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Best Tent Camping in Kansas

1,402 Reviews

When you think of Kansas, forget about flat. There’s a world of unexpected outdoor adventures waiting for you in the heart of America. Camping in Kansas brings you closer to world-class hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and the ability to enjoy a sunset over the plains. With twenty-six state parks, multiple lakes, and an abundance of trails and wildlife, camping in Kansas is sure to surprise you.

The scenic Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge lies in the broad, flat, and beautiful Neosho River Valley. It’s the country’s largest remaining tract of tallgrass, complete with captivating wildflowers and a nearly endless horizon. El Dorado State Park is situated conveniently at the edge of the Flint Hills and perfect for camping nearby. A destination for boating, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, the hills make camping in Kansas as fun-packed as it is gorgeous.

For water lovers, there are a handful of public camping areas near the Kansas River Trail, as well as sandbars welcome to campers scattered along the way. Cyclists and hikers will love camping in Kansas for the numerous trails winding through Kansas River State Park’s breathtaking oak-hickory forest. Plus, you can access the Kansas River (also known as Kaw River) from a boat ramp for canoeing, kayaking, and other small watercraft.

If you’re looking for fresh air, awe-inspiring views, and crystal water, Kansas may have just the right thing. With tall grass, stretching fields, and open skies, the Sunflower State is perfect for those who love trail exploration, wildlife, and even archery! From the Flint Hills to the Kansas River and everything in between, camping in Kansas is perfect for a picturesque and peaceful getaway.

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Best Tent Sites in Kansas (63)

    1. Woodridge Park

    13 Reviews
    Clinton Lake, KS
    Website
    +1 (785) 843-7665

    "We recently took our scout troop to Woodridge and had ample space for the group.  The 4.5 mile trail was a nice activity for the scouts during the morning. "

    "There’s a gravel loop with some picnic tables and a couple hike-in sites dispersed along a trail."

    2. Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

    14 Reviews
    Manhattan, KS
    Website
    +1 (785) 273-6740

    "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!"

    "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."

    3. Harvey County East Park

    8 Reviews
    Walton, KS
    Website
    +1 (316) 283-5420

    "The showers/restroom facilities are a bit rough, but there if you need them. Just to note, the water hookups are shared between sites and currently have signs reading, "15 MINUTE TIME LIMIT."

    "I also like how they put boat docks behind all of the lake side sites. The swim area is nice but often crowded on the weekends. This campground has both 50 and 30 amp sites."

    4. Kiowa County State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Byers, KS
    Website

    "As with many campgrounds in Kansas, this state fishing lake boasts camping without charge. There are five designated primitive tent spots with fire rings and tables."

    "It is Kansas, so it’s very open, you wouldn’t have a lot of privacy if it was busier, although there are lots of short trees around the little lake."

    5. Mushroom Campground — Webster State Park

    5 Reviews
    Stockton, KS
    Website
    +1 (785) 425-6775

    $10 - $90 / night

    "Mushroom camping area are a series of campsites which have a mushroom like shelter over each sites picnic tables (except for one that has a different shaped structure)  Each covered area sits on a concrete"

    "Stayed in a tent sight on a hill over looking the lake. Had a fire pit, picnic tables, and small pavilion. Watched a full moon rise over the lake with a slight breeze. Quiet and peaceful."

    6. Walnut Grove — Milford State Park

    4 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    $10 / night

    "Walnut grove is a primitive campground. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Some of the sites have water views and shorelines that you could boat or kayak right up to."

    "beautiful view watching sunsets over Milford lake as our camp site was right off the water."

    7. Cedar Point — Milford State Park

    4 Reviews
    Milford Lake, KS
    Website
    +1 (785) 238-3014

    "The upper loop still had that camping neighborhood vibe with sites clumped together a bit more closely but each was shaded and had a nice pull in and included a fire ring and picnic table, in some cases"

    "Was at this area for a fishing tournament happening on Milford Lake. It was storming far to the south, but looked so neat over the lake. This campground was clean and not busy at all as it was March."

    8. Timber Canyon Campground — Historic Lake Scott State Park

    3 Reviews
    Scott City, KS
    Website
    +1 (620) 872-2061

    $10 / night

    "I stayed for one night on the site with the covered shelter, and it worked out wonderfully because we had a huge lightning storm in the middle of the night."

    9. Indian Grass — Wilson State Park

    2 Reviews
    John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla, KS
    Website
    +1 (785) 658-2465

    "There are 2 areas which have a few primitive sites and a few covered picnic areas with fire rings. The views are beautiful with rolling hills and Wilson lake. This area is nice and secluded."

    "It was a long day driving today and hot outside. We needed a camping spot with electric hookups to run the AC and that’s what we got!!

    This campground is very clean and the sites are nicely spaced."

    10. Ottawa SFL

    2 Reviews
    Minneapolis, KS
    Website

    "Camped and fished here many times and enjoyed it every time I went, primitive camping no electric or water. Has pit toilets and you have to take your trash when you leave."

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18 Photos of 63 Kansas Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Kansas

1402 Reviews of 63 Kansas Campgrounds

  • Vanessa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2020

    Kiowa County State Park Campground

    Noisy

    As with many campgrounds in Kansas, this state fishing lake boasts camping without charge. There are five designated primitive tent spots with fire rings and tables. No RV spots, no electric, and no water. Two spots are at the entrance near the vault toilet and three spots are caddy corner on the back of the lake. You are responsible for removing your trash, the fields are well maintained, and of course you can fish. There are two docks and you can drop a boat in the small lake. There is a lot of noise from the working silos, railroad, and highways.

  • K
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Kingman State Fishing Lake

    Surprisingly delightful

    Plenty of primitive sites right along the lakeshore, well spaced and most shaded by cottonwood trees. No hookup, just a picnic table and a fire ring. Vault toilets. Stayed one night in our small rv on Columbus weekend in October. Not crowded, extremely quiet. Heard ducks and owls during the night. No fee!!

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    Mushroom Campground — Webster State Park

    Camp like a smurf

    Feel like you're camping like a smurf, almost.  Mushroom camping area are a series of campsites which have a mushroom like shelter over each sites picnic tables (except for one that has a different shaped structure)  Each covered area sits on a concrete pad and has two picnic tables.  Site also has a metal fire ring.  The spots all have plenty of grass around them for your tents.  These sites are listed as primitive so cost only $12.75 for the night.  Their is a vault toilet in the area, but it is only really conveniently located near two of the sites.  These sites are spaced far apart from each other.  No water available in the camping area, but you can get it and other services from some of the other campgrounds in the area.  Most of the sites sit out in the open.  The site I stayed at did have two trees which I was able to use for my hammock.

  • T
    Jun. 21, 2022

    Pottawatomie County State Lake #2

    Peace and quiet

    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!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2025

    Cheyenne Bottoms Campground

    Good for a stopover

    Campground is small (6-7 spots) and right off dirt road. That said, quiet evening with one other couple camping. If full, would feel crowded. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table and there is a vault toilet. Lots of birds and had a Barred Owl fly right past me while I was setting up. Campground is adjacent to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area, largest wetland in the interior US and important migratory bird location. About 45 minutes off I-70.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2018

    Cimarron Campground - Cimarron National Grassland

    Unexpected Beauty

    The Cimarron Grassland is an amazing part of the Great Plains ecosystem and definitely worth a look when driving through the southwest corner of Kansas. It will not be what you’re expecting! The sunrises alone are worth the price of admission, which was just $7 per night.

    Just off the park driving tour road, this little campground sits between small ponds in a larger wetland area within the Cimarron River. Each site is spacious with the usual picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Vault toilets and potable drinking water are available all year round, we just had to wait for the faucet to thaw after freezing up overnight.

    The area is fantastic for bird lovers, and we watched flocks of Starlings tuck themselves into the marsh grasses for the night. Raptors, warblers, and many other bird species use the area as a fly-over stop during migration. Hiking is close by on the Sante Fe Trail which follows the original path of the old wagon trail through the plains, biking and other motorized recreational vehicles are allowed in certain areas. While the terrain might not be challenging, the sandy soil makes any long walk or ride just a little bit more difficult.

    The nearby town of Elkhart affords the usual amenities for groceries, gas, and a few restaurants. The National Grassland office is also in town if you want more information about the area. Check out our blog about our time traveling through southern Kansas...and unexpected treat!

  • Joey B.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Farnum Creek

    Great spot for on the lake views and weekend camping.

    Went with a buddy for tent camping 1 night this August. Clean area with plenty of firewood and a picnic table. Paid 14$ for a campsite, grass definitely could of been trimmed at our designated campsite. card only at the entrance because of COVID-19 at the moment. We camped right across from the boat ramp but was still a beautiful view

  • Vanessa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2020

    Chase State Fishing Lake

    Primitive and quiet

    There are several areas to set up camp, each area has different advantages: proximity to vault toilets, picnic tables, privacy... The area is easy to navigate and sites are lakeside.

  • Leni K.
    Apr. 7, 2024

    Prairie Clover Campground — Clinton State Park

    Relaxing Car/Tent Camping Spot

    Pros Off-season was quiet Open bathrooms were nice and well kept. Easy access to trails Lots of wildlife, vultures, deer, etc. Well marked and plenty of them spots Marina was a quick bike ride away and had a lot to offer during the season. Primate loops had some good spacing and tree cover, along with views of the lake. Inner loops not so much Potable water available year round. Was drinkable.

    Cons Signs marked closed bathrooms but not the closest open bathrooms. One per campsite was still open with heat and electric. Weirdly all vaults were closed Office and hosts were unavailable so we had to leave for Casey's for firewood. While before the season, someone told us it's typically impossible to get firewood because the office is usually closed. Signs to the entrance to park and n avigation were pretty small, impossible to read at night, not lit. Electric parking pass only issued one day pass at a time. Would do the paper pass across the parking lot next time. Spacing is definitely a bit crowded for tent camping privacy this time of year. Will be curious to see how it feels in the summer/fall.

Guide to Kansas

Tent camping in Kansas offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the great outdoors.

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