The southcentral Kansas area surrounding Medicine Lodge sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation in the gently rolling plains, creating a transition zone between the Flint Hills to the east and the High Plains to the west. Camping options near Medicine Lodge range from primitive lake sites to developed city parks, with most locations offering good road access via paved or maintained gravel roads. Summer temperatures frequently reach the mid-90s with humidity levels over 70%, making water access a critical consideration for campers from June through August.
What to do
Bird watching and wildlife viewing: Kingman State Fishing Lake provides excellent opportunities for nature observation. "Enjoy the coyotes howling at night and the waterfowl on the still lake in the morning," reports a camper who regularly visits the area. Many visitors spot deer, quail, ducks, and owls in the area.
Crystal digging: Salt Plains State Park Campground offers a unique experience about 75 miles southwest of Medicine Lodge. "You can get hands on and dig into the plains around 2 feet down and find that the water will start flooding into the hole you created. From here you simply need to splash water along the sides of your new dig and expose your jewels to take harvest," explains one visitor. The dig site is open April through October.
Fishing and boating: Many lakes in the area provide good fishing opportunities. One reviewer at Kingman State Fishing Lake mentions, "Stayed one night in our small rv on Columbus weekend in October. Not crowded, extremely quiet. Heard ducks and owls during the night. No fee!!" Most lakes have boat ramps or shore access points for anglers.
What campers like
Quiet, spacious campsites: Many campers praise the solitude at certain campgrounds near Medicine Lodge. At Kiowa County State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Nice spots around a pretty lake. I got there around 7 pm and there were only a couple trucks there for fishing, but more people pulled in later on. It seemed like each spot had their own picnic table and fire pit."
Low or no cost camping: Several state fishing lakes and county parks offer free or low-cost camping options. A reviewer at Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park shared, "This is a quiet little park for being in the heart of Pratt. It's just $10/night for electric & water. There's a dump station nearby, you just need to get the key from city hall." Free camping at state fishing lakes typically includes picnic tables and fire rings but few other amenities.
Accessibility to town amenities: Some campsites provide convenient access to town services. At Sixth Street Park, one camper noted, "We had originally pulled in to Walmart but it was way to noisy with the trucks. Found this great spot in a beautiful city park water and electricity for 10$." The proximity to small towns allows campers to stock up on supplies while still enjoying a camping experience.
What you should know
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Most state fishing lakes offer only basic facilities. At Kingman State Fishing Lake, a camper described it as having "No hookup, just a picnic table and a fire ring. Vault toilets." Be prepared to bring your own water and supplies.
Environmental factors: Wind and noise can be issues at some locations. At Kiowa County State Park, a reviewer mentioned, "There is a lot of noise from the working silos, railroad, and highways." Strong prairie winds are common throughout the region.
Cell service reliability: Coverage varies significantly between campsites. At Medicine Lodge City Park, visitors generally report good connectivity, but more remote locations have spotty service. One camper visiting the area reported "Verizon service works good throughout the park" while noting that "T-Mobile, and it hardly work at all. Very bad signal."
Weather considerations: Summer heat requires preparation. One camper noted that "a sweltering, humid July evening" required running air conditioning in their RV. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures with highs in the 70s-80s.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature recreational facilities for children. Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park includes "a ecosystem of community swimming pool, tennis/pickle ball, ball diamonds and walking paths," according to one visitor, making it ideal for families with active children.
Safety considerations: Sites closer to towns generally offer better emergency access. "The local sheriff's deputy drove through several times while we were there," noted one camper at Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park, providing added security for family campers.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing can be educational for children. One visitor to Salt Plains State Park mentioned, "Crystal digging is a great activity for kids. But there is no shade and it can get hot and windy so bring water and sunscreen." The unique selenite crystal formations make for an engaging science lesson.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookups for summer comfort: The region's hot summers make electricity crucial for RVers. One camper at Medicine Lodge City Park stated, "This really is a city park. One which boasts some really great park amenities- baseball diamonds, playgrounds, pool... There are four RV pads with electric hook up across from the baseball diamond, next to the restrooms."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. A reviewer noted, "There's a dump station nearby, you just need to get the key from city hall." Call ahead to confirm dump station access and protocols.
Site spacing and privacy: RV site quality varies significantly between locations. At Kingman State Fishing Lake, a reviewer observed, "About 10 drive-through sites requiring a turning radius my 20 foot trailer could hardly manage, spaced out quite nicely mostly right on the bank of the fishing pond." Check site dimensions before arrival if driving a larger rig.
