12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks surrounding Salina, Kansas offer diverse tent camping opportunities with lakeside views and varying levels of amenities. Wilson State Park, located about 50 miles southwest of Salina, features several tent-friendly campgrounds including Side Oats Hell Creek Area, which provides primitive tent camping with water access. Ottawa State Fishing Lake offers tent-only camping in a more secluded setting with basic amenities. Milford State Park, approximately 35 miles east of Salina, provides tent campsites at both Cedar Point and Walnut Grove campgrounds, with shoreline access and varying levels of privacy.
Most tent campgrounds in the Salina region feature basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables, with restroom facilities varying by location. Ottawa SFL maintains primitive tent camping with pit toilets and requires campers to pack out their trash. Self-pay stations are common at these campgrounds, so carrying cash is advisable as card payments are often not accepted. Weather conditions can impact site availability, particularly at lakeside locations where flooding occasionally limits access. Seasonal considerations are important, with spring through fall being the primary camping season, though some sites remain accessible year-round with proper preparation.
Sites at Wilson State Park's Indian Grass campground offer beautiful views of rolling hills and Wilson Lake for approximately $10 per night. According to one visitor, the area provides "amazing primitive camping with driving access to shower facilities elsewhere in the park." At Milford State Park's Walnut Grove campground, tent campers appreciate the secluded waterfront sites. One camper noted, "We were secluded from other campsites for privacy but still near restrooms." Ottawa SFL provides a particularly quiet experience, with a visitor reporting, "I was the only camper on the Willow Loop as fishing folks came and went, with no traffic sounds, just peaceful calls from birds and bullfrogs." These tent campgrounds serve as excellent bases for fishing, hiking nearby trails, and enjoying water activities.
"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"We had only one neighbor in our area of the park and were right on the water. The lake was busy during the day and quieted down in the evening. "
"The lake has a boat launch, and had gentle breezes. Comfortable night temperature of high 40Fs. Other guests were considerate, and the bathrooms are nice."
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"There are 2 areas which have a few primitive sites and a few covered picnic areas with fire rings. The views are beautiful with rolling hills and Wilson lake. This area is nice and secluded."
"It was a long day driving today and hot outside. We needed a camping spot with electric hookups to run the AC and that’s what we got!! This campground is very clean and the sites are nicely spaced."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Amazing primitive camping with driving access to shower in park. Beautiful lake view. We are tent campers with 2 old dogs it was perfect"
from $13 / night
GuideWent with a buddy for tent camping 1 night this August. Clean area with plenty of firewood and a picnic table. Paid 14$ 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
TravelerDo yourself a favor and stay at Blue Stem primitive site 5. Beautiful view of the reservoir, and it’s on the end so you have a huge open area all to yourself. Buffalo Track Canyon Trail has gorgeous views with 2 small caves, and beautiful rock coloring. Before you head to your campsite make sure you stop off at Mushroom Rock for a photo op! The kids fishing pond is stocked with catfish, my kids loved catching something other than our usual blue Gill! The only reason I’m giving this 4 stars is because the concrete shelter is covered in offensive graffiti and there was trash all over our campsite. I got most of it picked up so hopefully others can enjoy it! Don’t forget your 7 principles of Leave No Trace!
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.
LegendSwitchgrass and Grama campgrounds are in the same area. Switchgrass is a primitive area with picnic tables and fire rings. You can drive up to these sites and there are some really nice ones next to the water. There is also an area that is shaded. Grama are electric sites with the outer loop being pull thrus and the inner back in. They too have fire rings and tables. There is a restroom and water spigots in the area.
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.
TravelerStayed here for a few weeks for work, great place, nice spots, had some full hookups and some not,fishing pond, very nice people, not to for from Salina. I’d go back
LegendSylvan campground is situated at the spillway of Wilson lake. There are no water views here. It has 25 sites that each have electric and water and are pull thru. . Each site has a cement picnic table and fire rings. There is also a playground at the campground. All and all if you don’t mind not having a water view than this camp area is nice
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.
LegendThis might be the metropolis of this area but when the Walmart in town closes at midnight you know it is a sleepy little town. With that said it was nice to find this site to lay my head in the sleepy town.
The sites were level and pretty typical of a KOA. The staff was very nice and accommodating and walked me over to my tent site when I arrived. Very nice touch!
The bathrooms here were warm on a cold night and very clean. You could tell they take care of this facility very well. I had missed the pool season but with the cool air I didn't mind missing the cold water I was just wanting to stay warm.
For a basic site which included a fire ring and picnic table it was $24 that included access to wifi.
The only negative to getting a primitive site was that it was pretty windy and there wasn't really any wind block, I could have sprung for an upgraded site had I have realized there was going to be so much wind but that is my fault not theirs.
Tent camping near Salina, Kansas offers multiple lakeside options within a 50-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 1,227 feet above sea level within the Smoky Hills region of north-central Kansas. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-95°F with humidity levels between 50-70%, while spring and fall camping seasons experience cooler temperatures ranging from 40-75°F.
Water activities at Wilson Lake: Wilson State Park features several swimming areas with clear water access and designated fishing spots. A visitor noted, "The views are beautiful with rolling hills and Wilson lake. This area is nice and secluded."
Fishing at multiple lakes: Ottawa State Fishing Lake maintains healthy populations of largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie. Ted, a regular camper, shared, "Camped and fished here many times and enjoyed it every time I went, primitive camping no electric or water."
Hiking accessible trails: Milford State Park offers 2.1 miles of maintained trails suitable for beginners and intermediate hikers. According to Carter W., the park provides "Access to the water. Safe cove of water away from boats. Big area. Near trails."
Bird watching opportunities: North Overlook Park provides elevated viewing areas for spotting migratory birds during spring and fall seasons. Alyn M. observed, "Its a nice quiet place for a picnic with a decent playground for the kids to play. Its also a great place to watch the sunset."
Peaceful water sounds: Outlet Park offers tent camping with continuous water sounds from nearby streams. Camper Leah P. commented, "love the sound of water in the morning."
Secluded waterfront sites: Sagewort Otoe Area Campground provides lakeside camping with minimal crowding on weekdays. Sandra&Dunn shared, "We had only one neighbor in our area of the park and were right on the water. The lake was busy during the day and quieted down in the evening."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Ottawa SFL attracts diverse wildlife including bullfrogs, birds, and occasional deer. David S. noted, "I was the only camper on the Willow Loop as the fishing folks came and went. Beautiful wooded area with no traffic sounds. Just the peaceful calls from the birds and bullfrogs."
Shade availability: Cedar Point at Milford State Park features mature trees providing natural shade during hot summer days. Serena S. remarked, "This is a great campground. Camp host is great. Spots are nice and shady. The outer spots put you right next to the lake."
Self-pay systems: Most primitive camping sites require cash payment at self-pay stations. Shannon G. described Indian Grass campground: "There are 2 areas which have a few primitive sites and a few covered picnic areas with fire rings. The sites are $10 a night."
Limited amenities: Side Oats Hell Creek Area Campground provides primitive camping with driving access to showers elsewhere in the park. Bridget K. explained, "Amazing primitive camping with driving access to shower in park. Beautiful lake view. We are tent campers with 2 old dogs it was perfect."
Weather monitoring importance: Cedar Point features tornado sirens and shelters with online weather alerts available. Kaitlin M. advised, "The state parks weather alerts could be followed online easily and there are tornado sirens in the park with shelters nearby."
Terrain considerations: Some camping areas feature uneven ground. At Cedar Point, Leigh M. cautioned, "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."
Playground access: North Overlook Park provides playground equipment near picnic areas for children. One visitor mentioned, "Its a nice quiet place for a picnic with a decent playground for the kids to play."
Swimming safety zones: Milford State Park's Walnut Grove maintains coves sheltered from boat traffic. Carter W. noted, "Safe cove of water away from boats. Big area."
Supply stops: Plan for limited on-site provisions. One camper at Wilson State Park advised, "Before entering the park grab some firewood and last minute supplies from the local bait shop, 2nd right after getting off the main road."
Hammock opportunities: Sunflower Otoe Area Campground features trees suitable for hammock setup. Ai-Ai T. shared their experience: "It was beautiful at sunset, very nice campground with good hot showers."
Hookup limitations: Wilson State Park's primitive areas have no electrical hookups, requiring generator use if needed. Matt F. observed, "We needed a camping spot with electric hookups to run the AC and that's what we got!! This campground is very clean and the sites are nicely spaced."
Site spacing: Milford State Park offers more separated sites in primitive sections. Shannon G. noted about Walnut Grove, "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."
RV size constraints: Timothy P. cautioned about Walnut Grove, "Primitive site was a bit tight to pull a 36' fifth wheel into, but it's what we signed up for in a pinch. Great area, patrolled often, amazing fishing!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Salina, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Salina, KS is Ottawa SFL with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Salina, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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