Best Tent Camping near Kirwin, KS

Nice native buffalograss for tent camping and you may be the only tent camper in the park haha. If using the “non-specific primitive” sites, you’ll need to drive to access the dumpster, bathrooms/shower, and water. The Lakeview primitive sites had morning sun and were shaded in the afternoon/evening.

There are many RV and tent sites at this campground with water access to the Harlan reservoir. Several loops of sites are available around the lake within this campground. Electric RV sites and some tent sites can be reserved online while there are also a set number of first come first served sites. Dogs and campfires are allowed. There is a fish cleaning station for those who are interested in fishing. There is also a playground in the main loop for kids. Due to the overwhelming amount of rain in the area, some of the sites are unavailable right now, but there are still more than enough for everyone. We were there on a busy holiday weekend and still had plenty of space, shade, and privacy. Dogs are allowed on lease at all times. There are also two group campsites and a covered picnic facility that would be great for reunions.

We came in late and the campground was almost full. They found a place for us to park a Jeep with a roof top tent. All places are flat and good parking and good grass for tents. Set up well. Showers could have been cleaner but ok. The wind blew hard across the lake.

I am always looking for a cool spot to see geology (especially in Kansas), the only downside to this place, is it can be difficult to find.

Really nice people! great view will definitely go again for another week day tent trip

Stayed here for 3 days and 2 nights back in 2011. The park is a bit more built up than what I generally like but this was a fishing trip so I didn't mind. There is a volley ball court and playgrounds. There is an ORV trail which was seeing heavy use while we were there. They have laundry and even fish cleaning stations, which lucky for us we needed to use. They have back in and pull through sites for RV's, some with electric and some without. There are tent only sites too. One important thing to mention is you can't have more than one small camper or more than one tent per site. Some places you can get away with this but not here. We also saw some quail and a pair of female deer here.

$5/vehicle. $12.75 / tent. No change. My buddy and I stopped here for a night while crossing the state. One primitive camping spot for two adults in two vehicles. We each had to pay per car and per rent. Oh! And they couldn’t make change. $40 for a primitive spot in an empty state park. I won’t be back.

Stayed one night in a tent. Was able to find a site tucked in the trees that felt separate from the other campsites and it was perfect! Had a range of sites from primitive (picnic table and fire ring) to full hook up. Huge, busy campground but not overwhelming—there’s enough space to accommodate. Verizon works great.

I've been here twice now. Once in July and now at the very end of Oct. Better in Oct. No ticks or bugs and frankly of all the camping locations, there is a number of different choices, I had my section to myself. This place has swimming, a small hike, your choice of camping location, a frisbee golf course and miles one could hike or bike. I think it is kind of a jewel in the Kansas system.

Stayed in a tent sight on a hill over looking the lake. Had a fire pit, picnic tables, and small pavilion. Watched a full moon rise over the lake with a slight breeze. Quiet and peaceful. Left the next morning. Would stay again as an overnight on a road trip. I could see it being a cool spot to spend a weekend with a boat. Only downside was the proximity to the road with the occasional vehicle going by quite late at night.

We stayed in Prairie Dog State Park for one night on our way back home from Colorado and were pleasantly surprised with what a nice park this was. We stayed in a primitive site. The sites were spacious and had a wonderful shelter! The vault toilet, however didnt look like it had been swept in awhile as it had a LOT of bug carcasses. But otherwise a nice place to stay. Something for everyone, tents, RVs, campers. Beautiful views!

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.

Old Marina campground is mostly a RV campground, but plenty of grass behind each side for a tent.  This campground is in two areas, if you turn left as indicated by the sign you enter a loop that has numerous sites all pretty much right next to each other.  All these sites are perfectly level.  A small shelter is at the end of the loop.  A playground is in the middle of the loop and restrooms/showers are on the north end of the loop.  If you turn to the right you will come to a large parking area for the boat launch, and another set of campsites, you are just parking in a parking lot with numbered spots containing your hook ups and picnic tables with covers.  All sites in either section have picnic tables and metal fire rings as well as water and electric hook ups.  An RV dump is located on the road just before the turn to Old Marina.  Several dumpsters are in the area.  The loop section has large trees providing shade.  A sign on the restroom indicates that WIFI is available.

•  150 campsites, both with and without electric hookups. 
• There are also several tent-only sites. 
• Showers
• Toilets
• Laundry (1.50 per load)
• Two playgrounds
•  Volleyball court 
•  Boat ramp 
•  Fish cleaning station with grinder and running water is located near the entrance. Walleye, wipers, white bass, northern pike and channel catfish are the most sought-after fish species. 
• Game animals include pheasant, quail, prairie chicken, white-tailed and mule deer, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel. 
• The lake offers a variety of hiking trails of varying length and style, as well as one equestrian trail a short drive away. 
• An off-road vehicle trail is located in nearby Republican City. 
•  Latitude 40° 4' 59.0002" N Longitude 99° 13' 39.7200" W 
• Directions"   Highway 80, take Highway 183 south to Alma, Nebraska. Turn left onto Highway 136. then turn right on Berrigan Road and travel 1.25 miles to the intersection of Road B. Turn right and travel one mile; the park entrance is on south side of the road.
• Off-road vehicles not permitted in the campground 
• Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. 
• Phone number for campground inquiries, please call: 308-799-2105

This is our second visit to this location and I have an update on our stay.  Major thing for us is that we have not encountered the dreaded blood thirty skeeters.  We did have a major storm last night but campground held up rather well.  Hunter Cove is a large, well kept park and all facilities are clean with no flies or at least very few.  The park is blessed with a lot of mature tress giving most sites a nice shade.  There are several water sites and even the sites that are not on the water you will still have a view of the water.  Pad are gravel or grass but hard packed.  Hunter Cove is set in a very rural area.  Roads are what I would consider secondary.  Rather narrow, especially if you meet a vehicle pulling a boat and you are in an RV so be prepared.  

 When you turn off the main highway there is a liquor store and just down from that is a bait shop where I would guess you could pick up some supplies.  There is a market in Alma, Nebraska.  Make sure you purchase your supplies before arriving.

If you have a reservation and the camp host is not on duty you will find your spot and they have place a tag with your name and dates of arrival.  Sites are well marked and well maintained.  There are sections for tent campers and many are water sites.  Enjoy bird watching, fishing, hiking, fishing and other water activities.

Notice to all that bring watercraft.  All watercraft pose a threat of AIS Aquatic Invasive Species to the waterways in Nebraska and waterways in other states.  Watercraft is the primary source of AIS they must be prepared with an accepted means of ensuring no AIS will enter local waterways.  CLEAN  DRY  Non residents must obtain the AIS decal and apply to watercraft.  If a boat is launched from a Nebraska boat facility a AIS decal must be obtained.

After driving the whole park, we settled on Kanza campground at a little loop near the lakefront. There are several campgrounds available for you to choose from, just make sure to watch the signs to make sure they have your type of camping available (ie rv, tent, etc.). There are fire pits. The rv hookup ones are really nice. There are a few nice ones scattered throughout the primitive, and some are just rock piles. Love the fact they have trash cans! A little sad but Understandably they have their bathrooms locked up (We visited on Jan 4th). They have a nice kids playground In this section, and a small beachfront as well. After driving around, we saw a few people fishing, one guy on a boat, and several cars driving through for what seemed like pleasure cruising. As the sun set, we seemed to be the only campers in the whole place! Our only complaints about the location is the scattered tree cover (windblock for fire-we solved by using our vehicle) and the bathroom situation. We would return in the future and recommend this for an easy spot for winter camping if you come prepared. Summer wise, it may be crowded based on the proximity of the camping spot layouts, but that just gives us a reason to come back. Happy Camping!

We pulled in picked our site filled out the envelope paid 20.00 and put it in the drop box and the receipt in the window. Site 7 the power was fine. The water was good pressure and site was nearly level. It's 43 degrees at 8pm so I'm not using AC and the microwave. 30 amp for my refrigerator and hot water and microwave is working fine.

The camp areas are pretty flat . People arr frliendly but not intrusive. Fishing can be ok. Usually a nice breeze, but quite hot in high summer.

Close to home , large level camp pads.

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

Hill Top Campground is a nice level open campground, appear to be fairly new.  Great spot for the RV set as all sites have electric and water hook ups as well as picnic tables and metal fire rings.  Campground sits on a high spot in the State Park and overlooks the lake.  Sites are very large and nicely spread apart, but are in the open.  The big draw back to this campground in Webster State Park is the lack of a restroom.  You will need to go to the near by Old Marina Campground a 1/4 mile away for restroom and showers.  Old Marina also has a playground.  An R/V dump and dumpster is located between Hill Top and Old Marina Campground.  Boat launch is just down the road.  All sites can be reserved.