Best Dispersed Camping near Pleasanton, KS

Dispersed camping options near Pleasanton, Kansas include several free sites in neighboring Missouri conservation areas. Montrose Missouri Conservation Area provides primitive camping on large grassy areas suitable for tents and RVs. The sites are accessible via paved roads with no difficult terrain to navigate. According to reviews, the area features a lake that attracts wildlife, though water levels can be shallow and muddy. Poague Conservation Area offers six free dispersed sites with a 14-day stay limit, some large enough to accommodate RVs.

These conservation areas permit fires in established fire rings. Several campers noted that at Montrose, campers should "be kind and put up rocks that you can find along the shore" to create fire spots. Facilities are minimal, with pit toilets available but no picnic tables, fire rings, or potable water. The vault toilets receive mixed reviews regarding cleanliness and maintenance. Visitors should pack out all trash, as accumulation has been reported at some sites, particularly in the Poague Conservation Area.

Important seasonal restrictions apply to these areas. Montrose Conservation Area prohibits camping after October 15 due to hunting season, with signage that may not be immediately visible to arriving campers. Fishing is also restricted during duck season. The areas support diverse wildlife including raccoons, beavers, cranes, squirrels, deer, and owls. The shallow lake at Montrose attracts waterfowl. Campers report generally quiet conditions with minimal ranger presence, though rangers do conduct occasional drive-through checks. Cell service is available in most areas, with Verizon reported to work well.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Pleasanton, Kansas (3)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Pleasanton, KS

8 Photos of 3 Pleasanton Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Pleasanton, KS

11 Reviews of 3 Pleasanton Campgrounds


  • Lee F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2023

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    Stinky toilet

    Large grassy area with plenty of room to set up a tent or camper. Right off the road, so no dirt roads to traverse. Signs were confusing as to whether it is ok to camp, but they didn't explicitly say no camping. The lake is really just a mud bog, so not very appealing unless you came to duck hunt. No picnic tables or fire pits. The pit toilet was really gross, but there was toilet paper.

  • Leni K.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    Great Secluded Dispersed Camping

    There is no camping allowed after October 15 due to hunting season. This was not on the website and was not seeable in dust when arriving late on a small sign in the bushes. Thankfully we were not shot! While free, dispersed sites, there are easily established fire pit areas to choose from Vault toilets were absolutely disgusting, thankfully we brought our own toilet paper. Easily accessible car camping. Not too many other campers at the other site where we spotted some RVs. Overall the remote location, gorgeous scenery and with a couple boats makes for a great weekend.

  • Sarah The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 29, 2020

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    montrose conservation area missouri

    this little off the beaten path camp ground his paved roads, boat access for 2 areas 1 near the damn which closes a gate after 10pm, we use the other area near the conservation station(although ive never seen anyone there) park rangers are mostly non existent , they do drive through, they are quite nice an most the time never stop just smile an wave, there some fire spots but be kind an put up rocks that you can find along the shore, there is bathroom facilities and a dumpster behind the conservation building.

    the area is surrounded by trees but the area is clean, nice soft grass, there are pecan an walnut trees so watch out for your heads when its fall lol . you can fish, boat and swim but i recommend  water shoes. the water is very shallow most the time its only chest deep out in the middle. there is loads of wildlife to see an arent much scared of humans, racoons,beavers, crane, squirrels,dear,owls an much more. theres also blackberries in the fall. 

    all in all a very nice quiet little free camp area. we go all the time.

  • T
    Oct. 15, 2022

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful!!!

    Big lake, several sites to choose, good fishing, pit toilets. The sign says NO FISHING after Oct.14 because of duck season. Open for camping. Mowed, TP stocked, plenty of firewood and room for dogs to run.

  • Mark D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    Enjoyed Our Stay

    Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables. Pit toilets are as expected.

    Shallow muddy water but it does attract wildlife. A bit of road noise but tolerable. Perfect for our one night stay.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2023

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    I Made a Kittah Friend

    There is a super sweet local cat who befriended me here and made my visit so much better. I had some mechanical issues with my car and Kampground Kittah tried to help. 🤣

    Bathrooms were fine. It’s free camping so it was great that there were bathrooms at all.

    One of the locals stopped by my site to look for arrowheads. Apparently, she has found a lot in the area so that’s a good activity if the kids are bored.

    If you’re looking for a good wine, you can find some at the local auto parts store. I am not kidding! I think it’s Rick’s Auto Parts and their liquor is priced very reasonably. 😄 If your car’s broken down and you can’t drive, I guess you might as well drink and Rick’s there to help you out with both. 🤣

  • Charles N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2023

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    Amazing experience!

    We got to campsite pretty late, so when everyone was unpacked we went straight to bed. shortly after we all passed out from the long and beautiful 16 hour drive, we started hearing all the wildlife and I will never forget waking up in the most beautiful place. Was a picture perfect moment, Colorado springs will forever hold a spot in my, and my family's memories. have fun and safe travels!

  • R
    Sep. 26, 2022

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    One night stop

    Nice city park campground. Location was nice and quiet with beautiful views of lake. Bathrooms were terrible. Verizon service was good. No other amenities. Nice location for an over night stop but not much more.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping

    GORGEOUS

    the stars were beautiful, the “sites” were spacious and well spread out, and there is lots of shade. you could definitely get a big rig in and out of here on the looped gravel roads.


Guide to Pleasanton

Primitive camping near Pleasanton, Kansas primarily consists of dispersed sites in Missouri conservation areas within a 30-minute drive. Montrose and Poague Conservation Areas feature undeveloped camping on open grassy spaces with minimal facilities. These sites experience seasonal closures and wildlife activity varies throughout the year, with increased waterfowl presence during migration periods.

What to do

Wildlife observation opportunities: The shallow lake at Montrose Missouri Conservation Area attracts diverse wildlife throughout different seasons. "A bit of road noise but tolerable. Perfect for our one night stay," notes Mark D. in his review of the area.

Search for artifacts: Local history enthusiasts frequent the area looking for remnants of the past. "One of the locals stopped by my site to look for arrowheads. Apparently, she has found a lot in the area so that's a good activity if the kids are bored," shares Andi P. who camped at Montrose.

Fishing during permitted seasons: The conservation areas offer fishing opportunities when seasonal restrictions aren't in place. "Big lake, several sites to choose, good fishing, pit toilets. The sign says NO FISHING after Oct.14 because of duck season," explains T N. regarding Montrose Conservation Area regulations.

What campers like

Spacious camping areas: The dispersed sites offer ample room to spread out equipment. "Large grass area available for tents or campers. No specific camp locations. No fire rings or picnic tables," reports Mark D. about his experience at Montrose.

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "The stars were beautiful, the 'sites' were spacious and well spread out, and there is lots of shade," mentions sav about their 5-star experience at Montrose.

Secluded atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the quiet, undeveloped nature of these areas. "This is great secluded spot, right off the highway. Perfect for what I was looking for to car camp," writes Logan M. about Poague Campsite #5.

What you should know

Bathroom facilities vary: Vault toilets are available at some locations but condition reports differ widely. "Vault toilets were absolutely disgusting, thankfully we brought our own toilet paper," warns Leni K. about Montrose Conservation Area.

Seasonal closures enforced: Hunting seasons impact camping access and activities. "There is no camping allowed after October 15 due to hunting season. This was not on the website and was not seeable in dust when arriving late on a small sign in the bushes," cautions Leni K. about their experience.

Minimal facilities: Campers must bring everything they need. "No picnic tables or fire pits. The pit toilet was really gross, but there was toilet paper," reports Lee F. about conditions at Montrose.

Tips for camping with families

Bring water recreation gear: The shallow lake can provide entertainment despite its muddy conditions. "You can fish, boat and swim but I recommend water shoes. The water is very shallow most the time its only chest deep out in the middle," advises Sarah about the Montrose area.

Plan for wildlife encounters: The areas support various animal species that children may enjoy observing. "There is loads of wildlife to see an arent much scared of humans, racoons, beavers, crane, squirrels, dear, owls an much more," notes Sarah from her time at Montrose.

Prepare for unexpected visitors: Local animals sometimes become camping companions. "There is a super sweet local cat who befriended me here and made my visit so much better. I had some mechanical issues with my car and Kampground Kittah tried to help," shares Andi P. about an unexpected highlight at Montrose.

Tips from RVers

Accessible roads: The conservation areas feature suitable access for various RV sizes. "You could definitely get a big rig in and out of here on the looped gravel roads," confirms sav about Montrose Missouri Conservation Area.

Maneuverable layout: The open design makes positioning larger vehicles straightforward. "Beautiful Campsites on the opposite side of the boat drops and free," notes dwminph about the spacious layout at Montrose.

Overnight convenience: These areas serve well for brief stays during travel. "Nice location for an overnight stop but not much more," advises Ron P. based on his experience at Montrose Conservation Area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Pleasanton, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Pleasanton, KS is Montrose Missouri Conservation Area Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Pleasanton, KS?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Pleasanton, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.