$12 - $95 / night

Established Camping

Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park

Warning 9 Alerts are In Effect

There are 9 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

**COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY, SUCH AS THE RENTING OF SITES AND RESELLING SAID RESERVATION, IS OCCURRING ON STATE PARK PROPERTY THAT IS AGAINST AGENCY REGULATIONS. KDWPT REGULATION K.A.R. 115-8-19 STATES THAT NO PERSON SHALL ADVERTISE, ENGAGE IN, OR SOLICIT ANY BUSINESS, OR MAKE A CHARGE FOR ANY EVENT OR SERVICE EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT-ON-DEPARTMENT LANDS AND WATERS. PERSONS OR BUSINESSES FOUND TO BE ENGAGING IN THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE TICKETED RESULTING IN A COURT APPEARANCE AND RELATED FINES/COSTS.**

CAMPSITES Holiday Minimum Stay Rule: Memorial Weekend 4 night minimum May 22, 23, 24, 25; July 4th Weekend 3 night minimum July 3, July 4, July 5; Labor Day weekend 3 night minimum Aug 29, Aug 30, Aug 31. CABIN Holiday Minimum Stay Rule for 2025 holidays are: Memorial Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun May 23, 24, 25; July 4th holiday is Fri/Sat July 4, 5; Labor Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun Aug 29, 30, 31. CABIN Holiday Minimum Stay Rule for 2026 holidays are: Memorial Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun May 22, 23, 24; July 4th holiday is Fri/Sat July 3, 4; Labor Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 4,5, 6

Additional tents may require an additional $10.00 per night fee at check-in.

Walnut River Area, near El Dorado, Kansas, is a campground that offers a mix of outdoor fun and essential amenities for a comfortable stay. With options for tent camping, RVs, and even cabins, it caters to a variety of camping styles, making it a convenient choice for families and friends alike.

The campground features drinking water, electric hookups, and picnic tables, which are all appreciated by visitors. Many campers have enjoyed the nearby swimming area and the quick access to boating, making it a great spot for water activities. One reviewer noted, “Good wish could’ve been closer to the boats, but nearby the swimming area right now T-Mobile service works out here pretty well.”

While the facilities have room for improvement, the natural beauty of the area shines through. The large trees provide ample shade, and the proximity to the swim beach is a hit with families. As one camper mentioned, “Three nice campgrounds, large playground, fishing and a swim beach. Worth the stop with the kids.”

If you’re looking to explore, the campground is part of El Dorado State Park, which offers additional recreational opportunities. Whether you’re fishing, hiking, or just soaking up the sun, Walnut River Area has the essentials for a memorable camping experience.

Description

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT)

El Dorado State Park

This recreation area is part of El Dorado Lake

Suggest an Edit

Location

Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park is located in Kansas

Directions

1. From the Kansas Turnpike: Two exits exist for El Dorado State Park. From the El Dorado North Exit, turn south on 77hwy about 1/4 of a mile and then turn left onto Myers Rd. into the park. If you continue south into El Dorado, Ks, then turn left on 12th street, which will take you to the park. From the Cassoday exit on the turnpike, go south on 177hwy approximately 14 miles to NE 10th street, then turn left to the park. 2. From the city of El Dorado, Ks. go north on Main St. to 12th street, then turn right to travel to the park. You can also travel East from El Dorado, Ks. On Central street, approximately three miles to Bluestem Rd. Turn left and travel approximately 1.5 miles to the park.

Address

618 NE Bluestem RD
El Dorado, KS 67042

Coordinates

37.839326 N
96.821761 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Available
T-Mobile
Available

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Market
Picnic Table
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

36 min from Wichita
1 hr 25 min from Topeka
1 hr 32 min from Manhattan
1 hr 43 min from Lawrence

Donna G.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 6, 2024

Better than Bluestem

Finally we found a campsite in Old Oak. Beautiful setting. Showers/toilets were were better than the archaic ones in Bluestem that have no roofs, but barely. Broken soap dispensers, cold water, no privacy in showers, etc.

Site947

Month of VisitApril

Corey C.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2023

El Dorado Kansas

Good wish could’ve been closer to the boats, but nearby the swimming area right now t-Mobile service works out here pretty well.

SiteCorey

Month of VisitJuly

Angie S.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 20, 2018

Big Oak Campground

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, at least not during the busy summer camping season. Cross Timbers and Fall River are much better!

SiteWR1-19

Month of VisitJuly

Jason S.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 16, 2018

Graet Little Area

Three nice campgrounds, large playground, fishing and a swim beach. Worth the stop with the kids.

Month of VisitApril

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park?

Camping at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park can cost between $12.00 and $95.00 depending on the site.

Does Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is available.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park?

There are 165 campsites at Walnut River Area — El Dorado State Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

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