Chase State Fishing Lake

Chase State Fishing Lake operates as a free campground within the 383-acre Chase State Fishing Lake Wildlife Area, managed by Kansas State Parks & Recreation in the Flint Hills region. The 109-acre lake was created in 1954 and now provides lakeside camping spots scattered along the north shore, each equipped with fire rings and picnic tables.

Cottonwood trees provide shade across most sites, while campers can set up within feet of the water's edge. Many sites include small fishing jetties that extend into the lake, giving anglers direct access and creating spots to sit in the evening. The single vault toilet facility serves the entire campground, which reviewers consistently describe as clean and well-maintained. Ralph M. notes the area works well for "watching the geese" and mentions "others looked like they were having some success" with fishing.

The lake supports bass, catfish, and bluegill, with a boat ramp and dock available for those bringing watercraft. A seasonal swimming beach operates during warmer months, and a reservable group shelter accommodates larger gatherings. Campers report minimal light pollution, making the area suitable for stargazing. A short trail leads to waterfalls at the dam's east end, while the nearby Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve offers additional hiking opportunities.

Sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis and can accommodate both tent camping and RVs, though some spots work better for smaller rigs. The access road can be rough but remains passable for most vehicles when driven slowly. Weekend availability can be limited during peak season, with Cameron arriving on a Friday night in September to find "the last available campsite."

The campground sits less than three miles from Cottonwood Falls, where campers can find supplies and a dump station. For those exploring the broader region, campgrounds near Cottonwood Falls provide additional options in the Flint Hills area.

Check AvailabilitySuggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsChase State Fishing Lake is located in Kansas near Cottonwood Falls

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Address

1130 Lake Road
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66846

Coordinates

38.36712607 N
96.5898704 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 6/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 6/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 6/20/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 6/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 6/20/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 6/20/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Chase State Fishing Lake needs a permit.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews14 Camper Reviews - Chase State Fishing Lake

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

65%
29%
10%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

14 Reviews

A free lakeside campground with clean facilities and peaceful atmosphere that many found surprisingly charming. Several campers noted small site sizes may not accommodate larger RVs, but most appreciated the scenic location and stargazing opportunities.

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2025

Can't Beat It!

Excellent area around a small fishing lake with campsites right on the water.  Road in was a little rough, but nothing you can't handle if you go slow.  I got a spot with a small jetty and was able to sit out there in the evening and watch the fish splash and listen to the birds and later, the coyotes.  A good reward after driving across half of Colorado and most of Kansas.  Just stayed a single night, but I think my wife and I may go back and check out the nearby Tallgrass National Preserve.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Chris P., June 21, 2025
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Chris P., June 21, 2025
Reviewed May. 28, 2022

Great little fishing lake

Primitive camping though there is a pit toilet. FREE. Pack it in, pack it out

Sitesites are not numbered.
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2021

Amazing

Beautiful place with picnic tables and fire rings. There is a picnic shelter too. Beautiful spots close to the water. A little cold and windy but worth it

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed May. 20, 2021

Peaceful and clean

We stayed 5/4-6/21. Had a great time watching the geese. We don't fish but others looked like they were having some success. No electricity or water. Clean latrines. Close to town. Found a dump station in town. Close to Tallgrass Nature Preserve. Beautiful falls at the east end of the dam. Love this part of the state.

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2020

Pleasant, Free, Crowded

I got here on a Friday night in late September and took the last available campsite. The site itself was very small, definitely not big enough for a trailer or RV, but fine for my Honda Civic. There was quite a bit of noise from a youth group out on the dock until 10:30pm. Good water access with the lake. Vault toilets were clean and convenient. Very little litter. No mosquitos, lots of creepy crawlers. Good road, no issues for a sedan. This place would be perfect if it weren’t for weekend noise and availability.

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2020

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.

  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Vanessa M., July 25, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Vanessa M., July 25, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Vanessa M., July 25, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2020

We Didn’t Even Give Kansas a Chance

On our road-trip to Utah, we dreaded having to camp in Kansas, until a friend recommended this spot. This stunning little lake is a free site with plenty of fire rings right next to a road. PERFECT car camping. And even has a clean little bathroom. Stunning views of rolling hills and cattle. Places to fish. A little trail that leads up a small hill. Stunning stunning stunning views of wildflowers and rolling hills. Great sunrise and sunset views! Phenomenal place to stop if you’re driving through Kansas. A bit of a detour from I-70, but totally worth it.

  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Ruby W., June 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Ruby W., June 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Ruby W., June 24, 2020
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2020

I took Kansas for Granted

My sister and I have to drive through Kansas on our road trip to Utah. My friends have told me that it’s the worst state to drive through because it’s so flat and boring. BUT another friend recommended this campsite. OMG it’s free and it’s so cute and pretty well kept. It’s in the Flint Hills region of the state. There are rolling green hills surrounding a lovely little lake. Cottonwood trees shelter the many spaces out camp spots. Milkweed and butterfly bushes support a healthy monarch butterfly population! There’s boat / fishing access and a pretty decent bathroom. It wasn’t too buggy - and there was a lovely sunset in the wide open sky. I didn’t give Kansas a chance. And, I was wrong

  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Lucille W., June 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Lucille W., June 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Lucille W., June 24, 2020
  • (8) View All
Reviewed May. 27, 2020

Great family fishing spot

Great spot for a family with a camper that wants to do a little fishing. Each sit had its own little jetty to fish off of, a picnic table and a fire pit. Water was clean and pretty fishy. Camping spots were a little too close for me but that’s my preference.

  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Steve M., May 27, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Steve M., May 27, 2020
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Steve M., May 27, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2019

Lakeside camping with a view

Spots are first come first serve. Arrived on a Friday morning mid-June and there was only one site taken. This is a wonderful campground if you’re into star gazing as there is zero light pollution. Pros: No light pollution No loud parties Ample wildlife Camp within feet of the water Gorgeous views

Cons: One restroom facility (not horribly bad as this is a very small lake)

  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Jason R., June 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Jason R., June 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Jason R., June 16, 2019
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2016

Lovely lakeside sites in the scenic Flint Hills of Kansas

The relatively private campsites were mostly empty on a mid-September weekend. Plenty of shady primitive sites all along the north shore, ample parking, a small seasonal swimming beach, a boat ramp & dock, lots of fishing piers, and a decent size reservable group shelter for gatherings. The one vault toilet near the info kiosk is the only restroom facility. There is little to no light pollution out here, so enjoy stargazing and the moon set against an immense dark sky. Definitely walk across the dam from the road to the short trail to the waterfalls. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the little towns of Cottonwood Falls and Strong City are just a few minutes away by car. Take a drive on the Flint Hills Scenic Byway at sunrise/sunset on Highway K-177 which stretches north to Council Grove and south to Cassoday from Cottonwood Falls. You could also check out the Flint Hills Wildlife Drive that starts just off Hwy K-177 on Sharp Creeks Road in Bazaar and goes south to Cassoday (country roads, make sure your tires are in good shape).

History: the 109-acre lake and 383-acre wildlife area were created in 1954.

Overall a beautiful location and pleasant experience. I'd go back again!

  • Review photo of Chase State Fishing Lake by Sarah H., September 21, 2016
  • Playing just below the main falls
    Play button icon
  • The main falls
    Play button icon
  • (7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping facilities are available at Chase State Fishing Lake?

Chase State Fishing Lake offers primitive camping with several lakeside sites that include fire rings and picnic tables. The campground features vault toilets and a reservable group shelter for gatherings. Sites are first-come, first-served with no hookups or water available. Many campsites have their own small jetties for fishing access, and there's a boat ramp and dock available. The campground also includes a seasonal swimming beach. All sites are free, and the camping philosophy is pack-it-in, pack-it-out.

Are there any notable reviews or ratings for Chase State Fishing Lake campground?

Chase State Fishing Lake consistently receives high ratings from visitors, with most giving it 4-5 stars. Campers particularly praise the lakeside camping with direct water access, the zero light pollution that creates excellent stargazing opportunities, and the overall tranquility of the setting. Many appreciate the free camping and well-maintained facilities despite being primitive. The beautiful setting in the Flint Hills region with rolling landscapes and abundant wildlife is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, making it a surprising gem for travelers passing through Kansas.

Where is Chase State Fishing Lake located in Kansas?

Chase State Fishing Lake is located in the scenic Flint Hills region of Kansas. It's situated in Chase County, a short distance from the nearest town where services like dump stations are available. The lake is positioned in a relatively remote area that offers a peaceful setting away from urban light pollution, making it ideal for stargazing. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills and grazing cattle, characteristic of the Flint Hills ecosystem. It's also relatively close to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, making it a good base for exploring this unique Kansas landscape.

How is the fishing at Chase State Fishing Lake in Kansas?

Fishing at Chase State Fishing Lake is productive, with multiple access points making it easy to cast a line. The lake features numerous fishing piers and small jetties at individual campsites, allowing anglers to fish directly from their camping area. Visitors report seeing plenty of fish activity, especially in the evenings when fish can be seen splashing in the water. The lake appears well-stocked, with campers noting successful catches during their stays. For the best experience, bring your own equipment as there are no rental services on site.