If you are looking to spend some time in the great outdoors and camp under the stars in Kansas there are lots of amazing state parks, private campgrounds and lakeside campsites. To enjoy the warm summer weather here are the 5 best places to camp in Kansas this summer.
1. El Dorado State Park
©iStock.com/Erik Loera
The biggest state park in Kansas is El Dorado State Park covering 4,000 acres in Flint Hills, Kansas. The miles of trails that wind through the forested park are used by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The park even has hitching posts at the lake and a designated campground with corrals to board your horse overnight. The El Dorado Reservoir is a popular draw as well for boating, kayaking, stand-up paddle boards, and fishing. Fish for walleye, crappie, largemouth bass, flathead catfish and channel cats.
There are four main campgrounds in the park with 1,100 campsites. With more than a thousand sites to choose from you can pick anything from large paved RV sites with full hookups to private hike-in primitive tent-only sites and everything in between. There are also five camping cabins and five deluxe cabins available to rent so you can enjoy the park without the gear. The two swimming beaches are very popular, especially in the summer. This is definitely one of the best places to camp in Kansas this summer!
| El Dorado State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | In the SW corner of the state |
| Nearest City | Flint Hills |
| RV/Tent/Cabins | 1,100 campsites, 5 cabins, 5 deluxe cabins |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, laundry, swimming beaches |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Largest variety of campsites all in one park! |
2. Kansas City West Lawrence Holiday KOA
©iStock.com/Ilia Nesolenyi
If you want the best of both worlds, city life and country life, then the Kansas City West Lawrence Holiday KOA is the place to stay. It is only 40 miles west of downtown Kansas City, so after you listen to some live jazz music while dining on some of the best BBQ you’ve ever had, you can head back to your campsite for a cozy night in your camper. The campground has a large swimming pool, 2 playgrounds (one with a with a kid’s zip line), dog park and KOA café. So many things to do all in one spot!
| West Lawrence Holiday KOA | |
|---|---|
| Location | 40 miles west of Kansas City |
| Nearest City | Lawrence, KS |
| RV Sites | Yes, full hookups available |
| Tent Sites | Yes |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, hot showers, laundry, swimming pool, playground |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, fenced off-leash dog park |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Resort-like amenities just outside downtown Kansas City! |
3. Deer Creek Valley RV Park
©Ana Hollan/Shutterstock.com
The Deer Creek Valley RV Park is located right in Topeka, KS. This campground has 59 campsites so you know it will not feel over crowded. Most of the sites are nice and easy pull-thru sites with full hookups. Enjoy the in-ground pool, playground and it’s just a short drive to Lake Shawnee. The lake has a nice hard surfaced trail all the way around it for hiking or biking and there are multiple boat ramps along the shores. Check out the Hanger Family Fishing Pond (for youth and seniors) or one of the 16 fishing docks located around the lake. Common fish in Lake Shawnee are small and largemouth bass, walleye, pike, muskie, bluegills and catfish. Maybe you can catch your own dinner to fry up at your campsite!
| Deer Creek Valley RV Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | In the SE corner of Topeka |
| Nearest City | Topeka, KS |
| RV Sites | Yes, 54 pull-thru, full hookup, 5 back-in |
| Tent Sites | No, tent camping is not available |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, laundry, swimming pool, playground |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, they have a fenced play area for dogs |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Location, location, location… right in Topeka! |
4. Milford State Park
©James St. John / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic – License
About 75 miles west of Topeka is the largest reservoir in Kansas, the Milford Reservoir. There must be good fishing in the lake because two of the Kansas state fishing records were pulled from the lake. The largest smallmouth bass was caught by Frank Evans Jr, on April 4, 2010. The weight to beat is 6.88 lbs. The other record breaking fish was a Goldeye which was 2.25 lbs., not a very impressive sized fish but big for a Goldeye! Mike Augustine caught that way back in the summer of 1980.
Besides the great lake, Milford State Park has a 19,000-acre wildlife area where you might see pheasant, turkey, deer or a bald eagle. Although you might have a raccoon visit your campsite there are no black bear populations in Kansas so you are safe there! The campground has 266 sites with a variety of RV and tent sites. There is a swimming beach, playground and splash pad so lots of fun summer activities!
| Milford State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | 75 miles west of Topeka |
| Nearest City | Junction City, KS |
| RV with full hookup | 53 |
| RV with water and electric | 90 |
| Primitive sites | 102 |
| Cabins | 10 |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, swimming beach, playground |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes, some sites are also ‘first come, first served’ |
| What makes it one of the best | One of the best swim beaches in Kansas! |
5. Cedar Bluff State Park Campground
©iStock.com/Colby Lysne
In west central Kansas you will find the Cedar Bluff Reservoir, created by the Cedar Bluff Dam to provide irrigation and water for the surrounding communities. There are two campground areas, one on the north shore (Bluffton Area), which is more developed with a swimming beach, volleyball court, basketball court and a BMX bike trail! The campground on the south shore is more primitive but has a shower house and vault toilets. You can fish for crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish and walleye. There is a boat ramp at the south shore that is a popular place for launching your jet skis or kayaks. After a day at the lake head back to your camper or tent for a relaxing time by the campfire.
| Cedar Bluff State Park Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | West central Kansas |
| Nearest City | Hays, KS |
| Bluffton Area (north shore) | 96 campsites, 5 cabins, primitive tent camping area, two shower houses |
| Page Creek Area (south shore) less developed | 36 campsites, primitive campsites, boat ramps, two shower houses, two vault toilets |
| Picnic Tables | Yes |
| Fire Pits | Yes |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes, some sites are ‘first come, first served’ |
| What makes it one of the best | Great for adventure sports like BMX biking and jet skiing! |
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Sources
- , Available here: https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/el-dorado-state-park/KS/519119/overview
- , Available here: https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Milford
- , Available here: http://deercreekvalleyrvpark.com/area-attractions.php
- , Available here: https://koa.com/campgrounds/kansas-city-west/amenities/
- , Available here: https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Cedar-Bluff
