9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent camping options near Manhattan, Kansas include several lakeside locations with varied amenities. Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 offers free primitive tent camping with basic amenities including picnic tables and fire rings. Milford State Park, about 30 minutes southwest of Manhattan, provides tent campsites at both Cedar Point and Walnut Grove campgrounds, with the latter offering a more secluded tent camping experience along the shoreline of Kansas' largest reservoir.
Most tent sites around Manhattan feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal leveling, particularly at Pottawatomie County State Lake where terrain can be uneven. Pit toilets are available at most locations, though drinking water access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Pottawatomie, campers must bring their own water as none is provided on site. Tent sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, though some visitors have noted increasing litter issues. A visitor commented, "Leave no trace people!" regarding trash observed at Pottawatomie County State Lake, indicating minimal maintenance at some free camping areas.
The lakeside setting of these tent campgrounds provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and shoreline exploration. Walnut Grove in Milford State Park offers more seclusion for tent campers with sites that feature water views and direct shoreline access. A recent review noted the area has "trees for hammocks, access to the water, safe cove of water away from boats." Summer weekends see increased local traffic at most tent sites, particularly from anglers. Pottawatomie County State Lake tends to be quieter on weeknights, with some visitors reporting having the entire primitive tent area to themselves during off-peak times. Cedar Point at Milford has more limited flat terrain for tent camping, with one camper noting it's "not for tent camping...unless you like sleeping at an angle," making site selection important for tent users seeking level ground.
"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 $25 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"The lake was my favrote part. Depending on where you went there were nice fields to play frisbee in."
from $12 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Spend three nights with the cub scouts on this lake. We had lots of success with fishing and the kids really enjoyed some of the hiking trails."
TravelerNice spot to pull in for the night. Lots of spots on Sunday night in June. A few fisherman and kayakers out. Lots of shade and level spots for rvs. Can’t swim but dog had fun in lake. Water smelled fishy. Lots of trash laying around. Leave no trace people!
GuideWent with a buddy for tent camping 1 night this August. Clean area with plenty of firewood and a picnic table. Paid 14$ for a campsite, grass definitely could of been trimmed at our designated campsite. card only at the entrance because of COVID-19 at the moment. We camped right across from the boat ramp but was still a beautiful view
GuidePrimitive sites. Vault toilets, bbq, covered picnic tables and fire rings. 3 tents allowed per site. You can shower at the north Richey campground. All are close to the lake and there is a boat ramp at the entrance. Small campground with maybe 12 sites.
TravelerPlenty and clean well maintained shower houses. You may need to let water run a few to warm up. It all depends how active the showers are. Plenty of camping site to choose from including lots of level ground to set up tents. I had very good luck catching fish. Three different types of Catfish, white bass, crappie, and an walleye ever now and then. Not all sites have picnic tables but they are here. Water spickets available in many different locations. I am here on Memorial Day weekend and had no problem finding a primitive camp but first come first serve on water and utility sites. This is a very nice park.
LegendCedar point has some very spacious primitive and tent sites. There are also some with electric and water. Some of the sites in this campground have nice water views. Most have fire rings and tables. There are restrooms, bath house, trash receptacles and a dump. There is also a swim beach and a hiking trail. 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.
LegendTraveling to this State Park I didn't know much what to expect. I did know that a lot of the camping was not accessible because of the recent flooding but they did maintain the self pay station for those wanting to snag the limited sites available. I can only imagine with the upcoming Labor Day weekend this will still be hot ticket!
When I checked out this campground the sites seemed larger and more spacious overall. The upper loop still had that camping neighborhood vibe with sites clumped together a bit more closely but each was shaded and had a nice pull in and included a fire ring and picnic table, in some cases more than one.
There was a nice restroom area which included showers, something many of the campgrounds did not have so this was a hot commodity for sure.
I can imagine this being a great location for RV campers with relatively even pull ins and for tents alike with lush grassy areas. This campground did offer connections and water around camp.
On the lower loop it was a Bir more secluded and felt more spacious. I preferred the short walk to the restroom to keep that privacy.
Many of these sites were located on shoreline directly or on the cliffside of the area with great views. Unfortunately these were also the ones which were more effected by the floods so only a portion of the area was able to be accessed.
Tips:
* Book Online or carry cash, there is no fee station currently and self pay is the only option. This does not allow you to use card.
* Check the weather in advance. There are many options for camping at the park when the weather has not been terrible but with limited sites available currently you will want to make sure you plan ahead with the weather and seek higher sites.
* Bring your fishing pole or boat, this lake is amazing for fishing and has plenty of places you can launch your water vessel of choice.
Guide2 different loops with a several waterside campsites and picnic shelters alongside each. Campsites include tent pad, shelter, picnic table and either a fire pit or an elevated grill. There is also water access that you can drop your boat into thats just adjacent for main Richey Cove campground's beach. Tent only camping allows you to get some quiet time in the out doors as its one of the least frequented of the campsites around the lake and the farthest north.
LegendWoodlands Hills campground has both primitive and electric and water sites available. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring are are nice and spacious. There are ADA sites available. 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. There are clean restrooms and shower house, a dump, and access to trails. There are group sites near by with extra long tables, volleyball,basketball,horseshoes,and trails.
LegendWalnut grove is a primitive campground. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Some of the sites have water views and shorelines that you could boat or kayak right up to. There are boat ramps, slips(called the Yacht club), basketball hoops, and 2.1 miles of trails. This campground also has restrooms and a shower house. The lake has excellent fishing.
Tent camping opportunities near Manhattan, Kansas center around several lakes within 30-45 minutes of town. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August, and mild spring and fall seasons ideal for outdoor activities. Winter camping remains possible with proper gear as temperatures typically range from 20-45°F, though facilities may be limited during off-season months.
Kayaking and fishing: Council Grove Lake offers excellent fishing conditions with multiple coves for exploring. A camper noted, "Spend three nights with the cub scouts on this lake. We had lots of success with fishing and the kids really enjoyed some of the hiking trails" at Kansas View - Council Grove Lake.
Wildlife watching: Early mornings provide optimal wildlife viewing opportunities around Pottawatomie County State Lake. One visitor observed, "Was the only one camping but had some beaver neighbors catching fish all night. Wildlife heard all around" at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2.
Hammocking: Several lakeside campgrounds feature trees suitable for hammocks. The shoreline areas at Milford State Park provide excellent hammocking spots with water views. As one camper mentioned, "Beautiful spot. Trees for hammocks. Access to the water" at Walnut Grove.
Secluded camping spots: Weekdays offer significantly quieter camping experiences at most lakes. A camper at Walnut Grove shared, "beautiful view watching sunsets over Milford lake as our camp site was right off the water. We were secluded from other campsite for some privacy but still near restrooms" at Walnut Grove — Milford State Park.
Sunrise views: The eastern shores of local lakes provide stunning sunrise opportunities. One visitor commented, "Beautiful sunrise on the lake" at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2.
Easy access from I-70: For travelers passing through Kansas, several lakes offer convenient camping without major detours. A camper explained, "Not a huge detour from I-70 (maybe 20-30 minutes total)" regarding Pottawatomie County State Lake #2.
Water availability: Many primitive camping areas around Manhattan require campers to bring their own water supply. A visitor to Shawnee State Fishing Lake noted, "Dry camping. Camping spots on the east side of lake... Very pretty. Very quiet. Very primitive camping" at Shawnee State Fishing Lake.
Site terrain: The best tent camping near Manhattan, Kansas often features variable terrain. Look for level areas at Cedar Point, as one camper warned, "This is not a lake for tent camping. Unless you like sleeping at an angle. Very limited tent camping as well" at Cedar Point.
Seasonal crowds: Local fishing and boating activities increase significantly on summer weekends. One camper observed, "Lots of fishing, primitive site was a bit tight to pull a 36' fifth wheel into, but it's what we signed up for in a pinch. Great area, patrolled often" at Walnut Grove.
Playground access: North Overlook Park offers family-friendly facilities including playgrounds. A visitor commented, "Its a nice quiet place for a picnic with a decent playground for the kids to play. Its also a great place to watch the sunset" at North Overlook Park.
Geocaching opportunities: Several lakes feature geocaching activities suitable for family exploration. At Pottawatomie County State Lake, a local noted, "Locals enjoy this space year round for shore fishing and hammocking. Lots of shade. Some washout this summer... Great for kayaking. Couple geocaches as well."
Educational opportunities: The Milford Nature Center offers family learning experiences near camping areas. The facility provides wildlife exhibits and seasonal programs focusing on local ecosystems.
Road condition awareness: Access roads to primitive camping areas may present challenges. One RVer cautioned, "Pretty rough access road. Gravel + washout + steep hill down to lake level" at Pottawatomie County State Lake.
Level site selection: Cedar Point at Milford State Park works better for RVs than tents due to terrain. A camper explained, "This lake is made for those with RVS" at Cedar Point — Milford State Park.
Hook-up availability: Most primitive camping areas lack hook-ups, while established campgrounds offer varying levels of service. Always check site amenities before arrival, especially during peak summer months when premium sites fill quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Manhattan, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Manhattan, KS is Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 with a 4.2-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Manhattan, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Manhattan, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
