26 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kingman State Fishing Lake offers primitive lakeside camping with pet-friendly sites 20 minutes from Highway 400. The unpaved camping area allows pets without restrictions, featuring fire rings and picnic tables at no cost. Dogs can enjoy spacious sites right on the lakeshore with plenty of room to move around. The campground provides basic amenities including vault toilets but no hookups, making it ideal for self-contained camping. The people are friendly and the sites remain clean throughout the year. Pine Haven Retreat and Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park also welcome pets, with the latter charging just $10 per night for electric and water hookups.
Walking trails along the Kingman Lake shore provide excellent opportunities for exercising dogs while watching waterfowl on the still water. Pet owners should prepare for seasonal mosquito activity, especially during warmer months when camping near water. The ground at Cheyenne Bottoms Campground can become muddy after rain, potentially challenging for vehicles but offering an explosion of wildlife sounds at night including frogs, crickets, owls, and coyotes. Quail and deer hunting is popular in season at Kingman, so pet owners should be aware of increased activity during hunting periods. Great Bend, approximately 30 minutes from Cheyenne Bottoms, offers veterinary services and pet supplies for campers needing essentials during their stay.
"The CG is all grass with a gravel entry/exit road. We had our pick of back-in sites or pull through– we chose a back-in. We did not have time to visit the office, clubhouse or showers."
"There's a dump station also -- it's right behind the playground and can be approached from either direction. Not locked --it's ready to use."
"Nice park that is part of a ecosystem of community swimming pool, tennis/pickle ball, ball diamonds and walking paths. Other park adjoining. $10.00 for electric/water per night. Gravel parking lot."
"There is a rver near by. Awesome time at the kingman state fishing lake"
"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."
"Dog friendly and lady at front desk is very nice and helpful with reasonable rates this is a great stay"
"Back a bit from the highway. Trees. Friendly quick check in. Simple place to stay."
"It’s by a lake so this time of year it’s nasty! They have a septic toilet. So perfect if you need to take a bathroom break on a real toilet."
"Note that Kansas does have some toll road though! Get your K-pass for free before you travel to make it easier."
"I camp here often, it is free and away from people very peaceful"
"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."
"They are pet friendly and have a leash law. The boat ramp and dock are good sized and kept maintained. I have a great time everytime I go. I recommend it as a stop while you are in Kansas."
"If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9 + mile trail ( we walked it)."
from $10 - $23 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe campsite has friendly staff, the facilities and campsites are clean, great swimming area. They are pet friendly and have a leash law. The boat ramp and dock are good sized and kept maintained. I have a great time everytime I go. I recommend it as a stop while you are in Kansas.
RangerIf need to stop and want a full hook-up for $20, give this place a try. The camp ground manager, Monica, was very helpful and proactive. She ensured we had a 50 amp FHU pull-thru. There is not much around so you better be self sufficient. There are several gas stations, a small Dillon's grocery and a Family Dollar store. There is a road on the backside of the campground and a large open field to walk your dogs if you have them. We are going back through the area in Feb and will stay here again, but not sure what that looks like in a Kansas winter.
LegendAs with many campgrounds in Kansas, this state fishing lake boasts camping without charge. There are five designated primitive tent spots with fire rings and tables. No RV spots, no electric, and no water. Two spots are at the entrance near the vault toilet and three spots are caddy corner on the back of the lake. You are responsible for removing your trash, the fields are well maintained, and of course you can fish. There are two docks and you can drop a boat in the small lake. There is a lot of noise from the working silos, railroad, and highways.
LegendYep, we saw bald eagles every day of our stay. Majestic!
This campground is large and spread out. We road our bikes over every inch and clocked 12 miles. If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9 + mile trail ( we walked it). 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. Boating, fishing, birding, 18 hole disc golf course, swimming, biking or just relaxing, this place is great.
There are several loops within this State Park. The Gapher loop is for tents. If you are a tenter, you are in for a treat. Sites right are right on the water. The restroom water was on in this loop only.
Smarsh is a loop that is not on the lake side, but the only w/e loop that had water turned on during off season. It looks older and is low land. A large area of standing water was by the road. Even though it is older, has giant Cottonwood trees shading the sites.. one of the 10 modern bathhouse was conveniently located at the entrance to the loop. A playground and walking trails are across the main road. The longest trail runs through this loop.
The Hobie Loop has no services, but the amazing views make up for it. Half the sites are right on the water. Kayaks, Canoes, SUP can be launched right from the sites or just across the road. You pass a HUGE boat launch area before you get to this loop.
The last 2 loops ( North and South) are w/e loops, but water was off for the season. You could fill tanks at the vacant host site or the dump station.
The sites are all gravel or grass with the exception of handicap sites. I wouldn't they were level, but all doable.
It was WINDY every day so I couldn't kayak or SUP. I think it is just Kansas, though. I was sad to see so much trash on the road and the most remote part of the long hiking trail. Some could be from windy blowing stuff around, but the bad of empty beer bottles discarded on th me trail was not. We reported it.
A small store is just outside the entrance and Witchita is only 30 minutes away. Hutchinson is maybe 15 mi.
RangerAbout 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. Most people would not consider a body of water where you can see the bottom as a lake, that would be a pond. Kansas State fishing lakes are mostly ponds. this one is shallow enough. I think you could walk across it in waders. The highway noise is not too bad. It's been so windy here with severe thunderstorm warnings that you cannot hear the highway traffic. Picnic tables, fire rings and a pit toilet. That's it. They recently buried some culverts under the road which should prevent any future washouts. But beware the sandy road base could get you stuck.
GuideWe were solo camping here. Only a few folks walking dogs around the lake came through. We’re self-contained but there is a vault toilet and a water spigot if needed.
TravelerNice pull through & back in site just 4 miles from Kansas fairgrounds
LegendRV Park had your typical hookups. Its really just a parking lot behind a structure that has about a dozen spots available, adjacent to the highway. Privacy and quiet would not describe this RV park.
TravelerThis was a perfectly fine campground. Very clean, well maintained. It is Kansas, so it’s very open, you wouldn’t have a lot of privacy if it was busier, although there are lots of short trees around the little lake. There is a bathroom, there’s water, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Easy to find, stop, and set up here. Not sure if there are more spots to camp around the lake, nothing seems to be marked. Someone else mentioned the grain silo not too far away...it is a bit loud but it almost felt like white noise or something, didn’t bother me.
Stafford County sits in the central plains of Kansas at an elevation of about 1,800 feet, where the flat terrain creates excellent stargazing opportunities at night. The area experiences hot summers and cold winters, with spring and fall offering the most moderate temperatures for camping. Most campgrounds near Stafford provide primitive to moderate amenities with sites positioned on the shores of fishing lakes or within wildlife areas.
Fishing for slab crappie: Kingman State Fishing Lake attracts anglers year-round with its well-stocked waters. According to a camper at Kingman State Fishing Lake, visitors can "hunt the sand hills for deer, and bobwhite quail" when fishing season slows down.
Observe migratory birds: The wetlands at Cheyenne Bottoms Campground offer prime wildlife viewing. A visitor noted, "Campground is adjacent to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area, largest wetland in the interior US and important migratory bird location."
Listen to nighttime wildlife: After dark, the marshlands come alive with natural sounds. One camper described their experience: "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."
Mountain biking: Trails around the campgrounds provide opportunities for casual riding. A visitor to Cheney State Park mentioned, "We road our bikes over every inch and clocked 12 miles. If you do mountain bike, you would enjoy the 9+ mile trail."
Free camping options: Several campgrounds near Stafford offer no-cost sites with basic amenities. A camper at Deweese Campground shared: "I camp here often, it is free and away from people very peaceful."
Spacious lakefront sites: Many campgrounds feature sites directly on shorelines. One visitor described Kingman State Fishing Lake: "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."
Quiet surroundings: The remote location provides peaceful camping experiences away from city noise. A reviewer at Deweese 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."
Wildlife viewing: The area's wetlands and lakes attract diverse animal species. One camper at Cheyenne Bottoms wrote: "Lots of birds and had a Barred Owl fly right past me while I was setting up."
Weather and ground conditions: The Kansas plains experience rapid weather changes. A visitor to Sterling Lake Park warned: "There's a tree at every campsite and a picnic table. It is in the middle of a neighborhood that likes to stay up late. Bored small town teens means a lot of people out at night just having fun. There are also tics so be careful."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have unpaved access roads that become difficult in wet conditions. One camper at Cheyenne Bottoms noted: "Empty and quiet. Two clean toilets, muddy road to get there. About 20 minutes from the highway."
Bug activity: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially near water. A visitor advised: "Watch out for mosquitos. It's by a lake so this time of year it's nasty!"
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds provide only basic facilities. A reviewer at Kingman State Fishing Lake stated: "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 amenities: For those seeking pet friendly camping near Stafford, Kansas, Pratt County Veterans Memorial Park offers affordable options with hookups. One camper shared: "This is a quiet little park for being in the heart of Pratt. It's just $10/night for electric & water."
Playgrounds and recreation: Some campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. A visitor to Cheney State Park commented: "Nice beach area for kids. Bathroom facilities adequate and they have showers."
Wildlife education opportunities: The wetlands provide natural science lessons for children. A camper described: "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."
Safety considerations: Hunting seasons affect some campgrounds near Stafford. A solo traveler cautioned: "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) on a public land. There was a lot of RVs and tents. All men on hunting gear."
Level sites: Most campgrounds near Stafford have reasonably flat parking areas. A visitor to Sand Hills State Park noted: "Clean, Level, All Paved, Easy Setup."
Boondocking options: For self-contained rigs looking for dog-friendly campgrounds near Stafford, Kansas, primitive sites work well. One RVer at Kingman State Fishing Lake shared: "Much larger than expected, tons of spots that can fit large rigs. All dirt roads that can get muddy."
Hookup availability: Some campgrounds offer electrical and water connections. A camper mentioned: "Stopped here early in February 2021 for one night, on the way home to Missouri from Arizona. Needed a quiet place to get a nights sleep and drain the tanks before putting the RV back in storage for the rest of the winter."
Dump station access: Several parks provide tank dumping facilities. A visitor to Sand Hills State Park mentioned: "Park was a little unlevel so definitely need to bring extra wood to level correctly. We paid $12 for the night since we got in super late otherwise it's $25 a night. Also saw a dump station that was free."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Stafford, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Stafford, KS is Pine Haven Retreat with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Stafford, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 dog-friendly camping locations near Stafford, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
