Richey Cove

Campground · Kansas · 39 bookable sites ·

Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers

39
Bookable sites
95 ft
Max rig length
up to 40
People per site
1,307 ft
Elevation
Richey Cove Sign
Photo: USACE · Recreation.gov

Overview

Richey Cove Campground is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.

Recreation

Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and a boat ramp is located in the campground for visitors' convenience.

The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catfish being the most abundant. Council Grove was also the first lake in Kansas to receive stocking of Saugeye.

Hunters will find populations of quail, prairie chicken, wild turkey and deer on the nearly 2,700 acres of public hunting lands surrounding the lake.

Hiking trails wind along the lake shore and into the forest. Pioneer Nature Trail is known as the most scenic trail, with plenty of wildlife, greenery and wildflowers creating a beautiful background.

Council Grove is also a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. This byway travels through the best of the remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America.

Along the byway and 25 miles south is the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where visitors can spot colorful wildflowers in the spring and array of autumn colors in the fall.

Facilities

Richey Cove Campground offers 43 reservable campsites, including one group camping area that can accommodate up to 40 guests. Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided.

The campground has plenty of shade, along with open grassy areas for games and recreation.

Natural Features

Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy Flint Hills. The lake is created by a dam built in 1964, and now offers recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Historically this area is where the Osage Indians signed a treaty to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail. A marker in the town of Council Grove indicates the place where the treaty was signed.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Council Grove, located about 2 miles southeast of the lake, is a National Historic District, with seven Santa Fe National Historic Trail sites in the community.

The facts

  • 39 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 95 ft
  • Up to 40 people per site
  • Loops: RCB, RCI, RCOV, RVOL

Site types

  • 38 Standard Electric
  • 1 Group Standard Electric

Amenities

  • Electric hookups
  • Water hookups
  • Sewer hookups
  • Campfires allowed
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

39 campsites at Richey Cove

Check-in 4:00 PM · Check-out 3:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceWaterMax rigPeople
005RCBStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront35 ft8 🐾
006RCBStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront50 ft8 🐾
007RCBStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront50 ft8 🐾
008RCBStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront46 ft8 🐾
009RCBStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront46 ft8 🐾
010RCBStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront46 ft8 🐾
011RCBStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront60 ft8 🐾
012RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront39 ft8 🐾
013RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront45 ft8 🐾
014RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront39 ft8 🐾
015RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront30 ft8 🐾
016RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront25 ft8 🐾
017RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront36 ft8 🐾
018RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront28 ft8 🐾
019RCIStandard ElectricBack InGravelLakefront26 ft8 🐾
020RCIStandard Electric—GravelLakefront40 ft8 🐾
001RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—35 ft8 🐾
002RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—50 ft8 🐾
003RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—45 ft8 🐾
004RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—20 ft8 🐾
021RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront65 ft8 🐾
022RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront95 ft8 🐾
023RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront60 ft8 🐾
024RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront40 ft8 🐾
025RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPavedLakefront55 ft8 🐾
026RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—50 ft8 🐾
027RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—70 ft8 🐾
028RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—70 ft8 🐾
029RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—90 ft8 🐾
030RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—75 ft8 🐾
031RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—75 ft8 🐾
032RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—75 ft8 🐾
033RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—60 ft8 🐾
034RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—55 ft8 🐾
035RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—75 ft8 🐾
036RCOVStandard ElectricBack InPaved—45 ft8 🐾
037RCOVStandard Electric—Paved——8 🐾
S-1RCOVGroup Standard ElectricBack InGravel—45 ft40 🐾
038RVOLStandard ElectricBack InPaved—40 ft8 🐾

Getting there

From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Richey Cove entrance is located on the west side of the highway at the dam road.

38.70119, -96.49756 · 38°42'4.3"N 96°29'51.2"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 40°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F404556677585908981695544
Low °F202333445565696758453324
Precip in0.81.32.23.45.24.94.44.43.22.41.71.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

RICHEY COVE 2
Photo: USACE · Recreation.gov
Richey Cove Map
Photo: USACE · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Richey Cove

Can you reserve a site at Richey Cove?
Yes, Richey Cove is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Richey Cove have?
39 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Richey Cove?
95 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Richey Cove?
Yes, pets are allowed at Richey Cove.
Does Richey Cove have hookups?
Electric, Water, Sewer.
Are campfires allowed at Richey Cove?
Campfires are allowed at Richey Cove. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Richey Cove

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.