Best Campgrounds near Stafford, KS

Campgrounds near Stafford, Kansas range from free primitive sites to full-service RV parks with electric and water hookups. The area includes Kingman State Fishing Lake offering free lakeside camping with picnic tables and fire rings, while Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park provides affordable sites with water and electric connections. Most accommodations support both tent and RV camping, with several parks like Pine Haven Retreat and The Evergreen Inn-Motel & RV Park also offering cabin options. Camping facilities typically feature basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with developed sites providing additional services including showers, dump stations, and full hookups.

Access to campgrounds in the region remains consistent throughout the year with most locations open year-round. Gravel roads serve many of the camping areas, which can become muddy after rainfall. Several campgrounds operate on an honor system payment method, with rates ranging from free at Kingman State Fishing Lake and Cheyenne Bottoms to $10-15 per night at locations with hookups. Campers should note that many parks have stay limits, typically 5-7 nights. Cell coverage is generally good throughout the area, though highway noise can be noticeable at some locations. A recent review noted, "About 10 drive-through sites requiring a turning radius my 20 foot trailer could hardly manage, spaced out quite nicely mostly right on the bank of the fishing pond."

Wildlife viewing represents a significant attraction at several campground locations near Stafford. Cheyenne Bottoms Campground in particular draws visitors for its impressive display of wildlife sounds after dark. According to one visitor, "The marshlands exploded with sound. Frogs, crickets, owls, foxes, coyotes, and more wildlife sounds than I could identify." Fishing opportunities exist at multiple locations including Kingman State Fishing Lake and Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park, with anglers mentioning good catches of crappie. Weather conditions can vary dramatically, with storms and wind common in spring and summer. Mosquitoes can be problematic near water bodies, especially during warmer months. Campers seeking peace and quiet may prefer weekday visits, as small-town recreational activity can increase weekend noise levels at some parks.

Best Camping Sites Near Stafford, Kansas (32)

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Recent Reviews near Stafford, KS

81 Reviews of 32 Stafford Campgrounds


  • Calvin F.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Deweese Campground

    Haven but with skeeters

    Lovely drive out here and it’s always nice to know there will be a place to pull in when taking backroad trips and there is nowhere to park let alone pull in for a night.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Sixth Street Park

    Fantastic Spot on a hot muggy night

    We had originally pulled in to Walmart but it was way to noisy with the trucks. Found this great spot in a beautiful city park watercand electricity for 10$

  • papa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    East Shore Camping Area — Cheney State Park

    100s of spots

    Many spots to choose from, the primitive area is where i like to be. Right on the water. Every area has a camp host and electrical spots have wifi that is actually good

  • papa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Deweese Campground

    Camp nice

    I camp here often, it is free and away from people very peaceful

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 15, 2025

    Sand Hills State Park Campground

    Peaceful

    It’s a small campground, nearby hiking but no other activities. It is clean, lots of trash cans and restrooms are clean.

  • M
    May. 13, 2025

    Medicine Lodge City Park

    Great place

    There are a few spots by the bathroom, across from the baseball field. Bathrooms have flush toilets and a shower. Besides the baseball players, we're the only ones here.

  • Jana B.
    Apr. 9, 2025

    Deweese Campground

    Small but nice

    I like to primitive camp and this place is perfect for that. I stayed 3 days

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2025

    Cheyenne Bottoms Campground

    Good for a stopover

    Campground is small (6-7 spots) and right off dirt road. That said, quiet evening with one other couple camping. If full, would feel crowded. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table and there is a vault toilet. Lots of birds and had a Barred Owl fly right past me while I was setting up. Campground is adjacent to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area, largest wetland in the interior US and important migratory bird location. About 45 minutes off I-70.


Guide to Stafford

Camping options near Stafford, Kansas include both developed and primitive sites across several county-managed parks and state fishing lakes. Located in the central plains at approximately 1,800 feet elevation, this region experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations from below freezing winters to hot summers that regularly exceed 100°F. Camping is available year-round at several locations, though spring and fall offer the most moderate temperatures.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Cheyenne Bottoms Campground, campers experience remarkable wildlife activity after dark. As one visitor noted, "The first night it rained like the dickens for about an hour after the rain is when the show really started. The marshlands exploded with sound. Frogs, crickets, owls, foxes, coyotes, and more wildlife sounds than I could identify."

Fishing access: Kingman State Fishing Lake provides free lakeside camping with good fishing opportunities. According to a regular visitor, "Enjoy this free, handsome campground year round. Enjoy the coyotes howling at night and the waterfowl on the still lake in the morning. Go fishing for slab crappie and hunt the sand hills for deer, and bobwhite quail!"

Hiking trails: The best places to camp near Stafford for trail access include parks with interconnected path systems. At West Shore Camping Area, you can explore extensive trails. One camper reported, "We road our bikes over every inch and clocked 12 miles. If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9+ mile trail. It's flat and not challenging, but really nice, secluded and if you bring a lunch, there are 3 picnic tables on the lake that can only be reached by boat or the trail."

What campers like

Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the no-cost sites available in the Stafford area. At Kingman State Fishing Lake, reviewers consistently mention the value. A camper noted, "Plenty of primitive sites right along the lakeshore, well spaced and most shaded by cottonwood trees. No hookup, just a picnic table and a fire ring. Vault toilets. Stayed one night in our small rv on Columbus weekend in October. Not crowded, extremely quiet. Heard ducks and owls during the night. No fee!!"

Quiet weekday camping: Many campgrounds near Stafford are busier on weekends. One visitor to Deweese Campground shared, "Had this place all to ourselves. Wish we could've stayed longer." Another noted, "Seems like a nice spot for the night. I appear to be the only person here tonight but have had several cars drive through."

Affordable sites with utilities: Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park offers economical camping with amenities. A camper explained, "This is a quiet little park for being in the heart of Pratt. It's just $10/night for electric & water. There's a dump station nearby, you just need to get the key from city hall. They have a 7 night maximum stay."

What you should know

Weather conditions: Strong winds and storms are common, especially in spring and summer. A camper at Kingman State Fishing Lake commented, "It's been so windy here with severe thunderstorm warnings that you cannot hear the highway traffic."

Road quality concerns: Many campgrounds are accessed via dirt or gravel roads that can become problematic in wet conditions. At Sixth Street Park, one visitor noted they "had originally pulled in to Walmart but it was way too noisy with the trucks. Found this great spot in a beautiful city park water and electricity for 10$."

Insect populations: Mosquitoes are abundant near water features, especially during warmer months. A camper at Cheyenne Bottoms Campground warned, "Watch out for mosquitoes. It's by a lake so this time of year it's nasty!"

Seasonal amenities: Water access may be shut off during colder months at some campgrounds. At West Shore Camping Area, a visitor noted, "Smartsh is a loop that is not on the lake side, but the only w/e loop that had water turned on during off season."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. A camper at West Shore Camping Area mentioned, "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."

Nature exploration opportunities: Wildlife viewing can be educational for children. At Cheyenne Bottoms, one camper shared, "Campground is small (6-7 spots) and right off dirt road. That said, quiet evening with one other couple camping. If full, would feel crowded. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table and there is a vault toilet. Lots of birds and had a Barred Owl fly right past me while I was setting up."

Safety considerations: Some camping areas may not be suitable for all family situations. One solo female traveler reported about Cheyenne Bottoms Campground: "I drove almost 2 hours to get here to park for the night. I'm a solo female traveler and I didn't feel safe. This free campground is near Great Bend town (on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere)."

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility: Many camping areas near Stafford can accommodate larger rigs, but turning radius can be a consideration. At Kingman State Fishing Lake, an RVer advised, "About 10 drive-through sites requiring a turning radius my 20 foot trailer could hardly manage, spaced out quite nicely mostly right on the bank of the fishing pond."

Boondocking options: Several locations support dry camping. At Kingman State Fishing Lake, a camper noted, "Pulled in on a Monday afternoon, had many choices of sites at the waters edge. No hookups, boondocking only. No charge. Stayed through Wednesday morning. Used a Honda inverter generator just enough for the coffee maker and microwave."

Pet-friendly locations: The Evergreen Inn-Motel & RV Park welcomes campers traveling with animals. A recent guest shared, "Dog friendly and lady at front desk is very nice and helpful with reasonable rates this is a great stay."

Ground conditions: Surface quality varies at camping areas near Stafford. An RVer at Deweese Campground advised, "Level with lots of room," while another mentioned, "GPS coordinates are for the entrance, drive down the dirt road and take first right or continue on for more sites. Lots of shade and fire pits bathroom however is at the second location further up the road."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Stafford, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stafford, KS is Pine Haven Retreat with a 4-star rating from 1 review.