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