McPherson State Fishing Lake features primitive camping along the western shoreline with pull-through sites and basic amenities. Located in central Kansas where prairie meets wetlands, this area offers free camping options with some sites providing shade from cottonwood trees. The lake sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation and experiences hot summers with mild spring and fall seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: McPherson State Fishing Lake offers productive fishing spots with multiple species. "Awsome fishing lake, wild bison a mile or 2 down the road. Very nice camp spots with electrical hookups up on a hill and primitive down by the water," notes Papa T. from McPherson State Fishing Lake.
Explore nearby Lindsborg: The Swedish town of Lindsborg provides cultural experiences within a short drive. "Lindsborg is a super cool little town with a good bit of stuff to do within walking distance of the campsite. Lots of Swedish culture... Pool, water park, playgrounds, museum and more are walking distance," explains a camper from Old Mill Campground.
Kayaking options: Harvey County West Park provides calm waters for paddling enthusiasts. "Great place, been camping here since I was a kid in Boy Scouts. Good spot for kayaking, and if you're a fisherman I hear it's a good place," shares Terry M.
What campers like
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates at several campgrounds. "Nice campground. Can not beat the price. 15.00 for 30amp service. Surrounded by trees along a river in a nice little city park," reports David G. from Old Mill Campground.
Spacious sites: The ample room between camping spots creates a comfortable experience. "It's a small campground, nearby hiking but no other activities. It is clean, lots of trash cans and restrooms are clean," mentions Angee S. when describing Sand Hills State Park.
Peaceful atmosphere: Campers consistently note the quiet surroundings. "There's quite a few spot to camp. All primitive. Can get a little busy during the day on the weekend but there are some great spots up in the trees away from the water that stay pretty quite," notes Matthew G.
What you should know
Bathroom access: Facilities may require planning at some locations. "A very enjoyable place to camp I only with the bathrooms and clean water were closer to the campground instead of a 10 to 15 minutes walk just to do business and I wish you could swim as well but other than that a very quaint and hidden little gem camping is free as well," explains Gerald J.
Payment systems: Different campgrounds have varied payment methods. "As we were visiting Hutchinson during the state fair, Hutch's RV sites were all booked - but here were some spaces, not so far off. Larry was easy to communicate with by phone and text. We weren't given an arrival deadline, no forms or markers - had our choice of the available spots - Paid by check with a note in the drop box," shares James H.
Site leveling requirements: Some campsites require additional equipment. "Park was a little unlevel so definitely need to bring extra wood to level correctly. We paid $12 for the night since we got in super late otherwise it's $25 a night. Also saw a dump station that was free," notes Victoria S. about Sand Hills State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with children should consider campgrounds near play areas. "Wow. Beautiful trees. Grass field with electric. 15$ per night. In middle of cool Swedish town. Trails. Will be back. No reservations. Two other campers in field with about 25 30 amp sites Grassy sites," mentions Sandra B.
Swimming options: While McPherson State Fishing Lake prohibits swimming, other nearby options exist. "Quaint little town very convenient RV park with full hook ups sewer, water, and electricity. And lots of shade trees. You must visit the blacksmith coffee shop when you're in town!" recommends Lee D. from Coronado Motel and RV Park.
Wildlife viewing: Kids can enjoy observing local animals. "Not a lot of water but good for kayak fishing. Decent waking trails and campground. Dated facilities but fairly clean. Nice in the fall- Turkey and Deer," notes BJ T.
Tips from RVers
Overnight stops: Several campgrounds work well for single-night stays. "Stopped here early in February 2021 for one night, on the way home to Missouri from Arizona. Needed a quiet place to get a nights sleep and drain the tanks before putting the RV back in storage for the rest of the winter. This campground met all our needs," shares Paul P.
RV size considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "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," explains Jenny W. from Cottonwood Grove RV Campground.
Electric options: Electric service varies between locations. "Nice pull through & back in site just 4 miles from Kansas fairgrounds," states Bill V., highlighting the convenient proximity to popular events.
