Best Campgrounds near Marion, KS
Marion, Kansas features several established campgrounds clustered around Marion Reservoir, providing a range of camping experiences for visitors. Cottonwood Point and Hillsboro Cove offer water and electric hookups with shaded sites ideal for RV camping, while Marion Cove provides more primitive options for those seeking a simpler experience. The French Creek Cove area provides tent and RV camping with water access in a quieter setting. Most campgrounds include basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities, with several sites situated directly on the reservoir shoreline.
Camping is available primarily from mid-March through mid-November at many of the developed sites, with some areas open year-round. The region experiences typical Kansas seasonal patterns with hot summers and cold winters. "The sites are shady, spacious, and quiet. The outer sides are overlooking the water," noted one visitor about Cottonwood Point. Most campgrounds require payment for overnight stays, with fees ranging from $10-18 per night depending on amenities. Reservations are recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Some areas allow self-registration, while others require advance booking through recreation.gov or checking in at entrance guard stations upon arrival.
The reservoir setting provides ample opportunities for water-based recreation alongside camping. Several campgrounds feature boat ramps and fishing access points, with many campsites positioned near the water. A camper described Marion County Lake as having "a couple cute campgrounds nestled along side the lake, some with electric and some without." Visitors particularly appreciate the spacious sites with covered picnic tables and mature shade trees at many locations. The area also includes Chase State Fishing Lake about 30 miles east, offering free primitive camping with fishing jetties at each site. Campground layouts vary from more developed loops with nearby amenities to primitive areas requiring self-sufficiency, giving visitors options based on their preferred camping style and desired level of solitude.
