Smarsh Creek Campground

Discover Smarsh Creek Campground: The Shady Oasis of Cheney State Park

For Kansas residents seeking a comfortable, well-equipped, and notably shady escape on the shores of Cheney Reservoir, Smarsh Creek Campground on the West Shore of Cheney State Park is a premier choice. This campground is highly praised by local campers for its abundance of mature trees, which provide welcome relief from the intense Kansas sun and often act as a natural wind block against the reservoir’s famously strong breezes—a significant advantage in Central Kansas camping. It offers a perfect balance of essential modern utilities and a naturally peaceful environment.

Smarsh Creek is one of the largest and most consistently recommended campgrounds within the expansive Cheney State Park system. The park itself is a massive recreational area featuring nearly 10,000 acres of water and land, making it a hub for sailing, fishing, and general outdoor adventure. Smarsh Creek stands out for catering specifically to both large RVs and tent campers, offering a mix of fully serviced sites and primitive options. Customer feedback consistently highlights the spaciousness of the sites and the clean, well-maintained nature views, making it an excellent spot for families looking for room for the "kids to run around" and a basecamp close to the water.

This destination is known for its reliability, often being one of the few campgrounds in the park where water service remains available at sites during the shoulder season, and its shower house is often kept open when others are closed, demonstrating its status as a core park facility. For anyone in the Wichita or Hutchinson areas, Smarsh Creek provides a quick, convenient, and highly enjoyable portal to the best of Cheney Lake.

Location and Accessibility

Smarsh Creek Campground is situated on the West Shore of Cheney State Park, placing it geographically near the community of Pretty Prairie, Kansas. The address is generally listed as: Pretty Prairie, KS 67570, USA. The park is easily accessed from the Wichita metropolitan area via K-96 and other state highways, usually taking less than an hour's drive, which makes it a fantastic option for weekend trips.

Located on the West Shore, Smarsh Creek is one of the designated camping loops within this side of the park, which is known for hosting the Ninnescah Sailing Center. The campground is readily accessible via the paved interior roads of the State Park. This location is particularly advantageous for its ample wind protection from the strong prairie winds that sweep across the reservoir, thanks to its position and abundant tree cover. Furthermore, its proximity to the park's nature trails allows for quick access to hiking and exploring the beautiful surrounding prairie and wooded areas.

Services Offered

As a prime facility within Cheney State Park, Smarsh Creek Campground provides comprehensive services for a comfortable camping stay:

• Utility Sites: Offers 20 reservable utility sites that are equipped with both water and electric hookups. Critically, Smarsh Creek is one of the few loops in the park that offers the higher-capacity 50-amp electrical service (alongside 30-amp), ideal for larger, modern RVs.
• Primitive/Tent Sites: The campground also includes a number of primitive campsites and dedicated tent sites. These primitive sites are often large enough to accommodate a camper with a generator, providing flexibility for those who do not require direct hookups.
• Sanitary Facilities: A major convenience is the modern, ADA-accessible shower house and restroom facility located close to the main camping areas. This facility is often noted for being well-maintained and is one of the park’s core, year-round facilities.
• Sewage Disposal: A two-lane sanitary dump station is conveniently located within the West Shore area of the park, making waste disposal easy before departure.
• Reservations: The utility sites in Smarsh Creek are fully reservable through the state park system, allowing campers to plan their trips well in advance and secure their spot, particularly the coveted shady sites.
• Basic Site Amenities: Every site features a picnic table and a fire ring/grill for cooking and enjoying a campfire.

Features / Highlights

The features of Smarsh Creek Campground enhance the overall camping experience, focusing on comfort, recreation, and natural beauty:

• Exceptional Shade and Wind Block: The most significant highlight is the abundance of mature trees, which create a rare, shady canopy for protection from the summer heat and provide a substantial wind block against the open prairie environment, making outdoor living more comfortable.
• Proximity to Beaches: The campground is located close to the designated swimming beaches within the West Shore area of Cheney State Park, ensuring quick and easy access for swimming and sunbathing.
• Nature and Hiking Trails: Campers have convenient access to the park’s nature trails and the extensive Cheney State Park West Side Trail (a multi-use trail of over 9 miles), which is perfect for hiking, biking, and exploring the surrounding wildlife area.
• Clean and Spacious Sites: Reviewers consistently praise the campground for being clean and having large, level gravel pads, providing plenty of room between neighbors for privacy and activities.
• Wildlife Viewing: The area is rich in wildlife, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching, including potential sightings of Bald Eagles, and observing prairie fauna.
• Designated Play Areas: While not always highlighted, Smarsh Creek is located near recreational areas, including playgrounds and open fields, that provide plenty of room for children’s activities.

Contact Information

For questions about reservations, permits, or current park conditions, please contact the main Cheney State Park office:

Address: Located on the West Shore of Cheney State Park, near Pretty Prairie, KS 67570, USA

Phone: (316) 542-3664

Mobile Phone: +1 316-542-3664 (This is the primary park office number)

What is Worth Choosing Smarsh Creek Campground

Smarsh Creek Campground is undoubtedly the superior choice for Kansas campers who need a high level of amenity alongside maximum natural comfort. What sets it apart is the unbeatable combination of spacious, shaded sites and 50-amp electric/water hookups, making it one of the most desirable locations for RVers on Cheney Lake, especially during the hot summer months. The natural wind block provided by the trees is a distinct advantage that significantly improves the camping experience in the often-windy Kansas environment.

It’s the ideal destination for families and large groups, offering abundant room for children and being located close to the swimming beach and major hiking trails. Unlike more primitive loops, Smarsh Creek provides the convenience of a nearby modern shower house and easy access to the dump station. If you are looking for a clean, reliable, and comfortable basecamp that shields you from the elements while providing access to the best recreational offerings of Cheney State Park, Smarsh Creek Campground is the top recommendation on the West Shore.