Notable campgrounds
- Kanza Campground: Features a large heated showerhouse and prime sites with 50 amp, water, and concrete pads.
- Cheyenne Campground: Offers a showerhouse, picnic tables, and fire rings, with several sites boasting 50 amp service and grills.
- Kaw Campground: Includes a showerhouse and picnic areas, with a selection of sites equipped with utilities.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Book early, as reservations for Glen Elder State Park open on December 15 at 12pm CST for the following year.
- Consider off-peak seasons for better availability and a quieter camping experience.
- Keep an eye on park alerts for any updates on campsite availability and conditions.
- Explore nearby camping options to ensure you have a backup plan in case your preferred site is booked.
When to go
The best time to visit Glen Elder State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers a full array of activities but can be quite warm. Winter visitors can enjoy the stark beauty and solitude of the park, although some facilities may be closed.
Know before you go
- Check the park's website for any alerts or closures before your visit.
- Be prepared for Kansas weather, which can change rapidly, by bringing appropriate clothing and gear.
- Accessibility varies across the park, so inquire ahead if you require ADA facilities.
- Free wifi is available at select hotspots within the park, courtesy of Cunningham Telephone & Cable.
- Remember to respect wildlife and maintain a safe distance at all times.
Glen Elder State Park
Discover the serene beauty of Glen Elder State Park and its abundant outdoor activities.
Glen Elder State Park offers some quality camping on Waconda Lake. The lake was once a mineral spring and the former home of a sanitarium, making the waters extra mysterious. The park hosts a plethora of historical explorations including the Waconda Heritage Village (a living museum), the Hopewell Church, and the Wakonda Indian Festival. If you’re craving some Mother Nature, the lake is surrounded by a wildlife area where you can watch eagles soar, geese flock, and deer and pheasant frolic midst the grasses. Don’t forget your hiking boots, fishing pole, or tent at home. At a park like this you’re gonna need them!
Glen Elder State Park offers some quality camping on Waconda Lake. The lake was once a mineral spring and the former home of a sanitarium, making the waters extra mysterious. The park hosts a plethora of historical explorations including the Waconda Heritage Village (a living museum), the Hopewell Church, and the Wakonda Indian Festival. If you’re craving some Mother Nature, the lake is surrounded by a wildlife area where you can watch eagles soar, geese flock, and deer and pheasant frolic midst the grasses. Don’t forget your hiking boots, fishing pole, or tent at home. At a park like this you’re gonna need them!
Activities in the park
7 campgrounds in Glen Elder State Park
Lakeside camping at its finest any ol’ time you please. Yes folks, you can get outdoors at the drop of a hat, and score a camping spot at the first-come, first-served Osage Campground at Glen Elder State Park. Enjoy the rural countryside and clean, refreshing water at Waconda Lake, one of Kansas’s largest lakes. This area has all the outdoorsy fun Read more...
Good times are flowing down at Glen Elder State Park. Get away from it all and head out into the rural Kansas countryside for a camping getaway to whip you and the fam into shape. Prairie Dog camping area near Waconda Lake is just the ticket for some splashing, fishing, and frolicking in the clean and wild air. Come any time for first-come, first- Read more...
Unzip that tent flap of yours to see the pristine waters of Waconda Lake glistening in the sun. Now that is what we call the perfect getaway. Lakeside relaxation is all you need to refresh that weary soul of yours. At Cheyenne, there is plenty of that to be done. Rent a boat or bring your own, either way, the water is calling your name. Once you’v Read more...
Jutting out into the water of Waconda Lake, Kanza offers up killer camping spots right along the shore. Here, you pretty much have prime access to the many activities awaiting you on the water and in this forested haven: kayak, fish, stargaze, trek, you name it! Tucked away from the busy bustle of everyday life, you’ll be counting the hours till y Read more...
With just a few spots scattered throughout the piece of land that extends out into the welcoming waters of Waconda Lake, Kaw is the ideal spot to set up camp away from it all. With a rural atmosphere, you’ll be feeling those much needed camp vibes in no time. Do a little fishing, lay out on the sunny shoreline, and get the fire going by night. Wit Read more...
When the temperature rises your best bet is to get down to the nearest lake and jump in! How about at one of the largest lakes in Kansas? Waconda Lake in Glen Elder State Park has got you covered. You might as well stay awhile since you're there, so camp at Sioux Campground for first-come, first-served campsites to cozy up at and enjoy the cool la Read more...
Burn off some steam lakeside for a getaway that you know you deserve. Glen Elder State Park and its Waconda Lake is beckoning you for a visit. You will find all the outdoor recreation you can imagine in a nice, rural setting and some first-come, first-served camping to top it off. Pawnee campground has spots near the lake, so you can get that cool Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Notable campgrounds
Notable campgrounds
Tips for snagging a campsite
When to go
The best time to visit Glen Elder State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers a full array of activities but can be quite warm. Winter visitors can enjoy the stark beauty and solitude of the park, although some facilities may be closed.
Know before you go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —