7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Randolph, Kansas are predominantly located around nearby lakes, with Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 offering free primitive tent camping areas approximately 20 minutes from Randolph. Milford State Park, with its Cedar Point and Walnut Grove campgrounds, provides established tent camping options with varying levels of amenities. These public tent camping areas attract both locals and travelers seeking affordable overnight options with lakeside views.
Most tent camping sites feature basic amenities with pit toilets available at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, while Milford State Park offers more developed facilities including showers and restrooms. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, though campers should note that drinking water is not available at all locations. The terrain varies from relatively level areas suitable for tents to some sloped sections, particularly at Cedar Point campground. Access roads can become muddy after rain, potentially creating challenges for vehicles reaching tent camping areas.
Tent campers frequently enjoy lakeside views and water access, with fishing being a popular activity from shorelines adjacent to camping areas. Tree cover provides shade at most sites, offering relief during summer months. Walnut Grove campground features tent-specific sites with hammock-friendly trees and protected water access away from boat traffic. Campsites at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 tend to be less crowded, especially on weeknights. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "Sites may be busy with local fishermen during the day, but typically clear out by evening, offering peaceful overnight experiences." Primitive tent camping areas allow campers to enjoy stargazing and wildlife observation, with visitors reporting owl sightings and beaver activity around the lakes.
"Lots of shade and level spots for rvs. Can’t swim but dog had fun in lake. Water smelled fishy. Lots of trash laying around. Leave no trace people!"
"Driving across Kansas can be long and tedious and I'm often looking for a place to primitive-car-camp on the cheap to get some sleep while crossing the country."
from $25 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"Camped and fished here many times and enjoyed it every time I went, primitive camping no electric or water. Has pit toilets and you have to take your trash when you leave."
TravelerNice spot to pull in for the night. Lots of spots on Sunday night in June. A few fisherman and kayakers out. Lots of shade and level spots for rvs. Can’t swim but dog had fun in lake. Water smelled fishy. Lots of trash laying around. Leave no trace people!
GuideWent with a buddy for tent camping 1 night this August. Clean area with plenty of firewood and a picnic table. Paid 14$ for a campsite, grass definitely could of been trimmed at our designated campsite. card only at the entrance because of COVID-19 at the moment. We camped right across from the boat ramp but was still a beautiful view
TravelerPlenty and clean well maintained shower houses. You may need to let water run a few to warm up. It all depends how active the showers are. Plenty of camping site to choose from including lots of level ground to set up tents. I had very good luck catching fish. Three different types of Catfish, white bass, crappie, and an walleye ever now and then. Not all sites have picnic tables but they are here. Water spickets available in many different locations. I am here on Memorial Day weekend and had no problem finding a primitive camp but first come first serve on water and utility sites. This is a very nice park.
LegendCedar point has some very spacious primitive and tent sites. There are also some with electric and water. Some of the sites in this campground have nice water views. Most have fire rings and tables. There are restrooms, bath house, trash receptacles and a dump. There is also a swim beach and a hiking trail. It’s a very pretty area and this park has wildlife to view like the large flock of turkey vultures who live in the dead trees of cedar point.
LegendTraveling to this State Park I didn't know much what to expect. I did know that a lot of the camping was not accessible because of the recent flooding but they did maintain the self pay station for those wanting to snag the limited sites available. I can only imagine with the upcoming Labor Day weekend this will still be hot ticket!
When I checked out this campground the sites seemed larger and more spacious overall. The upper loop still had that camping neighborhood vibe with sites clumped together a bit more closely but each was shaded and had a nice pull in and included a fire ring and picnic table, in some cases more than one.
There was a nice restroom area which included showers, something many of the campgrounds did not have so this was a hot commodity for sure.
I can imagine this being a great location for RV campers with relatively even pull ins and for tents alike with lush grassy areas. This campground did offer connections and water around camp.
On the lower loop it was a Bir more secluded and felt more spacious. I preferred the short walk to the restroom to keep that privacy.
Many of these sites were located on shoreline directly or on the cliffside of the area with great views. Unfortunately these were also the ones which were more effected by the floods so only a portion of the area was able to be accessed.
Tips:
* Book Online or carry cash, there is no fee station currently and self pay is the only option. This does not allow you to use card.
* Check the weather in advance. There are many options for camping at the park when the weather has not been terrible but with limited sites available currently you will want to make sure you plan ahead with the weather and seek higher sites.
* Bring your fishing pole or boat, this lake is amazing for fishing and has plenty of places you can launch your water vessel of choice.
LegendWoodlands Hills campground has both primitive and electric and water sites available. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring are are nice and spacious. There are ADA sites available. This campground has water access and a beach area. I think it’s so neat how they have life jackets hanging in case you didn’t bring any. There are clean restrooms and shower house, a dump, and access to trails. There are group sites near by with extra long tables, volleyball,basketball,horseshoes,and trails.
LegendWalnut grove is a primitive campground. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Some of the sites have water views and shorelines that you could boat or kayak right up to. There are boat ramps, slips(called the Yacht club), basketball hoops, and 2.1 miles of trails. This campground also has restrooms and a shower house. The lake has excellent fishing.
ScoutVery shady, right off the water. A little steep to actually get to the waters edge. Fire rings with grills and picnic table. Lantern hook with water and 30 & 50 amp electric hookups. Back in spot would be a little tight for a bigger travel trailer but not bad.
GuideRight on the Big Blue. Quaint. Vault toilets, no water. Trailhead to a nice trail. Some sites have shelters. It's kind of a spread out layout. Great place to get away from busy.
Tent camping opportunities near Randolph, Kansas include several primitive options around nearby lakes with varying amenities and access conditions. Winter temperatures typically range from 15-40°F, while summer months see averages of 65-90°F with occasional thunderstorms. The area sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation with gently rolling terrain surrounding the Republican River watershed.
Fishing from shore: Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 offers excellent shore fishing access directly from campsites. "Great fishing. Was the only one camping but had some beaver neighbors catching fish all night," notes Joe L., who stayed at this free camping area.
Kayaking and boating: Walnut Grove — Milford State Park provides protected water access in a cove away from main boating traffic. Carter W. describes it as having "access to the water. Safe cove of water away from boats," making it ideal for families with small watercraft.
Wildlife observation: The lakes attract diverse wildlife year-round. Cori R. reports from her stay at Pottawatomie: "The wild life was great. We saw a beautiful owl that flew between the trees." Many campers report beaver activity, waterfowl sightings, and bullfrogs calling during evening hours.
Hiking and trail running: Several short trails circle the lakes. According to Shea B., "There's also a few trails around the lake that were nice to run on with the pups!" Most trails are under 3 miles and offer moderate terrain suitable for all skill levels.
Solitude and quiet: Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 tends to clear out in evenings after local fishermen leave. Kevin notes: "Lots of fishers during the day but cleared out at night." This pattern creates peaceful overnight experiences even when daytime usage seems busy.
Lakeside views: Many campsites offer direct water views and access. Mark describes his experience: "Easy to pull in and find a spot, not very level but good enough. Beautiful lake." Sunset views across the water are particularly noted by multiple reviewers.
Hammock-friendly trees: Campsites at many locations feature mature trees perfect for hammock camping. Hanna W. mentions locals "enjoy this space year round for shore fishing and hammocking. Lots of shade." The tree cover provides relief during hot summer months.
Affordable options: Free camping at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 makes it popular for budget travelers. Bill C. reports: "Nice place by the lake. Has a worn out picnic table and a fire ring. Can't beat free campground tho."
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can become challenging after rain. Hanna W. warns about Ottawa SFL: "Pretty rough access road. Gravel + washout + steep hill down to lake level." Four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicles may be needed during wet weather.
Seasonal considerations: While most sites remain accessible year-round, services vary seasonally. Ted shares: "Have camped there from spring to fall" at Ottawa SFL, where the primitive camping experience remains consistent across seasons.
Limited facilities: Not all camping areas have drinking water available. Tara I. notes: "Water smelled fishy" at Pottawatomie County Lake, suggesting campers should bring their own potable water supply for drinking and cooking.
Trash management: Some locations no longer provide trash service. Kevin points out: "No longer picking up trash" at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, meaning campers must pack out all waste they generate.
Playground access: North Overlook Park includes facilities for children. Alyn M. describes it as "a nice quiet place for a picnic with a decent playground for the kids to play."
Site selection for tent camping: Some areas have limited flat terrain for setting up tents. Leigh M. cautions about Cedar Point: "While our family loved the scenery this is not a lake for tent camping. Unless you like sleeping at an angle. Very limited tent camping as well."
Weekend planning: Sites fill quickly on summer weekends, particularly at developed campgrounds. Arriving Sundays often works well as locals depart. Shea B. recommends: "We arrived at around 5 on a Sunday and had a hard time finding a spot but by around 6pm all the locals were leaving and we ended up being the only people there by sunset."
Safety considerations: Campgrounds provide storm shelters and warning systems. Kaitlin M. notes that at Cedar Point — Milford State Park, "The state parks weather alerts could be followed online easily and there are tornado sirens in the park with shelters nearby."
Site levelness: RV campers should check site grading before committing, particularly at primitive sites. Timothy P. shares: "Primitive site was a bit tight to pull a 36' fifth wheel into, but it's what we signed up for in a pinch."
Camping loops: Choose upper camping loops for more level sites at Cedar Point. Crystal C. advises: "I can imagine this being a great location for RV campers with relatively even pull ins and for tents alike with lush grassy areas."
Reservation planning: During peak season, securing reservations is essential. Self-pay stations may only accept cash. Crystal notes: "Book Online or carry cash, there is no fee station currently and self pay is the only option. This does not allow you to use card."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Randolph, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Randolph, KS is Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 with a 4.2-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Randolph, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Randolph, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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