Where can you find free camping at Kansas State Fishing Lakes? We researched all the state fishing lakes operated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to find out which allow free camping and have listed them here.
Free Camping at Kansas State Fishing Lakes
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks owns and operates 46 state fishing lakes throughout the state. 39 of those lakes allow free, primitive camping. The others either require fees and reservations, or have prohibited camping. Most of these lakes offer pit toilets, and about half have picnic tables and fire rings. Very few, however, have trash cans.
Rules for Camping at Kansas State Fishing Lakes
Rules for camping at Kansas State Fishing Lakes is the same as that for all Kansas state managed lands (download the full set of rules here)
- 14-day maximum stay
- Camp only in areas designated for camping
- Do not leave your campsite unattended for more than 24 hours
- Pets should remain on a leash no more than 10 feet in length
- Quiet hours are from 11:00pm to 6:00am
- Fires are permitted only in fire rings, grills, and stoves
- Fishing license is only required if you are fishing
List of Kansas State Fishing Lakes That Allow Free Camping
Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison, KS, (39.63325, -95.17813), Primitive camping is allowed on the south and east side of the lake. Picnic facilities and restrooms are available on site. Rural water is provided at the southeast entrance to the area.
Barber State Fishing Lake, Medicine Lodge, KS, (37.29824, -98.58136), Numerous primitive campsites are located around the lake.
Bourbon State Fishing Lake, Uniontown, KS, (37.79118, -95.06882), Primitive campsites are located along the west shore of the lake.
Brown State Fishing Lake, Robinson, KS, (39.84860, -95.37499), Primitive camping is allowed around the lake.
Butler State Fishing Lake, Latham, KS, (37.54855, -96.69038), Primitive campsites are located all around the lake.
Chase State Fishing Lake, Falls, KS, (38.36550, -96.59187), Primitive campsites are located along the north shore of the lake.
Clark State Fishing Lake, Ford, KS, (37.39696, -99.78367), Numerous primitive campsites can be found all around the lake.
Concannon State Fishing Lake, Garden City, KS, (38.06942, -100.55899), Primitive campsite is allowed all around the wildlife area.
Cowley State Fishing Lake, Dexter, KS, (37.09889, -96.80291), Primitive campsites are allowed along the north shore of the lake. Only a 7-day stay is allowed here.
Douglas State Fishing Lake, Baldwin City, KS, (38.80035, -95.15763), Primitive camping areas, four vault restrooms, and picnic tables are provided for area users. Camping is only allowed in provided areas.
Finney Wildlife Area, Garfield Township, KS, (38.17552, -100.33376), Primitive camping is allowed, but very few areas can accommodate campers.
Ford State Fishing Lake, Wright, KS, (37.82314, -99.91862), Primitive camping is allowed on the west shore of the lake, while the east shore is reserved for boy scout camps.
Geary State Fishing Lake, Junction City, KS, (38.89902, -96.85931), Primitive camping allowed all around the lake. The east shore offers fireplace grills, picnic tables, and vault toilet.
Goodman State Fishing Lake, Ness City, KS, (38.38753, -99.85373), Primitive camping is allowed on the south and west shores of the lake.
Hain State Fishing Lake, Spearville, KS, (37.85290, -99.85756), Primitive camping is allowed all around the lake, but is limited to due to lake’s small size.
Hamilton State Fishing Lake, Syracuse, KS, (38.03109, -101.82037), Primitive camping is allowed all around the lake.
Hodgeman State Fishing Lake, Jetmore, KS, (38.04879, -99.82651), Primitive camping is allowed at the north end of the lake, by the dam, but can only accommodate up to three (3) campsites at the most.
Jewell State Fishing Lake, Jewell, KS, (39.69929, -98.27946), Camping is available only in one of 6 designated sites (Cattail Cove, Panfish Flats, Willow’s Weep, Catfish Cove, Plum Thicket Shores, and Ash Creek).
Kingman State Fishing Lake, Kingman, KS, (37.65506, -98.25945), Primitive campsites are located along the east shore of the lake.
Kiowa State Fishing Lake, Greensburg, KS, (37.61208, -99.30123), Primitive is allowed, but limited to just a handful of sites.
Leavenworth State Fishing Lake, Tonganoxie, KS, (39.12456, -95.15042), Primitive camping is allowed in four designated areas in the southern half of the lake. The northern arms of the lake are part of a wildlife refuge and is off-limits to camping.
Louisburg Middle Creek State Fishing Lake, Louisburg, KS, (38.50821, -94.67393), Primitive camping located at designated sites along north shore.
Lyon State Fishing Lake, Reading, KS, (38.54553, -96.06043), Primitive camping site are located along the eastern half of the lake.
Miami State Fishing Lake, Fontana, KS, (38.42056, -94.79240), A concrete boat ramp, a courtesy dock, fourteen earthen piers, and vault toilet are available for fishermen and campers. Primitive camping is permitted on the earthen piers.
McPherson State Fishing Lake, Battle Hill, KS, (38.47812, -97.47038), Primitive campsites are located all around the lake.
Montgomery State Fishing Lake, Independence, KS, (37.16354, -95.69222), Primitive camping is available all around the lake.
Nebo State Fishing Lake, Holton, KS, (39.44794, -95.59652), Primitive camping is allowed near the boat ramp area, but very limited in space.
Neosho State Fishing Lake, Parsons, KS (37.42419, -95.19977), Primitive camping is limited to designated campsites all around the lake.
Osage State Fishing Lake, Fairfax, KS, (38.76520, -95.67166), Primitive sites located all around the lake.
Ottawa State Fishing Lake, Minneapolis, KS, (39.10746, -97.57092), Free primitive camping is allowed in designated areas around the lake.
Pottawatomie Lake No. 1 State Fishing Lake, Westmoreland, KS, (39.46976, -96.40871), Primitive camping is restricted to designated sites in certain areas.
Pottawatomie Lake No. 2 State Fishing Lake, Manhattan, KS, (39.23018, -96.52746), Free camping is allowed in the primitive campsites located on the west side of the lake.
Rooks State Fishing Lake, Stockton, KS, (39.40156, -99.31795), (Formerly Lake Stockton), Free camping is allowed in the four designated camping areas along the east shoreline of the lake. A vault toilet is located near the boat ramp. A walk way facilitates access from the shelter house to the toilet.
Saline State Fishing Lake, Salina, KS, (38.90226, -97.65430), Free camping is allowed around the lake, but space is limited due to the lake’s small size.
Shawnee State Fishing Lake, Topeka, KS, (39.20433, -95.80417), Primitive campsites located all around the lake.
Sheridan State Fishing Lake, Valley, KS, (39.36107, -100.22961), Designated sites provide primitive camping near the shoreline with plenty of trees for shade. Picnic tables and fire rings are located at many of the sites.
Washington State Fishing Lake, Morrowville, KS, (39.92876, -97.12018), Primitive camping allowed along the east side of the lake.
Wilson State Fishing Lake, Buffalo, KS, (37.69580, -95.67428), Primitive campsites are located all around the lake.
Woodson State Fishing Lake, Toronto, KS, (37.79251, -95.84230), Numerous primitive campsites are located all around the lake.