Riverside Park is a community park located in Baxter Springs, Kansas, along the banks of the Spring River, at the eastern edge of the city, just south of K-166 highway. Baxter Springs, of course, was immortalized in James McMurtry's Choctaw Bingo:

That's one hell raisin' town way up in Southeastern Kansas; Got a biker bar next to the lingerie store; That's got them Rolling Stones lips up there in bright pink neon; And they're right down town where everyone can see 'em; And they burn all night, you know they burn all night, you know they burn all night

Riverside Park offers both RV and tent camping, and amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, shelters, and grills. "Please watch for the signs in the park as there is no tent camping allowed in the RV section."

The cost for primitive tent camping is $5 per day. "Campers need to contact the Baxter Springs Police Department for a permit to camp."

Riverside Park is located near both the Frontier Military Historic Byway and the Route 66 Historic Byway

Contact: Police Department, 121 W 11th, Baxter Springs, KS 66713, 620-856-2112.

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Big Brutus Campground is a campground located near West Mineral, Kansas, on the grounds of the Big Brutus Museum, which features a visitor's center and the world-famous "Big Brutus", an 11-million-pound, 16-story-tall electric mining shovel, the second-largest in the world.

Big Brutus Campground offers both RV and tent camping, and amenities include restrooms, showers, and drinking water (inside the visitor's center), plus grills, picnic tables and shade trees.

The cost is $7.50 per tent per night. Open year round.

Address: 6509 Northwest 60th Street, West Mineral, KS 66782. Contact: bigbrutus@columbus-ks.com, 620-827-6177.

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Cherryvale Park provides campsites on the western shores of Big Hill Lake, near Parsons, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. "The park is fully open from April 1 to October 31, 2011. During the winter months, the waterborne restroom/shower building is closed, however, vault toilets are available in the north loop."

Cherryvale Park has 23 campsites with utilities, but no primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. The campground includes restrooms and showers.

Sites start at $15 per night. Learn more about camping fees at Corps of Engineers properties.

There is nearby pay camping at Mound Valley North, Mound Valley South, and Timber Hill Park, all managed by the Corps of Engineers. There is free primitive camping at the Big Hill Wildlife Area, located just east of Big Hill Lake.

Contact: 620-336-2741. Map

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Mound Valley North provides campsites along the eastern shores of Big Hill Lake, near Parsons, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. "The campground is manned by Park Attendants from April 1 to October 31, 2011, but closed during the off season."

Mound Valley North has 64 campsites with utilities, but no primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. The campground includes restrooms and showers.

Sites start at $16 per night. Learn more about camping fees at Corps of Engineers properties.

There is nearby pay camping at Cherryvale Park, Mound Valley South, and Timber Hill Park, all managed by the Corps of Engineers. There is free primitive camping at the Big Hill Wildlife Area, located just east of Big Hill Lake.

Contact: 620-336-2741. Map

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Mound Valley South provides campsites along the eastern shores of Big Hill Lake, near Parsons, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. "Timber Hill park is for the campers who like to get back to nature with the bare minimum. All campsites are available on a first come, first served basis only."

Mound Valley South has 8 individual campsites. The campground includes restrooms and showers, and is open from April 1st through October 31st.

Sites start at $12 per night. Learn more about camping fees at Corps of Engineers properties.

There is nearby pay camping at Cherryvale Park, Mound Valley North, and Timber Hill Park, all managed by the Corps of Engineers. There is free primitive camping at the Big Hill Wildlife Area, located just east of Big Hill Lake.

Contact: 620-336-2741. Map

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Timber Hill Park provides campsites on the northeastern shores of Big Hill Lake, near Parsons, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. "Timber Hill park is for the campers who like to get back to nature with the bare minimum. All campsites are available on a first come, first served basis only."

Timber Hill Park has 20 campsites with utilities, but no primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. The campground includes restrooms, and is open from April 1st through October 31st.

Sites start at $10 per night. Learn more about camping fees at Corps of Engineers properties.

There is nearby pay camping at Cherryvale Park, Mound Valley North, and Mound Valley South, all managed by the Corps of Engineers. There is free primitive camping at the Big Hill Wildlife Area, located just east of Big Hill Lake.

Contact: 620-336-2741. Map

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Big Hill Wildlife Area is located near Parsons, Kansas, and provides about 1,280 acres of public land that is managed for hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife photography, hiking, and backpack camping.

Big Hill Wildlife Area provides free primitive camping anywhere within the property, but there are no services of any kind available within the wildlife area.

There is nearby pay camping at Cherryvale Park, Mound Valley North, and Mound Valley South, and Timber Hill Park, all managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Contact: 620-331-6820. Brochure

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The city of Blue Mound, Kansas provides free tent camping at Blue Mound City Lake. The lake is located approximately 1 mile northwest of town, via Cassida Road (gravel road). The lake is small, at only 19 acres, and also serves as the city park.

Blue Mound City Lake allows tent camping at the lake, at no charge. There are no designated camping areas, but there are open areas along the southwestern shore suitable for tents. There are no services at the lake: no water, no electricity, no toilets, no trash cans, no picnic tables, no fire rings.

Contact: City Clerk, 913-756-2447.

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Bourbon State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is located near Elsmore, Kansas, and is "a picturesque 103-acre lake located five miles east of Elsmore. It lies in a deep valley surrounded by oak-hickory timber on Wolfpen Creek, a small tributary of the Marmaton River." There is an adjacent 277-acre Wildlife Area, with habitats that include native prairie, woodland, and a savannah.

Bourbon State Fishing Lake provides free primitive camping in designated areas along the southern and western shoreline. Picnic tables, barbecue grills, drinking water, and vault toilets are provided.

Contact: Monte Manbeck, 620-449-2539. Brochure

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The Berentz-Dick Wildlife Area is located near Independence, Kansas, and is more commonly known as the "Buffalo Ranch", with 1360 acres of native grass, oak timber and ponds. "Hikers are not restricted to any trails and are encouraged to explore the rolling hills, woodlands and ponds."

Primitive camping is allowed, but is restricted to two parking areas, and no open fires are allowed, due to the large expanses of grassland, though contained gas grills and stoves may be used. Please take all trash with you.

Contact: 620-331-6820. Brochure

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Camp Hunter is a community park located in Humboldt, Kansas. It is situated at 1st and Ohio Streets, on the bluffs above the Neosho River. After Missouri Cavalry burned Humboldt on October 14, 1861, Camp Hunter was built to protect against further Confederate attack, and the 7th Kansas Cavalry was stationed here. The First Indian Home Guard regiment, consisting of 1000 Indians and freed black slaves, served here as well.

The park provides facilities for both RV parking and tent camping. Amenities include electricity, restrooms, showers, water, shelters, picnic tables, trash bins, and free Wi-Fi Internet. Tent camping is free, but campers need to check in with the Humboldt Police Station, located at City Hall, 725 Bridge Street in downtown Humboldt.

The Prairie Spirit Trail State Park ends at Iola, about 6.5 miles north of Humboldt, and the Southwind Rail Trail connects Iola and Humboldt.

Contact: City Clerk, 620-473-3232.

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Copan Wildlife Area is located near Caney, Kansas, and provides 2,360 acres for fish and wildlife management, situated along the Little Caney River, just upstream from the 5000-acre Copan Reservoir, located in Oklahoma.

Primitive camping is permitted anywhere within the Wildlife Area, but no other services are available. Please take your trash with you.

Contact: 620-331-6820. Brochure

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Crawford State Park is located near Farlington, Kansas, and features a 150-acre lake built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The area is located on the western edge of the Ozarks, and provides "unequaled opportunity for wildlife and scenic adventures. There are two recorded archaeological sites identified within the boundaries of Crawford State Park."

Crawford State Park offers 42 primitive camping sites in the Evening Breeze Point, Lonesome Point, and Osage Bluff areas, with nearby toilet facilities. Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Campsite cost starts at $8/night during the peak season (slightly less off-peak).

In addition to camping, the park has the Crawford State Park Trails, featuring the Drywood Creek Mountain Bike Trail, which is about 7 miles in length, with a mix of fast wooded sections and extremely rocky technical riding.

Contact: 620-362-3671. Brochure

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Cross Timbers State Park is located near Toronto, Kansas, in the gently-rolling hills of the Verdigris River Valley. The park has 1,075 acres on the 2,800-acre Toronto Reservoir. It offers visitors "an opportunity to enjoy wildlife in their natural setting and to see some of the most diverse flora and fauna found in Kansas".

Cross Timbers State Park offers over 120 primitive camping sites, with nearby toilet and shower facilities. Campsite cost starts at $8/night during the peak season (slightly less off-peak).

In addition to camping, the park has the Cross Timbers State Park Trails, with 17 miles of mountain bike trails through woodlands and prairies, offering spectacular scenery and breathtaking views of Toronto Lake.

Contact: 620-637-2213. Brochure

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Crossroads RV Park and Campground is a commercial campground located near Lyndon, Kansas, and is "shaded by trees and surrounded by green rolling hills, woods, lakes and farmland, a destination in itself or a great location from which to visit the surrounding areas."

Crossroads RV Park and Campground offers both RV and tent camping: "Green grass and trees offer the tent camper their own space. A fire ring and picnic table are availiable for your enjoyment. Located close to the restrooms for those late night visits."

The cost for tent camping is $14/night and up. The campground is open year round.

Address: 23313 S. U.S. Hwy 75, Lyndon, KS 66451. Contact: 785-221-5482.

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Drake Park is a community park located in Burlington, Kansas, along the western banks of the Neosho River. "Drake Park provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy fishing, picnicking, sightseeing, and camping." The park is located just downstream from Burlington City Dam, which is a favorite spot for fishing and for watching the lovely waterfall.

Drake Park offers both RV and tent camping, and amenities include restrooms, showers, water, and picnic tables.

Tent camping is allowed in the grassy area next to the drive just south of the RV Camping along the driveway down to the river, at no charge.

Contact: sburlington@mchsi.com, 620-364-2996.

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East River Park is located near Chetopa, Kansas, just south of US-166 highway, along the banks of the Neosho River. "Electric hook-ups are available for R.V.'s or campers. There are a lot of trees which provide plenty of shade from the sun and shelter houses are also available."

East River Park offers both RV and tent camping. The cost is $2.00 per night for tents at sites without hookups, or $10.00 per night for campers at improved sites, with or without electricity. City police come around daily to collect fees from campers, or fees can be paid at the City Office at 332 Maple.

Contact: chetopacity@kans.com, 620-236-7025.

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Eisenhower State Park is located near Melvern, Kansas, along the northern shores of Melvern Lake, which is situated on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills region, and features 7,000 surface acres of water surrounded by 18,000 acres of land, featuring a mixture of timber and open prairie.

Eisenhower State Park offers numerous primitive camping sites in the Five-Star, Sailboat Beach, and Omaha Swim Beach, Five-Star, Sailboat Beach, and Omaha Swim Beach areas, with nearby shower and toilet facilities. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Campsite costs start at $8/night.

Other campgrounds at Melvern Lake include Arrow Rock Park, Coeur d' Alene Park, Outlet Park, Sun Dance Park, and Turkey Point Park; Sun Dance Park is free, the others are pay sites.

Melvern Lake is also home to the Melvern Lake Trails, which features several mountain bike trails, covering a total of over 30 miles of trail wandering through the prairie and into rocky ravines and woodlands.

Contact: 785-528-4102. Brochure

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Elk City State Park is located near Independence, Kansas, along the eastern shores of Elk City Reservoir, which features approximately 4,500 acres of surface water, 12,000 acres of wildlife area, and over 50 miles of shoreline. The state park encompasses 857 acres, and provides opportunities for camping, hiking, picnicking, swimming, fishing and sight-seeing.

Elk City State Park offers 54 primitive tent camping sites in the park, as well as 96 sites intended for RVs, with utility hookups. Most primitive sites feature nearby access to restrooms, showers, and potable water. Camping is also permitted along the Table Mound Hiking Trail. Campsite cost starts at $8/night during the peak season (slightly less off-peak).

In addition to camping, the park has the Elk City State Park Trails, which feature the 4-mile Eagle Rock Mountain Bike Trail and the paved 3.3-mile South Squaw Bike Trail, as well as a nationally-recognized system of hiking and nature trails.

Contact: ElkCitySP@ksoutdoors.com, 620-331-6295. Brochure

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Elm Creek Lake (also known as "Bourbon County Lake") is located about seven miles west and five miles south of Fort Scott, Kansas, and provides 106 surface acres of water, surrounded by public land. Elm Creek Lake, and a number of historic shelter houses, was built in the 1930s by the WPA from native stone. Elm Creek Lake is located adjacent to Hollister Wildlife Area.

Tent camping is allowed in any mown area anywhere around the lake, except near shelter houses. There are electrical hookups, and potable water is available at the caretakers house, at the northwest corner of the lake. There are outhouses located near the shelter houses, but no shower facilities are available.

The cost for tent camping is $3 per night (without electricity, or $10 with electricity), payable to the lake caretaker, who lives on-site.

Contact: 620-224-8722 or 620-223-3800.

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Elmore Park is located near Chetopa, Kansas, north of town along the banks of the Neosho River. "You'll find plenty of R.V. parking, a boat ramp, shelter houses, picnic tables, electric and water hook-ups. A walking trail is also available along with a ball field for family fun."

Elmore Park offers both RV and tent camping. The cost is $2.00 per night for tents at sites without hookups, or $10.00 per night for campers at improved sites, with or without electricity. City police come around daily to collect fees from campers, or fees can be paid at the City Office at 332 Maple.

Contact: chetopacity@kans.com, 620-236-7025.

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Dam Site Park provides campsites below the dam of Fall River Reservoir, near Toronto, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. "Well established shade trees and good fishing is the hall mark of this park."

Dam Site Park has 33 campsites with utilities, but no primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. The campground includes restrooms, showers, and drinking water.

Sites start at $13 per night. Learn more about camping fees at Corps of Engineers properties.

Other campgrounds at Fall River Reservoir include Rock Ridge North, Whitehall Bay, and Fall River State Park. All are pay sites; there is no free primitive camping at Fall River Lake.

Also be sure to check out the nearby Fall River State Park Trails, which offers 6.5 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails through oak woodlands, winding streams, and tallgrass prairie featuring a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life.

Contact: ceswt-od-kf@usace.army.mil, 620-658-4445. Map

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Rock Ridge North provides campsites on the western shores of Fall River Reservoir, near Toronto, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. "North Rock Ridge is a large open park with camping near the water. It boasts lots of space for young legs to stretch."

Rock Ridge North has 44 campsites with utilities, but no primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. The campground includes restrooms and drinking water.

Sites start at $9 per night. Learn more about camping fees at Corps of Engineers properties.

Other campgrounds at Fall River Reservoir include Dam Site Park, Whitehall Bay, and Fall River State Park. All are pay sites; there is no free primitive camping at Fall River Lake.

Also be sure to check out the nearby Fall River State Park Trails, which offers 6.5 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails through oak woodlands, winding streams, and tallgrass prairie featuring a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life.

Contact: ceswt-od-kf@usace.army.mil, 620-658-4445. Map

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Whitehall Bay provides campsites on the north side of Fall River Reservoir, near Toronto, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers. "Whitehall Bay is situated between two arms of the lake, and all campsites are well shaded and are located very near the water."

Whitehall Bay has 26 campsites with utilities, but no primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. The campground includes restrooms, showers, and drinking water.

Sites start at $13 per night. Learn more about camping fees at Corps of Engineers properties.

Other campgrounds at Fall River Reservoir include Dam Site Park, Rock Ridge North, and Fall River State Park. All are pay sites; there is no free primitive camping at Fall River Lake.

Also be sure to check out the nearby Fall River State Park Trails, which offers 6.5 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails through oak woodlands, winding streams, and tallgrass prairie featuring a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life.

Contact: ceswt-od-kf@usace.army.mil, 620-658-4445. Map

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Fall River State Park is located near Toronto, Kansas, along the southern shores of Fall River Reservoir, which features approximately 2,450 acres of surface water and 9,352 acres of wildlife area. The state park encompasses 980 acres, with "a unique blend of forested flood plains, oak savannahs, and tallgrass prairie".

Fall River State Park offers 49 primitive tent camping sites in the park, as well as 46 sites intended for RVs, with utility hookups. Most primitive sites feature nearby access to restrooms, showers, and potable water. Campsite cost starts at $8/night during the peak season (slightly less off-peak).

In addition to camping, the park has the Fall River State Park Trails, which offers 6.5 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails through oak woodlands, winding streams, and tallgrass prairie featuring a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life.

Other campgrounds at Fall River Reservoir include Dam Site Park, Rock Ridge North, and Whitehall Bay. All are pay sites; there is no free primitive camping at Fall River Lake.

Contact: FallRiverSP@wp.state.ks.us, 620-637-2213. Brochure

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The Franklin County Visitor Information Center provides free RV parking and tent camping in Ottawa, Kansas. The Visitor Information Center is located on the eastern edge of Ottawa, along K-68 Highway. The Visitor Information Center is open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm, Saturday from 9am-4pm, and Sunday from 12-4pm. The center provides a wealth of information about attractions and points of interest in Ottawa, Franklin County, and throughout Kansas. Donations are appreciated.

The rules for parking and camping at the Visitor Information Center are:

1. Reservations must be made by calling (785) 242-1411, those who have not made reservations will be asked to leave.
2. Dry camping only, no restroom facilities (restrooms and other services are available at a nearby convenience store).
3. Camping is at your own risk.
4. Absolutely no camp fires are allowed.

Tents may be pitched in the grassy area behind the Visitor Information Center. A picnic table is provided, but there are no other amenities available. Please clean up your own trash.

Ottawa is located at the crossroads of the Flint Hills Nature Trail and the Prairie Spirit Trail.

Contact: Franklin County Visitor Information Center, 2011 East Logan, Ottawa, KS 66067, 785-242-1411.

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Cedar Valley Reservoir is located near Garnett, Kansas, and provides 310 acres of surface water for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating, skiing, hunting, and camping.

Wilderness (tent) camping is provided, with nearby restrooms and shelters. The park also provides RV campsites with electricity and water.

Cost: $9 per night. Camping is on a first come, first serve basis with a self-pay permit station located in the park. Camping permits may also be purchased at the Garnett Police Dispatch Center, 131 W 5th Ave.

Garnett is located at the midway point along of the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park, a rails-to-trail that runs north-south for about 51 miles, from Ottawa in the north to Iola in the south. The Cedar Valley Reservoir is located several miles southwest of town, via gravel roads. If easy access to town and the trail is desired, North Lake Park may be a better option.

Contact: info@garnettks.net, 785-448-5496. Guide (pg 6), Map

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Crystal Lake is located on the southern edge of Garnett, Kansas, along the Prairie Spirit Trail. Wilderness (tent) camping is permitted on the south side of this lake in a designated area. The campground is open year-round.

Cost: $9 per night for "wilderness" (tent) camping. Camping is on a first come, first serve basis with a self-pay permit stations located in the park. Camping permits may also be purchased at the Garnett Police Dispatch Center, 131 W 5th Ave.

Garnett is located at the midway point along of the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park, a rails-to-trail that runs north-south for about 51 miles, from Ottawa in the north to Iola in the south.

Contact: info@garnettks.net, 785-448-5496.

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North Lake Park is located in Garnett, Kansas, and is home to Lake Garnett, which was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Wilderness (tent) camping is allowed in the northside dam area. Restrooms are provided and drinking water is available. The park also provides RV campsites with electricity and water. The campground is open year-round, but water is only available from April 1-October 31.

Cost: $9 per night for "wilderness" (tent) camping. Camping is on a first come, first serve basis with a self-pay permit stations located in the park. Camping permits may also be purchased at the Garnett Police Dispatch Center, 131 W 5th Ave.

Garnett is located at the midway point along of the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park, a rails-to-trail that runs north-south for about 51 miles, from Ottawa in the north to Iola in the south.

Contact: info@garnettks.net, 785-448-5496. Guide (pg 6), Map

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The city of Girard, Kansas offers free tent camping opportunities at Girard City Park (Winston Park). The park is located in the southwest quarter of the city, at Magnolia and Carbon Streets.

Facilities in the park include a shelter house, picnic tables, grills, and trash containers. Water is available seasonally. There are restrooms and shower facilities in the nearby city pool.

Girard is located along the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, and provides an overnight opportunity for thousands of touring bicyclists each year.

Contact: City Clerk, 620-724-8918.

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Gunn Park is located near Fort Scott, Kansas, and is a 50-acre structure "155 acres of beautifully wooded terrain with many recreational activities for the entire family. There are 14 camping sites with electricity and water."

Cost: $4.00 per night for tent camping, $8 per night for campsites with electric and water hookups. Pay via self-pay envelopes and drop box in the park.

Gunn Park is also home to the Gunn Park Trails, which offer over 4 miles of wilderness trail through a mostly wooded area, including about 3/4 mile that runs right beside the Marmaton River. Another nearby camping option is Fort Scott Lake.

Contact: Diane Clay, City Clerk, dclay@fscity.org, 620-223-0550.

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Hollister Wildlife Area is located about 8 miles southwest of Fort Scott, Kansas, and provides 2,432 acres of "rolling range and pastureland, interspersed with native woodlands." The wildlife area is named for the ghost town of Hollister, which was located along the railroad, near the center of the property.

Primitive camping is permitted anywhere within the Wildlife Area, but no other services are available. Please take your trash with you.

If you're looking for a slightly less rustic camping experience, Elm Creek Lake is located just west of Hollister Wildlife Area, and offers primitive campsites, with some amenities, for a very modest fee.

Contact: 620-449-2539. Brochure

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Homewood RV Park is located near Williamsburg, Kansas, "located in a natural setting and has a natural enclosure and is located on a little 50-acre farm."

Though Homewood RV Park is primarily an RV campground, they do have a few primitive tent sites available. Amenities include restrooms, showers, laundry, and free Wi-Fi.

Cost for tent camping: $14/night and up.

Homewood RV Park is located at 2161 Idaho Rd, Williamsburg, KS 66095. Contact: information@homewoodrvpark.com, 785-242-5601.

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Idle Hour Lakes are located near Altamont, Kansas, and offers 20 campsites near two small lakes. The campsites may be used by either RVs or tent campers. "Make Idle Hour Lake your next stop to camp, fish, bicycle, hike and picnic."

Amenities include restrooms, showers, electricity, water, Wi-Fi, fire rings, and picnic tables. Two shelters are available for rent of $10 per day. A laundry facility is available for $2 donation per load.

If you're planning to bring a big group to the lake, please call ahead.

Cost: Free!

Contact: cityoffice@altamontks.com, 620-784-5612 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, or 620-784-5582 after hours.

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Iola RV Park and Storage is located in Iola, Kansas, and despite the name of the business, they do offer some tent camping facilities: "Our tent area is secluded by trees and can accommodate approximately ten tents".

Iola is located at the southern end of the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park, a rails-to-trail that runs north-south for about 51 miles, from Ottawa in the north to Iola in the south (with plans to extend further south).

Amenities include picnic tables, grills, toilets, showers, and laundry facilities.

Cost for tent camping: $10.00

Contact: office@iolarvparkandstorage.com, 620-365-2200.

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Damsite Park offers camping opportunities on John Redmond Reservoir, near Burlington, Kansas.

John Redmond Reservoir is located on the Neosho River, and is managed by the Corps of Engineers. It features 9,400 acres of water and 59 miles of shoreline, and, as part of the Central Flyway, is an important stopover for many species of migrating birds, and there are Bald Eagles that nest in the area. The Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is located at the northern end of the lake.

Damsite Park offers 26 campsites, and is located on the northeast corner of the reservoir dam. Facilities include restrooms and showers. The cost is $10-$15 per night.

In general, campsites can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by bicycle tent campers as well. Camping is available only from April 1st through October 31st.

The Corps of Engineers also manages nearby campsites at Riverside East and Riverside West.

Also be sure to check out the nearby Hickory Creek Trail, which offers about 14 miles of multi-use trail for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.

Contact: 620-364-8613. Map

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Riverside East offers camping opportunities at John Redmond Reservoir, near Burlington, Kansas.

John Redmond Reservoir is located on the Neosho River, and is managed by the Corps of Engineers. It features 9,400 acres of water and 59 miles of shoreline, and, as part of the Central Flyway, is an important stopover for many species of migrating birds, and there are Bald Eagles that nest in the area. The Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is located at the northern end of the lake.

Riverside East offers 53 campsites with utilities, and is located on the east side of the Neosho River, below the dam. Facilities include restrooms and showers. The cost is $15 per night.

In general, campsites can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by bicycle tent campers as well. Camping is available only from April 1st through October 31st.

The Corps of Engineers also manages nearby campsites at Damsite Park and Riverside West.

Also be sure to check out the nearby Hickory Creek Trail, which offers about 14 miles of multi-use trail for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.

Contact: 620-364-8613. Map

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Riverside West offers camping opportunities at John Redmond Reservoir, near Burlington, Kansas.

John Redmond Reservoir is located on the Neosho River, and is managed by the Corps of Engineers. It features 9,400 acres of water and 59 miles of shoreline, and, as part of the Central Flyway, is an important stopover for many species of migrating birds, and there are Bald Eagles that nest in the area. The Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is located at the northern end of the lake.

Riverside West offers 37 campsites with utilities, and is located on the west side of the Neosho River, below the dam. Facilities include restrooms and showers. The cost is $15 per night. In addition, the West Wingwall has 8 campsites with no utilities, and restrooms but no showers, for $10/night.

In general, campsites can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by bicycle tent campers as well. Camping is available only from April 1st through October 31st.

The Corps of Engineers also manages nearby campsites at Damsite Park and Riverside East.

Also be sure to check out the nearby Hickory Creek Trail, which offers about 14 miles of multi-use trail for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.

Contact: 620-364-8613. Map

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Kelley Park is a community park located in Burlington, Kansas, along the western banks of the Neosho River. Kelley Park "is a popular park for Burlington and Coffey County activities of all kinds, and is the site for the oldest consecutively held annual fair in the State of Kansas."

Kelley Park offers both RV and tent camping, and amenities include restrooms, water, barbecue grills, and picnic tables.

Tent camping is allowed in the grassy area along the river at no charge.

Contact: sburlington@mchsi.com, 620-364-2996.

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The city of La Cygne, Kansas provides a campground at La Cygne Community Park, in the southwest corner of town at 520 South 1st Street. "The complex offers swimming, lighted tennis courts, camping hook ups, soccer and baseball fields, playground areas, picnic facilities, shelter house, and asphalt streets for walking."

Although the campground is intended primarily for RVs, tent camping is allowed as well. Restrooms and a shower house are provided (shower keys available at City Hall). The cost is $4 per day, payable to the city clerk at the city hall.

Contact: 913-757-2144.

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The La Cygne Wildlife Area is located near La Cygne, Kansas, at the north end of La Cygne Reservoir. The area is mostly wooded uplands, with some grass meadows and crop fields.

It offers free primitive camping at two sites. Pit toilets are available, but no other facilities are provided. The nearest services are La Cygne or Linn County Park.

Manager: Phil Buser, 913-352-8941. Brochure

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Lake Fort Scott is located near Fort Scott, Kansas, and is a 352-acre structure "nestled in a lush, heavily wooded, rural setting teaming with wildlife. Lakeside campsite areas, shelter houses and picnic areas are available to residents and visitors alike."

Cost: $5.00 per night for primitive tent camping. Self-pay via envelopes located on-site.

Fort Scott is also home to the nearby Gunn Park Trails, which offer over 4+ miles of wilderness trail through a mostly wooded area, including about 3/4 mile that runs right beside the Marmaton River. Another nearby camping option is Gunn Park.

Contact: Diane Clay, City Clerk, dclay@fscity.org, 620-223-0550.

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Lake Frances is a privately-owned lake located near Redfield, Kansas, just north of US-54 highway, about 2 miles northwest of Redfield, and about 4 miles northeast of Uniontown. "A lake sign and windmill are visible north of the highway and mark the entrance to the lake."

Lake Frances offers RV camping, tent camping, and cabin rentals. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, showers, and coin-operated laundry facilities.

Cost for tent camping: $12/night.

Lake Frances is located about 5 miles southwest of the Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, with over 60 miles of beginner, intermediate, and expert-level trails.

Contact: ayreborn2@ckt.net, 620-804-0143.

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Lake Parsons provides camping facilities near Parsons, Kansas. The 980-acre lake is located about 4 miles north, and 3.5 miles west of the city, and provides "a peaceful retreat for campers, a fun-filled beach for summer swimmers and a sportsman's paradise for hunting and fishing. This year-round recreational area draws visitors from across the region."

Lake Parsons offers both RV and tent camping. You must get a permit from the City Clerk's Office or from the Lake Supervisor. The tent camping fee is $5 daily for campsites without electricity; There is "no charge for camping in areas where no improved pad is available".

Contact: 620-421-7031.

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Lincoln Park is a community park located in Pittsburg, Kansas. The park provides year-round recreation opportunities for citizens and visitors, including swimming, basketball, disk golf, baseball, fishing, horseshoes, mini golf, tennis, and much more. Pittsburg is the eastern-most community in Kansas along the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.

The city of Pittsburg allows cross country cyclists to tent camp in Lincoln Park at Shelter #1. Cyclists should notify the Parks and Recreation Department at 620-231-8310 when they are coming so that the restrooms will be open. There is no fee but donations are welcomed, and can be made in the Parks and Recreation office in Lincoln Park at 710 W. 9th Street.

Address: 813 Memorial Drive, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Contact: 620-231-8310.

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Linn County Park is located near La Cygne, Kansas, on the western shore of La Cygne Reservoir. The heavily wooded lake and surrounding area is a haven for wildlife. You are likely to spot deer, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkey, ducks, geese, and even swans, for which the lake and La Cygne are named.

Linn County Park offers tent campsites on a first-come first-served basis. Cost is $9/day for a primitive site, $12 for a site plus electricity, and $13/day for a site, electricity, and water.

The park offers a a shower house, laundry room, and marina store with groceries (see park web site for hours).

Manager: Bruce Holt, 913-757-6633, bholt@linncountyks.com. Brochure

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Lyon State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is located near Reading, Kansas, and features a 140-acre lake surrounded by a 442-acre wildlife area. The property is situated on the eastern fringe of the scenic Flint Hills of Kansas, and Native tallgrass prairie comprises most of the habitat.

The lake was built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). "Their work is most visible today in the native limestone guard posts on the dam and the inlaid riprap on the face of the dam and spillway. A native stone shelterhouse was constructed in 1951."

Lyon State Fishing Lake provides free primitive camping in designated areas. Picnic tables, grills, and pit toilets are provided. Potable water is not available.

Contact: Don Patton, 620-699-3372. Brochure

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The Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area is located near Boicourt, Kansas. The area "lies in the floodplain of the Marais des Cygnes River and is unique for its quantity of managed wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest. The primary focus of the area is wetland and waterfowl management."

It offers free primitive camping at two sites. No facilities are provided. The nearest services are La Cygne or Pleasanton.

Manager: Karl Karrow, 913-352-8941. Brochure

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Marvel Park is a city park in Parsons, Kansas that provides RV and tent camping. The park is located on the eastern edge of the city at 10th and Main Streets. The campground is located south of the ball fields.

The park provides both RV parking slots and ample grass and shade for tents. Amenities include restrooms and showers (closed during winter), water, and electricity. Campers may also use the restrooms and showers at the Arvon Phillips Community Center, which is located within walking distance of the campground, and is open year-round.

The cost for camping at Marvel Park is $10 per night, payable via an on-site drop box.

Contact: 620-421-7020.

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Arrow Rock Park provides campsites along the southern shore of Melvern Lake, near Olivet, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Arrow Rock Park has 45 campsites (19 with full utilities, 26 non-utility). Each campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes a shower building, vault toilets, and picnic shelters. There is also a short hiking trail within the campground.

Sites start at $12 per night.

Other campgrounds at Melvern Lake include Coeur d' Alene Park, Outlet Park, Sun Dance Park, Turkey Point Park, and Eisenhower State Park. Sun Dance Park is free, the others are pay camping sites.

Melvern Lake is also home to the Melvern Lake Trails, which features several mountain bike trails, covering a total of over 30 miles of trail wandering through the prairie and into rocky ravines and woodlands.

Contact: Melvern Lake Project Office, Melvern@usace.army.mil, 785-549-3318. Brochure, Map

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Coeur d' Alene Park provides campsites along the southeastern shores of Melvern Lake, near Melvern, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Coeur d' Alene Park has 60 campsites (34 with full utilities, 26 non-utility). Each campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes a shower building, vault toilets, flush toilets, and picnic shelters. There are also two short hiking trails within the campground, and a marina.

Sites start at $12 per night.

Other campgrounds at Melvern Lake include Arrow Rock Park, Outlet Park, Sun Dance Park, Turkey Point Park, and Eisenhower State Park. Sun Dance Park is free, the others are pay camping sites.

Melvern Lake is also home to the Melvern Lake Trails, which features several mountain bike trails, covering a total of over 30 miles of trail wandering through the prairie and into rocky ravines and woodlands.

Contact: Melvern Lake Project Office, Melvern@usace.army.mil, 785-549-3318. Brochure, Map

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Outlet Park provides campsites below the dam at Melvern Lake, near Melvern, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Outlet Park has 150 campsites with utilities. Each campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes shower buildings, vault toilets, flush toilets, and picnic shelters. There are also three miles of hiking trails within the campground.

Sites start at $18 per night.

Other campgrounds at Melvern Lake include Arrow Rock Park, Coeur d' Alene Park, Sun Dance Park, Turkey Point Park, and Eisenhower State Park. Sun Dance Park is free, the others are pay camping sites.

Melvern Lake is also home to the Melvern Lake Trails, which features several mountain bike trails, covering a total of over 30 miles of trail wandering through the prairie and into rocky ravines and woodlands.

Contact: Melvern Lake Project Office, Melvern@usace.army.mil, 785-549-3318. Brochure, Map

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Sun Dance Park is located at the southwest corner of Melvern Lake, near Reading, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Camping at Sun Dance Park is free, and includes a campground with 30 gravel camp pads, plus a picnic area with a shelter available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Three pit toilets are available, and potable water is available.

Other campgrounds at Melvern Lake include Arrow Rock Park, Coeur d' Alene Park, Outlet Park, Turkey Point Park, and Eisenhower State Park, all pay sites.

Melvern Lake is also home to the Melvern Lake Trails, which features several mountain bike trails, covering a total of over 30 miles of trail wandering through the prairie and into rocky ravines and woodlands.

Contact: Melvern Lake Project Office, Melvern@usace.army.mil, 785-549-3318. Brochure, Map

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Turkey Point Park provides campsites along the northern shore of Melvern Lake, near Melvern, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Turkey Point Park has 50 campsites (35 with utilities, 15 without). Each campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes vault toilets and picnic shelters.

Sites start at $12 per night.

Other campgrounds at Melvern Lake include Arrow Rock Park, Coeur d' Alene Park, Outlet Park, Sun Dance Park, and Eisenhower State Park. Sun Dance Park is free, the others are pay camping sites.

Melvern Lake is also home to the Melvern Lake Trails, which features several mountain bike trails, covering a total of over 30 miles of trail wandering through the prairie and into rocky ravines and woodlands.

Contact: Melvern Lake Project Office, Melvern@usace.army.mil, 785-549-3318. Brochure, Map

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Mined Land Wildlife Area is located near Pittsburg, Kansas, and includes 14,500 acres, with 1,500 acres of water and 13,000 acres of land. This area tells the story of "environmental devastation and successful habitat restoration", and is made up of "rugged country dotted with over 1,000 strip-mine lakes, steep-sided hills and dense vegetation".

Free primitive camping is permitted anywhere on the property except within designated refuge areas. There is a pit toilet, but no other services are available.

Contact: 620-431-0380. Brochure

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Montgomery State Fishing Lake is located near Independence, Kansas, and is a 105-acre lake surrounded by 303 acres of public land, located approximately four miles south and one mile east of Independence. The lake is built on Coal Creek, which is a small tributary of the Verdigris River, and "many scenic bluffs are found along the creek, and the stream and lake shores are covered with oak-hickory woodlands and stands of blackjack oak interspersed with a mixture of native rangelands."

Montgomery State Fishing Lake provides free primitive camping in designated areas. There are pit toilets, but no electric, water, or sewage hookups, showers, or drinkable water is available.

Contact: Darin Porter, 620-331-6820. Brochure

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Riverside Park is a community park located near Neosho Falls, Kansas, just east of the Neosho River, adjacent to the historic Neosho Falls Waterfall. Riverside Park was the site of the Neosho Valley Fair for many years, and in 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes visited, along with about 30,000 other people.

Neosho Falls was once the most important town in Woodson County, with a population topping 1200. Today, just over 100 remain, and there's not much left of the town. It was once at the intersection of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas (The M-K-T or "Katy") railroads, with a large depot. The railroads left in the 1930s and 1950s, respectively, that that, along with a devastating flood that destroyed much of the town in 1951, was the end of Neosho Falls. See also: Blue Skyways, FlyoverPeople.Net, and Legends of Kansas.

Riverside Park provides several acres of shaded campgrounds, suitable for both RVs and tent campers. Amenities include restrooms, water, picnic tables, and grills. The cost is $12 per night for RVs and $6 per night for tents. Access is via gravel roads.

No contact information or web site is listed for Riverside Park; presumably, someone comes around to collect the fee after you've set up your tent...

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Neosho State Fishing Lake is located approximately 6 miles south and one mile west of St. Paul, Kansas, and is a 92-acre lake built in 1927. It "has been well developed over the years and has become an attraction for the vacationing or weekend camper/angler". It is also known as "Lake McKinley".

Neosho State Fishing Lake has three sites designated for primitive camping, and amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, barbecue grills, a water hydrant, and a shelter house.

Contact: 620-449-2539.

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Neosho Wildlife Area is located near St. Paul, Kansas, and is a man-made marsh "designed and managed to furnish a resting and feeding place for migratory waterfowl, and covers 3,246 acres, of which 1,748 acres are water contained in fifteen man-made pools.".

Free primitive camping is permitted in designated areas. There are no services available.

Contact: 620-449-2539. Brochure

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Old Route 66 Park is a roadside park located between Baxter Springs, Kansas and Riverton, Kansas along historic Route 66 in southeast Kansas. The park is maintained by the National Park Service, and is supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which "helps states and communities provide outdoor recreation and open space for all".

There is also a historical marker at the park, which commemorates the Baxter Springs Massacre of 1863, in which nearly a hundred men died in a Civil War battle.

Old Route 66 Park provides shelters, picnic tables, grills, trash cans, and ample grass and shade trees. There is no water, restrooms, or electricity.

Old Route 66 Park is located near both the Frontier Military Historic Byway and the Route 66 Historic Byway

Note: This is (apparently) an unofficial campsite, with no signage that explicitly allows or prohibits camping at this roadside park.

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Osage State Fishing Lake is located near Carbondale, Kansas, and consists of 140 surface acres of water and 366 acres of "tall grass prairie with numerous wooded draws and slopes". The lake is managed as a combination wildlife and fishing area, and "lies in a small, pleasant valley of the Osage Cuestas".

Osage State Fishing Lake provides free primitive camping in designated areas. There are two public toilets on the west side of the lake.

Contact: 620-699-3372.

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Riverside Park is a community park located in Oswego, Kansas, along the banks of the Neosho River, which boasts spectacular scenery, plus plenty of room to walk and explore this historic 80-acre park. "Many of the structures in the park were built as a WPA project during the Great Depression."

Riverside Park offers both RV and tent camping, and amenities include restrooms, showers, and picnic tables. There are also a few campsites available across the river in Danny Elliott Park.

The cost is $10 per day, payable at the city office, police station, or via self-pay envelopes available at the Restroom/Shower House.

Address: 251 N Oregon St, Oswego, KS 67356. Contact: 620-795-4433.

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The city of Pleasanton, Kansas provides free tent camping at East City Lake. The lake is located approximately one mile northeast of town, and is a 127-acre structure surrounded by a public use area. The lake offers public fishing, picnicking, and camping for both residents and visitors.

Camping areas are provided on both the north and south shores of the lake. There is no charge to camp at East City Lake. Picnic tables, trash cans, and porta-potties are provided, but there is no potable water or electricity available.

Pleasanton also offers free tent camping at Pleasanton West City Lake.

Contact: City Clerk, 913-352-8257.

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The city of Pleasanton, Kansas provides free tent camping at West City Lake. The lake (actually two small adjacent lakes) is located just west of town, along East 1050th Road (Lakes Lane), and offers public fishing, picnicking, and camping for both residents and visitors. There is also a walking trail from which bicycles are prohibited.

A designated camping area is provided, and camping is prohibited near shelter houses. The camping area is just an open grassy field. There are nearby toilets, but no potable water is available. There is electricity in the shelter houses.

Pleasanton also offers free tent camping at Pleasanton East City Lake.

Contact: City Clerk, 913-352-8257.

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110-Mile Park is located along the northern shore of Pomona Lake, near Vassar, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Camping at 110-Mile Park is free, and is open all year. It includes 25 campsites, plus pit toilets and potable water is available.

Other campgrounds at Pomona Lake include Carbolyn Park, Cedar Park, Michigan Valley Park, Outlet Park, Wolf Creek Park, and Pomona State Park. Cedar Park is free; the others are pay sites.

Pomona Lake is also home to the Black Hawk Trail, located on the north side of the lake at 110-Mile Park, which is a 32-mile equestrian and mountain biking trail through a variety of wooded, riparian and grassland areas. Also nearby is the Flint Hills Nature Trail, a rail-to-trail that runs east-west for about 117 miles, connecting Osawatomie in the east and Herington in the west.

Contact: Pomona Project Office, Pomona@usace.army.mil, 785-453-2201. Brochure, Map

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Carbolyn Park provides campsites at the west end of Melvern Lake, near Vassar, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Carbolyn Park has 29 campsites (26 with utilities, 3 primitive). Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes a shower building, vault toilets, and picnic shelters.

Sites start at $12 per night. All sites at Carbolyn Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park is open from May 1st through September 30th.

Other campgrounds at Pomona Lake include 110-Mile Park, Cedar Park, Michigan Valley Park, Outlet Park, Wolf Creek Park, and Pomona State Park. 110-Mile Park and Cedar Park are free; the others are pay sites.

Pomona Lake is also home to the Black Hawk Trail, located on the north side of the lake at 110-Mile Park, which is a 32-mile equestrian and mountain biking trail through a variety of wooded, riparian and grassland areas. Also nearby is the Flint Hills Nature Trail, a rail-to-trail that runs east-west for about 117 miles, connecting Osawatomie in the east and Herington in the west.

Contact: Pomona Project Office, Pomona@usace.army.mil, 785-453-2201. Brochure, Map

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Cedar Park is located along the northern shore of Pomona Lake, near Vassar, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Camping at Cedar Park is free, and is open all year. It offers 8 primitive campsites, plus pit toilets; no potable water is available.

Other campgrounds at Pomona Lake include 110-Mile Park, Carbolyn Park, Michigan Valley Park, Outlet Park, Wolf Creek Park, and Pomona State Park. 110-Mile Park is free; the others are pay sites.

Pomona Lake is also home to the Black Hawk Trail, located on the north side of the lake at 110-Mile Park, which is a 32-mile equestrian and mountain biking trail through a variety of wooded, riparian and grassland areas. Also nearby is the Flint Hills Nature Trail, a rail-to-trail that runs east-west for about 117 miles, connecting Osawatomie in the east and Herington in the west.

Contact: Pomona Project Office, Pomona@usace.army.mil, 785-453-2201. Brochure, Map

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Michigan Valley Park provides campsites on the eastern shores of Pomona Lake, near Vassar, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Michigan Valley Park has 57 campsites with utilities, and 38 primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes showers, vault toilets, and picnic shelters.

Sites start at $12 per night. The park is open from May 1st through September 30th.

Other campgrounds at Pomona Lake include 110-Mile Park, Carbolyn Park, Cedar Park, Outlet Park, Wolf Creek Park, and Pomona State Park. 110-Mile Park and Cedar Park are free; the others are pay sites.

Pomona Lake is also home to the Black Hawk Trail, located on the north side of the lake at 110-Mile Park, which is a 32-mile equestrian and mountain biking trail through a variety of wooded, riparian and grassland areas. Also nearby is the Flint Hills Nature Trail, a rail-to-trail that runs east-west for about 117 miles, connecting Osawatomie in the east and Herington in the west.

Contact: Pomona Project Office, Pomona@usace.army.mil, 785-453-2201. Brochure, Map

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Outlet Park provides campsites below the dam at Pomona Lake, near Vassar, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Outlet Park has 36 campsites with utilities, and each can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes showers, flush toilets, and picnic shelters.

Sites start at $12 per night. The park is open from April 1st through October 31st. Winter camping is also available from November 1st through March 31st, for $10.00 a night.

Other campgrounds at Pomona Lake include 110-Mile Park, Carbolyn Park, Cedar Park, Michigan Valley Park, Wolf Creek Park, and Pomona State Park. 110-Mile Park and Cedar Park are free; the others are pay sites.

Pomona Lake is also home to the Black Hawk Trail, located on the north side of the lake at 110-Mile Park, which is a 32-mile equestrian and mountain biking trail through a variety of wooded, riparian and grassland areas. Also nearby is the Flint Hills Nature Trail, a rail-to-trail that runs east-west for about 117 miles, connecting Osawatomie in the east and Herington in the west.

Contact: Pomona Project Office, Pomona@usace.army.mil, 785-453-2201. Brochure, Map

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Wolf Creek Park provides campsites on the northeastern shores of Pomona Lake, near Vassar, Kansas. It is managed by the Corps of Engineers.

Wolf Creek Park has 44 campsites with utilities, and 43 primitive sites. Each full campsite can accommodate an RV or a vehicle, but may be used by tent campers as well. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. The campground includes showers, vault toilets, and picnic shelters.

Sites start at $12 per night. The park is open from May 1st through September 30th.

Other campgrounds at Pomona Lake include 110-Mile Park, Carbolyn Park, Cedar Park, Michigan Valley Park, Outlet Park, and Pomona State Park. 110-Mile Park and Cedar Park are free; the others are pay sites.

Pomona Lake is also home to the Black Hawk Trail, located on the north side of the lake at 110-Mile Park, which is a 32-mile equestrian and mountain biking trail through a variety of wooded, riparian and grassland areas. Also nearby is the Flint Hills Nature Trail, a rail-to-trail that runs east-west for about 117 miles, connecting Osawatomie in the east and Herington in the west.

Contact: Pomona Project Office, Pomona@usace.army.mil, 785-453-2201. Brochure, Map

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Pomona State Park is located near Vassar, Kansas, along the southern shores of Pomona Lake, which features 4,000 surface acres of water surrounded by over 4,500 acres of land. Pomona State Park is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

Pomona State Park offers approximately 200 primitive campsites, as well as 142 improved campsites with utilities. Primitive sites are first-come, first-served. Shower and flush toilet facilities are available near the campgrounds. Campsite costs start at $8/night.

Other campgrounds at Pomona Lake include 110-Mile Park, Carbolyn Park, Cedar Park, Michigan Valley Park, Outlet Park, and Wolf Creek Park, all managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 110-Mile Park and Cedar Park are free; the others are pay sites.

Pomona Lake is also home to the Black Hawk Trail, located on the north side of the lake, which is a 32-mile equestrian and mountain biking trail through a variety of wooded, riparian and grassland areas. Also nearby is the Flint Hills Nature Trail, a rail-to-trail that runs east-west for about 117 miles, connecting Osawatomie in the east and Herington in the west.

Contact: 785-828-4933. Brochure

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The city of Prescott, Kansas provides free tent camping at Prescott City Lake. The lake is located approximately 1 mile east and 1/2 mile south of town, off of Vernon Road. The lake features 25 acres of surface water, and public access along the east and south sides of the lake.

Tent camping is available anywhere along the south side of the lake, at no charge. There is a picnic shelter, picnic tables, fire rings, a stone hearth, trash cans, and vault toilets. There is no potable water or electricity available.

Contact: City Clerk, 913-471-4521.

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The city of Richmond, Kansas provides tent camping at Richmond City Lake. The lake is located approximately 1 mile south, and 1-1/4 mile east of town, just north of 2500 Road (gravel road). The lake is small, at only 2 acres, and also serves as the city park.

The cost for camping is $10 for a non-electrical site and $15 for an electrical site. There are flush and/or pit toilets, shelters, picnic tables, trash cans, and a concession stand at the nearby baseball diamonds sells food and drinks at certain times. There are no RV hookups. There is no potable water.

Contact: City Clerk, 785-835-6425.

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Rock Creek Lake is located about one mile south and 2-1/2 miles west of Fort Scott, Kansas, and offers approximately 50 surface acres of water, surrounded by public land that serves as a wildlife habitat, "as well as a quiet haven for fishermen, canoers, and campers."

Tent camping is permitted, at no cost, in designated areas on the northeast shores of the lake. There are shade trees, grassy areas for tents, and trash cans, but no potable water or electricity is available. There is a 4-day camping limit at Rock Creek Lake.

Contact: City Clerk, 620-223-0550.

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The Santa Fe Safari Campground is located at Santa Fe Park in Chanute, Kansas. Although the campground is primarily intended for RVs, tenters may camp there as well.

Amenities include restrooms and shower facilities. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Tents may be put up to the south of the restrooms and shower facility, in the grassy area, at no charge but with a limited stay of one night only."

Contact: 620-431-5250.

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Spring River Wildlife Area is located near Galena, Kansas, and "comprises 424 acres on the western edge of the Ozark Plateau, along the Spring River. The area is highly regarded for its Ozarkian characteristics and wildlife diversity."

Free primitive camping is permitted in the area. There are no services available.

Contact: 620-231-3173. Brochure

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This roadside park is located along US-54 highway, on the south side of the highway at the intersection of US-54 and County Road FF50, about four miles northwest of Toronto, Kansas, and about 1-1/2 miles west of the Verdigris River.

Amenities at the roadside park include picnic tables, a covered picnic shelter, modern restrooms with water and electricity. There is plenty of grassy space for camping or picnicking, with lots of trees and shade.

Note: This is an unofficial campsite. There is no signage that explicitly allows or prohibits camping at this roadside park.

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Walter Johnson Park is a community park located in Coffeyville, Kansas, just southwest of the Verdigris River, and just southeast of US-166 highway. The park is named in honor of Walter Johnson, "The Big Train", who was one of the most dominating pitchers in Major League Baseball history. He was born near Humboldt, Kansas, and lived on a working farm near Coffeyville until his wife's death.

Walter Johnson Park Campground offers both RV and tent camping, and amenities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and picnic shelters.

The cost is $8 per night, and includes access to water and electricity; wireless internet is available for $5/day.

Address: 701 Hargis, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Contact: City Clerk, cprice@coffeyville.com, 620-252-6108.

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Wilson State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is located near Buffalo, Kansas, and consists of a 119-acre lake surrounded by 172 acres of public land, located approximately one mile southeast of town. The lake is built on Woodruff Creek, and situated near the intersection of US-75 and K-39 highways.

Wilson State Fishing Lake provides free primitive camping in designated areas. There are vault toilets, picnic tables, and grills, but no potable water or other amenities are available.

Contact: Scott Barlow, 620-637-2748. Brochure

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Woodson State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area is located near Toronto, Kansas, and consists of a 180-acre lake surrounded by 2,705 acres of public land, located approximately 5-1/2 miles east of town. "Nestled in the northern edge of the spectacular Chautauqua Hills of southeast Kansas, Woodson is an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts, from bird watchers and hunters to fishermen and campers."

Woodson State Fishing Lake provides both RV and free primitive camping in 30 sites around the lake. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and grills, and potable water.

Contact: Scott Barlow, 620-637-2748. Brochure

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Yates Center Reservoir is located approximately 3 miles southwest of Yates Center, Kansas. It features 212 acres of surface water, with 500 acres of land surrounding the lake, and offers "fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking, hunting and rough camping. Camping is permitted in a designated spot by the parking lot. The lake has a vault restroom, but no other camping hook-ups are presently available."

A city permit is required for camping at Yates Center Reservoir. The cost is $4/day, and is available at self-pay stations at the lake, or may be purchased at designated locations in Yates Center.

Yates Center also runs two RV Parks, which may allow tent camping. $10 per night.

Contact: 620-625-2118. Map

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