El Dorado State Park spans over 4,000 acres around El Dorado Lake, featuring mature oak forests and open prairie landscapes. Located in the Flint Hills region, the park offers multiple camping areas with distinct terrain features ranging from lakeside settings to wooded bluffs. Winter temperatures average 30-45°F, while summer months typically reach 85-95°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Fishing access: El Dorado Lake provides substantial fishing opportunities with several species including white bass, walleye, and channel catfish. "It's a small lake but big enough to go fishing and do your boating fun on like skiing, tubing and etc," notes Judy C. about Winfield City Lake, a nearby alternative.
Waterfall exploration: The unique waterfall feature at Cowely County Fishing Lake offers hiking opportunities along with water views. "At the time I was there, the waterfall was dried up and I was able to take a trail down to the bottom and see everything up close," shares Mike V.
Biking routes: Paved trails throughout El Dorado State Park provide excellent cycling terrain suitable for all skill levels. "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," reports Mary from Boulder Bluff Area.
What campers like
Swim beaches: El Dorado offers designated swimming areas suitable for families. "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," explains Zephyr Y. about the Boulder Bluff Area.
Shade coverage: Mature trees provide relief from summer heat across many camping areas. "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," describes Angie S. about Walnut River Area.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystem supports varied wildlife observation opportunities. "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. at Cowely County Fishing Lake.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies significantly across camping areas and seasons. "Showers/toilets were better than the archaic ones in Bluestem that have no roofs, but barely. Broken soap dispensers, cold water, no privacy in showers, etc," writes Donna G. about Walnut River Area.
Reservation confusion: During off-peak season, securing a campsite can be challenging. "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. This is a BIG park with multiple camping areas so it was difficult to figure out on our own," advises Mary at Boulder Bluff Area.
Site leveling: Many camping spots require equipment for leveling. "Need better roads way to much dirt and only one bath house that we would use and it needed to be cleaned," mentions Debbie S. about Winfield City Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: The Walnut River Area offers extensive play facilities for children. "Three nice campgrounds, large playground, fishing and a swim beach. Worth the stop with the kids," recommends Jason S.
Holiday planning: Consider timing your visit during non-peak periods. "We must have camped at part central. Mud lake. Noisy.. crowded. Showers were closed and turned off and the bathrooms were dirty. No longer a favorite place to stay because of the partying," warns Michelle S. about Winfield City Lake.
Weekend activities: For families seeking structured recreation, Boulder Bluff Area offers diverse options. "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)," notes Brad H.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup locations: RV sites are limited in certain areas of El Dorado State Park. "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. about Winfield City Lake.
Site selection: Choose carefully based on the layout of utilities and access. "There are 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," cautions Mary about Boulder Bluff Area.
Campground quiet hours: Enforcement of rules varies significantly between campgrounds. "This lake is nice but small. The camping is OK, however, the city of Winfield never enforces quiet hours or patrols the area. If you get unlucky enough to be near a party you will listen to it all night," warns Chris B.
