Coneflower Otoe Area Campground — Wilson State Park

After staying at Wilson Lake numerous times passing through, I opted to check out the Coneflower loop on this trip. It was a nice change from other sites as it offered a few different views of the park while remaining relatively close to the main amenities. 

Amenities of this site included a nice bathhouse within just a short walk, lake access and large shade trees. In addition all sites had their own fire rings and also picnic tables, all of which are very standard to the state park itself. 

Something that sets this site apart from others on the various loops is that the parking area is a bit more expansive and allows for larger units to easily park or for those who have a vehicle to have a bit more space potentially for a second smaller one to accompany them. I could see this easily being beneficial to those enjoying the lake for recreation with friends or family. 

On this loop you can find sites with both primitive and non primitive access. Cost of camping in the Coneflower loop is only$13 and I do encourage you to book online as currently they are using this system as the recommended source of booking. In person booking is much more limited right now as of(July 2020). There is a kiosk at the entrance point however with envelops and additional information, however this is very limited. 

When I visited I opted to check out a weekday and it was much less busy. The larger loops were much more populated as were the sites with higher amp connections for larger rigs. I suggest visiting during the week when possible as this really does make a HUGE difference in the crowds of people you will encounter. 

Also when visiting there are several shops which you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, boats and other fun things to do on the lake itself. The lake offers several trails including one which is well trafficked by those interested in biking.

** TIPS:** 

• Make sure to check out the neighboring community of Lucas, known for its unique art and attractions including the World’s Largest Toilet Bowl(strange but actually really cool) and the Garden of Eden(another strange place that will fascinate you) 
• When visiting during rainy season, check lake levels before booking sites. Some of the sites on this loop and others are very close to the waters edge and can be subject to flooding.

When traveling to Kansas there are 26 state parks to visit.     It might be a bit difficult to decide which you would like to consider for your outing however I would like to encourage you to give Wilson Lake State Park a thought.    There are several reasons which you might find appealing however one of the most impressive I have found is the sheer amount of camping you can find featuring a variety of options.

Wilson's Lake State Park has everything from primitive camping to Cabins and everything in between.   There are sites designed for RVs both small and large offering everything from standard electric to full connections.    With 240 sites on location this can quickly be considered as one of the best camping of this area.

Lake views are accessible from almost every campsite at the Park with up close and personal access in several of the loops.     Prices vary from Primitive to Improved sites  from $13 to $26.   

I found that while some of the loops provided more primitive restroom accommodations others had very nice flush toilets and showers.   There is a playground central to the park and several areas which you can launch smaller vessels such as canoes or kayaks and a larger boat ramp.

I checked out the various loops while visiting and found that many of the loops were semi even and provided various levels of shade to help you even on the hottest of days.   When I visited there had been a lot of recent rains which elevated the lake levels and lessened the beach access dramatically however typically there is a very nice beach area near two of the camping loops.

The outdoor space of the park has been a point of focus and the creation of a large bike trail was constructed to allow people to get out and enjoy the surroundings.    Many additionally, hike this path to see a bit more of the nature of the area which include deer, rabbits and foxes.

I really enjoyed my visit to the park.   Upon meeting the camp host I learned that the booking policy for the campground is very flexible and they do encourage you to make sure you try to book in advance during peak traffic season.

TIPS:   

• Try to book in advance of 2 months for a cabin.   These spaces are very limited and often from June to September they are booked all weekends.
• Bring your fishing pole.   There is a great access point for those wanting to fish from the shore before you get to the park entrance and another just after entering.