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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
