It’s getting warmer, and the prospect of camping sounds better and better as the days go on. Why not take the tent out of the shed and go out for a night or weekend? Goodness knows there’s plenty of campgrounds in Kansas, but often times a last minute camping trip isn’t available, because you have no reservation or cash for the fee. In addition to being great sites for a variety of camping styles, these campgrounds are first come, first camped. They’re also all free of charge! Let’s take a look.
- Antelope Lake Park - Moreland
WikimediaCommons Antelope lake is a great little-known spot for summer camping, whether you’re in a tent or an RV. Fire pits and a restroom are provided, and the rest of the fun is up to you!
- Bourbon State Fishing Lake - Uniontown
YouTube/todd comer Home of this wonderful manmade falls, Bourbon lake is a stellar spot for camping alone or with the kids. It’s also a great place to fish! (If you couldn’t tell)
- Butler State Fishing Lake - Latham
Kate Crandell/Flickr This is also a great lakeside camping location, where you and the kids can fish, boat, and make memories that last forever. Oh, and the views are stunning at sunset!
- Chase State Fishing Lake - Cottonwood Falls
Brent/Flickr This lake near Cottonwood Falls is not only a great place for stunning hikes, it’s a fantastic camping location. The ground is rocky in some areas, but it’s not too hard to find a decent spot for the night, or up to two weeks! There’s fishing piers as well as a boat ramp, for anyone who likes to enjoy a waterfall from a dam. Camping is allowed anywhere on the North side of the lake, so take your pick!
- Cowley State Fishing Lake - Ark City
Lane Pearman/Flickr Cowley lake also has a fantastic waterfall that only enhances the local beauty of this fishing lake. There’s 5 sites where you can camp with a tent or RV up to 25 feet long. You can also stay for up to 2 weeks here! Sounds like a great vacation to me!
- Neosho State Fishing Lake - Parsons
KansasTourism/Flickr Neosho lake is a great place for fishing and boating, and the campsites are at the lake as well as the SWA in Saint Paul. Fantastic spots to get away from it all, where you can usually be alone save for a few fisherman here and there.
- Osage State Fishing Lake - Carbondale
milisa/Flickr Another great first come, first camped lake with no reservations to ruin your spontaneous night out in the wilderness.
- Wilburton Pond - Rolla
Tim Samoff There aren’t any fires allowed, so make sure to bring a solar powered cooker or pre packaged food in a cooler when you camp here. It’s fun for secluded camping when you just need a night away from it all.
- Wilson State Fishing Lake - Buffalo
Vincent Parsons/Flickr It’s a gorgeous, rocky area in some parts, but smooth and grassy on others. This is the perfect place for families to camp overnight with the kids and enjoy hunting for lizards in the rocks. There’s plenty of spots right on the water where you can fish, boat, or just sit by the campfire.
Have you camped at any of these sites before? Where is your favorite place to camp in Kansas? Share your thoughts with us!
WikimediaCommons
Antelope lake is a great little-known spot for summer camping, whether you’re in a tent or an RV. Fire pits and a restroom are provided, and the rest of the fun is up to you!
YouTube/todd comer
Home of this wonderful manmade falls, Bourbon lake is a stellar spot for camping alone or with the kids. It’s also a great place to fish! (If you couldn’t tell)
Kate Crandell/Flickr
This is also a great lakeside camping location, where you and the kids can fish, boat, and make memories that last forever. Oh, and the views are stunning at sunset!
Brent/Flickr
This lake near Cottonwood Falls is not only a great place for stunning hikes, it’s a fantastic camping location. The ground is rocky in some areas, but it’s not too hard to find a decent spot for the night, or up to two weeks! There’s fishing piers as well as a boat ramp, for anyone who likes to enjoy a waterfall from a dam. Camping is allowed anywhere on the North side of the lake, so take your pick!
Lane Pearman/Flickr
Cowley lake also has a fantastic waterfall that only enhances the local beauty of this fishing lake. There’s 5 sites where you can camp with a tent or RV up to 25 feet long. You can also stay for up to 2 weeks here! Sounds like a great vacation to me!
KansasTourism/Flickr
Neosho lake is a great place for fishing and boating, and the campsites are at the lake as well as the SWA in Saint Paul. Fantastic spots to get away from it all, where you can usually be alone save for a few fisherman here and there.
milisa/Flickr
Another great first come, first camped lake with no reservations to ruin your spontaneous night out in the wilderness.
Tim Samoff
There aren’t any fires allowed, so make sure to bring a solar powered cooker or pre packaged food in a cooler when you camp here. It’s fun for secluded camping when you just need a night away from it all.
Vincent Parsons/Flickr
It’s a gorgeous, rocky area in some parts, but smooth and grassy on others. This is the perfect place for families to camp overnight with the kids and enjoy hunting for lizards in the rocks. There’s plenty of spots right on the water where you can fish, boat, or just sit by the campfire.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
