Milford Lake, the largest lake in Kansas at 16,200 acres, serves as the centerpiece for glamping close to Milford, Kansas. The reservoir sits at 1,144 feet elevation with surrounding limestone bluffs creating distinctive camping environments. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions for tent camping and outdoor recreation.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing access: Curtis Creek Park offers direct lake access for water activities. "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," notes Michelle B.
Beach recreation: Tuttle Creek Cove provides swimming areas along with watercraft rentals. "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," shares David H.
Wildlife viewing: Observe local fauna including wild turkeys and monarch butterflies. At Cedar Point, Shannon G. notes there's "wildlife to view like the large flock of turkey vultures who live in the dead trees of cedar point." During certain seasons, Tuttle Creek State Park features sunflower fields that attract butterflies. "My husband and I stayed in a site with beautiful trees and sunflowers growing all around us. The monarchs must have been migrating because they were all over the trees," writes Jessica C.
What campers like
Quiet, spacious sites: Farnum Creek offers waterfront camping with minimal crowding. "Clean area with plenty of firewood and a picnic table. Paid 14$ for a campsite," mentions Joey B., though he notes the "grass definitely could of been trimmed at our designated campsite."
Covered picnic areas: Sunset Ridge — Milford State Park provides sheltered eating areas. "Each site has a covered picnic shelter and grill. The sites are nice and spacious," according to Shannon G., who adds that "the cabins to have large shelters with tables and grill."
Lake views: Many campsites offer water views without requiring waterfront premium fees. A Tuttle Creek Cove visitor, Elizabeth B., appreciated the "beautiful views" and noted it was "such a beautiful campground just a short drive (15 min) off the 70." Another camper at Sunset Ridge enjoyed their "covered pavilion with a view of the lake. We happened on it thru Dyrt on our way out to Yellowstone and it fit our needs exactly. Close to I-70, but you felt away from everything."
What you should know
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer. Carter W. found the check-in process at Farnum Creek "severely frustrating. They only do online. So when we got there with little sun left it took 30 minutes to actually reserve the spot."
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds have limited operations from November through March. Tuttle Creek Cove operates from "April 15 to October 31" according to their listing information.
Algae concerns: Blue-green algae can affect swimming safety, particularly in late summer. "Only downside is the blue-green algae made it unsafe to swim but that is not a fault of the campground," reports Kaylyn B. about Curtis Creek.
Restroom availability: Facility access varies by campground and season. Michelle S. noted at Cedar Point that "several of the restrooms were still closed due to a flood in 2019," suggesting visitors should check current status before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Salina Campground offers extensive children's amenities despite highway noise. "My kids loved the ping pong, basketball, inflatable jump pad, old metal playground and outdoor pool," reports Blair, though noting "mosquitos were bad at dusk and dawn."
Swimming access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated beach areas for safer water entry. David H. appreciated that Tuttle Creek Cove "has a nice beach area to swim" that was suitable for his family outing.
Bug protection: Pack repellent for mosquitoes and chiggers, especially for evening activities. Jessica C. warns visitors to "bring bug spray, as the mosquitoes and chiggers were biting!" during their Tuttle Creek stay.
Activity planning: Consider campgrounds with on-site recreation beyond swimming. Carrie A. enjoyed Salina's amenities: "Pool, playground, jumping pad, horse shoes, roomy tent sites, gem mining, friendly staff, great price."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer drive-through sites for easier setup. Joy F. appreciated Salina Campground's convenience: "The sites are large enough that we didn't need to unhook. It's close to a gas station to fill up before hitting the road again in the morning."
Hookup options: Full-service sites with water, electric, and sewer are available at select locations. At Owl's Nest Campground, Daniel L. notes: "Full hookups in pull-through half circle asphalt tar or back-in sites" and mentions laundry facilities are available.
Highway proximity: Some campgrounds offer convenient access but come with road noise. "Being right on I-70 was great for a quick stop over. Being that close to I-70 brought some noise that was easily drown out with our AC," notes Joy F. about Salina Campground.
