Marion Reservoir, KS is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Marion Reservoir is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Kansas camping adventure.
Cottonwood Point is a spacious and shady campground located on the shores of Marion Reservoir. This Kansas getaway draws in thousands of visitors annually to enjoy the pristine lake shoreline and surrounding canopy of forest.
Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting. Numerous hiking and biking trails snake through the forest around the lake, and the The Willow Walk Nature Trail is especially popular for wildlife enthusiasts. Campers are likely to spot white-tailed deer, pelicans, raccoons and various other waterfowl. Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.
Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.
The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
$10 - $21 / night
The lake has a steep to shallow rocky shoreline and shallow mudflats on the upper end. Water clarity is usually very good. Eight fishing piers and many rock and brush fish attractors enhance angling opportunities at the lake. Fair to excellent populations of channel catfish, black bass, saugeye, crappie, white bass, and bluegill are found in the lake. Adjacent uplands primarily consist of native grass prairie. A diversity of wildflowers exists on the property and can provide outstanding viewing opportunities. Several small woody draws also exist on the property, primarily below the dam. Hunting is allowed but game populations are limited. The area does provide opportunities to hunt species such as quail, rabbit, white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrels, waterfowl, and prairie chicken. Camping is allowed (first come, first served) in designated areas along the north shore of the lake.
This KOA is midway between St. Louis, Denver, the Black Hills, and Texas. You'll have easy access to I-70 as well as I-135 to Wichita. Located in a shady meadow northwest of Salina, you can relax in a lawn chair while fishing in the private pond. Swim in the pool, play horseshoes, enjoy the Jump pad, watch the kids go for a train ride, or rent a bike. All sites are pull-thru with free Wi-Fi and cable available on most. At Salina, spend more than one day seeing the area's historic sites. Visit Abilene (about 25 miles E), known as the boyhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower. Check out the museum chronicling Ike's achievements at the Eisenhower Center. Visit Lindsborg, Kansas' Little Sweden (S of the campground). Stop at Rolling Hills Zoo (6 miles W on I-70). In summer (Sat. and Sun.), enjoy the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts. "Delicious Hunt Brothers Pizza and Wings can be delivered to your site (hours vary; ask in the office)." Pool: Memorial Weekend - Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru 80 feet. Your hosts: Daryle & Terri Schwerdt.
$46 - $65 / night
McPherson State Fishing Lake is located 6 miles north and 2 miles west of Canton. The lake is set in a very scenic location in the southeastern tip of the Smoky Hills on the upper end of the Gypsum creek drainage and has a nice wooded campground on the west shore. It is impounded by an earthen dam and managed in conjunction with the adjoining Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. Fishing piers, fish feeders, boat ramp, courtesy dock, vault toilets, and camping and picnic facilities are provided for fishermen, primarily along the western shoreline. Boating is allowed for fishing purposes only. The lake is known for channel catfish and largemouth bass. Additional species include black crappie, bluegill, black bullhead, and several native sunfishes.
No camping is allowed on the fishing piers. Primitive camping is permitted, but please take your trash with you.
Pit toilets, fire rings/grills, and picnic tables are available for use by picnickers, campers, and fishermen who wish to stay overnight.
A nature trail is open year-round on the southwestern corner of the lake. Brochures for the trail are available at the trail head. Only pedestrians are allowed on the trail; no horses, mountain bikes, etc. are allowed
Marion Cove Campground is located just north of the Marion Reservoir Dam right past the Project Office. Its a primitive tent camping campground w/o electrical hookups.
Popular activities include camping, boating, and fishing Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.
Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.
The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
$10 / night
Hillsboro Cove is a quiet little campground conveniently located off Highway 56 between the towns of Marion and Hillsboro. It's known for water front camping sites and a readily accessible boat ramp for fishermen.
Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting. Anglers will find an abundance of Channel Catfish, Walleye, White Bass, Wipers, White Crappie and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.
Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.
The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
$70 - $80 / night
French Creek Cove Campground offers a secluded quiet campground that is located on the Southwest side of Marion Reservoir.
Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting. Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.
Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.
The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
$12 / night
Small, quiet campground just off I-135, (Exit 40) in a country setting. We have all pull-through sites with choice of 30 or 50 amp hook-ups. Tent camping available. Nature trail with lots of birds along a nice creek. Laundry facilities and a nice Chinese restaurant next door. Lovely coffee shop and one of the state's newest Casey's just the other side of the interstate. Centrally located near many Kansas attractions.
Cottonwood Point is a spacious and shady campground located on the shores of Marion Reservoir. This Kansas getaway draws in thousands of visitors annually to enjoy the pristine lake shoreline and surrounding canopy of forest.
Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting. Numerous hiking and biking trails snake through the forest around the lake, and the The Willow Walk Nature Trail is especially popular for wildlife enthusiasts. Campers are likely to spot white-tailed deer, pelicans, raccoons and various other waterfowl. Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.
Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.
The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
$10 - $21 / night
The lake has a steep to shallow rocky shoreline and shallow mudflats on the upper end. Water clarity is usually very good. Eight fishing piers and many rock and brush fish attractors enhance angling opportunities at the lake. Fair to excellent populations of channel catfish, black bass, saugeye, crappie, white bass, and bluegill are found in the lake. Adjacent uplands primarily consist of native grass prairie. A diversity of wildflowers exists on the property and can provide outstanding viewing opportunities. Several small woody draws also exist on the property, primarily below the dam. Hunting is allowed but game populations are limited. The area does provide opportunities to hunt species such as quail, rabbit, white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrels, waterfowl, and prairie chicken. Camping is allowed (first come, first served) in designated areas along the north shore of the lake.
This KOA is midway between St. Louis, Denver, the Black Hills, and Texas. You'll have easy access to I-70 as well as I-135 to Wichita. Located in a shady meadow northwest of Salina, you can relax in a lawn chair while fishing in the private pond. Swim in the pool, play horseshoes, enjoy the Jump pad, watch the kids go for a train ride, or rent a bike. All sites are pull-thru with free Wi-Fi and cable available on most. At Salina, spend more than one day seeing the area's historic sites. Visit Abilene (about 25 miles E), known as the boyhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower. Check out the museum chronicling Ike's achievements at the Eisenhower Center. Visit Lindsborg, Kansas' Little Sweden (S of the campground). Stop at Rolling Hills Zoo (6 miles W on I-70). In summer (Sat. and Sun.), enjoy the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts. "Delicious Hunt Brothers Pizza and Wings can be delivered to your site (hours vary; ask in the office)." Pool: Memorial Weekend - Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru 80 feet. Your hosts: Daryle & Terri Schwerdt.
$46 - $65 / night
McPherson State Fishing Lake is located 6 miles north and 2 miles west of Canton. The lake is set in a very scenic location in the southeastern tip of the Smoky Hills on the upper end of the Gypsum creek drainage and has a nice wooded campground on the west shore. It is impounded by an earthen dam and managed in conjunction with the adjoining Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. Fishing piers, fish feeders, boat ramp, courtesy dock, vault toilets, and camping and picnic facilities are provided for fishermen, primarily along the western shoreline. Boating is allowed for fishing purposes only. The lake is known for channel catfish and largemouth bass. Additional species include black crappie, bluegill, black bullhead, and several native sunfishes.
No camping is allowed on the fishing piers. Primitive camping is permitted, but please take your trash with you.
Pit toilets, fire rings/grills, and picnic tables are available for use by picnickers, campers, and fishermen who wish to stay overnight.
A nature trail is open year-round on the southwestern corner of the lake. Brochures for the trail are available at the trail head. Only pedestrians are allowed on the trail; no horses, mountain bikes, etc. are allowed
Marion Cove Campground is located just north of the Marion Reservoir Dam right past the Project Office. Its a primitive tent camping campground w/o electrical hookups.
Popular activities include camping, boating, and fishing Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.
Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.
The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
$10 / night
Ranger
We actually camped at Bemis Campground about a mile and a half south of this campground. Right off of the main road. There was about 15 or 20 spaces all with electric. I believe there was vault toilets only but no dump station. We had to come up to the blue stem area to dump. Nice little campground right on the lake but downside was that it was right next to the road so a little bit of traffic noise and not really any place to hike or walk. Spaces were fairly level and nicely spaced apart. Probably would recommend taking a back in spot rather than a pull through spot as the pull through were all pretty small and had no shade.
Guide
It's a quaint little campground that has been around for 60 years. It's just down the street from President Dwight D Eisenhower presidential museum and library. The entrance is marked with a square blue sign I found difficult to read when approaching the campground. Our site was very level with about 15-18 foot swath of grass on either side.
If you get the chance visit the early 1900's wooden Carousel and old Abilene historic buildings. Check out the The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad heritage railway. Ride the Flint Hills Express on track built by the Rock Island Railroad in 1886! M&R Grill had good food, reasonable prices, and generous portions. Staff was friendly and helpful.
Traveler
Nice pull through & back in site just 4 miles from Kansas fairgrounds
Scout
Nice campsite, tons of sites with nobody else here. Not buggy either.
Guide
Kansas has over 40 state fishing lakes with free camping. Lots of fishermen. I’d say over a dozen camping sites. We had a shelter, picnic table, toilet building, view of the lake. We rode our motorcycles here to tent camp. Raccoon couldn’t wait for me to zip my tent to come out and see what we left out.
GuideNice easy place to pitch a tent or hang a hammock. Primitive campground is well maintained and largely unoccupied because of the lack of hookups for RVs. Stayed on 4th of July and only one other family was in the entire campground. Close to swimming beach, but bring your own water as there is no spigot nearby. Great birds too!
Scout
Reserve online, reasonably priced. One week stay in this little park, close to Junction City and Fort Riley. Full hookups in pull- thru half circle asphalt tar or back-in sites. Close to Hwy 70 with some noise. Laundry/shower area available.
TravelerCamp site was fine. Just disappointed in the amount of trash surrounding. Easily filled up a large trash bag at the single site I was on. Could be so much better if maintained.
TravelerAfter told at the office that there were showers in Bluestem all of the modern showers were locked due to water line problems. So we went to the campgrounds by the dam.
TravelerFinally we found a campsite in Old Oak. Beautiful setting. Showers/toilets were were better than the archaic ones in Bluestem that have no roofs, but barely. Broken soap dispensers, cold water, no privacy in showers, etc.
Scout
We stayed at this federal campground 3/29/24 for free. 126 sides and I think there were four RVs here. No hookups or water (That's why it's free) but it had one open pit toilet. Beautiful views, felt very safe. A bit windy. Hopefully everybody will take care of this place & not abuse the privilege of staying here in the winter for free.
TravelerCampsite is clean and peaceful. Beautiful lake with a waterfall a little more north. The highway nearby is a little noisy but not off putting. Regular drive bys from locals but completely normal.
Scout
The park was clean and friendly. I loved the dog park so I could let my pups run free. The laundry facility was very helpful so i didnt have to travel to find one. There was free wifi in the park as well, which my kids loved. There is a very pretty pond area on the property, with very nice walking trails. Wichita, KS is very close by with lots of fun things to do. Enjoyed my time there, will def stay there again if back in the area!
Scout
In June of 2023, my husband& I decided to move into our 42' toy hauler. We searched& searched within a 30-minute radius of our property that we had bought for a campground with great amenities and where we would feel safe with our 2 babies. Walt's is by far the safest, friendliest, fun-filled campground compared to any of the others we visited around. We were greeted with friendly faces and welcoming staff from our very first day of move-in. They made sure we got settled& hooked up ok and have continued to make us feel right at home. My husband is a truck driver so isn't always home when things go wrong with the camper. The staff has always been there to help when something happens especially when we have had issues with propane leaks, or the heater not working during the colder temps. This campground offers put-put course, swimming pool with poolside pub, horseshoes, catch& release fishing, walking trail, small dog park, playground for children, shower houses/restrooms, laundry facility, on site gas station, a country store with made to order pizzas, sandwiches& tex mex! They do several family friendly events throughout the year. At the country store they have anything of convenience that you may need from toiletries, drinks, snacks, ice cream, games, books, alcoholic beverages, etc. We absolutely love staying here. The sites have been freshly graveled. During the summer the lawn, gardens, pool, etc. Were maintained regularly and they are constantly doing updates weekly here. The best part it is also right off I-70. For long term campers that are truckers they do have a small area for semis. They also have a rentable party room inside the country store as well as outdoor areas for party rentals!
GuideClean restrooms and showers. Quiet campground. Downfall is right next to interstate. Internet is not the best, but it is secure.
RangerWe stayed for three nights while staying close to Nebraska for a wedding and work obligations. Quiet lake, we were the only campers there. Little traffic through the park. Can sometimes hear the highway 77 noise but not really inside the camper. Great free spot.
Scout
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Scout
Gravel sites. Great, robust WIFI. Clean, modern bathrooms and showers.
GuideMultiple spots are available on the lake, and there are a couple in a grassy wooded area. They have picnic tables and fire pits already there. I stayed in the grassy wooded area and enjoyed the night. Road noise dies down around 8 or 9 and then you only hear occasional cars if you are awake... didn't bother me much. Had a dog and she had a good time.
Guide
Pleasant small family owned campground. Lyndel was very sweet. Hot showers with lots of water pressure, laundry room and full hookup. If you need a spot to take a break from driving, this is a nice spot.
Scout
It was easy thank you very much
ScoutGood wish could’ve been closer to the boats, but nearby the swimming area right now t-Mobile service works out here pretty well. 
Guide
This is a decent stop over during travel. The site was wide and level and had mature trees. The park itself isn't far from the interstate, which makes it fantastic for an easy off and on, but also comes with some road noise. There is also a truck stop at the end of the road for convenient fill up.
TravelerPros:
- easy to get to from I-70
- friendly camp hosts
- lots of grass to walk dogs
- beautiful sunsets
Cons:
- 35 minutes one way to the nearest town with major stores like Walmart and Petco
- people did not care about walking through my waterfront site to get to the water (there were other ways)
- site was pretty sloped back to front and side to side but just bring leveling blocks and you're fine
- dump station didn't provide a water hose for cleaning the sewer hose after dumping even though it had water connection but must provide own hose
I didn't use the bathroom facilities and forgot to test speed but I had zero issues with Verizon or AT&T.
Guide
Sites are nice; although very exposed to the neighbor and close together. It was really windy. Almost all sites in the b loop on the lake. Bathrooms clean. Not sure if there is a shower somewhere.
ScoutFriendly staff, primo campsites, and awesome amenities. Highly recommended for a wicked camping experience!
ScoutRent kayak, tent and rv friendly. Fishing and hiking. No Wi-Fi but there are usually two bars.
Camping near Marion Reservoir, Kansas, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to fish, hike, or just relax by the water, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Marion Reservoir, Kansas, has something for everyone, from fishing and hiking to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Marion Reservoir?
According to TheDyrt.com, Marion Reservoir offers a wide range of camping options, with 84 campgrounds and RV parks near Marion Reservoir and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Marion Reservoir?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Marion Reservoir is Cottonwood Point with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Marion Reservoir?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Marion Reservoir.
What parks are near Marion Reservoir?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Marion Reservoir that allow camping, notably Council Grove Lake and El Dorado Lake.
