tent camping in Missouri and Kansas: how is it at state parks?

[blackbuell]

I plan to celebrate my full retirement in early May with a long MC ride out west, on the Norge, from Cincinnati. I have crossed the Great Plains many times on a MC, and it is one of my least favorite things to do; have done it in the past mainly on interstates only to get to the Rockies ASAP. This time there are no time restrictions (hell, I will be FREE!), so I will take back roads across the plains. As of now, I am considering Rt. 36 across Missouri and Kansas; will tent camp the whole way. How are the state parks along the way, such as Longbranch SP or Pershing SP in Missouri, and Prairie Dog SP in Kansas?

When I get to Colorado, I will stay at my daughters house in Fort Collins for a few days, then will head for the hills in SW Colorado, and for the National Parks in southern Utah. Will then head up into Idaho to ride along the Salmon River and visit the Sawtooth Mts. and maybe into Montana. On the way home I will likely head back down into southern Wyoming, and then head home. Any suggestions for camping in Idaho and Wyoming?

When the time gets closer, I will probably repost with more specific routes and destinations in mind and ask for more suggestions.

Thanks,

Jon

[Guzzistajohn]

SW Missouri and NE Arkansas have plenty of state parks to enjoy. One of my favorites is ANY campground around Stockton Lake in Missouri.
I prefer cedar ridge personally. GREAT swimming area and campground
http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Portals/29/docs/lakesites/stockton/2011BrochureST9-7.pdf

(it's 20 miles from my house)

Then you can take rt 400 across Ks and avoid I-70's boredom.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've never had a bad time camping in any state park.

[ohiorider]

I plan to celebrate my full retirement in early May with a long MC ride out west, on the Norge, from Cincinnati. I have crossed the Great Plains many times on a MC, and it is one of my least favorite things to do; have done it in the past mainly on interstates only to get to the Rockies ASAP. This time there are no time restrictions (hell, I will be FREE!), so I will take back roads across the plains. As of now, I am considering Rt. 36 across Missouri and Kansas; will tent camp the whole way. How are the state parks along the way, such as Longbranch SP or Pershing SP in Missouri, and Prairie Dog SP in Kansas?

When I get to Colorado, I will stay at my daughters house in Fort Collins for a few days, then will head for the hills in SW Colorado, and for the National Parks in southern Utah. Will then head up into Idaho to ride along the Salmon River and visit the Sawtooth Mts. and maybe into Montana. On the way home I will likely head back down into southern Wyoming, and then head home. Any suggestions for camping in Idaho and Wyoming?

When the time gets closer, I will probably repost with more specific routes and destinations in mind and ask for more suggestions.

Thanks,

Jon

It's been nearly 11 years .... but I really enjoyed riding US36 from Hannibal MO across most of Kansas.  Not an exciting road, but lots of small towns just far enough apart that you'll be glad to see them!  I jumped off of 36 at Norton, KS, and headed sw into Colby KS.  From there, I headed further west.  I found I 70 across the Eisenhower Pass to be interesting.  If you take this route, make sure you jump off of I 70 at the first Cisco exit, and ride the lovely road that runs along the Colorado River into Moab, UT.  I recall I wanted to continue riding either US36 or old US6 further west out of Denver, but a landslide put me onto I 70.  For an Interstate, I found it quite interesting.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yeah, I70 through there is one of the few interstates that are worth riding.  If you have to..

[oldbike54]

 Most smaller Kansas towns allow overnight tent camping in their city parks . The facilities may not be first rate , but it is handy . Traveling in Kansas , or anywhere in the Great Plains , takes a different attitude and rhythm than riding in mountainous states .

 Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

Stay on 36 and don't succumb to taking 70. There is a very nice park about a 1/2 mile east of Oberlin, KS on Hwy 36 about 70 miles from the Colorado border. I suggest contacting the City of Oberlin Phone: 785-475-2217 and they should be able to give you more detail concerning camping and facilities.
GliderJohn

[Guzzistajohn]

36 is nice, plenty of sights to see in St. Joseph Mo. too.
Like this;
http://www.ponyexpressjessejames.com/patee/index.php

[oldbike54]

 A visit to the Eisenhower memorial in Abilene KS is worthwhile , and the greyhound racing hall of fame is in Abilene also . Don't laugh , it is strangely interesting . There is a lovely private camp ground on the South end town that is motorcycle friendly . Full facilities , even a laundry .

  Dusty

[rocker59]

US-36 is north of my normal east-west riding routes, but it will take you right by the campground which is home to the famous MO-KAN rally.  It's not a state park, but it's pretty nice, and is motorcycle friendly.

Interestingly, it's very close to halfway between Cincinnati and Fort Collins.

Pony Express RV Park
4469 S Hwy 33 - Maysville, MO

http://www.campponyexpress.com/

[rocker59]

  There is a very nice park about a 1/2 mile east of Oberlin, KS on Hwy 36 about 70 miles from the Colorado border.

Is this it ??

http://oberlinks.com/sappa-park/

[Guzzistajohn]

A visit to the Eisenhower memorial in Abilene KS is worthwhile , and the greyhound racing hall of fame is in Abilene also . Don't laugh , it is strangely interesting . There is a lovely private camp ground on the South end town that is motorcycle friendly . Full facilities , even a laundry .

  Dusty

The Kirby house in Abilene, Ks. is a great place to chow down too!

[Gliderjohn]

Quote from rocker59:

Is this it ??

http://oberlinks.com/sappa-park/

Yep.They must have measured from the center of town to get two miles. Anyway a nice spot. It was ironic for some years there was a "boys correctional ranch" there with the facility surrounded by worthless but pretty hemp plants that looked like beautiful regular pot plants.
GliderJohn

[oldbike54]

The Kirby house in Abilene, Ks. is a great place to chow down too!

 Unfortunately the place burned to the ground a while back . Don't think it has ever been reopened at another location .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

If I were taking my time, I'd spend some time riding in northern Ark / southern Mizeri.  Harrison / Eureka Springs area being a good spot, perhaps Bull Shoals, Table Rock or Beaver Lake for camping. 

The roads there are great.

[Guzzistajohn]

Unfortunately the place burned to the ground a while back . Don't think it has ever been reopened at another location .

 Dusty

Just looked that up, a major bummer indeed! I had many a fine meal there!

[blackbuell]

Guzzistajohn & LowRyter: good suggestion about SW Missouri and Northern Arkansas, but I have ridden in that area many times already, especially around Eureka Springs; great MC roads and MC-friendly businesses. But I plan to stay further north on this trip.

Bob: the road to Moab via Cisco along the Colorado River is spectacular; have ridden on it a few times and will definitely ride on it on this trip.

gliderjohn and rocker59: Good suggestion re that park in Oberlin; I will definitely check it out; thanks

For those who mentioned Abilene: for many years in the summer I would take several students with me out west to do field research; we would always spend the first night of the trip in Abilene at a mom-and-pop motel called the Star Motel; great little town.

Jon

[Two Checks]

You will find the state parks in MO are pretty nice.
mostateparks.com

[ChuckH]

You might want to contact the Visitor's/Tourism Offices in the various States.  I've received info from MT in the past and recently contacted OR, ID and WA to prepare for the trip to the rallies in June/July. 

ID (Contact 208-382-3833) sent a highway map, their Official Campground Directory (RV Idaho) and their Official Adventure Guide.  Thanks ID. 

OR (Contact 800-551-6949) sent a highway map and their State Parks Guide.  Thanks OR. 

WA doesn't send out information like that.  Just have to find it on the internet if you are going that far west.

Ride safe.

[delrod]

Speaking as a resident of Kansas I am ashamed of the state of many of our state parks when compared to the neighboring states. You will be charged an entry fee to utilize an of them and additional for overnight stays. Best bet in Kansas is to visit Corps of Engineers facilities or city parks. Inquire politely and you will find a place in almost any town. An exception to the Kansas regulations on camping are the "Wildlife areas" where casual camping is generally allowed if you are there to take advantage of a hunting/fishing or (remember this) "wildlife viewing" opportunity. Amenities at these areas will be sparse

[handyandy]

The town of St Francis Kansas has a free campground. It is the last or 1st town on US 36. Has hot showers and concrete shelter house. Last time we were there I had the best cheeseburgers I have had in years.

[blackbuell]

handyandy,

Thanks for the tip! If I don't camp there, at least I might stop there for lunch; I'm always in search of the next great cheeseburger.

Jon

[Gliderjohn]

If you go through St. Frances go north out of town and ride through Arikaree Breaks north of St Francis. Nothing spectacular but very nice.
GliderJohn

[blackbuell]

If you go through St. Frances go north out of town and ride through Arikaree Breaks north of St Francis. Nothing spectacular but very nice.
GliderJohn

I probably will, as I had planned to get off of Rt. 36 near there to get on Rt. 34 anyway.

Thanks for the suggestion John,

Jon

[Daniel Kalal]

If you go through St. Frances go north out of town and ride through Arikaree Breaks north of St Francis. Nothing spectacular but very nice.
GliderJohn

I'd agree, but note that the roads into the Breaks are not always paved.  It's a neat area.

[oldbike54]

If you go through St. Frances go north out of town and ride through Arikaree Breaks north of St Francis. Nothing spectacular but very nice.
GliderJohn

 John , or Deke , there is a small roadside monument near St Francis , a simple metal construction with a teepee , a buffalo , a horse mounted Indian , and I think maybe a rabbit and coyote arranged around a small patch of ground . Where is it , it moved me and is worth seeing .

 Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

Quote from Dusty:

John , or Deke , there is a small roadside monument near St Francis , a simple metal construction with a teepee , a buffalo , a horse mounted Indian , and I think maybe a rabbit and coyote arranged around a small patch of ground . Where is it , it moved me and is worth seeing .

 Dusty

It is only a few miles out of town north on the west side if I recall.
GliderJohn

[oldbike54]

Quote from Dusty:
It is only a few miles out of town north on the west side if I recall.
GliderJohn

 Yeah , West side of the road . Couldn't remember whether it is North or South of town . Do you know, is a state or private site ? Anyway , one of those little known sites that leave an impression .

 Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

Guessing it is a state supported thing since it is right off the highway, kind of like a rest stop or picnic area. Don't know though.
GliderJohn

[K250]

Buell, camped a bit in both Missouri and Kansas last year.  The Missouri parks were very nice.  By all means stay at a few.  When you hit St. Joseph, MO,  Jackson's Guzzi is there just off 36 if you need some service.   Going west, my personal favorite way to cross KS is to stay off even 36 and go to the secondary roads.  Of course that is slow.  36 is straight and fast, almost interstate. 

First stop in NE KS, is the 4 state lookout in White Cloud.

A few places worth stopping, first night consider stopping at Centralia Lake to camp.  Very nice place.   Centralia has a grocery store with gas so you can stock up and maybe cook yourself a good meal at the lake.   

Maybe stop at the Pony Express Museum in Marysville

http://www.nps.gov/poex/planyourvisit/site3.htm

Farther west, stop at Herrs transmission shop in  Washington, KS.

http://www.herrsmachine.com/rebuilt-car-truck-museum.html


After that, stop at the Highbanks Hall of fame in Belleville

http://www.highbanks-museum.org/


Maybe the Pawnee Indian museum

http://www.kansastravel.org/pawneeindianmuseum.htm

Someone mentioned Chicken.  South of Belleville is Abilene,  which has the Brookville Hotel, don't know about the hotel part, but they have a absolutely fantastic chicken dinner.  They'll pack you some chicken and sides in a to go box so you'll have a good breakfast.   While in Abilene, stop by the Grayhound hall of fame as others have mentioned, also Russel Stover on the west edge of town for some discount outlet chocolate.