Equestrian camping near Wamego, Kansas offers access to rolling Flint Hills terrain with prairie grasslands that remain unchanged for centuries. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures of 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for horseback excursions. Most equestrian sites in the area provide year-round access except during flooding events that occasionally affect the Republican River watershed.
What to do
Trail riding along lakeshores: Woodland Hills at Milford State Park offers trail access around Milford Lake. Camper Shannon G. noted that "this campground has water access and a beach area. I think it's so neat how they have life jackets hanging in case you didn't bring any."
Fishing from shore: Perry State Park provides multiple shore fishing access points. Brandon B. mentioned, "We camped in the Hobie Cove campground and the site itself was OK. Not a lot of choices for sites that are flat or offer a lot of shade. We did have a good time though exploring the area."
Wildlife observation: Cedar Point offers opportunities to view native Kansas wildlife. Shannon G. reported, "It's a very pretty area and this park has wildlife to view like the large flock of turkey vultures who live in the dead trees of cedar point."
Lake swimming: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. Michelle S. from Cedar Point said, "This was a beautiful clean campground with a nice lake. Only complaint is that several of the restrooms were still closed due to a flood in 2019."
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Banner Creek Reservoir offers well-separated sites. According to Stacy Z., "Sites were beautiful! We had a spot right near the grassy area with the woods right behind us! Fireflies at night wonderful! Great water hook up and electric site!"
Lake views: Several campgrounds offer lakeside sites with unobstructed views. At Prairie View campground, Shannon G. found that "our camper door faced a cove of the lake and the boat ramp. It was like there was no one else camping by us. We were able to launch our kayaks a few feet from our campsite which was nice."
Clean facilities: Despite varying maintenance levels across parks, many campers report satisfactory conditions. At Woodland Hills, Halynn S. reported, "The spots are fairly small and close together, but the camp hosts were really nice people! we had a super pretty view near the water, pets allowed, decent price, and it was pretty quite!"
Helpful staff: Camp hosts receive consistent praise across multiple locations. At Banner Creek, Stacy Z. noted, "Bob and Diane were wonderful hosts!!! So kind and helpful!!! They even came back with ice for us twice!!!"
What you should know
Flood risks: Several campgrounds experience periodic flooding that affects site availability. At Prairie View, Crystal C. warned, "This campground is prone to lower sites flooding when rains are abundant. However no one could have prepared for massive rains which took an already vulnerable large campground and turned it into a very small limited access site."
Mosquitoes and insects: Summer brings significant insect activity. Jessica C. at Tuttle Creek noted, "Bring bug spray, as the mosquitoes and chiggers were biting! Very quiet stay for a couple nights!"
Reservation systems: Most state parks have transitioned to online reservation systems. Call ahead to check conditions, especially during storm seasons or flood events.
Water levels: Lake conditions can vary dramatically by season. Fred B. from Milford State Park advised, "Reservations were easy and the scenic drives around the lake are beautiful. Junction City is 10 minutes away for all your needs."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible swimming areas: Look for dedicated family beaches. At Woodland Hills, Shannon G. appreciated that "this campground has water access and a beach area. I think it's so neat how they have life jackets hanging in case you didn't bring any."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Lisa S. at Eagle Ridge mentioned, "There is a medium sized playground near the swimming area."
Protected sites: Choose locations with natural windbreaks for tent camping. Chris S. at Tuttle Creek shared, "We were able to snag a drive up tent spot and had no neighbors which was nice and relaxing."
Group site options: Several parks offer specialized group camping areas. Shannon G. noted Woodland Hills has "group sites near by with extra long tables, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, and trails."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Many campgrounds offer convenient access sites. Caitlin R. at Perry State Park recommended, "Lake view Loop is where to be! Wonderful pull through spots, great views, and closer to the boat ramp!"
Dump station access: Most parks have centralized facilities rather than full hookups. Doug H. observed at Perry State Park, "Like most state parks no sewer hookups but easy access to dump station."
Site spacing: Consider how close neighboring sites will be. Andy commented about Perry State Park's Eagle Loop: "Was surprised at the layout of this campground loop when we pulled in. Thankfully it was just a pit stop on our drive out west, but it was essentially a parking lot."
Utilities: Water quality varies between campgrounds. Savannah at Woodland Hills noted, "Water has a slight sulfur smell, but who's sink in KS doesn't."
