays, KS that allow camping, notably Wilson Lake and Kanopolis Lake.
