El Dorado State Park sits on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills, offering campers varied terrain with rolling prairie and woodland habitats at approximately 1,300 feet elevation. Most campgrounds near Andover remain open year-round despite seasonal temperature shifts from below freezing winters to hot, humid summers that can exceed 90°F. Lake access points typically drop in winter when water levels recede approximately 2-4 feet from summer peaks.
What to Do
Mountain biking on designated trails: At Santa Fe Lake, trails accommodate different skill levels. "The mountain bike trails as well as hiking trails are perfect for beginners to experts," notes Helena P. Some bike routes feature more challenging terrain as Armaan M. explains: "Some bike routes are more difficult. Half are in woods with trees as low as 5ft over the trail, the other half go through open fields."
Kayaking on smaller lakes: Smaller lakes provide calmer waters for paddling. "This lake is a nice break from places like Cheney and Afton. It's small so there aren't a lot of big boats disturbing the water, which makes paddling a lot more enjoyable," shares Chris L. about Santa Fe Lake. Some campsites even offer direct water access: "Our campsite had a nice little launch spot which made things super simple."
Fishing in multiple locations: El Dorado State Park offers various fishing spots across its 4,000-acre reservoir. "There's plenty of good places to fish on this reservoir," reports Jason S. For military families, McConnell AFB recreation areas provide additional fishing options: "There are 3 fishing ponds, RC track and a paint ball course," according to Stanleigh S.
What Campers Like
Quiet camping environment: Many appreciate the peaceful settings. "This location is well maintained with multiple tent camping spots and a few electric. The owners take great pride in keeping it this way," says Helena P. about Santa Fe Lake. At 4 Mile Creek RV Resort, campers enjoy "nice grassy area with nice showers and restrooms. Medium size pond with a small pavillon and large grill," as Joyce R. describes.
Lakeside sites with views: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites. Brittany G. shares about El Dorado State Park: "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." Tracy N. adds: "You're very near the water and the breeze was beautiful."
Sunsets and scenic areas: The lakes provide excellent sunset viewing opportunities. Armaan M. notes at Santa Fe Lake: "There are several beautiful views of the small damn and the broken sections that create a little waterfall. The sunset in particular was really peaceful and easy to watch from the benches (perfect for a romantic picnic)."
What You Should Know
Shower facilities vary widely: Quality and access to showers differs between campgrounds. At Santa Fe Lake, "it was $32 to stay the night, and the showers were coin-op," reports Shaanti O. El Dorado State Park has mixed reviews: "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," according to Tracy N.
Levelness of sites: Many campers note issues with uneven sites. At Air Capital RV Park, Rick G. found "Backin site, very close together, concrete, but not level." Similarly at El Dorado, Tracy N. warns: "The parking pad was nowhere near level, so you'll want to plan for that."
Military access requirements: Some highly-rated options require military credentials. McConnell AFB recreation areas receive excellent reviews but access is restricted. As John H. notes about Krueger Recreation Area: "Small but a nice little gem," but civilian access is not permitted without proper authorization.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. Marty D. mentions Santa Fe Lake has a "swim beach & great for tent camping." At USI RV Park, Bonnie A. reports "friendly owners and employees, full hookups, nice dog park and kid's playground." Jennie D. confirms: "The bathrooms are super clean, there is a very nice playground and fenced dog run."
Swimming beaches: El Dorado State Park offers dedicated swimming areas. Zephyr Y. shares: "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." Kara S. adds: "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."
Pet-friendly facilities: Many campgrounds near Andover welcome pets with designated areas. Bonnie A. notes about USI RV Park: "Close to everywhere, flat gravel sites, friendly owners and employees, full hookups, nice dog park and kid's playground." The park also has "a big stretch for dogs to run around and exercise. They provide bags and bins in two locations," according to B+J S.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Several RV parks have tight spacing between sites. Casey B. cautions that USI RV Park is "Clean but tightly packed. The small park is located in a commercial area but has fairly close access to downtown Wichita." B+J S. confirms: "Only complaint is how on top of each other the trailers are."
Hookup availability: All Seasons RV Park offers full hookups for RVers. John F. notes: "The sites had gravel and were level. We had a pull through site with 50 amp service, water and sewer that fit our 40 ft Motorhome towing a Jeep." Julie F. adds: "It was a huge level lot. Surrounded by open fields so we were able to fall asleep to the crickets. Such an easy stop for a cross country trip."
Dump station locations: Not all parks have on-site dump stations. Tracy N. shares about El Dorado State Park: "We used the city of El Dorado dump station." At 4 Mile Creek, Joyce R. notes facilities include "nice showers and restrooms" but mentions "Dock needs maintenance."
