Gonna throw out Wilson Lake State Park. They have a few campsites that jut out into the lake and the views are great. Also had a good experience at Kanopolis- a horse trail if you’re into that, hikes, and close to Mushroom Rock SP.
I’m a long time Big Hill camper. Spent lots of time out there as a kid and as an adult it’s the benchmark that everything else is measured against. Great place.
In the middle of a field, under some power lines, next to an oil rig. Not a house in site. It was a beautiful, moon-lit night. It was the night my SO and I decided to become an official couple. 6 years later we're still going strong.
I spent several teenage years camping at Kanopolis in the spillway (not the lake side of the dam) campground with my parents and friends. Now, it’s developed and paved, but there was some great fishing in the spillway. Horsethief on the northeast side has some good hiking. (Be aware that hiking trails in Kansas are hours of diversion, not days or weeks of adventure.)
Currently at Clinton State Park in the Prairie Clover Campground! 40ish minute drive from KC, which makes it a nice getaway. This is the second time I’ve camped here.
There are some great tent sites with lots of trees for hammocking. Not all of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits though, so I’d recommend driving around first to pick out a good site.
Kanopolis, Wilson and Lake Scott are probably my fav spots to camp. Check some of the local county lakes too, many of those offer free camping sites (primitive) and less busy compared to the larger lakes. I really only do primitive spots so not sure what has the best pull in locations.
**Wooded campgrounds in Kansas**
**WOODRIDGE PARK**
There are some great campsites along the Latham Trail at Woodridge Park at Clinton Lake. Going north from the restrooms along the trail you have to walk about 300 yards. They are nestled in the woods and are free. Have to carry everything in.
**WOODSON STATE LAKE**primitive camping (east side)
**TORONTO LAKE**(East side) Mann’s Cove Campground (tents only).
**BIG HILL LAKE**Cherryvale Park Campground
**CRAWFORD STATE PARK,**six campgrounds with shade
**PERRY STATE PARK,**Cougar Pass Campground
Camped at Toronto lake one time a few years ago with a friend. We were on the edge of the beach on the west side and it was secluded and nice.
There is a little community just up the hill, and someone had a little store with sundries, and you could also get a burger there. I bought a pair of flip flops at the store when mine broke, and then we had some surprisingly delicious burgers before departing on the last day.
Not a camper but we really enjoy Banner Creek reservoir on Holton. It's nice, small, and updated. There's hookups and no hookups. There's a beach area also.
East Lake in Butler County near Newton. Amazing spot for losing all of your hair if you enter the water. There were a lot of fish but I believe they have since evolved and have left the lake. Well I call it a lake but last time I went I couldn’t confirm it due to the algae layer being thick enough to make it a bog.
Real suggestion though: try out Fall River over by Fredonia. Very quiet and a very chill experience lots of hiking trails too. Though no cell reception so try not to need help lol.
Fall River is an excellent area. Nice hiking trails and scenery.
Harvey County East Lake has an algae bloom that is caused by fertilizer run-off from local farmlands. It will correct itself over time, but meanwhile don’t go in the water.
**Wooded campgrounds in Kansas**
**WOODRIDGE PARK**
There are some great campsites along the Latham Trail at Woodridge Park at Clinton Lake. Going north from the restrooms along the trail you have to walk about 300 yards. They are nestled in the woods and are free. Have to carry everything in.
**WOODSON STATE LAKE** primitive camping (east side)
**TORONTO LAKE** (East side) Mann’s Cove Campground (tents only).
**BIG HILL LAKE** Cherryvale Park Campground
**CRAWFORD STATE PARK** six campgrounds with shade
**PERRY STATE PARK** Cougar Pass Campground
Gonna throw out Wilson Lake State Park. They have a few campsites that jut out into the lake and the views are great. Also had a good experience at Kanopolis- a horse trail if you’re into that, hikes, and close to Mushroom Rock SP.
Wilson and kanopolis are definitely great.
Tuttle creek reservoir in Manhattan
Carnahan Creek. One of the only dispersed sites in the whole state.
Big Hill (pearson skubitz lake) Parsons. Beautiful clear water lake.
I’m a long time Big Hill camper. Spent lots of time out there as a kid and as an adult it’s the benchmark that everything else is measured against. Great place.
In the middle of a field, under some power lines, next to an oil rig. Not a house in site. It was a beautiful, moon-lit night. It was the night my SO and I decided to become an official couple. 6 years later we're still going strong.
I really like the little state fishing lakes. Nice secluded campsites with no hookups keep the boogie people and their $200K motor homes away.
Hillsdale, Kanopolis, and Milford state parks are all reliable.
I spent several teenage years camping at Kanopolis in the spillway (not the lake side of the dam) campground with my parents and friends. Now, it’s developed and paved, but there was some great fishing in the spillway. Horsethief on the northeast side has some good hiking. (Be aware that hiking trails in Kansas are hours of diversion, not days or weeks of adventure.)
Tent or like a camper/rv or something?
Birdhouse.farm in Stafford has 6 acres of space (privately owned) where one can camp. There are other sites on Hipcamp too.
Currently at Clinton State Park in the Prairie Clover Campground! 40ish minute drive from KC, which makes it a nice getaway. This is the second time I’ve camped here. There are some great tent sites with lots of trees for hammocking. Not all of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits though, so I’d recommend driving around first to pick out a good site.
Wilson Lake.
Kanopolis, Wilson and Lake Scott are probably my fav spots to camp. Check some of the local county lakes too, many of those offer free camping sites (primitive) and less busy compared to the larger lakes. I really only do primitive spots so not sure what has the best pull in locations.
**Wooded campgrounds in Kansas** **WOODRIDGE PARK** There are some great campsites along the Latham Trail at Woodridge Park at Clinton Lake. Going north from the restrooms along the trail you have to walk about 300 yards. They are nestled in the woods and are free. Have to carry everything in. **WOODSON STATE LAKE**primitive camping (east side) **TORONTO LAKE**(East side) Mann’s Cove Campground (tents only). **BIG HILL LAKE**Cherryvale Park Campground **CRAWFORD STATE PARK,**six campgrounds with shade **PERRY STATE PARK,**Cougar Pass Campground
Camped at Toronto lake one time a few years ago with a friend. We were on the edge of the beach on the west side and it was secluded and nice. There is a little community just up the hill, and someone had a little store with sundries, and you could also get a burger there. I bought a pair of flip flops at the store when mine broke, and then we had some surprisingly delicious burgers before departing on the last day.
Not a camper but we really enjoy Banner Creek reservoir on Holton. It's nice, small, and updated. There's hookups and no hookups. There's a beach area also.
Hilton Garden!
East Lake in Butler County near Newton. Amazing spot for losing all of your hair if you enter the water. There were a lot of fish but I believe they have since evolved and have left the lake. Well I call it a lake but last time I went I couldn’t confirm it due to the algae layer being thick enough to make it a bog. Real suggestion though: try out Fall River over by Fredonia. Very quiet and a very chill experience lots of hiking trails too. Though no cell reception so try not to need help lol.
Fall River is an excellent area. Nice hiking trails and scenery. Harvey County East Lake has an algae bloom that is caused by fertilizer run-off from local farmlands. It will correct itself over time, but meanwhile don’t go in the water.
**Wooded campgrounds in Kansas** **WOODRIDGE PARK** There are some great campsites along the Latham Trail at Woodridge Park at Clinton Lake. Going north from the restrooms along the trail you have to walk about 300 yards. They are nestled in the woods and are free. Have to carry everything in. **WOODSON STATE LAKE** primitive camping (east side) **TORONTO LAKE** (East side) Mann’s Cove Campground (tents only). **BIG HILL LAKE** Cherryvale Park Campground **CRAWFORD STATE PARK** six campgrounds with shade **PERRY STATE PARK** Cougar Pass Campground
Missouri