Cimarron National Grassland is the largest tract of public land in Kansas, with over 100,000 acres of grassy fields and cottonwood groves. The varied terrain types and wild range of plant and animal species make the area a favorite of hikers and wildlife viewers. You can find a number of historic trails that tell you more about the area’s past, as well as a number of multi-use trails that can be used for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-roading.
The grasslands also have a great mix of big and small game hunting, with the open fields and hills giving you excellent sightlines. Mule and white-tail deer are the most popular game, and you’ll also find pronghorn, quail, and pheasant. Birdwatching is also quite popular, with hundreds of species passing through the area, including a variety of waterfowl and birds of prey.
The open grasslands do not have many developed RV campgrounds, although you can enjoy the area by camping out in the open on your own. Cimarron Campground is the only RV campground on the grasslands, with 12 secluded sites that give you access to excellent fishing and a range of hiking opportunities.
Located in the southwestern corner of Kansas, Cimarron National Grassland can be reached from a number of cities in the region, including Wichita, Amarillo, and Denver. The grasslands themselves are easy to navigate with an RV, with wide open expanses and well-maintained roads. However, you’ll have to take a dirt road for a few miles to reach the main RV campground, and there are a few narrow sections that could cause issues for wide campers or trailers.
If you are driving from Wichita, take US-54 west out of the city and you’ll be able to reach the grasslands in a little over four hours. From Denver, take I-70 south to US-287 and you’ll arrive in a little over five hours. The grasslands are just a two-hour drive north from Amarillo, taking US-287.
US-56 is the main road cutting through the grasslands, and you’ll take to KS-27 to reach Cimarron Campground. This campground will require you to drive a few miles on a dirt road. While the road conditions are usually good, you may have issues if visiting after a rainstorm, which is fairly uncommon in the area. Any rigs wider than eight feet should drive slow on the dirt road, as there are some narrow sections.
Cimarron Campground features 12 sites near a shaded pond. The basic sites do not have hookups of any kind, but you will have a picnic table and fire pit. There is access to drinking water, flush and vault toilets, as well as a dump station. You’ll be able to easily access the Cimarron fishing ponds, as well as a recreation area with picnic shelters. You can also connect to Turkey Trail, a ten-mile multi-use trail that is excellent for birdwatching.
Open year-round, campground does not accept reservations, so make sure to get there early if you visit during busy periods in the spring and fall. To reach the campground, you’ll have to travel down a fairly narrow dirt road, so large rigs may have to drive slowly when passing through some sections. The maximum RV length in the campground is only 35 feet, so make sure that your campervan will fit the site before you get here.
There are a number of historic trails that stretch across the grasslands, allowing RV campers to experience what it would be like to be one of the first travelers coming west. The Santa Fe Companion Trail is a 19-mile trail with interpretive signs that tell you about the area’s history and highlight historic sites along the route. Hiking in the grasslands tends to be best in the spring and fall, when temperatures are most pleasant. The grasslands come alive with color in the spring, as wildflowers come into bloom.
The rolling hills and grassland make for excellent biking. Cyclists can enjoy many of the paved roads that cut across the fields, and mountain bikers can head off road onto one of the many multi-use trails in the area. The Conestoga Trail, a 19-mile historic route, is open to biking, connecting you to the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, another long route with a number of historical sites. The trails stay open to biking throughout the year, although you might experience occasional ice if you visit during the winter.
The open grasslands are also a favorite for horseback riding. Most of the trails in the area allow horses, giving you dozens of miles to explore. You can connect to the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, a 23-mile long route that cuts across most of the grasslands. The trails follows what used to be one of the most active 18th century trade routes in the region. You can also use this trail to connect to the Conestoga Trail, where you’ll find additional sites of historic interest.
The main RV campground in the grasslands has a number of fishing ponds, giving campers angling opportunities just a few feet away from their rigs. There is a fishing pier that allows you to cast a line from the shore, and you can also take a small boat out onto the water. State officials stock the waters with trout during the winter and channel catfish during the summer.
You’ll need a Kansas fishing licence if you plan on using any of the four ponds. There are no gear rentals, so make sure you bring what you need along with your campervan.
The cottonwood groves and open grasslands make the area popular with birdwatchers. You’ll find hundreds of species in the area. If you visit during the spring or fall, you can catch a number of species as they migrate. Check the websites of local audubon societies to learn more about the birds in the area. Many produce educational materials such as field guides and bird checklists.
The open expanses of the grasslands are a favorite destination for hunters, with a mix of big and small game species. You’ll be able to hunt for mule and white-tailed deer, in addition to quail, pheasant, and pronghorn. There are also a number of waterfowl species in the area that are open for hunting.
Do take caution while hunting in the grasslands, as there are a number of private plots scattered throughout the area. Hunting is not allowed near the main RV campground or near any of the historic trails.
