Best Dispersed Camping near Holton, KS

Four state fishing lakes near Holton, Kansas offer dispersed camping opportunities with minimal amenities. Atchison State Fishing Lake has designated camping areas west of the cabin with basic pit toilets and picnic tables. The area has a 7-day stay limit and features gradual access roads suitable for most vehicles, including larger rigs and converted buses.

Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake provides quiet, lakeside camping with gravel pull-offs and a lakeside gravel road. The site includes pit toilets, though maintenance varies. Reviews indicate the area is not suitable for larger vehicles and follows a 7-day stay limit. Osage State Fishing Lake offers free waterfront camping with fire rings and pit toilets. The lake features well-maintained roads accessible for vehicles up to 43 feet, with both shaded forest sites and sunny spots available. Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake is described as secluded with beautiful scenery, though it lacks trash receptacles, potable water, and grey water disposal facilities. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally across these backcountry camping areas.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Holton, Kansas (4)

    1. Atchison State Fishing Lake

    2 Reviews
    Atchison, KS
    31 miles

    "Clean pit toilets. Will definitely be back."

    "I took my skoolie there, and I thought we were supposed to park near the cabin, however, it's the part to the left of the cabin that we are supposed to camp at."

    2. Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    5 Reviews
    Tonganoxie, KS
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 887-6882

    "Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice. A few other overnighters were there. Not too much time is added if you’re traveling i70."

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

    3. Osage State Fishing Lake

    10 Reviews
    Scranton, KS
    49 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."

    4. Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake

    1 Review
    Westmoreland, KS
    37 miles

    "Beautiful scenery, nice lake. Everything is perfect here. The only thing that make it better is if they had trash cans, potable water and a grey water dump."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Holton, KS

16 Photos of 4 Holton Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Holton, KS

14 Reviews of 4 Holton 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.

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2025

    Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake

    Great stop for the night

    Pulled in late and left early. Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice. A few other overnighters were there. Not too much time is added if you’re traveling i70. Poop on the toilet seat in the pit toilet so we waited until we got to a gas station in the morning. People are animals.

  • 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 Holton

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Holton, Kansas, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers several spots perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Dispersed campers should check out Atchison State Fishing Lake

  • Located in Atchison, Atchison State Fishing Lake allows for a peaceful camping experience with no permit required, making it an easy choice for spontaneous trips.

Fishing and relaxation while free camping near Holton

Scenic views for dispersed campers at Osage State Fishing Lake

  • With its picturesque lake views, Osage State Fishing Lake provides a perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway, featuring private sites and fire rings for cozy evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Holton, KS is Atchison State Fishing Lake with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Holton, KS?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Holton, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.