Campgrounds near Winona, Kansas cluster primarily along the I-70 corridor through western Kansas, with developed sites at Historic Lake Scott State Park and several commercial campgrounds in towns like Goodland, Oakley, and Colby. The region includes mixed-use campgrounds catering to travelers passing through on east-west routes, with a diverse range of tent and RV sites as well as cabin accommodations. Scott State Park stands out as an unexpected oasis in the otherwise flat plains landscape, offering a spring-fed lake set within canyon walls about 38 miles southwest of Winona, providing primitive tent sites alongside RV hookups.
Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though severe weather can impact camping conditions, particularly high winds which are common in western Kansas. Many RV parks offer full hookups to accommodate highway travelers, while state park facilities typically provide more basic amenities with shower houses and bathrooms that receive varying levels of maintenance. Cell coverage is generally strong throughout the region due to proximity to major highways. Seasonal considerations become important during summer months when temperatures can reach extreme highs. One camper shared their experience with the sometimes challenging conditions: "38 Mph wind gusts all night long made for some miserable camping. Not sure if that's normal around here or not."
The landscape around these camping areas creates a surprising contrast to Kansas stereotypes. At Scott State Park, campers frequently note the unexpected terrain features. Several visitors mentioned the dramatic setting as a key highlight, with one describing it as "a gem!!! Just a mile away all you can see is the flat flat farmlands of KS and then the road dips down into the canyon and you're in another world with a spring fed lake and shady cottonwood trees, mesas and rock formations." Private RV parks in the region primarily serve as convenient overnight stops rather than destinations themselves, with many campers using them as waypoints when traveling to or from Colorado. Wildlife viewing opportunities include turkey, owls, and various waterfowl at lake sites, while Monument Rocks and Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park offer unique geological features within driving distance of camping areas.
$48 / night
"The water pressure was great and I didn’t have a any issues with utilities even though temperatures dropped to 12 degrees outside."
"I stopped for just one night on my way to Colorado in a baby 13 foot travel trailer and they were kind enough to put me back in the corner so I could watch the beautiful Kansas Sunset, and away from the"
"The park is also super conveniently located to the interstate, so it’s the perfect place to pull off for the night."
"No forests, lake, trails, or any of that, but in this part of the state such things don’t exist anyway. Perfect as a stopover on the Great Journey between Kansas and Colorado."
$22 / night
"Wind blows constantly but nice area for dogs to run and right next to motel with all the extra amenities."
"RVs very close to one another. Never accessed the bathhouse yet one was available with a combo. Good WiFi"
$21 - $22 / night
"This was our last stop in our Tour de Kansas. The landscape felt more like the west than the flatlands of Kansas we had come to love. We pulled in on a Thurs. The campground was almost empty."
"Just a mile away all you can see is the flat flat farmlands of KS and then the road dips down into the canyon and you're in another world with a spring fed lake and shady cottonwood trees, mesas and rock"
$30 / night
$10 / night
"Driving through Kansas and coming up on this park and it's views made it a great spot to stop at along the way. Able to pull up to campsites and park next to your tent area."
"It was around 40 some miles from the Interstate& all we saw were fields upon fields & no trees. The husband was grumbling when we turned off on the road to Lake Scott."
"Reasonably priced, one of few campgrounds in western Kansas off of 70. Level concrete pads, fhu. Campground manager/owner? Lady was very kind and helpful."
TravelerI stopped overnight here on my way back to Colorado from Thanksgiving in Kansas. I needed to escape the wind. Self check in after hours was fairly simple (cash only). Sites were easy to navigate, long and level. I had 5gUW reception with Verizon. Would stay here again. New owners were very nice.
TravelerIf you’re looking for a dream destination, then keep going until you get deep into Colorado. This is not a vacation destination, but it certainly has everything you need. I stayed here for 4 nights and my site had electric, water, and sewer. The water pressure was great and I didn’t have a any issues with utilities even though temperatures dropped to 12 degrees outside. It’s close to the highway, which is convenient, but there is a little noise from the highway. The noise wasn’t bad and didn’t bother me at all. The campground has laundry and bathrooms on site. There’s also a gas station across the street and a Mexican restaurant right next to the campground. For western Kansas, this place is top notch. I will definitely stay here again in the future.
TravelerMy girlfriend and I met here early in November for a few days. We were pleasantly surprised at the beauty and remoteness of the location. Both of us grew up in southeast Kansas and didn’t realize what a different geological and historical history the region contained. We will be returning
ScoutWhile reviewing and researching options for an upcoming trip, KDWP states no camping at this site. Did not visit or contact to confirm, but findings attached.
LegendSuper easy off I70 with little to no road noise. Friendly staff, we were escorted to our spot. Concrete patio and gravel pads that were mostly level. Very clean and quiet, shower house was exceptionally clean. Great camp store. Just overall very pleasant over nighter. Would definitely stay again!
GuideWe wanted to try some parks in Western kansas. Heard some good things about them. This park is pretty good. It was a nice quiet location just north of Scott City and south of colby. The general store that's very small is only open on Friday Saturday and Sunday.
ScoutGreat little campground. Water hydrant at all the sights in our little camp area. Lots of space at each site with table and fire pit. Not all pits have grates. There is no toilet at this little camp area but there is flush bathrooms and showers within 1/2 mile.
ScoutThis campground is great if you just need a no-fuss full hookup site. Sites are back-in. It is on the fairgrounds, so the noise level will depend upon what’s going on there. Last night was the local stock car races, which were mind-boggling loud but we just went over and watched the races and had a blast.
RangerReserveAmerica for reservations. This campground was not included in TD. Some 90°backins. Pay attention to the map and description when reserving. Not very level where I was. No toilets in this CG. Nearest is about 1/3 mile away - vault toilet. Pretty area.
The region around Winona, Kansas sits at approximately 3,300 feet elevation in the High Plains of western Kansas. Wind patterns frequently intensify in this area, with sustained breezes of 15-25 mph common during spring and fall months. Despite the relatively flat topography, several camping areas offer surprising terrain variations including canyons, mesas, and spring-fed lakes that contrast with the surrounding agricultural landscape.
Swimming and water recreation: At Historic Lake Scott State Park, the spring-fed lake maintains consistent water levels even during dry periods. "The lake is small and quiet with fishers and kayakers. We swam a lot, fished a bit even though the fish weren't biting, explored the dam, hiked on the bluffs trail," shares one camper at Circle Drive — Historic Lake Scott State Park.
Visit geological formations: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and Monument Rocks are within 20 miles of several campgrounds. "There is no shortage of things to do. We spent the hot part of the days kayaking in the lake... There are lots of historic places in the park that we visited and hiking trails along with Monument Rocks just 19 miles to the East and Little Jeruselum 19 miles to the west," notes a visitor at Circle Drive.
Local attractions: The Van Gogh painting easel in Goodland offers a unique photo opportunity. "You can walk to a Dollar General to pick up a few things. Conveniently located close to a Walmart, coffee shop and restaurants as well as the Van Gogh painting," mentions a visitor at Goodland KOA.
Unexpected terrain: The landscape contradicts expectations of Kansas flatlands. "There is not a lot to see on the flat western plains of Kansas and you would not see this state park either if you didn't know it was there. This lake is like a sunken oasis of trees and water," reports a camper at Elm Grove — Historic Lake Scott State Park.
Quiet evenings: Most campgrounds offer peaceful settings for overnight stays. "Despite a broken motorcycle and random people showing up to fish, it was a lovely spot. The fishermen were innocuous and I highly recommend the primitive spots," shares a visitor at Elm Grove.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching opportunities exist throughout the region. "We saw turkey, owl, lots of buzzards, geese, albino buffelo and more cows than i have seen in one place," notes a camper describing the area around Historic Lake Scott State Park.
Goathead thorns: These painful thorns can be problematic in many camping areas. "Only downside is the goats head burs are present. Don't walk around barefoot you'll regret it," warns a camper at High Plains Camping.
Limited services: Many campgrounds offer only basic amenities. "Very small town and far enough off the hwy were noise wasn't a problem," mentions a visitor at High Plains Camping, which has recently changed ownership.
Seasonal crowds: Weekends bring significantly more campers than weekdays. "We pulled in on a Thurs. The campground was almost empty. Buy Friday afternoon, it was pretty full. By Sunday afternoon, we had it to our self again," reports a camper at Historic Lake Scott State Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer recreation options. "There is a great disk golf course and ADA fishing docks with paved walkway access for those who need it," says a visitor at Kansas Country Inn & RV Park.
Safety considerations: High winds can affect camping experiences. "38 Mph wind gusts all night long made for some miserable camping," shares one camper about conditions in the region.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "The area itself was great! There's even a few histoical sites to visit and it is close to Monument Rocks, which is what bought us to Kansas," notes a visitor to the region.
Overnight convenience: Many RV parks serve primarily as stopover points. "Traveling back across Kansas on I-70, this was a perfect overnight spot with hookups and clean bathrooms on site. Not much to do other than have a drink and watch the beautiful sunset," reports a camper at Whistle Stop RV and Antiques.
Site selection: Some parks have varied site quality. "We were in site 1 which is very private and spacious and just a skip across the road is the lake," notes a visitor at Historic Lake Scott State Park.
Level sites: Finding level ground can be challenging at some parks. "Sites are on gravel or grass & not always level for our 30' 5th wheel. Verizon cell is available as is electricity & water. Dumping service is at the entrance," reports an RVer at Circle Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Winona, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Winona, KS is High Plains Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
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