Travel Destinations Kansas 8 of the Best Places to Camp, Explore and Stargaze in Kansas State Parks From no-frills tent camping to cushy RV living, stake out your perfect stay at a state park campground. By Debbie Leckron Miller Debbie Leckron Miller Debbie Leckron Miller is the Kansas scout/contributor at Midwest Living. Her ties to the magazine go back to its beginnings, when she was hired as one of two writers to help start Midwest Living in 1987. She has continued writing for the publication ever since, currently from her and her husband's cattle ranch in the scenic Kansas Flint Hills. Debbie's passions: her panoramic vistas of the tallgrass prairie, wildflowers that always grace her table, Hilltop Happy Hours on her ranch's ridgetop, cattle and cute baby calves she helps tend, and a garden big enough to feed the township! Debbie grew up in Abilene, Kansas, and earned her B.S. in journalism from Kansas State University. She lived in three other Midwest states before settling back home on the range! Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 8, 2022 Webster State Park. Photo: Jason Lindsey Hike through canyons. Bike through the woods. Or encounter a village of prairie dogs. When you're done exploring these unspoiled spaces, retreat to one of the best places to camp in Kansas state parks. Your cozy home away from home may be in a tent, cabin or RV—just be sure to take time to look up at the stars; they shine extra bright in these quiet corners of the state. Starboard & Port Crawford State Park, Farlington A paradise of woods and water, Crawford State Park in the far southeast corner of Kansas hovers on the edge of the Ozarks and the shores of Crawford Lake. Thick stands of trees shade the main Rock Cove and Oak Point grounds, and Lonesome Point escapes the crowds. 20 Top Things to Do in Kansas Courtesy of Kansas Tourism Eisenhower State Park, Osage City The presidential title of Eisenhower State Park lives up to its name with all things Ike. West Point Campground offers equestrian sites, while Five-Star features bike and archery trails. Stock up on groceries and T-shirts at Ike's General Store. Lake Scott State Park. Doug Stremel Historic Lake Scott State Park, Scott City The prairie abruptly drops into canyons and bluffs at Historic Lake Scott State Park in western Kansas. Lake View Campground gives the best vista of the fishing lake, perfect for rented kayaks. History buffs check out remains of El Cuartelejo, the northernmost pueblo in the United States. Courtesy of Kansas Tourism Lovewell State Park, Webber Make camp at the Cedar Point, Cottonwood or Willow areas of Lovewell State Park for pretty lake and sunset views. If you want to take a break from cooking out, order a homemade Reuben pizza or barbecue from the marina grill. Courtesy of Kansas Tourism Pomona State Park, Vassar Wake up to a gorgeous sunrise water view at the Kansa Campground within Pomona State Park. On these shady spaces, play disc golf and horseshoes at Waucondah or settle near the beach at Burning Heart. Water-skiers love the calm lake. The Best Midwest Family Vacations Doug Stremel Perry State Park, Ozawkie More than 300 campsites at Perry State Park range from popular Lake View (with water and electric sites) to primitive Turkey Run, a woodsy, hillside tent spot with a mountain-camping feel. Jason Lindsey Prairie Dog State Park, Norton Some 300 burrowing critters reside at Prairie Dog State Park. Observe them in the Prairie Dog Town, then claim a hillside view of Keith Sebelius Reservoir at the newer Cedar Ridge Campground, or sneak off to secluded Branded Cedar Campground. Jason Lindsey Webster State Park, Stockton Waves lap the shore at Webster State Park's Rock Point peninsula campsite. Play pickleball at Eagle Landing, or access a meandering 3-mile nature trail at Old Marina campgrounds. Explore all 28 of Kansas' state parks and plan your visit. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit