Best Campgrounds in Kansas: 2026 Guide

Kansas catches people off guard. Travelers crossing I-70 see flat wheat fields and keep driving, missing the Flint Hills — the last remaining expanse of tallgrass prairie on Earth — rolling south of the interstate in waves of grass taller than a person. Beneath those hills, the Army Corps of Engineers built a chain of reservoirs that created Kansas's lake country, and with it, some of the most spacious and well-maintained campgrounds in the Midwest.

Why Kansas Stands Out

The Flint Hills are genuinely unique: nowhere else on the planet will you find this ecosystem intact at scale. Camping here means sunsets that stretch forever, stargazing without a hint of light pollution, and mornings filled with birdsong across the tallgrass. The lake system is equally compelling — Milford, Clinton, Melvern, Council Grove, Marion, and Big Hill lakes each anchor clusters of campgrounds with excellent facilities. Kansas campgrounds tend to be large, well-spaced, and rarely as crowded as destinations in neighboring states. For families wanting lakeside camping without the rush, Kansas delivers.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Arrow Rock

On Melvern Lake at the eastern edge of the Flint Hills near Lebo, Arrow Rock offers a wide range of recreation including boating, fishing, and hiking with classic prairie-lake views.

Cottonwood Point

A spacious, shaded campground on the shores of Marion Reservoir. This Kansas getaway draws thousands annually to enjoy pristine lake waters surrounded by rolling Flint Hills grassland.

Curtis Creek

A classic camping destination on Milford Lake near Junction City with excellent boating, hiking, hunting, and fishing. The park provides sweeping views of Kansas's largest reservoir.

Canning Creek

On 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in eastern Kansas, Canning Creek offers boating, fishing, and the chance to explore a lake named for the historic Santa Fe Trail council site nearby.

Cherryvale Park

On crystal-clear Big Hill Lake in southeast Kansas, one of three campgrounds sharing the lake with equestrian trails and multiple day-use areas spread across the wooded shoreline.

Bloomington East

Just west of Clinton Dam and Lake near Lawrence, this park includes multiple campground loops, group camps, and a beach area — all within easy reach of the Kansas City metro.

Carbolyn Park

Along Dragoon Creek east of Pomona Lake near Vassar, Carbolyn appeals to family campers, sportsmen, and water sport enthusiasts in a scenic eastern Kansas setting.

Dam Site

Located on the upstream side of John Redmond Dam and Reservoir near Burlington, this 168-acre park offers countless water sports and sits in the rolling hills of southeast Kansas.

Planning Tips

Spring and fall are prime time — wildflower season in the Flint Hills peaks in late May, and fall colors arrive in October. Kansas summers are genuinely hot (triple digits are common), so lakeside campgrounds with swimming access are essential June through August. Most Corps campgrounds operate from April through October. Wind is constant on the prairie; bring sturdy tent stakes and wind-resistant shelters. Severe weather season runs April through June — keep an eye on forecasts and know your shelter options.

Find More

Browse all Kansas campgrounds on our Kansas camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.