3 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Osage State Fishing Lake and Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake offer primitive camping options near Vassar, Kansas. Both locations provide lakeside sites with fire rings and pit toilets but no drinking water, trash service, or hookups. Osage State Fishing Lake is free while Leavenworth charges a small fee, with sites accessible by drive-in, boat-in, or hike-in methods and suitable for both tents and RVs.
Osage features numerous waterfront sites with varying levels of privacy. The main area provides access to toilets, while loops around the lake offer more secluded camping spots. A visitor noted, "Every spot seems to be waterfront, it's a very nice and clean place." At Leavenworth, camping areas are designated in an online brochure, with sites generally quiet and uncrowded. Be aware that Kansas enforces a 7-day camping limit rather than the standard 14 days at these locations. Both areas require campers to pack out all trash and come prepared with necessary supplies.
"So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic!"
"Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend."
"No amenities, boon docking fishing is good dont park on the grass"
"Pit toilets. Some traffic visiting the fishing spot, but it quiets down at night. Not too far from i-70."
"Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice. A few other overnighters were there. Not too much time is added if you’re traveling i70."
RangerSo glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic! Beautiful area, campfire rings in several locations, and our 43' Rv navigated smoothly (well, husband navigated smoothly!) Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads....leave no trace, and enjoy!
RangerWe found a great spot for our van that was right on the water and mostly secluded. Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill. Lake is beautiful, decent cell service with Verizon. Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend.
Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there’s lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy. No trash so pack it out.
GuideThe area is surrounded heavily with ticks. Be prepared if bringing animals. There is also quite a fair amount of garbage laying around the sites and down by the lake, which is sad given is seclusion and beauty. No water or power. Vaulted toilet, not well cleaned. All spots were very level and great for tent/car camping. It looked like 4 spots with fire rings and tables and a spot or 2 that you could pull into with no ring or table. Lovely fishing spot from what the locals said. Bass, catfish, and bluegill in the lake. Lake is not swimmable. Overall still nice and quiet.
TravelerNo amenities, boon docking fishing is good dont park on the grass
GuideThis area had several spots around the lake. I had enough signal to make and receive calls and texts but being able to surf the internet was challenging almost impossible. I have Spectrum. The spots aren’t that private but I felt relatively safe. Clean. Gas station about 10 mins away. The area isn’t very remote. There are a couple pit toilets around.
TravelerThis is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road. The pit toilet is not well maintained. Not suitable for larger vehicles.
ScoutSoft level grass to camp on. Pit toilets. Some traffic visiting the fishing spot, but it quiets down at night. Not too far from i-70.
GuidePulled in late and left early. Lots of level grassy space available, and the lake looked really nice. A few other overnighters were there. Not too much time is added if you’re traveling i70. Poop on the toilet seat in the pit toilet so we waited until we got to a gas station in the morning. People are animals.
RangerThere's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground. Everything is as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump, but that's usually rare to find water and a grey dump at a free site.
I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave. So I'm going to treat all Kansas places as a 7-day limit.
Dispersed camping near Vassar, Kansas centers on several state-owned fishing lakes with primitive camping opportunities. The region's rolling prairie landscape features open grasslands interspersed with oak-hickory woodlands at approximately 1,050 feet elevation. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional thunderstorms.
Sunrise fishing experiences: At Osage State Fishing Lake, early mornings provide optimal fishing conditions. One visitor shared their experience: "I only stayed here a night but wish I could've stayed longer. Highly recommend for a peaceful camping trip." The lake is stocked with channel catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie.
Wildlife observation: Waterfowl, deer, and various bird species frequent these fishing lakes at dawn and dusk. A camper at Osage noted: "I arrived late after 11 pm and was concerned with disturbing people already camping. Spots were nice and spaced out so had no issues with disturbing anyone as I set up. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise."
Kayak exploration: Both lakes permit non-motorized watercraft access. The smaller coves and inlets offer quiet paddling routes away from fishing areas. "Pretty lake views, easy to drive in and find pretty private sites, and some fire ring," mentioned one Osage visitor.
Natural seclusion: Many campsites at Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake offer privacy despite being accessible by vehicle. "This is a small remote lake of about 160 acres water area. A county road takes you through the area and across the dam. There are gravel pull off areas and a lakeside gravel road," one camper explained.
Overnight convenience: These locations work well for travelers passing through on I-70. "On a road trip off the 70, pulled over to camp for the night! Quiet, only a few other campers around.. lovely nighttime sounds. Firepit," noted a visitor to Osage State Fishing Lake.
Off-peak solitude: Weekdays typically see fewer visitors than weekends. "Camped here several days in late June. There were very few campers, even on the weekends. Many slept in their cars and left at first light. I assume they went fishing at the lake," observed one Leavenworth camper.
Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies seasonally and by location. At Osage State Fishing Lake, one camper reported: "Pit toilets in good shape when we arrived Thursday afternoon but kind of rough by the end of the weekend."
Site selection strategy: Different areas offer varying amenities and privacy. "Camp in main area to be near toilets, otherwise there's lots of loops near the water where you can find sites with more privacy. No trash so pack it out," advised an Osage visitor.
Stay duration limits: Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake and other Kansas camping areas enforce shorter stays than typical public lands. "I'm starting to think that Kansas has a 7-day limit instead of a 14 because this is the second time that a Kansas park official came to the door and said we need to leave. So I'm going to treat all Kansas places as a 7-day limit," cautioned a camper.
Resource management: No drinking water is available at either lake, requiring families to bring their own supply. At Leavenworth, "There's sun by the bathrooms, and there's shade in the forested campground. Everything is as great as it can be, aside from missing trash cans, and ideally water and grey dump."
Navigation assistance: Finding designated camping areas can be challenging without proper information. At Leavenworth Kansas State Fishing Lake, "This site was easy to find and had a beautiful view of the lake! There is a brochure available online to help find the designated camping areas!"
Pet considerations: While both locations allow pets, supervision is essential. "Got pretty busy on the weekend and people had loose dogs that were causing some problems, but otherwise very chill," reported an Osage camper.
Size restrictions: Large RVs may face challenges at certain locations. At Leavenworth, a camper noted: "Not suitable for larger vehicles." However, some areas can accommodate larger rigs with careful navigation.
Easy access options: Some areas of Osage State Fishing Lake accommodate larger vehicles better than others. "So glad we chose this dispersed camping location as an overnight stay. It's fantastic! Beautiful area, campfire rings in several locations, and our 43' RV navigated smoothly (well, husband navigated smoothly!) Easy to drive through, well-maintained roads," reported one RVer.
Vehicle-appropriate sites: Smaller campervans and transit vans generally have more site options. "Just got to the site, so far so good. Easy in for a Ford transit," reported an Osage visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Vassar, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Vassar, KS is Osage State Fishing Lake with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Vassar, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Vassar, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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