Tent camping options near Rexford, Kansas include several established campgrounds within Prairie Dog State Park. Meadowlark Campground offers tent sites with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and fire rings. Additional tent camping areas in the park include Cottonwood Campground and Leota Cove Campground, both providing similar amenities for tent campers. Keith Sebelius Lake Recreation Area, located near Norton, also offers primitive tent camping with fewer facilities.
Most tent sites in the Prairie Dog State Park campgrounds feature picnic tables and allow fires when conditions permit. The campgrounds provide access to drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities, making them suitable for campers seeking basic amenities. Sites are generally drive-in accessible with designated parking areas adjacent to tent pads. Reservations are available for most campgrounds in Prairie Dog State Park, while Keith Sebelius Lake Recreation Area operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers should note that Keith Sebelius Lake lacks toilets, showers, and trash service.
The tent camping experience in this region offers opportunities for fishing and relaxation in a prairie landscape. A camper wrote, "There are a number of loops here, we chose one with a lot of trees. There are some without water and some that don't allow RVs." This highlights the variety of tent camping environments available within the park system. Walk-in tent locations with more tree cover can provide shade during hot Kansas summers. The area features prairie dog colonies, which serve as the namesake attraction for the state park. Weather conditions can change rapidly across the plains, with potential for strong storms. Park caretakers are noted to be helpful resources for local information and recommendations for visitors exploring the region.
"Yay: Lots of fishing, very short “trail” but nice for just simple relaxing on your road trip. Nay: pretty much only prairie dogs to see here...
Surprise: crazy storms rolling over the plains!"
from $10 / night
from $15 / night
from $10 / night
GuideVisited the Prairie Dog Campground, unplanned. This is by far the most enjoyable experience I have camping.
Temperatures are tolerable, trees provide needed shades, im content.
TravelerWater, electric and sewer hookup $25 dollars a night. Put money in a drop box for however many nights They work on honor system All grassy spots very nice
ScoutThis place might be a good one night only stay but no more. Sites are rough gravel, with deep ruts in the road which had standing water, which then feed the dreded mosquitos that were awful.
The laundry room was pleasant and clean. Machines that did not work were marked does which was helpful.
Also, there were no garbage cans to speak of outside of two large or garbage cans and a breezeway. See you had to run the gamut of the mosquito just to be able to throw your garbage away and that was if it was empty enough to receive what you were trying to put in.
All in all could be a useful overnight stay but I do not recommend otherwise.
GuideEasy to find, friendly people and free for tents
TravelerI stopped overnight here on my way back to Colorado from Thanksgiving in Kansas. I needed to escape the wind. Self check in after hours was fairly simple (cash only). Sites were easy to navigate, long and level. I had 5gUW reception with Verizon. Would stay here again. New owners were very nice.
TravelerIf you’re looking for a dream destination, then keep going until you get deep into Colorado. This is not a vacation destination, but it certainly has everything you need. I stayed here for 4 nights and my site had electric, water, and sewer. The water pressure was great and I didn’t have a any issues with utilities even though temperatures dropped to 12 degrees outside. It’s close to the highway, which is convenient, but there is a little noise from the highway. The noise wasn’t bad and didn’t bother me at all. The campground has laundry and bathrooms on site. There’s also a gas station across the street and a Mexican restaurant right next to the campground. For western Kansas, this place is top notch. I will definitely stay here again in the future.
GuideWe were passing through northern Kansas on 36 Hwy on the way back from a Colorado motorcycle trip and needed an overnight stay for tent camping. We arrived after dark and called the number on the sign. The friendly attendant told us we could tent camp for free anywhere in the grassy areas by the lake. The campground was quiet and clean. I would highly recommend this location.
GuideCame in May so the area was super green and beautiful. Restaurant next door and they have pizza and beer at the office. Very small town and far enough off the hwy were noise wasn’t a problem
GuideHigh Plains Camping is under new ownership and management since 2022. The managers, Jana and Andy are very wonderful, very helpful. They have a lot of plans to reconstruct the facility. It’s tired, but clean. They do have a cafe “Grub n Chug”. Great pizza and beer at a reasonable price. The camp sites in section 300/400 are spacious with full utilities.
Tent camping near Rexford, Kansas centers around the Keith Sebelius Reservoir, where prairie winds can reach 30+ mph during seasonal storms. The area sits at approximately 2,300 feet elevation with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Camping options span both developed sites with utilities and primitive areas that offer more solitude on the plains.
Fishing opportunities: Catch walleye, crappie, and channel catfish at Meadowlark Campground. A camper noted, "Lots of fishing, very short 'trail' but nice for just simple relaxing on your road trip."
Prairie dog observation: Watch these social rodents in their natural habitat from designated viewing areas. Morning and evening hours offer the best activity viewing times.
Hiking trails: Follow the 1.5-mile nature trail that connects camping areas to key wildlife viewing points. Trail difficulty is rated easy with minimal elevation changes.
Stargazing: Take advantage of minimal light pollution for astronomical viewing. The open plains landscape provides unobstructed horizon views for constellation spotting.
Tree cover options: Cottonwood Campground provides shaded sites that offer relief from summer sun. Sites with mature cottonwoods provide natural cooling when temperatures rise.
Water access: Multiple camping loops provide proximity to shoreline for easy watercraft launching and fishing access. No-wake zones exist in select coves.
Wildlife encounters: Beyond prairie dogs, campers regularly spot deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. Early morning offers prime viewing times.
Storm watching: The unobstructed views provide dramatic vantage points for observing approaching weather systems across the plains. Lightning displays can be visible for miles.
Limited facilities at reservoir sites: Keith Sebelius Lake RA has minimal infrastructure. These primitive sites lack restrooms, running water, or trash service, requiring complete self-sufficiency.
Water conservation needs: Drought conditions can affect water availability. During dry periods, some campground water stations may be shut off.
Prairie dog colonies: Remember these are protected animals. Maintain at least 50 feet distance from burrows and never feed or disturb the colonies.
Storm preparedness: Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly. Secure loose items and tents well with extra stakes due to sudden wind gusts.
Activity planning: Bring board games and activities for wind-prone days when outdoor activities might be limited.
Shade structures: Leota Cove Campground has limited natural shade in some loops. Pack portable canopies or sun shelters for midday use.
Wildlife education: The prairie dog colony offers educational opportunities. Bring binoculars for each family member to observe colony behavior from a distance.
Water safety: The reservoir has variable depths and underwater features. Children should wear life jackets near water, as drop-offs can occur suddenly near shores.
Level site selection: Many tent camping areas at Rexford have slight slopes. Bring leveling blocks if using a small trailer.
Utility connections: Electrical hookups at developed sites are typically 30-amp. Bring adapters if your equipment requires different connections.
Wind protection: Position RVs with doors facing away from prevailing winds (typically from the southwest) when possible to prevent damage.
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive camping areas can become rutted after rain. Higher clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching remote tent camping locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rexford, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rexford, KS is Meadowlark Campground — Prairie Dog State Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Rexford, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Rexford, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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