Camping areas near Coffeyville, Kansas range from simple lake-side spots to developed campgrounds with full amenities. The region sits at approximately 750 feet elevation in the Osage Plains physiographic province, characterized by gently rolling terrain with scattered woodlands. Summer humidity levels frequently reach above 80%, creating muggy conditions from June through August that campers should prepare for with appropriate cooling measures.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Montgomery State Fishing Lake Dispersed provides free shoreline access for anglers. A camper noted, "Spots are pull offs, circles and small lots of gravel. No toilets or trash pickup. The area was actually very clean." Montgomery State Fishing Lake Dispersed offers primitive camping with wildlife viewing potential.
Hiking trails: Explore the challenging 17-mile horse trail at Big Hill Lake. One visitor mentioned, "The trail winds along a scenic hardwood ridge that offers gorgeous views all along the way," and another camper shared, "We are new to RV'ing, so my experience is somewhat limited, but this was a very nice campground and I couldn't imagine how it could get much better." Big Hill Lake Mound Valley Recreation Area connects to multiple trail systems.
Water recreation: Take advantage of swimming beaches and boat launches during summer months. A camper at Sunset Point stated, "We were surprised at how nice and lovely this place was. Put up the hammocks, persisted through some high winds, then had a peaceful and lovely time." Sunset Point Campground offers direct lake access for water activities.
What campers like
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the low-cost options. At The Woods Campground, a camper noted, "Self service campground $8.00 a night pay at pay station at the entrance of the park." The Woods Campground provides water and electric hookups at rates significantly lower than commercial campgrounds.
Wildlife viewing: Many sites offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. One camper at Montgomery State Fishing Lake shared, "I loved it! It's so quiet and peaceful. Very close to town so you never have to miss anything you may have forgotten. And heck its free!"
Varied campsite layouts: From open areas to wooded sites, campers can choose their preferred environment. A visitor to Comfort Cove noted, "Had a good time on the lake fishing and I was able to hike the Elk River hiking trail about 10 miles with my dog. What a blast!" Comfort Cove Campground offers sites with different levels of shade and privacy.
What you should know
Water systems: Some campgrounds experience water pressure issues or temporary outages. A camper at Comfort Cove reported, "Lost water pressure for a couple days and lost all water for 1/2 a day. With low pressure I just filled my tank and ran off the pump so wasn't an issue."
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require leveling equipment. One camper noted, "Camping spot was very unlevel from to back but level side to side. Had to set the tongue of the camper on the ground and back was up almost 3 ft."
Wind exposure: Open sites can experience significant winds. A camper at Big Hill Lake mentioned, "Clean campground but it was way too well maintained as far as it being very out in the open, there were no woods around us for our campsite so the wind almost knocked our tent over."
Seasonal crowd patterns: Local use creates predictable patterns throughout the week. A long-term camper at Big Hill Lake observed, "This place is pretty busy with locals on the weekends between June and August. Completely clears out Sunday evening and it is mostly dead empty until around Thursday."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas within walking distance of campsites. A camper at The Woods Campground noted, "Located in a city park of Coffeyville, play ground with in walking distance from sites. Walmart is less the a 5min drive from this campground and from the town of Coffeyville."
Swimming beaches: Designated swimming areas provide safer water recreation for children. A visitor to Elk City State Park shared, "Families with kids will enjoy visiting the sand-covered beach nearby for cooling off from the summer heat and enjoying a picnic."
Educational trails: Take advantage of marked nature paths. One camper mentioned, "For those that wish to hike you will find the Ruth Nixon Memorial Trail. The trail enjoys blue bird houses that were set in honor of Ruth Nixon. It is about one mile and offers the hikers the chance to observe local wildlife."
Shared facilities: Most campgrounds offer clean but basic amenities. A camper noted, "Shower house is clean (by KS State Park standards), quiet hours respected and my kids enjoyed the playground."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary by campground. At Rivercrest Campground, a camper shared, "Nice and clean. Full hookups. Lacking some amenities but it's definitely a nice stay when passing through."
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal needs. A camper at Big Hill Lake noted, "The dump station was easy to access, clean and well maintained."
Cell signal considerations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. One long-term visitor mentioned, "My AT&T signal didn't work here at all until I set up my WeBoost."
Site size limitations: Some areas have restrictions on larger RVs. A reviewer cautioned, "Our site is miniature. No place for a clothes line, no fire pit to speak of even though everyone else has one. We are boxed in tighter than a KOA and we feel it."
