Tent campsites near Holton, Kansas offer several primitive camping options at nearby state fishing lakes and managed recreation areas. Woodridge Park provides dedicated tent camping with both drive-in and walk-in tent sites about 40 miles south of Holton. Shawnee State Fishing Lake in Mayetta, just 8 miles southwest of Holton, offers more rustic tent-only camping with scattered fire rings along the eastern shoreline.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities with minimal development. Woodridge Park provides clean vault toilets and drinking water access, while tent sites at Shawnee State Fishing Lake are more primitive with no drinking water available. Sites typically have fire rings, but campers should verify current fire restrictions before arrival. Several areas, including Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, offer free camping with picnic tables at designated tent sites. Many locations feature a mix of lakeside camping spots with limited privacy and more secluded walk-in tent sites accessible via short trails from parking areas.
Tent-only camping experiences around Holton vary from developed sites to more remote setups. Areas farther from town generally offer deeper seclusion and less noise, particularly at walk-in tent sites along trails. A visitor commented that "Woodridge is one of my favorite campgrounds with plenty of space, potable water, nice toilets, and tons of trails." At Shawnee State Fishing Lake, tent campers often enjoy having the entire area to themselves after sunset when day visitors depart. Primitive tent sites at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 provide lakeside views with decent spacing between sites. During weekdays, tent campers frequently find these areas nearly empty, though weekend fishing activity can increase daytime traffic at the lakes before quieting down in evening hours.
"We recently took our scout troop to Woodridge and had ample space for the group. The 4.5 mile trail was a nice activity for the scouts during the morning. "
"There’s a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail."
"Lots of shade and level spots for rvs. Can’t swim but dog had fun in lake. Water smelled fishy. Lots of trash laying around. Leave no trace people!"
"Driving across Kansas can be long and tedious and I'm often looking for a place to primitive-car-camp on the cheap to get some sleep while crossing the country."
from $20 - $40 / night
TravelerThe price is good. We paid just under 13usd for a basic primitive site. The bathrooms are limited and pretty rough as one might expect. Otherwise, we found it quiet, peaceful and pretty. Good location to Laurence and get a good coffee and donut.
GuideLots of big sites in Cornflower loop some shaded. Bathroom needs an update; I wouldn’t use the shower as too disgusting so can’t rate the water temperature.
ScoutWe set up our little camper trailer in one of the primitive loops, backed into the trees. Access to the white and blue trail loops from the campground either via some rickety stairs or from a trail next to the cabins. Relatively close to the bathroom and shower house for water. Campsite was great, but the campground in general could use a little bit of trash pickup and general spiffing up
RangerPretty developed, easy to find and right on the lake. Restrooms were nearby so that was a plus. There was plenty of space between sites but no real coverage for privacy. I don’t fish so I really just needed a free place to stay in nature and this was perfect for that. Bugs were… present. I called it a night quickly after the sun went down and could hear the bugs and other creatures from the inside of the car. Not my thing. The lake was super pretty and it was not difficult to drive to.
ScoutRight in the city park (St Mary's Riverside Park) are 3 "spots" to pull in and hook up. Only $10/night for electric (30 or 50 amp) and water! One site (#2) has a picnic table and grill. There were campers that just pulled into the park for the night (free) but no hook-ups.
Pros: restrooms with flush toilets (no showers), hook-ups, nice playground, grass/trees, quiet, disc golf course, good service at City Hall, just 2 blocks off Main St
Cons: have to plan ahead to make reservations (snail mail and check) if you want hook-ups OR go to City Hall during business hours to get key for electric box, mosquitoes.
Would certainly stay again!
RangerSites were nicely spaced and generally close to level. Paved roads. Our site 168 was surfaced with reclaimed asphalt. Lots of shade and clean. Many sites are electric only with 30 amps with water available in several locations in park. Good Starlink at my site.
GuideStayed at Cedar Ridge campground. Originally planned a 2 night stay. Ended up extending for total of 7 nights.
Pull thru and back-in sites, all are paved and level.
Clean bathrooms and good laundry room too.
Really nice place. Lots of shade or more sunny sites are available.
Army Corps of Engineers does it again.
TravelerGreat campground with lots of activities, roller skating, mini golf fishing pond & streams, splash pad & slide also has sports courts, basketball, tennis, pickle ball & a petting zoo our favorite campground to go to
RangerWe were traveling across Kansas and found this lovely campground. It is one of the prettiest we have come across through our extensive travels. The bathrooms are clean and showers adequate. The sites are level and either concrete or gravel, with some trees. Walking trails to and around the lake. A golf course on the way into the park. Very nicely groomed. Water, electric or full hookups. Quiet!! The next time we come through, we will stay here!!
Tent camping options around Holton, Kansas range from lakeside sites to secluded forest locations within a 30-mile radius. The area sits in the rolling hills of northeastern Kansas at approximately 1,100 feet elevation, characterized by mixed grasslands and oak-hickory forest patches. During summer months, temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for outdoor recreation.
Fishing opportunities: Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 provides excellent bank fishing with multiple species. According to Joe L., "Great fishing. Was the only one camping but had some beaver neighbors catching fish all night," making it ideal for anglers seeking solitude.
Water activities: At Woodridge Park, paddling enthusiasts can access Clinton Lake via short trails. Alexandra J. notes, "Site 4 is right on the lake and had a beautiful view of the sunrise," providing both scenic views and water access for kayakers.
Trail exploration: The walking paths at Pony Creek Lake offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and shoreline hiking. Shannon G. reports, "Pony Creek Lake is mainly a fishing area but does offer primitive camping on the South West area of the lake," with easy access to the water's edge.
Seclusion and privacy: Many tent campers appreciate the isolation available at Shawnee State Fishing Lake. Sue V. observed, "Far from the maddening crowd..although there were quite a few folks here Sunday evening…fishing and just relaxing..almost everyone left after sundown. I was camping and had the place to myself."
Spacious sites: The dispersed nature of camping areas provides ample room between sites. At Woodridge Park, Zach C. mentioned, "Camping spots along trail are really spread out and even if every spot is full you still feel secluded," allowing for a more private outdoor experience.
Lake views: Morning sunrises over water are frequently cited highlights. Chuck Y. shared his experience at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2: "Morning sunrise was perfect over the water me and my dog slept very quietly and nicely all night long," showcasing the tranquil atmosphere.
Facility limitations: Most tent camping areas provide basic amenities only. At Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, Tara I. noted, "Can't swim but dog had fun in lake. Water smelled fishy. Lots of trash laying around. Leave no trace people!" highlighting both pros and cons of the location.
Access considerations: Some camping areas require navigating rough roads. Hanna W. warns about Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, "Dirt road access. Pretty rough access road. Gravel + washout + steep hill down to lake level," suggesting appropriate vehicles for these conditions.
Weekend patterns: Weekdays typically offer greater solitude than weekends. Shea B. observed, "We arrived at around 5 on a Sunday and had a hard time finding a spot but by around 6pm all the locals were leaving and we ended up being the only people there by sunset," indicating timing strategies for securing optimal sites.
Insect awareness: Be prepared for seasonal insect activity that can impact the camping experience. Harmony H. from Woodridge Park shares, "We went mid-June, and there had apparently been some type of butterfly hatching. They were small but quite aggressive, constantly swarming us," suggesting camping earlier or later in the season with children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Look for opportunities to spot local fauna. Cori R. recounts her experience at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, "We saw a beautiful owl that flew between the trees," providing memorable nature encounters for children.
Trail difficulty: Consider trail conditions when planning hikes with children. Ashley F. notes about Woodridge Park, "The trail is probably easy to moderate and there are an endless number of areas to explore," making it suitable for families with varied hiking abilities.
Limited hookups: Most camping areas near Holton lack full RV amenities. Kevin from Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 mentions, "Nice spots near the water. Lots of fishers during the day but cleared out at night," but notes no hookups are available for larger rigs.
Level site availability: Finding flat parking can be challenging in some areas. Mark reported about Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, "Not very level but good enough. Beautiful lake," indicating that RVers should bring leveling blocks.
Self-contained requirements: Many sites lack facilities requiring self-sufficiency. Heidi H. advises about Pony Creek Lake, "If you're a stickler for following the rules, you better be prepared to be completely self contained," highlighting the need for onboard water and waste systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Holton, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Holton, KS is Shawnee State Fishing Lake with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
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