Best Campgrounds near Manhattan, KS

Are you in need of a campground near Manhattan, KS? Manhattan is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Manhattan, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Manhattan, Kansas (74)

    1. River Pond Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park

    14 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    5 miles
    +1 (785) 539-7941

    $10 - $95 / night

    "The lake is amazing and it has some great trail access.  Manhattan is a college town and with it can bring some more wild campers and some wild people on the lake.  Still a fun place to visit."

    "The bathrooms were located by the camper areas and not the primitive area. Lots of room near the shelters for multiple tents. There was no management and they have a self pay system."

    2. Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

    13 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 273-6740

    "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."

    "I thought it was really cool that Kansas has fishing lakes with designated free campgrounds surrounding them."

    3. Rocky Ford Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park

    4 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    5 miles
    +1 (785) 539-7941

    $21 - $23 / night

    "When camping in Kansas you must try the Rocky Ford Campground in Tuttle State Park River Pond Area. This is a great shaded area with water views and full hookups."

    "A little steep to actually get to the waters edge. Fire rings with grills and picnic table. Lantern hook with water and 30 & 50 amp electric hookups."

    4. River Pond State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    6 miles

    "The is a nice clean Kansas State Park. Lots of shady spots. Easy access to walking trails and water activities. Fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Most sites are only water and electric."

    "I recommend arriving in daylight to find your spot, as well as researching your location beforehand."

    5. Tuttle Creek Cove

    3 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 539-6523

    $24 / night

    "There is a nice beach area to swim, we rented kayaks and canoes for a leisurely paddle around the lake. Our camp site had plenty of over head cover from the sun."

    "Such a beautiful campground just a short drive (15 min) off the 70. Stopped for one night driving across the country wished we had more time. Clean, convenient, and beautiful views."

    6. Riley Point Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park

    3 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    5 miles
    +1 (785) 539-7941

    $10 - $23 / night

    "We were on sites that had lake views with Water and electric. To find the sites took some time due to no Ranger or worker available at checkin, but they did have our names on the camp posts."

    7. Randolph — Tuttle Creek State Park

    3 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 539-7941

    $19 - $21 / night

    "Stayed here for a couple nights, its a nice campground but fairly busy with close proximity to Manhattan and Fort Riley as well as the ORV park. Predominantly RV campers and off road rigs."

    "My husband and I stayed in a site with beautiful trees and sunflowers growing all around us. The monarchs must have been migrating because they were all over the trees."

    8. West Rolling Hills

    11 Reviews
    Junction City, KS
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 784-4447

    $14 - $24 / night

    "Lake side spots. Friendly camp hosts. Great campground."

    "I did however discover the campground was locked and a sign had been placed at the entrance of the camp that it would not be opening again until April 2020."

    9. Woodland Hills — Milford State Park

    6 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    $10 - $23 / night

    "We stayed lakeside at one of the primitive sites. Nice lake view, and quite. It was late July so pretty buggy outside the tent."

    "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."

    10. Acorn RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Milford, KS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 463-4000

    "A very beautiful lake, this area is pristine clean and water clear. A very large lake with many areas of camping and fishing."

    "Nestled on a beautiful lake. Definitely will stay again!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 74 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Manhattan, KS

179 Reviews of 74 Manhattan Campgrounds



Guide to Manhattan

Camping near Manhattan, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and convenient amenities. Whether you're looking for a quick stopover or a longer stay, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Fishing and swimming: Many campgrounds, like Lake Shawnee County Campground, have lakes where you can fish or swim. One reviewer mentioned, "The lake is beautiful and the campground is clean and neat."
  • Hiking and exploring: Trails are available at places like Tuttle Creek State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "A lot of well-maintained trails and a park as well as pavilions and a lake."
  • Playgrounds and activities for kids: Campgrounds like Salina KOA Holiday feature kid-friendly areas. One camper shared, "Clean, great kid play area (with ping pong) and a nice playground."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A review for Tuttle Creek State Park Campground stated, "Clean bath/shower houses. Dump stations on the way out."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming hosts. A visitor at Marysville City Park mentioned, "The staff are so nice. If you buy firewood and ice from them, they deliver it to your campground for you!"
  • Convenient locations: Campgrounds like Topeka / Capital City KOA are close to highways, making them easy to access. One camper noted, "Just off the interstate, so some road noise in exchange for the convenience."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds are near highways, which can lead to road noise. A camper at Topeka / Capital City KOA said, "Tons of highway noise all night."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 has no drinking water or electric hookups, but it’s free and offers a peaceful experience.
  • Reservations may be needed: Some campgrounds, like Chase State Fishing Lake, require permits for camping. A visitor mentioned, "Primitive camping though there is a pit toilet. FREE. Pack it in, pack it out."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. One camper at Salina KOA Holiday said, "Great kid play area (with ping pong) and a nice playground."
  • Plan for meals: Some campgrounds offer food delivery. A visitor at Lake Shawnee County Campground noted, "Easy to order their pizza, made there and delivered to our site."
  • Bring outdoor games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. A camper at Tuttle Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Plenty of space, amazing prices, lots of trees with well-kept grass."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some sites can be tight for larger rigs. A review for Topeka / Capital City KOA mentioned, "Back in spot would be a little tight for a bigger travel trailer but not bad."
  • Level your site: Many campgrounds have gravel sites that may need leveling. A camper at Perry State Park Campground said, "Easy breezin'... Water on each site which is a luxury."
  • Bring extra hoses: Water and sewer hookups can be awkwardly placed. A visitor at Topeka / Capital City KOA advised, "A longer water hose and sewer extension are a good idea."

Camping near Manhattan, KS, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. Just remember to check the specifics of each campground to make the most of your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Manhattan, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, Manhattan, KS offers a wide range of camping options, with 74 campgrounds and RV parks near Manhattan, KS and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Manhattan, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Manhattan, KS is River Pond Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Manhattan, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Manhattan, KS.

What parks are near Manhattan, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Manhattan, KS that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.