Big Hill Lake offers exceptional horse camping opportunities within 30 miles of Iola, Kansas. The rolling terrain features dense oak-hickory forests interspersed with open prairie, creating diverse riding conditions between 850 and 950 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with humidity levels often exceeding 70%, while spring and fall provide more moderate riding conditions with temperatures in the 50-75°F range.
What to do
Horse trail riding: Access the 17-mile Big Hill Lake Horse Trail from Timber Hill, which serves as a staging area with hitching racks and seasonal water. "This is a small and very quiet campground and had very few campers. Sites are small and heavily forested which will make for a very shady stay," notes camper N I.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Big Hill Lake Overlook for multiple species. "Big Hill Lake is one of the clearest lakes in Kansas and considered a trophy fishing lake. Sport fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye and sunfish," reports a visitor.
Swimming and water recreation: Cool off at the sandy beach areas during hot weather. "Families with kids will enjoy visiting the sand-covered beach nearby for cooling off from the summer heat and enjoying a picnic," states a camper review, while noting "alcohol is not allowed on the beach area. Glass containers are also not allowed on the beach or in the water."
Hiking trails: Explore the Ruth Nixon Memorial Trail, a one-mile path with birdhouses and wildlife viewing opportunities. "The trail enjoys blue bird houses that were set in honor of Ruth Nixon. It is about one mile and offers the hikers the chance to observe local wildlife."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Crawford State Park provides abundant wildlife sightings. "The park is nestled in rolling, wooded countryside with thick oak-hickory forests surrounded by prairie and farmland, the lake shore supplies a variety of habitats for birds and mammals," according to visitor reports.
Spacious campsites: Oak Point Campground offers room to spread out. "What a gem! Amazing swimming beach, modern bath house and great restaurant. A handful of small campgrounds surround the lake. Almost every spot is on the water," says Stephanie D.
Lake views: Many sites at Eisenhower State Park offer water views. "At the end of May, it was almost empty. We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water. In fairness, most sites are on the water or have a water view. Spectacular sunsets," notes Nancy C.
On-site dining options: Some parks offer food service for convenience. "The on-site restaurant is a nice perk when you simply don't want to cook. Small lake, but everything is clean and well maintained," shares Scott G. about Crawford State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many facilities have limited operating seasons. "Check in and out is 3pm. Campsites are reservable online or by phone at recreation.gov or 877-444-6777. No pay station at park," notes a reviewer about Timber Hill.
Trail conditions: Horse trails may require some navigation skills. "The Big Hill Lake Horse Trail surrounds ¾ of the lake and is 17 miles long. It provides a variety of terrain for all ages. The trail provides amazing views and riders will enjoy tethering areas and three parking areas along the trail."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance planning. "Campsites are reservable online or by phone at recreation.gov or 877-444-6777. No pay station at park," advises a visitor.
Weather impacts: Wind can affect camping comfort at Toronto Point. "Spent an October weekend here and had a great time with the kids fishing, hiking, and roasting marshmallows. The wind blew the entire time, kind of annoying, but if we were in the woods it didn't really bother us. Just need to pick a better campsite next time," advises Jason S.
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Choose campgrounds with swimming access during summer months. "Beautiful campgrounds with so many activities available! The general store is super helpful, as they sell firewood and ice, and have kayak and canoe rentals. There are a few swim beaches, and plenty of sand to sit in and relax," shares Cindy K.
Shaded sites: Look for wooded campsites to provide relief from summer heat. "Sites are small and heavily forested which will make for a very shady stay," notes a camper about Timber Hill.
Rental options: Pony Express RV Park offers additional features for children. "Campground is off the road with 2 ponds. They also have some llamas as a small zoo. We only stayed overnight August, 2017," shares Michele W.
Wildlife education: Use camping trips as opportunities for nature learning. "Wildflowers are in abundance in the spring and fall along with the beautiful trees such as persimmon, osage orange, redbud and dogwood."
Tips from RVers
Equestrian accommodations: Horse campgrounds near Iola, Kansas typically offer basic amenities. "The parking areas are equipped with limited facilities that can be used for overnight camping by the trail riders," notes one visitor about Big Hill Lake.
Dump station access: Bourbon County Fairgrounds provides convenient facilities. "Water spigot was located near the gravel access road and we filled our freshwater tank on the way out. The dump station has easy access and allowed for a good black tank flush," shares Rick G.
Road conditions: Be prepared for some unpaved access roads. "Part of this drive will be on a gravel road but it is well maintained," warns a camper about Timber Hill.
Campsite cleaning: Some sites may need attention upon arrival. "According to a guy I talked to, the whole loop was closed last year and it shows. Almost every site had a lot of debris (just leaves and rotted wood) which I think led to there being a lot of ticks," notes Chris L.
