Kit Carson
Kit Carson Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.
More like this: electric hookups in Kansas · reservable in Kansas · pets allowed in Kansas
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 10 |
| Standard, no hookups | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electric | Pull-through | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 2 | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 3 | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 4 | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 5 | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 6 | Electric | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 50/30/50/20 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 7 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 8 | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
| 9 | Electric | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes | |
| 10 | Electric | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | 15/20/30 amp | Yes / – | Lakefront | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Kit Carson Campground offers 11 reservable campsites. Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided. The campground has plenty of shade, along with open grassy areas for games and recreation.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Kit Carson entrance is located on the west side of the highway at the dam road.
| Coordinates | 38.6953° N, 96.4962° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Four Seasons RV ↗ | 37.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor Gear & Knives ↗ | 44 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Kit Carson Campground - Toiyabe National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
The town of Council Grove, located about 2 miles southeast of the lake, is a National Historic District, with seven Santa Fe National Historic Trail sites in the community.
- 1.6 miCouncil Grove Marina ↗Boat launch
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy Flint Hills. The lake is created by a dam built in 1964, and now offers recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Historically this area is where the Osage Indians signed a treaty to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail. A marker in the town of Council Grove indicates the place where the treaty was signed.
Recreation
Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and a boat ramp is located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catfish being the most abundant. Council Grove was also the first lake in Kansas to receive stocking of Saugeye. Hunters will find populations of quail, prairie chicken, wild turkey and deer on the nearly 2,700 acres of public hunting lands surrounding the lake. Hiking trails wind along the lake shore and into the forest. Pioneer Nature Trail is known as the most scenic trail, with plenty of wildlife, greenery and wildflowers creating a beautiful background. Council Grove is also a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. This byway travels through the best of the remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America. Along the byway and 25 miles south is the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where visitors can spot colorful wildflowers in the spring and array of autumn colors in the fall.
Guidebooks for Kansas and camping across the country
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Kit Carson?
Sites at Kit Carson are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Kit Carson?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Kit Carson have?
11 sites, including 10 standard sites with power and 1 standard site without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Kit Carson?
Kit Carson is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Kit Carson have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Kit Carson?
Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Kit Carson?
Yes, pets are allowed at Kit Carson. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Kit Carson?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Kit Carson?
Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and a boat ramp is located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Kit Carson is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Richey Cove (0.4 mi), Kanza View (0.6 mi), and North Richey Cove (0.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby