Mulberry Campground

Introduction / Overview

Nestled within the breathtaking beauty of Kanopolis State Park, Mulberry Campground offers Kansans a true escape to the wild heart of the Smoky Hills region. Located in the Langley Point area of the park, this specific campground is a destination for those who prefer a more rustic, primitive camping experience, focusing on connecting with nature without the typical noise and congestion of full-service RV parks. As part of Kansas's first state park, the area is historically significant and renowned for its rugged landscape, including towering Dakota sandstone bluffs, deep canyons, and extensive wooded areas.

Mulberry Campground is ideally situated near the shores of Kanopolis Lake, one of Central Kansas's premier reservoirs, providing abundant opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. Unlike some of the other developed areas within the park, Mulberry is characterized by its simplicity, offering 30 primitive campsites that are generally not reservable, making it a great option for spontaneous weekend trips or for campers who prefer a more dispersed, tranquil setting. It’s an ideal choice for tent campers, hammock hangers, and those with small, self-contained trailers who don't require electrical hookups at their immediate site.

The campground's location in Langley Township, KS, places it firmly in a beautiful section of the Great Plains, where the rolling hills and expansive skies define the scenery. The experience here is about quiet contemplation, enjoying the dark night skies, and easy access to the park's impressive network of recreational features. Visitors often find the primitive nature of the campground to be a highlight, noting that it is typically well-maintained and often less occupied than the full-service loops, even during peak summer months. For local users in Kansas, Mulberry Campground is a testament to the state's rugged natural beauty and offers an authentically peaceful outdoor adventure.

Location and Accessibility

Mulberry Campground is located within the Langley Point Area of Kanopolis State Park. While its official designation is within Langley Township, KS, its nearest major point of reference is the town of Marquette, KS, and the main feature is Kanopolis Lake.

The general location is:

Langley Township, KS 67464, USA (within Kanopolis State Park)

The park itself is easily accessible from Central Kansas hubs. It is roughly an hour's drive from Salina and McPherson, and about 90 minutes from Wichita, making it a viable weekend destination for much of the state. Within the state park, the campground is located on the east side of Kanopolis Lake, specifically in the Langley Point recreational area, which also hosts other campgrounds and facilities.

Accessing the campground is straightforward via paved park roads. The area around Mulberry Campground and the Langley Point complex offers a Sewer Dump Station near its entrance, complete with fresh water availability, which is a major convenience for primitive campers who are self-contained. While the campsites themselves are primitive, the surrounding infrastructure is designed to support a larger state park, ensuring ease of entry and navigation for vehicles and trailers seeking the designated primitive area. For GPS navigation, coordinates provided by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) place it approximately at N38 36.072' W097 58.170'.

Services Offered

As a designated primitive area, Mulberry Campground focuses on providing essential services for a comfortable, yet rustic, camping experience.

• Primitive Campsites: The campground offers approximately 30 designated primitive campsites. These sites are intended for tent camping and small, self-contained RVs, as they do not provide electrical, water, or sewer hookups at the site.
• Non-Reservable: Mulberry Campground sites are generally not reservable through the state park system and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, offering flexibility for spontaneous trips.
• Sewer Dump Station: A major service highlight is the dedicated Mulberry Sewer Dump Station located near the entrance of the campground area, which also provides a source for fresh water fill-ups (non-potable at the dump site itself, but fresh water is typically available nearby).
• Restrooms: Vault toilets or simple, non-flush restroom facilities are available within or near the campground area for basic hygiene needs.
• Shared Amenities: Campers have access to basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings/grills at each site.
• Nearby Facilities: Campers have reasonable access to the amenities of the larger Langley Point area, including the Cottonwood Shower Building (a full shower/toilet facility) and concessionaire services (convenience store, gas station) located elsewhere in the park.
• No ADA Camping: Public data indicates the Mulberry Campground area is not designated for ADA camping, differentiating it from some other state park facilities.

Features / Highlights

Mulberry Campground's main attractions are its natural environment and proximity to major recreational resources within Kanopolis State Park.

• Proximity to Kanopolis Lake: The campground is located in the Langley Point area, offering easy access to the large lake for boating, fishing, and swimming. A day-use natural sand beach is located nearby in the Langley Point area.
• Horsethief Canyon Access: The park is famous for the stunning Horsethief Canyon, which offers caves, crevices, and rugged hiking trails through Dakota sandstone bluffs. This natural wonder is a major feature of the region and easily accessible from the campground.
• Boating and Water Sports: Langley Point features a three-lane boat ramp with a courtesy dock, providing excellent access for launching watercraft onto Kanopolis Lake.
• Fishing Pond: A small, stocked fishing pond is located nearby in the Langley Point area, complete with a courtesy fishing dock. This pond is specifically managed for fishing, offering a great alternative to the main lake (no boats allowed on the pond).
• Rugged Trails: The park offers extensive multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through the scenic Smoky Hills ecosystem. This is a primary draw for the park, showcasing the rugged beauty of Central Kansas.
• Peaceful Primitive Setting: A significant highlight is the tranquility provided by the primitive setting. The campground is often described as quiet and lightly occupied, even on holidays, making it a perfect spot for tent campers seeking solitude.
• Family Recreation: A playground and ball field are available within the Langley Point area, offering activities for children and families not far from the campground.

Contact Information

Mulberry Campground is managed directly by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) as part of Kanopolis State Park. For the most accurate information on park passes, site availability, and policies, contact the main park office.

Address: Langley Township, KS 67464, USA (Kanopolis State Park)

Kanopolis State Park Office Phone: (785) 546-2565 (Recommended for inquiries)

What is Worth Choosing

For Kansas residents who cherish the rugged, untamed beauty of the Smoky Hills and prefer a simple, authentic camping experience, Mulberry Campground at Kanopolis State Park is an outstanding choice.

The primary reason to choose Mulberry is its dedicated primitive status. In a state where full-hookup RV sites are abundant, Mulberry offers a refreshing return to basic tent and self-contained camping, ensuring a quieter, more intimate atmosphere often described as "well maintained and largely unoccupied." You gain the benefits of a state park—well-maintained roads, safety, and nearby access to key facilities (like the sewer dump and the shower house in the larger Langley Point area)—without the noise and lights of the fully developed areas.

Furthermore, Mulberry serves as the ideal gateway to the vast recreational offerings of Kanopolis Lake and the surrounding State Park. You are just minutes from the excellent Horsethief Canyon trails, a major feature of the Kansas outdoors, and have easy access to the park's multi-lane boat ramp and fishing opportunities. Choosing Mulberry means choosing an affordable, tranquil base camp from which to explore the hiking, biking, boating, and scenic vistas that define one of Kansas's most beautiful and historical state parks. If your goal is a quiet night under the vast Kansas sky followed by a day of rugged exploration, Mulberry Campground is the perfect, no-frills destination.