Best Dispersed Camping near Hillsdale, KS

Join the fun near Hillsdale. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Hillsdale. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Hillsdale, Kansas (2)

    1. Osage State Fishing Lake

    9 Reviews
    Scranton, KS
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (620) 672-5911

    "So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic!"

    "Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend."

    2. Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    4 Reviews
    Tonganoxie, KS
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 887-6882

    "There's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground."

    "I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Hillsdale, KS

12 Photos of 2 Hillsdale Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hillsdale, KS

12 Reviews of 2 Hillsdale Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2025

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Beautiful place - big rig friendly

    So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic! Beautiful area, campfire rings in several locations, and our 43' Rv navigated smoothly (well, husband navigated smoothly!) Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads....leave no trace, and enjoy!

  • Lucy P.
    May. 13, 2024

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Very pretty, mostly peaceful

    We found a great spot for our van that was right on the water and mostly secluded. Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill. Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend.

    Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there’s lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy. No trash so pack it out.

  • John G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Quiet spot

    This is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. The pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    7-day limit. No trash cans or water, but it's free.

    There's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground. Everything is as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump, but that's usually rare to find water and a grey dump at a free site.

    I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave. So I'm going to treat all Kansas places as a 7-day limit.

  • Evan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    pretty lake views

    Pretty lake views, easy to drive in and find pretty private sites, and some fire ring

  • Loren L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Osage State Fishing Lake

    Quick, easy, clean

    On a road trip off the 70, pulled over to camp for the night! Quiet, only a few other campers around.. lovely nighttime sounds. Firepit. Some trash from other campers.. remember to pack it in and pack it out!

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2024

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Nice and quiet

    Camped here several days in late June. The were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light. I assume they went fishing at the lake. Bathroom was a little rough but manageable.

  • Reagan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2025

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Great Site

    This site was easy to find and had a beautiful view of the lake! There is a brochure available online to help find the designated camping areas! We were the only people in the area we parked at! It even had a privy to use for the bathroom!


Guide to Hillsdale

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Hillsdale, Kansas, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the hustle and bustle. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of camping without designated sites.

Dispersed campers should check out Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

Top activities while free camping near Hillsdale

  • Enjoy the picturesque views and tranquility at Osage State Fishing Lake, where you can easily find private sites and enjoy a cozy fire ring for evening gatherings.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Hillsdale, Kansas

  • When camping at Osage State Fishing Lake, remember to pack out any trash, as the area is known for its natural beauty and cleanliness, which can be affected by careless visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the dispersed camping areas at Hillsdale Lake?

While Hillsdale Lake itself doesn't offer dispersed camping, there are excellent dispersed camping options nearby. Osage State Fishing Lake provides beautiful dispersed sites along the waterfront with established fire rings. The areas are well-maintained with gravel roads that can accommodate larger rigs (even up to 43' RVs). You'll find multiple pull-off areas around the lake where you can camp, many offering privacy and lake views. These dispersed sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving on weekdays is recommended for the best selection.

Is a map available for dispersed camping at Hillsdale Lake?

Yes, you can find brochures with maps for dispersed camping areas near Hillsdale Lake. Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake specifically has an online brochure available that helps visitors locate the designated camping areas around the lake. This resource is particularly helpful for identifying the gravel pull-off areas and lakeside roads where dispersed camping is permitted. The map shows the county road that crosses the dam and the various camping areas, including both sunny spots near facilities and shaded areas in the forested sections of the property.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hillsdale, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hillsdale, KS is Osage State Fishing Lake with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.