Best Tent Camping near Manhattan, KS
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.
