Pottawatomie County State Lake #2, near Wamego, Kansas, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy some free camping by the water. With picnic tables and fire rings at your disposal, it’s a great spot to kick back, roast some marshmallows, and soak in the natural beauty around you.

This campground is known for its peaceful vibe, especially during the week when the locals have cleared out. Many visitors have mentioned the nice spots near the water, perfect for fishing or just relaxing by the lake. One camper noted, “We ended up being the only people there by sunset,” which speaks to the tranquil atmosphere you can find here.

While the amenities are basic—think pit toilets and no showers—campers appreciate the spaciousness and the chance to connect with nature. The area is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Just remember to pack out what you pack in; some folks have pointed out the need for better trash management.

If you’re passing through and need a place to rest, this campground offers a convenient stop with a beautiful lake view. Whether you’re in a tent or an RV, Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 provides a simple, enjoyable camping experience away from the hustle and bustle.

Primitive camping is allowed in the designated areas.

The 179 acres surrounding the lake is a wildlife refuge, predominately riparian timber with some native grass on the upland area. Primitive camping is allowed on the west side of the lake. Boating is restricted to fishing only. The lake population includes Channel Catfish (which are stocked during the summer months thanks to funding from the Urban Fishing Program), Black bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Flat-head catfish, and Walleye.

Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

Are you in need of a campground near Manhattan, KS? Manhattan is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Manhattan, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Manhattan

The Best Camping Near Manhattan, Kansas

Dirt road access. Locals enjoy this space year round for shore fishing and hammocking. Lots of shade. Some washout this summer. Pretty rough access road. Gravel + washout + steep hill down to lake level. Great for kayaking. Couple geocaches as well. I live near by and have gone every month of the year. 

Tucked Away Local Favorite 

Driving across Kansas can be long and tedious and I'm often looking for a place to primitive-car-camp on the cheap to get some sleep while crossing the country.  This little lake worked perfectly for me.  Not a huge detour from I-70 (maybe 20-30 minutes total) - I found the campground completely empty on a Monday night in early September and woke up with a picnic table and a fire pit next to a calm lake with jumping fish and just a few local fisherman visible in various spots.  There were no annoying gates or camp managers or $ charges, and that's perfect for my purposes..  Made a cup of coffee by the lake and got back on the road.  I didn't see bathroom/shower/electrical or any other "advanced" services so this is more for those of us who just need a peaceful place to tent camp.  

Quiet place to tuck away

Fairly easy to find and the roads are decent. Plenty of camping on the lake. All camping sites on side of lake with entrance. Nice level sites. Plenty of fire wood to forage. Great fishing. Was the only one camping but had some beaver neighbors catching fish all night. No hikes but a jog around the lake was pleasant. Beautiful sunrise on the lake. Wildlife heard all around. I enjoyed my stay 

Nice stop for a night

This is a great place to stay it’s about 30 minutes 20 minutes off of I 70 of very clean well-maintained no one bug me at all I don’t think there was another camper in the whole place morning sunrise was perfect  over the water me and my dog slept very quietly and nicely all night long

2020 Dec28

I visited the lake Wednesday/Thursday before 4th of July (Sunday) while passing through out west. Had difficulty find a place for a 6x10 cargo conversion camper. Most areas are muddy after rain. Overall quiet but expect locals to be in and out during summer months letting in kayaks and fishing. Nice spot for the area but may not stay after a hard rain or pulling a camper.

Good spot for car/tent camping.

I thought it was really cool that Kansas has fishing lakes with designated free campgrounds surrounding them. We were there during a very dry spell and smoke detector went off in our van because our windows were down and the dirt road leading to the lake was so dusty. We pulled in late evening and there were still places to choose from (we stayed August 6). There were clean pit toilets and the spaces were spaced out enough to feel a sense of privacy 

Nice Free Site

We stopped at this camping spot on our way from Georgia to Colorado. This was one of our favorite spots because it wasn’t overly populated. Also the wild life was great. We saw a beautiful owl that flew between the trees. There was fire pits and nice spots next to the lake.


Great free camping spot

Making a trip out west needed an easy stop for a night of sleep 
Close enough off the highway , close enough to shopping 
Easy to pull in and find a spot, not very level but good enough 
Beautiful lake 

Sweet Spot

We arrived at around 5 on a Sunday and had a hard time finding a spot by by around 6pm all the locals were leaving and we ended up being the only people there by sunset. The toilets weren’t the cleanest but it was nice to have them. There’s also a few trails around the lake that were nice to run on with the pups!

Peaceful camping 

Nice spot to pull in for the night. Lots of spots on Sunday night in June. A few fisherman and kayakers out. Lots of shade and level spots for rvs. Can’t swim but dog had fun in lake. Water smelled fishy. Lots of trash laying around. Leave no trace people! 

Peace and quiet

Nice spots near the water. Lots of fishers during the day but cleared out at night. No longer picking up trash.

Good for overnight

If you’re just passing through and looking for a place to camp it’s a little far off 70 but lots of space and a very nice place to stay for being free and on a lake. 

Nice free place to camp

Beautiful campground! It had pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Solid free camping! Other campers were sort of rowdy, but it was a holiday weekend. 

Photos of Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

Real photos from real campers