Milford Lake covers 15,700 acres and features a 33-mile shoreline in the Flint Hills region of Kansas, making it the state's largest reservoir. Water levels can fluctuate seasonally, with some camping areas occasionally affected by flooding. Temperatures range from winter lows near 20°F to summer highs averaging 90°F, with July and August typically offering the most stable camping weather.
What to do
Kayaking and lake activities: Curtis Creek Park at Milford Lake offers direct water access with boat ramps near camping areas. A camper noted, "We went kayaking and playing on the beach. We booked the buddy sites to have an extra large site beside the beach area and it was worth it. All sites seemed well kept and level."
Swimming at dedicated beaches: Tuttle Creek Cove provides a designated swimming area during summer months. "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," according to a visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cedar Point features unique wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for bird enthusiasts. "This park has wildlife to view like the large flock of turkey vultures who live in the dead trees of cedar point," reports one camper who explored the area.
What campers like
Lakefront camping options: Curtis Creek Milford Lake offers sites with unobstructed water views. A camper shared, "I stayed in spot A18, and if you are tent camping I would choose that one if you can. It is the last spot in the row of sites and is bordered on two other sides by the lake so you can have an uninterrupted view."
Covered picnic shelters: Sunset Ridge — Milford State Park provides sites with practical amenities. "Sunset Ridge is a small tenting campground along side sunset cabins. Each site has a covered picnic shelter and grill. The sites are nice and spacious," notes one reviewer about the glamping close to Milford Lake.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Randolph at Tuttle Creek State Park maintains high standards for its restrooms. "Showers and toilets are nice," reports a camper, while others consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities throughout the park system.
What you should know
Seasonal closures and flood impacts: Some facilities at Milford Lake may close temporarily due to flooding. "This was a beautiful clean campground with a nice lake. Only complaint is that several of the restrooms were still closed due to a flood in 2019," reports a visitor to Cedar Point — Milford State Park.
Blue-green algae concerns: Water quality can affect swimming safety during certain times of year. One camper noted, "Only downside is the blue-green algae made it unsafe to swim but that is not a fault of the campground."
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds now require online booking, which can cause issues for last-minute arrivals. A camper at Farnum Creek explained, "The check in process was severely frustrating. They only do online. So when we got there with little sun left it took 30 minutes to actually reserve the spot."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer updated play equipment for children. "A pit toilet close by and new playground equipment in A loop," mentions a visitor to Curtis Creek, providing information about family-friendly facilities.
Insect preparation: Salina Campground visitors recommend bringing protection against seasonal insects. "Mosquitos were bad at dusk and dawn," reported one camper, while others mention checking for poison ivy around tree bases.
Kid-focused amenities: Some glamping sites near Milford Lake feature recreational options beyond standard camping. "Kids enjoyed the basketball court, playground, and swimming pool," noted a family that visited Salina Campground, highlighting activities beyond water recreation.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for views: Owl's Nest Campground offers various site configurations for different RV types. "Full hook ups, pull thru and back in sites, so it's convenient no matter what you are driving. They nice level spots and definitely well maintained," explains an experienced RVer.
Shade considerations: Campgrounds offer varying levels of tree cover, important during Kansas summers. "A lot of shade, which is nice in the Kansas heat once summer rolls around," notes a camper at Owl's Nest, while other reviews mention less shaded options at certain campgrounds.
Seasonal stay options: Several glamping locations near Milford Lake accommodate longer-term visitors. "They have daily, weekly and monthly rates," reports a camper at Owl's Nest Campground, providing flexibility for extended stays.
