KSRTI Bivouac Site

KSRTI Bivouac Site: A Specialized Facility for Essential Field Readiness in Kansas

For many Kansans, the term "campground" conjures images of shaded picnic tables and lakeside relaxation. However, the KSRTI Bivouac Site near Salina represents a specialized type of outdoor location, one focused not on leisure camping but on essential field training, readiness, and resilience. This site is primarily associated with the Kansas Regional Training Institute (KSRTI), a crucial component of the Kansas Army National Guard's training apparatus.

The KSRTI Bivouac Site serves a highly specific and critical purpose: to provide an austere, field-based environment necessary for military, governmental, and potentially approved civilian agencies to conduct realistic exercises. The environment is intentionally challenging, lacking common amenities like internet access to simulate conditions where self-reliance and teamwork are paramount. As one customer review notes, the site is a "great team building site" where "you get to know who you can count on." This functional focus ensures that the individuals who train here—the men and women dedicated to the safety and defense of our state and nation—are prepared for real-world scenarios.

While this location may not be a traditional destination for a family camping trip, it holds immense importance within the Kansas National Guard and the wider regional security framework, underscoring the commitment of Kansas to maintaining high-level military readiness.

Location and Accessibility

The KSRTI Bivouac Site is located in the vicinity of the larger military and training complex near Salina, Kansas.

Address: S Hedville Rd, Salina, KS 67401, USA

This facility is part of the larger network of training locations managed by the Kansas Adjutant General's Department, which also includes the Kansas Regional Training Institute (KSRTI) and is situated near the Great Plains Joint Training Center (GPJTC) and the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range. The Smoky Hill Range, located approximately 10 miles west of Salina, is one of the largest and busiest National Guard bombing ranges in the nation, encompassing over 51 square miles. The Bivouac Site's location allows for easy integration with these major facilities, supporting combined arms training that utilizes both air and ground assets in a realistic operational environment—something possible at only a few sites across the United States.

Access to the Bivouac Site is highly controlled, given its specific training mission and its close proximity to active military training areas. It is designed to be accessible to authorized military and governmental personnel for scheduled training events, providing a secure and remote environment essential for tactical field exercises and bivouac operations.

Services Offered

The services offered at the KSRTI Bivouac Site are defined by its function as a field training area, emphasizing basic necessities over recreational luxuries. The primary "service" is the provision of a secure and rugged environment for tactical operations. When military units utilize a bivouac site, they are expected to be self-sufficient, replicating conditions they might face during deployments.

• Field Bivouac Space: Designated outdoor areas suitable for setting up temporary, tactical shelters and camps.
• Austere Conditions: The primary service is providing a location without commercial comforts, such as internet connectivity or full hookups, to facilitate realistic training in demanding scenarios.
• Secure Training Environment: A controlled and contained area essential for the safe execution of field exercises and tactical maneuvers.
• Logistical Support Access: Proximity and logistical lines connected to the nearby KSRTI and Great Plains Joint Training Center facilities for necessary supplies, transportation, and medical support during exercises.
• Water and Field Sanitation: Provisions for essential water points and basic field sanitation systems necessary for sustained operations in a remote setting.

Features / Highlights

The KSRTI Bivouac Site’s distinguishing features are not amenities, but its ability to provide a valuable, high-impact training experience that contributes directly to the readiness of Kansas personnel.

• Unplugged Environment: A key feature is the lack of public internet access and other digital distractions, which is crucial for fostering authentic interpersonal communication and developing essential leadership skills in high-pressure scenarios.
• Realistic Training Ground: The site provides the necessary terrain and space for field exercises, including land navigation, convoy operations, and combat simulations, which are vital for unit cohesion and mission readiness.
• Team-Building Focus: The challenging, austere nature of the site forces participants to rely heavily on one another, making it a highly effective location for essential team-building and fostering trust under duress.
• Integration with Major Facilities: Its location allows for seamless integration with the air and ground assets of the adjacent Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range, supporting complex, joint-training exercises.
• Contribution to State Security: As part of the Kansas National Guard's infrastructure, the site's primary highlight is its direct support for the mission of training soldiers and first responders to defend and respond to emergencies within the state.
• Exclusive Access: Being a designated military training area, access is limited to authorized personnel, ensuring a dedicated, uninterrupted environment for serious training.

Contact Information

As the KSRTI Bivouac Site is a specialized military training location, general public inquiries regarding leisure camping should be directed elsewhere. Contact for official training and administrative purposes is typically handled through the main KSRTI or the Kansas Adjutant General's Department.

Address: S Hedville Rd, Salina, KS 67401, USA (General Area)

For KSRTI (Kansas Regional Training Institute) Administration:

Main Phone: 785-646-3007 / 3005

Main KSRTI Address: 2850 Scanlan Avenue, Salina, KS 67401

What is Worth Choosing

The KSRTI Bivouac Site is worth choosing for any authorized military, law enforcement, or governmental agency that requires realistic, austere field conditions for essential training. Its value proposition is centered entirely on its unique purpose: to be a challenging crucible for personnel development.

For those who train here, the facility's commitment to creating an "unplugged" environment is invaluable. In a world saturated with technology, a location that forces trainees to communicate face-to-face and rely on fundamental skills is a rare and necessary asset for building resilient units. The site directly supports the mission of developing competent and confident leaders who can operate effectively in any environment, without the crutch of modern infrastructure. This makes the KSRTI Bivouac Site a cornerstone of field readiness for the Kansas National Guard and a vital part of the state's investment in its public safety and defense personnel. Its ability to host large-scale, joint-force exercises in tandem with the nearby Smoky Hill Range simply cannot be replicated by civilian campgrounds.