Deweese Campground

For Kansans who cherish a simple, natural, and genuinely budget-friendly outdoor experience, **Deweese Campground** near Pretty Prairie offers an appealing and highly recommended escape. This spot is a key component of the larger **Cheney Wildlife Area**, managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), positioning it on public land that prioritizes natural habitat and low-impact recreation. Deweese is primarily a **primitive camping area**, and its most distinctive feature is that it is often a **free camping area**, making it an outstanding value for local users.

Located strategically along the **North Fork of the Ninnescah River**, the campground provides a tranquil, riverside setting. It is popular with locals—often cited as a perfect spot to get away from crowds—offering a sense of peace and quiet that can be hard to find at more developed state park sites. Visitors praise its secluded nature; some spots are nestled deeper into the area, hidden by foliage and natural barriers, creating private havens. While the amenities are rustic, focusing on the basics of a true camping experience, the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape, and the sounds of local wildlife (birds, frogs, and the occasional owl) are the main draw. Deweese Campground is the ideal choice for those who are self-sufficient and prioritize solitude and a direct connection with the Kansas wild over full utility hookups and crowds.

**Deweese Campground** is physically located at **14 Horseshoe Ln, Pretty Prairie, KS 67570, USA**. Its precise location is within the boundaries of the **Cheney Wildlife Area**, which is situated close to the vast Cheney Reservoir complex in south-central Kansas.

Accessibility is generally excellent for vehicles, though the internal roads and camping areas are rustic and should be driven with care, especially after heavy rains. The drive to Deweese is manageable for many Kansas residents, being a short drive from major population centers: it is located approximately 37 minutes (a feasible commute) from Wichita and is easily accessible from Hutchinson and other nearby towns.

As a primitive camping area, Deweese accommodates both **tent camping** and smaller, self-contained **car camping/RV setups** (though utility hookups are not available). Access to the individual sites involves driving a dirt road from the entrance. Campers report that there are several distinct camping areas: an initial large spot near the entrance with a firepit, and more secluded spots located further down the road, separated by natural foliage for enhanced privacy. This design means that visitors can select a site that suits their desired level of solitude. While cell signal can be spotty—with visitors reporting only 1 to 2 bars even with a booster—this lack of strong connectivity is often seen as a feature, not a bug, allowing for a true unplugged experience.

Deweese Campground is classified as a **primitive camping facility** within the KDWP's public lands. As such, the services are intentionally minimal, focused on preserving the natural environment and providing essential, low-maintenance facilities.

• **Free Camping:** One of the most significant services is that Deweese Campground generally operates as a **free camping area**, with no fees required for an overnight stay, offering excellent value for budget-conscious travelers and locals.
• **Primitive Campsites:** Sites are available on a **first-come, first-served basis** and are not reservable. They are spacious, suitable for tent camping and car/truck setups.
• **Vault Toilets:** The campground provides basic **vault toilets** (also known as pit toilets) for sanitation. While rustic, they are reported by visitors to be relatively clean, which reflects the respect local users generally show for this free resource.
• **Fire Pits/Rings:** Many of the sites, including the larger, initial camping spots and the more secluded areas, are equipped with **fire pits** or fire rings for cooking and campfires. Campers must **bring their own firewood**.
• **Boat Ramp Access:** Deweese Park, where the campground is located, features a **boat ramp** on the nearby water body, allowing for non-motorized and potentially small motorized watercraft access for fishing and recreation.
• **No On-Site Water/Trash:** It is critical to note that the campground **does not provide potable drinking water** or trash cans. Campers must be fully self-sufficient, bringing all necessary water and adhering strictly to the **pack-it-in, pack-it-out** principle for all waste.

Deweese Campground stands out for specific features that appeal to a certain type of Kansas outdoors enthusiast—one who prefers nature and quiet over luxury and organized recreation.

• **Genuine Seclusion and Quiet:** Visitor reviews consistently highlight the **beautiful and quiet atmosphere**. The sites are well-dispersed, often separated by foliage, leading to a truly secluded feel, particularly in the spots further from the main entrance.
• **Riverside Location:** The campground is nestled along the **North Fork of the Ninnescah River**, providing peaceful riverside views and direct access for fishing, kayaking, or simply enjoying the tranquil sounds of the flowing water and local wildlife.
• **Free to Use:** The fact that Deweese is a **no-fee camping area** is a major highlight, making it an extremely accessible and attractive option for extended stays or last-minute trips across Kansas.
• **Wildlife Area Access:** Being part of the Cheney Wildlife Area means campers have immediate access to thousands of acres of KDWP public land for nature observation, photography, hiking, and exploring the natural Kansas prairie ecosystem.
• **Respectful Community:** Despite being a popular local spot, campers frequently report that fellow users are respectful, maintaining a low profile and keeping noise to a minimum, preserving the overall peaceful nature of the area.
• **Rustic Charm and Simplicity:** It offers a refreshing return to the basics of camping, requiring self-reliance and providing the reward of a night under the vast, unpolluted Kansas sky, with plenty of shade from native trees available in key areas.

Since Deweese Campground is a primitive area within the Cheney Wildlife Area, it does not have a dedicated phone line or office. It is managed by the KDWP’s nearby Cheney State Park office.

**Address:** Deweese Campground (Part of Cheney Wildlife Area) 14 Horseshoe Ln, Pretty Prairie, KS 67570, USA

**Phone (For General Area Inquiries - Cheney State Park Office):** (316) 542-3664

**Mobile Phone (Alternative Contact for Park Office):** +1 316-542-3664

For the Kansas resident who believes the best things in life are free and found in nature, **Deweese Campground** is an undeniable choice. It is worth choosing specifically because it offers a truly **secluded, quiet, and primitive** experience without the cost, crowds, or structured feel of highly developed campgrounds. The fact that it is a **free camping area** makes it one of the most valuable resources on the KDWP public lands for budget-conscious travelers.

The genuine sense of quiet and the deeply secluded sites—some reported to be far back from the main road—cater perfectly to tent campers, single travelers, or small groups seeking true solitude. Being right next to the **North Fork of the Ninnescah River** provides a beautiful backdrop for morning coffee and easy access for fishing or a peaceful paddle. While the amenities are limited to vault toilets and fire rings, this simplicity enforces a necessary self-reliance that many seasoned outdoor enthusiasts appreciate. The trade-off for weak cell signal is a forced "digital detox," allowing you to fully appreciate the “lots of nature noises” that visitors consistently praise.

If your definition of a great camping trip involves pitching a tent next to a river, enjoying a campfire, adhering to a "pack-it-in, pack-it-out" ethos, and relying on your own gear rather than electrical pedestals, Deweese Campground stands out as an exceptional, highly authentic, and completely affordable Kansas camping haven.