El Dorado State Park spans over 4,000 acres near Augusta, Kansas, with multiple camping areas surrounding the 8,000-acre reservoir. The park features diverse terrain with rolling prairies, wooded areas, and limestone outcroppings characteristic of the Flint Hills region. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer camping often sees temperatures above 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: El Dorado State Park offers extensive fishing access beyond the equestrian areas. "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," notes Jason S.
Family swimming: The designated swim beaches provide safe water recreation. "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," reports Zephyr Y.
Biking on paved trails: Walnut River Area provides excellent biking infrastructure. "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," shares Mary, who visited in April.
What campers like
Proximity to Wichita: The convenient location makes this area popular for weekend trips. "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)," says Brad H.
Shaded sites: Cowely County Fishing Lake offers waterfront camping with good tree cover. "Very nice primitive campsite. Several spots beside the lake or built on little peninsulas surrounded by water on three sides. More spots higher up on the bluff overlooking the lake," reports Jake F.
Affordability: Several camping options near Augusta remain budget-friendly. "Inexpensive camping" is how Phillip L. describes Winfield City Lake, which sits approximately 25 miles from Augusta and offers a more economical alternative to El Dorado State Park.
What you should know
Campground size and navigation: El Dorado is extensive and can be confusing to navigate. "This is a BIG park with multiple camping areas so it was difficult to figure out on our own. It was very confusing to get a site because there was no camp host available and the park office was closed. There are maps on bulletin boards but no printed maps were available," warns Mary.
Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies across camping areas. "The toilets 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," reports Tracy N.
Weekend crowds: Holiday weekends bring significant changes to the atmosphere. "This lake tends to get a little rowdy on the holidays/weekends. The RV sites are not in the best location in regards to the water, so we prefer to camp non-electrical here," advises Anika L.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites with playground proximity for convenience. "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," recommends Kara S.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Some areas maintain a better environment for children. "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," notes Brad H. about El Dorado State Park.
Alternative equestrian camping: Families with horses should consider weekday visits to avoid crowding. "Only a couple other campers on the weekday I was there. Very quiet but there was some trash look like there might be some partying on the weekends," reports Jake F. about Cowely County Fishing Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven parking pads throughout the equestrian camping areas. "Good wish could've been closer to the boats, but nearby the swimming area right now. T-Mobile service works out here pretty well," shares Corey C.
Better hookup options: "We had electric and water" mentions Mary, noting that full hookups are limited but available in certain camping loops outside the equestrian area.
Dump station alternatives: "We used the city of El Dorado dump station," notes Tracy N., suggesting that RVers plan for waste disposal outside the immediate camping area if staying at the equestrian loop, which lacks sewer hookups at individual sites.
