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Large groups (24+) after Labor Day who care more about trails, shade, and a shelter kitchen than swimming, the WPA observation tower, prairie walk, and well-shaded grassy sites reward the right crowd, and weekday visits stay genuinely quiet.
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
No Pets
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
No Pets
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48.7235, -96.6266
Large groups (24+) after Labor Day who care more about trails, shade, and a shelter kitchen than swimming, the WPA observation tower, prairie walk, and well-shaded grassy sites reward the right crowd, and weekday visits stay genuinely quiet.
Anyone counting on lake swimming: algae has prompted serious warnings from reviewers (one called it deadly for dogs), the swim area gets weedy, and the bathhouse condition is hit-or-miss enough that you shouldn't assume working fixtures.
Context for the broader area surrounding Group Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the first national wildlife refuge in Kansas, was established in 1954 as an overlay project on a Bureau of Reclamation irrigation and flood control reservoir. <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=108">Kirwin Dam</A> and Reservoir are features of the <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=471t">Kirwin Unit, P-SMBP</A>. Reclamation owns the land and controls reservoir water levels while the Refuge staff from the Fish and Wildlife Service manages all other activities on the land and water. The reservoir is fed by the North Fork of the Solomon River and Bow Creek. Both are intermittent streams, which means they may dry up in periods of low precipitation. The reservoir and refuge are open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species of fish include crappie, walleye, wipers, largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, and freshwater drum. Fishing is year round. <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_kwks.pl">Current Reservoir Level.</a>
Site is 4 miles west and 1 mile south of Kirwin, KS or 11 miles southeast of Phillipsburg, Kansas. Nearest highway is State Highway 9.
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Summer brings the best conditions for group use. Typical highs run 70–85°F, with long days and open facilities. The beach and fishing dock get full use, though mosquitoes can be severe even without standing water. Bring insect repellent for evenings. After Labor Day, the campground empties out. Weekdays stay quieter than weekends year-round. Early mornings offer excellent stargazing and Milky Way views with minimal light pollution.
Summer is best: long days, open facilities, heavy use of beach and dock per seasonal notes.
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