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Santa Fe Trail
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — COUNCIL GROVE · Kansas · Council Grove Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Council Grove Lake |
| Location | COUNCIL GROVE · Kansas · Council Grove Lake · 38.68189, -96.52486 · Map |
| Sites | 33 public sites counted from the federal listing — 31 standard electric; 1 tent only nonelectric; 1 group standard electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 32 of 33 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 29 of 33 sites Sewer hookups at 2 of 33 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 2 of 33 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 102 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 32 sites · 30 ft: 32 sites · 35 ft: 32 sites · 40 ft: 31 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 4:00 PM · Out 3:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 33 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 620-767-5195 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Santa Fe Trail Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas. 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 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. Facilities Santa Fe Trail Campground offers 35 reservable campsites, including one group camping area that can accommodate up to 75 guests. 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. Natural Features Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy Flint Hills. The lake was 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. Nearby Attractions 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.
Directions, from the listing
From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Continue west across the dam road, then right onto City Lake Road. After a mile turn right into the campground entrance.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · KansasUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersCanning Creek
1 mi straight-line · COUNCIL GROVE KansasUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersKanza View
2 mi straight-line · Council Grove KansasUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersKit Carson
2 mi straight-line · KansasUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersRichey Cove
2 mi straight-line · COUNCIL GROVE Kansas
Trip Card — Santa Fe Trail
COUNCIL GROVE · Kansas · Council Grove Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | COUNCIL GROVE · Kansas · Council Grove Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 32 · full hookups at 2 |
| Max RV | Up to 102 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 33 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233621 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.