Camping near Emporia

Explore the Flint Hills of Kansas while camping lakeside near Emporia.

98% (680 reviews)

United States
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Kansas
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Emporia

98% (680 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Emporia

Community favorites near Emporia

Public campgrounds near Emporia

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Santa Fe Trail Campground

33 sites · RVs, Tents In Council Grove Lake

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Turkey Point Campground

50 sites · RVs, Tents In Melvern Lake Dam

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(64)

Big Bear Campground

14 sites · RVs, Tents In Pomona State Park

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Hillsboro Cove Campground

53 sites · RVs, Tents In Marion Reservoir

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Toronto Point Group Campground

11 sites · RVs, Tents In Cross Timbers State Park

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Mann's Cove Campground

15 sites In Cross Timbers State Park

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Woodson Cove Campground

5 sites In Cross Timbers State Park

Bluestem Point Box Turtle Point Campground

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Bluestem Point Box Turtle Point Campground

96 sites In El Dorado State Park

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Farnum Creek Campground

53 sites · RVs, Tents In Milford Lake

Bluestem Point Beach and Cabins Campground

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Bluestem Point Beach and Cabins Campground

7 sites In El Dorado State Park

Black Jack Campground

26 sites · RVs, Tents In Eisenhower State Park KS

Arrow Rock Campground

43 sites · RVs, Tents In Melvern Lake Dam

Stories from the community

Jackie

2 weeks ago

1 night at Basecamp Flint Hills

The sleep shack was amazing!! After a long day on the bike it was nice to be able to sleep on a bed instead of an air mattress in a tent. Was nice and roomy and the fan gave us plenty of air movement since it wasn’t hot outside yet. Would definitely stay here again!

1 night at Basecamp Flint Hills

This was a great stop on the Flint Hills recreation trail. It was nice to be able to have electric and water hookups. Is just a great way to camp!

Linden

2 weeks ago

1 night at Basecamp Flint Hills

I love Basecamp Flint Hills and the Sleeping Shack makes this place even better! This is my favorite place to stay in the Flint Hills Trail and would recommend it to everyone. I will be back!

1 night at Little Spot on the Prairie

I cannot recommend this spot more. You can’t beat a great host, pond and a great walking path around their hay field. I was not there too long but it was very memorable. Highly recommend.

1 night at Basecamp Flint Hills

Excellent. Clean, orderly, quiet, and everything is as advertised.

2 nights at Basecamp Flint Hills

I enjoyed my 2 night stay. It was quiet and the people were friendly. Amy was excellent in providing very important trail information. They were burning so she alerted me that it was recommended to stay off the trail to the west. Great communication. Booking was extremely easy, once I got to the campground and used the QR code.

1 night at Basecamp Flint Hills

Great site for primitive campers. Secluded location, quiet, remote. It had new water lines and a make shift outdoor shower house and an outhouse. Had it been warmer I would have used the shower.

1 night at Melvern Overlook

This was a nice solitary campsite out on the plains of Kansas adjacent to state land and a lake. A busy BNSF line is a mile or so to the south but it is far enough away to not be a bother. To get to the lake, I would hike down the hill straight west to southwest, there is a lot less thicket that way than if you go to the north. Once you get past the thicket there is a big hayfield making access to the lake easy. The path to the campsite is quite level so access shouldn't be a problem unless it just rained 2 inches.

2 nights at The Light Center

It was a great camp out for our family. The amenities in the barn are great. We were able to use the stove for a couple meals and shower. Our second night we stayed in one of the rooms which was also lovely. Enjoyed meeting the new staff! We will definitely be back.

Katt

March 2025

1 night at The Light Center

Lovely, sacred land with lovely people! Yurt is sturdy and well-maintained. Bear in mind— no electricity or running water in the yurt; this is clearly stated and easily prepped for. The communal space was warm and welcoming. Highly recommend!

1 night at Little Spot on the Prairie

Amazing property. Host family is equally amazing. 10/10 recommend

Emily

March 2025

Weekend Trip to The Light Center

Everyone was friendly and helpful. We loved staying in the yurt!

Weekend Trip to Lake Georgia-Sue

Absolutely lovely place to camp. The staff/owners are very helpful and friendly. I even got to play with the baby goats! If you’re looking for a rustic place to camp where you also have access to a real toilet and shower, this is the place. I’m already planning my trip back!

1 night at The Light Center

I enjoyed my stay at the Light Center. Since I was the only camper there, the hosts told me to pick any spot I wanted. I appreciate that I had access to the common kitchen and bathroom in the barn, but still had my privacy on the other side of the treeline. As a solo female camper, I felt quite safe and comfortable. When Susan came out to greet me, she was followed by a friendly group of goats - giving them scratches and listening to their bells and bleating made my evening. It was too muddy to check out the trails on the property, but that’s something to look forward to at the next visit. This Light Center is far enough from town that you get some good star gazing and you’ll be serenaded to sleep by a chorus of owls and coyotes. I had a quiet, peaceful stay.

2 nights at Bare Ass Acres

Great spot to camp when visiting Emporia. Close to town, but also far enough away to be quiet and peaceful. Brenda was exceptional the entire duration of my stay. The location has everything you need. Would love to come back here again!

Cory

December 2024

Weekend Trip to The Light Center

I had a quick evening at this spot but it’s was comfortable and cozy and Susan was very responsive to my message and amiable about my late check in! I wish I had more details to share but I just passed through so I barely saw it in the daylight! From all that I experienced I would recommend :)

Weekend Trip to The Light Center

The Redtail Yurt was so wonderful, spacious, and warm with the propane heater even in December! Our group enjoyed exploring the hiking trails, spending time around the campfire, cooking in the very well-equipped kitchen, and doing yoga and ritual upstairs in the sacred space of the barn. We only wish we could stay a few more days!!

1 night at The Light Center

A perfect respite while on the road. Would highly recommend.

1 night at Bare Ass Acres

We loved the peace and quiet off the beaten path. Our rescue dog Gemma loved the wide open spaces- she ran and played until she was exhausted. Brenda is great host, helping us find her farm when we “got lost!” Total hookups. You can hear the trains in the distance. Best night’s sleep in days.

Weekend Trip to Basecamp Flint Hills

I chose this place because it looked like a quiet and safe area to spend the night while I was solo traveling with my dog from Colorado to Missouri. We got in later around 10pm, spent the night in our 18ft RV, did a little nature walk in the morning, and then headed out at 9am. It was everything we needed. We went in November/off-season so we had the whole place to ourselves. I'd recommend and would visit in the future again.

Top camping destinations

Watkins Mill State Park

Indian Cave State Park

171 campgrounds

6 top campgrounds near Emporia

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(304)

Basecamp Flint Hills

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Allen, KS

Located on the Flint Hills Trail State Park in Allen Kansas, Basecamp Flint Hills offers camping in the scenic Flint Hills of Kansas. BFH is 20 miles north of the world capital of gravel cycling, Emporia KS, and 20 miles east of historical Council Grove. BFH has hammock trees and shaded acreage for tent camping, a no-frills bunkhouse, and two back-in camper sites for those who prefer a bit more luxury. This is a community style campground where picnic tables and campfires will be shared with your neighbors. We encourage you to expand your circle and enjoy the experience! Seasonal facilities include an open air, cold water shower and port-a-potty available April through October. Visit our website for a campground map and information on local amenities - www.basecampflinthills.com We do not currently have adequate infrastructure to accommodate horses.

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The Light Center

13 sites · Lodging, Tents95 acres · Baldwin City, KS

The Light Center is a 95 acre natural sanctuary nestled in a wooded creek valley amidst the farm land of Kansas. • We have a refinished community barn with two private rooms and a community kitchen, a 30ft Pacific Yurt and lots of great places to camp. • If you're just driving through or want an 'easy' camping experience with wifi, pitch your tent in the spacious yard around the barn. • We have lots of places to hike to and several wonderful remote camping spots. Choose from hiking out to camp near the large creek that winds through our land, gathering with friends in a meadow or tucking into a spot in the woods with a beautiful view of the Kansas plains. • Out here, on a clear night, you can see all of the stars. We are an organic, sustainable farm providing natural sacred spaces for hiking and camping. We welcome peaceful camping for people with reverence for the land and all beings. We have goats, free-range chickens, guinea hens, dogs and cats. For the safety of our livestock and other guests, we do require visitors to keep their dogs on a leash at all times. The Light Center is a retreat center serving as a beacon, lighting the way into a vibrant future. We are creating new paths with open hearts. We offer events, celebrations and ceremonies about harmonizing with the earth and inspiring personal, local and global connections. We provide a safe space to nurture and inspire spiritual growth and empower youth.

95%

(77)

Lake Georgia-Sue

81 sites · RVs, Tents85 acres · Ottawa, KS

Lake Georgia-Sue is an 85 acre oasis of relaxation and fun. We are located in East Central Kansas, not far from Kansas City, Topeka, Lawrence, and Wichita. The lake itself is 8 acres, with a lot of fish, swimming, small craft boating, kayaking, and wind surfing. The property has numerous sites where you can private pasture your horses, work them in our private round pens, and trail ride them in the hundreds of miles of trails that intersect the property. These are VERY large and private campsites with no nosey or loud neighbors. Sites are for primitive camping, RVs needing electric hookups via available generators, fresh water. Lakefront sites or forest sites are available. Showers, toilets, AC Clubhouse, playground, ponies, pet pigs, goats, and chickens. Pet friendly. Group camping for up to 25 people. Great for weddings, birthdays, etc We are just a short drive from four larger state lakes. An abundance of good restaurants are just ten minutes away, and sometimes we take a trail ride to eat Mexican or BBQ in the village close by.

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Little Spot on the Prairie

1 site · RV32 acres · Emporia, KS

Come reconnect with nature and rejuvenate by the water at this unforgettable escape. Stargaze, watch sunsets, or curl up and read on the 15 foot hammock by the water. You’ll see lots of wildlife-ducks, geese, a great blue heron, deer, and more have been spotted by the pond. The pond is about an acre in size and we also own the hay field south of the pond all the way to the road. You are welcome to walk around the pond on the path we’ve mowed and can also walk the field (depending on the time of year). It’s a hay field and you’ll see all sorts of vegetation growing up, including some beautiful wildflowers in the spring. The RV spot is in a large grassy area next to an apple and peach tree. We also have a small asparagus patch and a raised bucket garden with tomatoes. Feel free to grab a couple items to add to your dinner as needed (depending on the season). We do have barn cats (and frequently kittens) that might venture over to say hello and a new puppy named Pepper. Pepper loves new people, but wears a collar connected to an electric fence outside, so he won’t be able to reach your rv spot. However, you are more than welcome to walk to him and give him all the love and snuggles. We also have three children that you may see outside climbing trees, reading in homemade hammocks, or playing cabbage ball in the yard. For the explorers, there are plenty of gravel roads to bike, kayaks and a paddleboat available for the pond, and plenty of fish in the pond to catch. There is also an apple orchard up the road that has a small storefront and a mini golf course in the back. Emporia is only 4 miles south of us so there’s plenty of grocery stores and restaurants nearby.

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Edge Of The Road Camping Ground

4 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Carbondale, KS

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, Edge Of The Road Camping Ground was designed to make your visit a unique, comfortable and fun experience. Here you can take full advantage of numerous beautiful views that are guaranteed to make your stay with us a memorable one. The property is 15 acres with a 2-acre pond. We have (large but gentle) guardian dogs, and a flock of chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl. Spring weather camping is the best! The campsites are secluded from the main house so you are able to enjoy the sounds of nature. There are no structures in place. Located in rural Kansas, 12 miles south of Topeka along the path of the Santa Fe Trail. This camping spot will make you feel like you're one with nature and is within driving distance to quality shopping and entertainment. Pop up your tent or park right next to the private pond. Sites are hidden from the road and secluded. However, we do live on the edge of the railway so the train will make an appearance during your stay. Whether it's a spot to crash before and after a day of skiing, taking a road trip, or simply shaking off cabin fever, this is the spot for you. The pond has a dock to sit on as you watch the sunrise. Bring your fishing gear and cast a line into our well-stocked pond. A table, fire rings, wood, and a smoker grill for cooking are provided for your use. Enjoy a day of fishing or strolling the property and finish off a relaxing day by watching the sunset by the fire. Camping is primitive with no shower facilities. A generator is available upon request. We can't wait to see you! Enjoy your stay!! Explore our site to see what we have to offer, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.

97%

(63)

Bare Ass Acres

10 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Emporia, KS

30 acres with large shop, pond, and hedgerows. 3 miles west of Emporia off hwy 50. Learn more about this land: 30 acres hay field with a pond for swimming or fishing. Shouse (shop house) owner lives on site. Looking for people that come to Emporia Kansas for community events like the Dirty Kanza, Disc Golf, and more.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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Council Grove Lake

Council Grove, Kansas

Cross Timbers State Park

Eisenhower State Park KS

Other options near Emporia

Herington Lake

31 sites1 acre · Herington, KS

Discover a hidden gem just 2 miles east of Herington, where outdoor enthusiasts can immerse themselves in a variety of activities such as camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking. This unique campground offers a serene escape, featuring 63 electric pedestals that cater to all your camping needs, ensuring a comfortable stay amidst nature. The lake spans an impressive 367 acres, providing ample space for recreational activities. With a maximum depth of 18 feet, it’s perfect for fishing enthusiasts looking to reel in their next big catch or for families wanting to enjoy a refreshing swim. Conveniently located 2 miles west of Herington on 500 Avenue, this campground is not only a great spot for outdoor adventures but also serves as a gateway to nearby attractions. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, this location has something for everyone. Enjoy the beauty of nature while creating lasting memories with friends and family.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Herington Reservoir

31 sites1 acre · Herington, KS

Herington Reservoir, located just 2.5 miles west of Herington, stands out as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a blend of scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. This expansive reservoir features three distinct areas: Zeibell Cove, Schmidts Lookout, and Kandts Point, each providing picturesque spots for camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking. Covering an impressive surface area of 555 acres, the reservoir reaches a maximum depth of 40 feet, making it an ideal location for various water activities. The diverse ecosystem supports a rich array of wildlife, including deer and migratory birds, while also being recognized for its excellent fishing opportunities as part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Program. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of nature while engaging in outdoor adventures, making Herington Reservoir a unique and inviting retreat for families and nature lovers alike. Whether you're looking to cast a line, set up camp, or simply soak in the stunning surroundings, this reservoir promises an unforgettable experience.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Emporia guide

Overview

Take a camping getaway in Emporia, where nature trails lead to fishing ponds in Peter Pan Park. Check in at a pet-friendly RV and tent site with fire rings, potable water, wifi, and 30- and 50-amp hookups, or for a change of scenery, drive just 40 minutes away to enjoy boating, skiing, and sunbathing at John Redmond Reservoir. Stay near the lake at an RV site with water and electric hookups, bathrooms, and barbecue grills. Or head northeast to Melvern Lake in the Flint Hills to traverse off-grid nature trails amid tallgrass prairies. Pitch a tent or park the RV lakeside in public parks with drinking water, dump stations, and picnic tables near boat docks and fish-cleaning stations. Don’t miss a stop at Milford State Park for a day of boating and fishing. It’s the largest state park in Kansas and has eight campgrounds—some include cabin rentals.