Best Tent Camping near Hays, KS

Feel like you're camping like a smurf, almost.  Mushroom camping area are a series of campsites which have a mushroom like shelter over each sites picnic tables (except for one that has a different shaped structure)  Each covered area sits on a concrete pad and has two picnic tables.  Site also has a metal fire ring.  The spots all have plenty of grass around them for your tents.  These sites are listed as primitive so cost only $12.75 for the night.  Their is a vault toilet in the area, but it is only really conveniently located near two of the sites.  These sites are spaced far apart from each other.  No water available in the camping area, but you can get it and other services from some of the other campgrounds in the area.  Most of the sites sit out in the open.  The site I stayed at did have two trees which I was able to use for my hammock.

Lake View Campground is a small campground right along the shore of the Webster Reservoir.  This campground has ten sites with water and electrical hook ups, plus an additional 7 or 8 primitive sites.  A couple of the primitive sites are along the shore, but most are at the edge of a large grass area.  Their is an vault toilet at the entrance to the campground, a bit of a walk from the primitive campsites.  A large shelter is also available at the site.  A shower house is located at a day use area just past the campground as well as an archery range just past that.  All sites have picnic tables and metal fire rings

This 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.

Wilson’s Lake in Kansas is something of a departure from surrounding areas of Kansas. If you take a moment to pull just a slight distance off the major highways and toward the Wilson’s Lake area you will be pleasantly surprised as the world begins to roll and open up into vibrant hillsides winding their way though the area. 

I honestly stopped myself for a moment and checked the map thinking to myself in such a cliche way,“ We are not in Kansas anymore.”

 But just as the map proved, I was in fact still in the same state, I noticed more and more signs for Wilson’s Lake State Park and found it was a must see while visiting the area. 

The road winds you down to the park and down to what seems like a dead end just at the Yarrow Campground. This campground is one of the most coveted in the park because of its location, its convenience and its size.

When visiting Wilson Lake you might want to consider this loop for improved camping.   When I visited I noticed that the roadways in and out of the campsite were well structured to provide ample movement for larger units with back up capabilities.   While this loop also offers tent camping, it really is designed for the small to mid-size RVs.     

Each campsite was equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, although I must say that some of the tables in this area were lacking a bit and needed some updating.    The sites also included water and electric hook ups with reasonable spacing between sites.   Pull- in/ back-in sites were graveled and semi level while the area between the spaces were grassy and lush.    During summer months this would be a perfect retreat for families looking to have a little fun together but still have convenience.   

What I liked most about this particular site was the proximity it had to the swimming beach and also the restrooms.   Within 100 yards of one another you could access flushing toilets and showers or fun in the sun.     This was the best overall campground for accessing both of these amenities and therefore I believe would bring about the most fun for the family overall.   Additionally, a playground was located nearby.

I would definitely recommend arriving early if visiting on a weekend or making reservations online to ensure a site at this campground in particular.   The most popular of this lake region, Yarrow, stays booked well into the later portion of summer on weekends and is hit or miss on weekdays.

TIPS:

* Check out the rental shop just outside of the park where you can find anything from a paddle board to a canoe.   Also this is a great place to check in if you are needing a few last minute supplies.

* Make sure to check out park rules at the kiosk before entering, this can be very valuable information especially when crowds are flocking to the area.