Tuttle Creek Lake camping includes both US Army Corps of Engineers and Kansas State Park sites that operate on different schedules and reservation systems. The lake spans 12,500 acres with over 100 miles of shoreline available for camping and recreation. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring and early summer typically offering the highest levels for water activities, while fall provides more exposed shoreline for hiking and wildlife viewing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: River Pond Campground offers productive fishing in multiple locations. According to visitor Tommie J., "Fishing in the lake, the spillway it the pond is always productive. And if you do want a little nightlife, there is a great area called Aggieville 15 minutes away."
Kayaking and paddling: Tuttle Creek Cove provides excellent access for water sports. Carlos S. notes it's "beautiful and peaceful while going kayak." The campground rents equipment on-site, with David H. adding, "we rented kayaks and canoes for a leisurely paddle around the lake."
Off-road vehicle trails: The ORV area near River Pond attracts many off-road enthusiasts. "The orv area was amazing to take the jeeps out to! There's trails, mudding areas, and areas called ledges for climbing," reports Shaeli E., who rated the ORV area a perfect 5 while giving the main campground a 3.
Hiking trails: Multiple hiking trails branch out from campgrounds throughout the area. At Fancy Creek, you'll find "a trailhead to a nice trail" according to Tara S., while Kaitlin M. enjoyed exploring "some of the trails/hunting areas with my puppy! The scenery was just beautiful and so serene."
What campers like
Spacious, shaded sites: Rocky Ford Campground receives high marks for its tree coverage. Steve S. notes, "This area is just what we like, lots of trees, secluded, quite, good for the dogs." Another camper, Mike B., describes the area's unique vegetation: "There are huge cottonwood trees that are wrapped with green vines during the summer months that guide you through the park."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, Joe L. reports having "some beaver neighbors catching fish all night" and "wildlife heard all around." Another camper, Cori R., enjoyed the "beautiful owl that flew between the trees."
Budget-friendly options: Free camping is available at Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, which Bill C. describes as a "nice place by the lake. Has a worn out picnic table and a fire ring. Can't beat free campground tho." For travelers on a budget, Kai W. notes it's "not a huge detour from I-70 (maybe 20-30 minutes total)" and had "no annoying gates or camp managers or $ charges."
Scenic water views: Riley Point Campground campers particularly enjoy lakefront sites. Tina J. writes, "We were on sites that had lake views with Water and electric. Paved Roads were plenty wide enough to travel through with our 40' towing our truck." Another visitor, JL, recommends "trying to book a water view spot. We were in site 101 and couldn't be happier with it!"
What you should know
Campground size and navigation: Finding specific sites can be challenging, especially after dark. JL advises, "If you're arriving late, be forewarned that the campground is huge so a map is essential to find your spot." Leslie B. adds, "Park does need to label the roads with site numbers. I recommend arriving in daylight to find your spot, as well as researching your location beforehand."
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Both Stockdale and Tuttle Creek Cove run from April 15 to October 31 only, requiring alternative plans during winter months.
Varying bathroom conditions: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. Curt found at Riley Point that "bathrooms and showers are disgusting," while at Greenwood Park, Julie described a "clean and tidy bathhouse (shower, sink, toilet)."
Crowding and noise issues: Proximity to Manhattan and Fort Riley affects crowd levels. Chris S. notes River Pond is "a nice campground but fairly busy with close proximity to Manhattan and Fort Riley as well as the ORV park." Adam M. adds that "Manhattan is a college town and with it can bring some more wild campers and some wild people on the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly lake access: River Pond State Park offers safe water recreation. David H. notes, "There is a nice beach area to swim" and their "camp site had plenty of over head cover from the sun."
Wildlife precautions: Secure food items at night, especially at Rocky Ford. Mike B. warns, "Make sure and put your food away at night or the raccoons will be dining at your table during the night."
Insect protection: Mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent, particularly near water. Jessica C. advises, "Bring bug spray, as the mosquitoes and chiggers were biting!" while enjoying the "sunflowers growing all around us."
Pet-friendly trails: Many campgrounds accommodate pets on trails. Hanna W. describes Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 as a place where "locals enjoy this space year round for shore fishing and hammocking," and Shea B. adds "there's also a few trails around the lake that were nice to run on with the pups!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling equipment, especially at Riley Point and Pottawatomie Lake. Leslie B. notes that "pull throughs are not too level" and Tara I. mentions there are "lots of level spots for RVs" but location matters.
Hookup placement: Some sites have inconvenient hookup locations. Leslie B. advises that "services are on the wrong side so make sure your hose and electric cable are long enough."
Road conditions: Access roads vary across campgrounds. At Stockdale Park, Rick G. describes "well maintained, gravel sites with good electric and water hookups," while Pottawatomie State Lake #2 has what Hanna W. calls "pretty rough access road. Gravel + washout + steep hill down to lake level."
Dump station features: Rick G. highlights that Stockdale's "dump station also provided attached hose to allow black tank flush," a feature appreciated by RVers planning longer stays.
