Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park, near El Dorado, Kansas, is a spacious campground that offers a mix of natural beauty and essential amenities for a comfortable stay. With sites that feature picnic tables and fire rings, it’s perfect for gathering around the fire and enjoying the great outdoors.

This campground is known for its picturesque surroundings, including a river and a man-made lake, which provide a lovely backdrop for your camping experience. Visitors have mentioned the abundance of trees and paved trails, making it a great spot for biking and leisurely walks. One camper noted, “The campsites are separated a little from each other,” which adds to the sense of privacy.

For those who enjoy water activities, the campground has designated swim areas and good fishing opportunities. Facilities like showers and toilets are available, though some campers have pointed out that cleanliness can vary. The park is also conveniently located just a short drive from the bustling city of Wichita, giving you easy access to local attractions and dining options.

While some campers have experienced challenges with site reservations and park management, many appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and the chance to unwind in nature. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Boulder Bluff Area offers a welcoming environment for families and friends alike.

El Dorado State Park consists of four primary campgrounds, which are open to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. The facilities include nearly 1100 campsites that range from primitive to full utility hookups, 11 group picnic shelters, five camping cabins and five deluxe cabins, modern shower, laundry, and restroom facilities, swimming beaches, as well as a trail system consisting of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. A concrete trail for wheelchair access is also available. Fees required for the state park include vehicle permits, camping and utility permits, special event permits and reservations. All permits must be purchased before facilities can be used. Permits can be purchased from the state park office, gate houses, camp hosts, or the self pay stations.

- The El Dorado State Park's Amphitheater, Bicycle Trail, Boat Ramp, Hiking Trail, Horseback Trail, Multi Use Trail (Horse, Hike, Bike), Nature Trail, Playgrounds, Shelter Houses, Shoreline Fishing Potential and Swimming Beach are located within 10 miles inside the park.

EL DORADO STATE PARK GENERAL INFORMATION 
 
Contact/Payment Information: 
 1. The State Park Office is open Mon-Fri, 8am to 4:30pm and on the weekends during peak season. If you have any questions, you can contact the Park Office during normal business hours at (316) 321-7180. In the event of an emergency call 911. 
 2. Gatehouse Pay Stations are open during peak season, hours will vary. 
 3. Self-Pay stations are available (cash only) at the entrance to each campground and at the State Park Office. 
 
Cabin Information: 
 1. Your cabin door code is the last four digits of your phone number from your reservation. Check-in time as after 3pm, check-out time is 12pm. 
 2. Bed linens and towels are not provided by the park. 
 3. **SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED** in the cabins. 
 4. The cabin must be clean and trash free upon departure. You are responsible for payment of any damages to the cabin and you will be billed accordingly for any damages or additional cleaning that must be accomplished. 
 5. Cabins are pet-friendly but will require a $50, non-refundable fee to be paid at least 48 hours PRIOR to check-in, if not paid during the reservation process. 
 
Kansas State Park Regulations Summary: 
 1. All motorized vehicles entering the state park must have a valid state park permit displayed in the windshield. Vehicle permits are not included with your reservation. 
 2. UTV's (golf carts, mules, etc.) are permitted but must have an Unconventional Vehicle Permit attached to be legal. UTV permits are available at the gatehouses and the park office. ATV's are not permitted. 
 3. Only one camping unit is allowed on a campsite. Camping is only allowed on designated sites. 
 4. Quiet hours in the campground are maintained from 11pm to 6am. Generators are prohibited during these hours. 
 5. Campfires are restricted to fire rings and bbq grills. Any digging, leveling of the ground, or cutting of any vegetation is prohibited. 
 6. Alcohol is prohibited at all designated swimming beaches. 
 7. Pets must be kept on a leash and are not allowed on the swimming beach areas. 
 8. Fireworks are prohibited. 
 9. Dumping of black and grey water is prohibited. Please use a designated dump station. 
 10. Fishing is prohibited on designated swim beaches, in swimming areas, on boat ramps and on courtesy docks. 
 11. All trash must be disposed of in provided trash containers. If no containers are available, please take your trash with you. 
 12. Firearms may only be discharged in designated shooting or hunting areas. 
 13. For a complete list of park regulations go to [ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Park-Regulations](https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Park-Regulations)

Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

Join the fun near El Dorado. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are El Dorado campgrounds just for you. Discover great camping spots near El Dorado, reviewed by campers like you.

El Dorado

The Best Camping Near El Dorado, Kansas

This Park is closer to home so just took my son on a quick fishing/camping overnigh for his birthday. Stayed at the Walnut River Area, the Blue stem area was still closed down for winter in April. Lots of good places to fish on this reservoir, fish weren't biting so we spent quite a bit of time riding our bikes around the area. There is a large playground for kids, a nice swim beach away from the main lake, an archery range, and they are building a pistol/ rifle range next to the ranger station for public use.

Fun Area

We will stay here for overnight trips since it's only about 40 minutes from home. We usually stay on the Walnut River side as there is a large playground with tent sites close enough to keep an eye on the kiddos. They also have a swim area on this side. Bathroom and shower are next to the playground which is also convenient for us. There are some cool little hiking spots to explore. We just kicked off camping season last weekend here.

Great Spot for a Short Trip

Restrooms with showers and dumpsters (for you campsite garbage) are widely available during camping season. The designated swim areas are great for the whole family because there is a wide and far out area that doesn't get too deep while being roped off. NO STICKERS IN THE GRASS AT THE DESIGNATED CAMP SITES!!!!! At some sites, you can fish just feet from your tent. Beware at the box turtle camp site though, a channel runs 3-4 feet out from the shore and drops about 12 feet QUICK so don't swim there! The general store and bait shop at Bluestem is wonderful. If you visit Kansas State Parks frequently, it pays to purchase an annual vehicle permit early in the year when they are discounted rather than pay per day every time you visit.

El Dorado State Park Bluestem for an easy, laid-back weekend!

This is a popular weekend get-away. It's less than an hour from Wichita, clean, taken care of. There's plenty of options (primitive, water/electric/sewer, picnic use, boat ramps). My experience over the holiday weekends has usually been that's when the rowdy crowd shows up but this campground was comfortable and family-oriented.

Memorial Day Weekend

BeautifIl campgrynd but too crowded and no  enforcement of rules.  Bathrooms were terrible. all shower stalls face each other with no curtains. smelled awful, stall doors barely closed. we have stayed in many state parks and this was the worst. 

swimming area was ok but no rule enforcement. dumpsters overflowing. 

Toto, we’re not coming to Kansas anymore. 

You'd think the Big Oak Campground in El Dorado State Park would be amazing. It's shaded with huge trees, nice sized sites some of which are very spread out, a quick walk to the swim beach and a quick drive to put your boat in the water. Unfortunately these pluses are far outweighed by the negatives. First the bathrooms were horrible. I realize they are older restrooms but they smelled awful, they were never obviously cleaned, the showers were not even a tiny bit private, the door to the restroom was broken and had to be propped open with a tree branch. Just over the bridge at the swim beach they were worse and some of the doors in the women’s room were missing. Yuck! Secondly basic campground rules were not enforced at all. The site across from us easily had 30 people camping and were up until 4am with loud music and a bright light on. I’m not kidding, my daughter was up around 3 to use the restroom and we walked by twice. The family in the site next to us had at least 4 cars and 2 tents set up outside the site on the walking path in addition to their two tents in their own site. The dog free swim beach had dogs on it. We camp with our dogs, one of which loves to swim and even I don’t want dogs on a public beach. Our camping weekend was negatively affected by poor camping etiquette and a sever lack of basic rule enforcement. We won’t be back to El Dorado State Park Big Oak campsite any time soon. Cross Timbers and Fall River are much better!

Walnut River Area, Big Oak Campground

My family travels to alot of lakes every year. This lake has everything we look for. Grills d firepits at EVERY site. Good fishing, 2 swim large swim beaches, plenty of out buildings and play areas. Each year we travel to a new lake or two on vacation and just havent found one like ours closr to home.

Fortunate to have this close to home

We stayed in the equestrian loop. All but a couple primitive sites are back-in. The layout of the fire rings, grills and picnic tables are all weird... Not consistent and usually on the wrong side of your trailer. The parking pad was nowhere near level, so you'll want to plan for that. The trees are lovely. You're very near the water and the breeze was beautiful. 
The toilet at the loop are pit. The bath house was not clean and many of the showers didn't work.. Water is lukewarm but water pressure was great. No stall doors on toilets or showers. 
We used the city of El Dorado dump station. 
The park is massive. Lots of amenities in El Dorado. And a quick jump to Wichita. We will be back. 




Beautiful and peaceful

My husband, our 2 dogs, and I stayed at the Equestrian Loop. We pulled in our PUP for a night sleep. The spot we chose to pop up was right near the water, and you could hear the waves hitting the shore all night long. A beautiful and peaceful sound.

Peaceful stay

First time at this lake can't read any signs no park rangers around we broke down took 5 hours to get any help from the park ranger my friend from Derby had already drove all the way with his boat to get us out of trouble overcharged his $40 for a stinking tent and an electrical outlet... Then they take reservations so you will never find a place at this lake should be first come first serve... I broke my hand and cut my head open because there's no signs there's no help there's no phone number you can call and get any help it sends you to the county office very dangerous to go to this lake you're going to destroy your equipment too there's so many rocks in this lake your prop will be destroyed I promise you that!!!

Dangerous!! No Park rangers!!

Very quiet and spread out. Small RV loop with approximately 35 gravel sites all with water and 30/50 amp electric. The sites are fairly level with picnic tables at each site. All have lake views. It’s about 3 miles to the main state park area, which is very busy. 

El Dorado State Park Bemis Loop

This is a beautiful park.  It has a river that runs through it and a man-made lake.  The campsites are separated a little from each other.  Lots of nice trees.  There are lots of paved trails and paved roads in the campground that are nice for biking.  There are some trails through the woods also.  We had electric and water.  

We visited this park in early April.  It was very confusing to get a site because there was no camp host available and the park office was closed.  (It was Saturday.)  There were a lot of local campers in the park.   There are maps on bulletin boards but no printed maps were available.  This is a BIG park with multiple camping areas so it was difficult to figure out on our own.

Photos of Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

Real photos from real campers