Cabin camping options abound near Lorraine, Kansas, situated in the heart of the state's lake country with elevations around 1,650 feet. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cold winters that can drop below 20°F. Seasonal considerations significantly impact cabin availability, with winter offering more open bookings but limited water activities at some locations.
What to do
Bike the Switchgrass Trail: At Wilson State Park, mountain biking enthusiasts can enjoy 24 miles of trails. "Tons of hiking and biking trails. We camped in November so some of the bathrooms were closed but there was one open bathroom facility that was drivable with hot showers," notes Brian T.
Fish at local lakes: Most cabin camping areas provide direct access to fishing opportunities. McPherson State Fishing Lake offers quieter fishing spots away from busier state parks. A visitor mentioned, "Fantastic get away!! No quiet retreat with full hook ups, great bathroom & showers! VERY HELPFUL owner!!"
Paddle board the reservoirs: Bringing or renting paddle boards allows for exploration of the clear waters. "My girlfriend and I were able to take our paddle boards out which was a ton of fun and with the heavy boat traffic," reports a Nick P. about Kanopolis State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife habitats. "Wild bison a mile or 2 down the road. Very nice camp spots with electrical hookups up on a hill and primitive down by the water," mentions papa T. about McPherson State Fishing Lake.
What campers like
Waterfront cabin access: Buffalo Grass Campground at Wilson State Park offers direct water access. "We recently camped at the Buffalo Grass campground, not once, but twice on a roadtrip. The lake was only about a minute walk, and if you don't mind a little climb down some rocks, swimming is allowed," shares Steve P.
Spacious sites: Cabins at Wilson State Park are positioned to maximize privacy. "The campsites were spread apart nicely so not crowded with the neighbors," notes Wayne H. about the camping experience.
Clean facilities: Salina KOA Campground maintains high standards for their cabin area amenities. "Immaculate bathrooms, $4 all you can eat pancakes on the weekends. Pool, basketball, jump pad, ping pong, wagon rides, and so much more," reports Lindsey G.
Rock formations: The geological features surrounding cabin areas create unique landscapes. "Outstanding rock formations, reminds me of Utah. Water levels effect access to some formations," writes Darren about Big Bluestem at Wilson Lake.
What you should know
Cabin availability varies by season: Many cabins can be fully booked months in advance during peak summer. "We tent camped here and enjoyed our stay. The bathrooms were air conditioned and clean," notes Julie W. about Salina KOA when choosing an alternative to cabins.
Road noise consideration: Some cabin locations experience highway noise. "Convenient location along I-70 meant lots of highway noise. My kids loved the ping pong, basketball, inflatable jump pad, old metal playground and outdoor pool," advises Blair about Salina Campground.
Weather preparation: Kansas weather can change rapidly, affecting cabin comfort. "Our first stay was Friday, August 14th... The first night we got hit with a beautiful thunderstorm for about an hour," recalls Steve P. about Buffalo Grass campground.
Bathroom proximity: Cabin locations have varying distances to facilities. "A very enjoyable place to camp I only with the bathrooms and clean water were closer to the campground instead of a 10 to 15 minutes walk," notes Gerald J. about McPherson State Fishing Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Yarrow Otoe Area Campground offers multiple child-friendly features. "What I liked most about this particular site was the proximity it had to the swimming beach and also the restrooms. Within 100 yards of one another you could access flushing toilets and showers or fun in the sun," explains Crystal C.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several cabin areas feature recreational options. "The kids loved the pool. There are 2 pools one circular one 3ft on sides 6 in the center. And a smaller rectangle one that is a kiddie pool. My son is 40 inches and he could touch the entire length," shares Nicole C. about KOA Kampgrounds Salina.
Cabin alternatives: When cabins are full, tent sites can be a good backup. "There's quite a few spot to camp. All primitive. Can get a little busy during the day on the weekend but there are some great spots up in the trees away from the water that stay pretty quite," recommends Matthew G. about McPherson State Fishing Lake.
Insect preparation: The lake environments can have seasonal bug issues. "Mosquitos were bad at dusk and dawn," warns Blair about Salina KOA.
Tips from RVers
Cabin vs. RV comparisons: Little Bluestem Cabin Area offers both options with different advantages. "Do yourself a favor and stay at Blue Stem primitive site 5. Beautiful view of the reservoir, and it's on the end so you have a huge open area all to yourself," suggests Natalie.
Site selection advice: Some cabin and RV areas feature superior views and positioning. "Big Bluestem Campground Site 78! Prime spot with large shade tree to block western sun. 20' from water's edge with path to drop kayaks in, swim or even sit lawn chairs into the water to cool off," advises Darren about Wilson Lake.
Late arrival considerations: The self-registration process varies between cabin areas. "NOTE: the GPS location on Dyrt was wrong and brought us to a privately owned farm. Just look the place up online to get correct directions. This place was easy to pull into late at night and set up camp," warns Desirae B. about Wilson State Park Hell Creek Area.
