Camping options near Hiawatha, Kansas span across eastern Kansas and into neighboring Nebraska and Missouri, creating a tri-state camping experience. The region features mostly flat terrain with elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area experience hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Brown State Fishing Lake provides a simple base for anglers with free dispersed camping. There aren't many amenities, but as visitor Vic D. notes, it offers "Nice size lake. Free dispersed camping. 2 pit toilets."
Water recreation: Big Lake State Park Campground offers multiple water-based activities beyond just shoreline fishing. A camper explains, "You can kayak, canoe, jet ski, and boat. Its olny 30ft at the deepest point." The park also provides kayak rentals for a small fee.
Disc golf courses: Several parks in the region feature disc golf courses. At Stanton Lake Park in Falls City, Nebraska, campers can enjoy "a little fishing lake, disc golf, volleyball courts, a playground, and a dog park," according to reviewer Tony B.
Hiking trails: While not mountainous, the area offers several walking trails. Indian Cave State Park features "about 20 miles to hike in this park and there is a special camping area for folks who bring horses," according to James D. The park's trails include interpretive signs about local history.
Halloween celebrations: For fall visitors, Indian Cave State Park's Halloween festivities are particularly special. Shannon G. shares, "We even won the decorating contest last year-The prize is free camping, can't beat that. People come from all over to partake in this fun time. There is the decorating of the camp sites, pumpkin rolling, haunted hay rack rides, trick or treating for the young and old."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities at several parks. At Big Lakes Turtle Cove Campground, visitors appreciate the "Great view of water and wildlife" along with well-maintained sites that include "30/50/20 amp power at every spot including water and sewer."
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value found at many parks. Stanton Lake Park offers particularly good rates, with one camper noting, "$5 for a tent, water, shower and electricity to recharge devices. Perfect amenities for bikepacking."
Wildlife viewing: The wetlands and lakes surrounding Hiawatha provide excellent wildlife watching opportunities. At Big Lake State Park Campground, campers report hearing "bull frogs, geese, and coyotes when the sun goes down" creating a natural soundscape.
Level sites: Many campgrounds feature flat, easily accessible sites that require minimal setup. At Pony Creek Lake, the primitive camping area "is a mowed flat section," making it easy to set up tents without extensive preparation.
Winter camping options: Unlike some regions where winter camping is difficult, several campgrounds near Hiawatha remain open year-round. Big Lake State Park Campground operates regardless of season, though visitors should prepare for temperature fluctuations and limited winter services.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Not all campgrounds in the area take reservations. Brown State Fishing Lake operates on a first-come basis, while Mission Lake in Horton allows reservations for its approximately 100 sites with electric hookups.
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Mission Lake in Horton is only open from April 1 to October 31, requiring off-season campers to find alternatives.
Proximity to trains: Some campgrounds in the area have nearby railroad tracks. At Stanton Lake Park, "there is a train track behind the lake, and it seems to have a train every few hours that you can hear from your site."
Limited privacy at developed sites: While spacious, many RV sites in the region offer limited separation between neighbors. One visitor to Mission Lake noted, "Many seasonal campers there already, small sites" with "no privacy."
Dump station congestion: At peak checkout times, facilities can become congested. A visitor to Indian Cave State Park observed, "Only downside, with 134 RV sites there is only one dump station, just dont get in a hurry leaving if you have to dump your RV."
Variable cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have limited or no cell reception. Prepare for disconnection, especially at more remote locations like Indian Cave State Park, where one camper mentioned, "Forget about wifi, hard to find if you can find it at all and no attena tv, your really out in the middle of nowhere."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. Sycamore Springs Whitetail Ranch RV Park offers extensive recreation options where "There is a skating rink, tennis courts, basketball court, mini golf, and small park for children. You have to buy an activity pass for everything which is $10 a day. If you're camping you get one activity pass for free."
Fishing access for kids: For families with young anglers, Big Lake State Park Campground is particularly well-suited. Sarah H. noted it's "a great spot to take young kids fishing" with easy access and gentle shorelines.
Shower availability: When camping with children, shower facilities become important. Indian Cave State Park provides coin-operated showers, with Michelle V. noting, "We sometimes drove up to the group tent sites where they have clean bathrooms, running water and showers (need quarters for shower)."
Bike-friendly areas: Several campgrounds feature flat roads perfect for young cyclists. At Big Lake State Park, "Kids enjoyed riding bikes around the flat roads," making it a safe place for children to explore independently.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: Many RV sites in the region are designed for medium-sized rigs. At White Cloud Casino, Jerry W. notes they have "six RV site was water 20 30 and 50 amp electric first come first serve."
Backing challenges: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. At Sycamore Springs Whitetail Ranch RV Park, "The RV spots are pretty close together so backing in can be a challenge. The Sycamore Bluff Campground to the North of the campground has pull-through spots."
Hookup availability: Most developed campgrounds in the region offer partial or full hookups. Big Lakes Turtle Cove Campground provides "30/50/20 amp power at every spot including water and sewer," making it suitable for extended stays.
Limited winter services: For year-round RVers, note that even parks open during winter months may have reduced services. Water hookups might be winterized, and shower facilities may operate on limited hours.
