Winfield City Lake offers camping access on multiple sides of the reservoir, with primitive sites located near water's edge. The terrain around Winfield features rolling Flint Hills prairie with limestone outcroppings and intermittent wooded areas. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while spring and fall camping provides milder conditions with average highs in the 60-70°F range, though rain can create muddy conditions at certain campgrounds.
What to do
Trail exploration: At Santa Fe Lake, multiple hiking and biking trails branch off from the main gravel road encircling the lake. "The main trail is composed of a gravel camping road that encircles the man made lake... Several trails offshoot from this main road, each is marked for either hiking (trail running), mountain biking, or camping," notes Armaan M. The trails vary in difficulty but most are "easy/moderate and support running."
Waterfall viewing: Cowely County Fishing Lake features a seasonal waterfall that can be explored when water levels allow. Mike V. mentions, "At the time I was there, the waterfall was dried up and I was able to take a trail down to the bottom and see everything up close." This natural feature provides a unique landscape element not commonly found in Kansas camping areas.
Paddling and fishing: Multiple small peninsulas at Cowely County Fishing Lake create ideal spots for anglers. Jake F. describes the area as having "several spots beside the lake or built a little peninsulas surrounded by water on three sides." Patrick B. adds it's a "beautiful lake, sites right next to the water" making it convenient for fishing directly from camp.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Napawalla Park in Oxford offers exceptional value with various pricing tiers. "If you don't use the electricity it's only $3.50 and if you choose to hook up to the electric, which is located on utility poles, then it's $10 per night on the honor system," explains Susan L. The park maintains reasonable rates while providing quality amenities.
Community atmosphere: The Winfield Fairgrounds RV area attracts both travelers and locals who create an informal social environment. According to The Great D., "There are even locals that camp out here and are fun and friendly. Sometimes they will even start playing music and encourage to even jump in or just sit and listen." This creates opportunities for impromptu gatherings.
Quiet camping environment: Many campers appreciate the smaller, less crowded lakes compared to larger reservoirs. Chris L. notes about Santa Fe Lake: "This lake is a nice break from places like Cheney and Afton. It's small so there aren't a lot of big boats disturbing the water, which makes paddling a lot more enjoyable." Patrick B. describes Cowely County Fishing Lake as "very pretty and peaceful."
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds, with some receiving better maintenance than others. At Cherokee Strip Campground, Joyce R. notes the campground has "Electric, water, restrooms and coin-operated showers... Needs some repairs and newer picnic tables but better than many places." Meanwhile, Michelle S. reported at Winfield City Lake that "Showers were closed and turned off and the bathrooms were dirty."
Weekend noise levels: Several campgrounds experience increased activity and noise on weekends. At Winfield City Lake, Chris B. cautions, "The city of Winfield never enforces quite hours or patrols the area. If you get unlucky enough to be near a party you will listen to it all night." Jake F. observed at Cowely County Fishing Lake: "Very quiet but there was some trash look like there might be some partying on the weekends."
Honor system payment: Many smaller campgrounds operate on self-pay systems. At Napawalla Park, Susan L. explains, "There's a box next to the bath house where you leave your cash payment." Jack B. confirms this practice continues: "The sites are not numbered and you pay (now $15) in front of the restrooms."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Wellington KOA provides family-friendly facilities with clean bathrooms that parents appreciate. Wandering W. reports, "Friendly staff, extremely clean bathrooms and showers! Nice grassy spot for our tent!" The campground maintains consistent cleanliness standards important for family camping.
Swimming options: Santa Fe Lake offers a designated swim beach area perfect for children. Nikki S. recalls, "I went to this lake a lot as a teen. My first camping trip a group of friends went out to camp for the night, and to swim at the beach." The dedicated swim area provides safer water recreation than open lake shores.
Multi-use recreation: Napawalla Park includes various recreation options within walking distance of campsites. Dean L. describes, "Large group shelters and a nice/new performance stage. RecognIzed disk golf course, horse shoes, basketball, sand volleyball and children's playground." This variety keeps children engaged throughout their stay.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Napawalla Park, the electric hookup arrangement may require planning. Susan L. advises, "Just take the road into the park and then look for the poles which hold the electric boxes. You can pull into the grassy areas next to one of these." Ed G. adds that the campground has "30 and 50 AMP hook ups, and water. The dump station is by the entry."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may challenge larger rigs. Joyce R. notes about 4 Mile Creek RV Resort: "Rough gravel roads two miles into and out of property, but only about 2 miles south of Hwy 400." This information helps RVers plan appropriate routes and avoid difficult terrain.
Site preparation: Ground conditions can affect RV setup, particularly after rain. Susan L. shares her experience at Napawalla Park: "I was concerned about the ground being soft because it had just rained, but I had no problems in my 24' class C rig." Most dog friendly campgrounds near Winfield have primarily grass sites rather than gravel or concrete pads.
