Nestled in the heart of Kansas prairie, glamping opportunities near Park City, Kansas feature diverse landscapes with access to several reservoirs and state parks. Most campgrounds maintain year-round operations within 30-40 minutes of Park City, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F during peak season. Water recreation dominates the camping scene with fishing, boating, and swimming access from most locations.
What to do
Water recreation at Santa Fe Lake: This smaller lake provides calmer waters than larger reservoirs in the area, making it ideal for paddling and kayaking. At Santa Fe Lake, visitors can rent kayaks and enjoy peaceful water activities. "This lake is a nice break from places like Cheney and Afton. It's small so there aren't a lot of big boats disturbing the water, which makes paddling a lot more enjoyable," notes Chris L.
Hiking and mountain biking trails: Many glamping areas near Park City maintain trail systems for various skill levels. Santa Fe Lake offers multiple marked trails for both hiking and biking. "Several trails offshoot from this main road, each is marked for either hiking (trail running), mountain biking, or camping... None of the hikes are very difficult, most are easy/moderate and support running," explains Armaan M.
Bird watching and wildlife viewing: West Shore Camping Area at Cheney State Park offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for bird enthusiasts. "Yep, we saw bald eagles every day of our stay. Majestic! This campground is large and spread out. We road our bikes over every inch and clocked 12 miles," reports Nancy C.
Disc golf: Cheney State Park maintains an 18-hole disc golf course within the recreation area. This provides an alternative land-based activity for glampers looking to take a break from water recreation.
What campers like
Sandy beaches: Harvey County East Park receives high marks for its beach areas and lake access points. According to Rita G., the park has a "relaxing and clean swimming area" with well-maintained bathrooms. The park's multiple beach access points allow glampers to enjoy water activities without overcrowding.
Spacious campsites: Multiple glamping locations offer well-spaced sites with room to spread out. Stanleigh S. appreciates Harvey County East Park's layout, noting, "Great campground really enjoy the large and shady sites. I also like how they put boat docks behind all of the lake side sites."
Quiet atmosphere: Smaller glamping destinations like Beaumont Hotel & RV Park offer a more peaceful experience. One visitor described it as "quiet and historical" and noted that "the history of the hotel and accompanying landing strip was fascinating, and the path to the ponds at sunset was beautiful."
Clean facilities: Wellington KOA receives consistent praise for its maintenance standards. One camper noted, "Friendly staff, extremely clean bathrooms and showers! Nice grassy spot for our tent!"
What you should know
Weather considerations: Kansas experiences extreme weather conditions, particularly high winds. At Cheney State Park, one camper reported: "It was WINDY every day so I couldn't kayak or SUP. I think it is just Kansas, though."
Water hookup limitations: Some glamping sites have specific water hookup rules. At Harvey County East Park, Meghan B. explains: "Just to note, the water hookups are shared between sites and currently have signs reading, '15 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. Do Not Leave Water Hose Connected, Even If You Have A Splitter.'"
Reservation requirements: Some glamping locations enforce minimum stay requirements on weekends. A visitor to Cheney State Park mentioned: "We only needed one night, but had to pay for two nights (it was on a weekend, but this place was no where near full, so the demand isn't there to warrant a 2 night requirement)."
Alcohol policies: Rules regarding alcohol consumption vary between glamping destinations. While most state parks allow alcohol, Santa Fe Lake prohibits it, as one visitor noted: "The only real downside is that there is no alcohol allowed, but nobody really came around checking that we noticed."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beach areas: Cheney State Park offers dedicated swimming areas with child-friendly features. Matthew D. reports: "Nice beach area for kids. Bathroom facilities adequate and they have showers."
Playgrounds and recreation: Multiple glamping sites near Park City include playground equipment. Holly D. comments about Cheney State Park: "We love camping here because the campsites are decent size and they have cabins for our family without campers or tents. We also enjoy the lake and playgrounds for the kids."
Cabins for non-tent families: For families not equipped with camping gear, several locations offer cabin accommodations. Wellington KOA provides cabin options with amenities appropriate for children, while maintaining a small, manageable environment. One visitor described it as a "Small, but nice campground."
Bug considerations: While many glamping locations near Park City have surprisingly manageable insect populations, some cabin accommodations have reported issues. Check recent reviews before booking specific cabins or sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At French Creek Cove, RV campers should consider trailer length constraints. "Shorter RV trailers are preferred. 30 amp service," advises one camper. The cove's secluded location offers privacy but requires navigating access roads.
Hookup variations: Electric service varies between glamping destinations and even within campgrounds. Stanleigh S. notes about Harvey County East Park: "This campground has both 50 and 30 amp sites. All of the 50 amp sites are on the inner loop and all of the lake side sites are 30 amp."
Late arrival procedures: For RVers arriving after office hours, Wellington KOA offers streamlined check-in. Aaron S. reports: "Pulled in around 11pm, had to use the late check-in process. Well organized and easy with individual maps for each site number."
Leveling considerations: Some sites may require additional equipment for leveling. A visitor to Wellington KOA noted: "Sites are gravel and maybe a little rutted, some more gravel would help level things up."
