Kanopolis Lake in central Kansas offers diverse camping sites at elevations between 1,460-1,500 feet. The reservoir spans 3,550 acres with 30 miles of shoreline providing multiple camping options. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline access particularly at primitive sites.
What to do
Hiking limestone formations: Eagle Point Campground offers access to miles of trails with unique rock features. "Trails with cliffs, creeks and caves, campsites with incredible views and Bald Eagles soaring overhead. No other campers in the grounds. What's not to love?" noted one camper.
Kayaking the reservoir: Bring tick spray when exploring the wooded areas near Big Bluestem Hell Creek Area Campground where paddlers enjoy clear water access. "Kayaking over to the rocky cliffs is beautiful! Highly recommended! We tend to camp on the marina side of the lake," reports one visitor who frequents the area.
Disc golf: The Army Corps of Engineers campground across from Caving Banks offers an accessible course for all skill levels. According to one visitor, "There is a large playground and fishing pond on the south side of the lake. A disc golf course just across the road at the Army Corp of Engineers campground."
What campers like
Lake access for fishing: Venango Park receives consistent praise for its waterfront sites. "Great spot. Got a spot for RVs for just my tent because I wanted to be along the water," shares one tent camper who prioritized lake access over RV amenities.
Privacy in primitive areas: Caving Banks Campground offers more secluded options. One visitor noted, "This is a primitive campground that is near the water. Our site was private and mostly surrounding by trees, but most spots were out in the open."
Affordable pricing: Corps of Engineers sites like Venango provide budget-friendly options. "Stopped here on my way through Kansas towards Colorado. The park was nearly empty on a Sunday night, so I got a nice lakefront site with no one else around for $14," reported one camper.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. "We stayed at this federal campground 3/29/24 for free. 126 sides and I think there were four RVs here. No hookups or water (That's why it's free) but it had one open pit toilet," notes a visitor about Venango Park's off-season amenities.
High winds: The lake's prairie setting creates consistent wind conditions. One Sandyshore camper mentioned, "It did get a bit windy but we put the Jeep behind us so that blocked some wind."
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility cleanliness depends on campground and season. "The bathrooms are alright, not the cleanest but nothing I haven't seen camping before," reported a visitor to Venango, while another noted unclean facilities at Sandstone: "The bathrooms/showers are typical state park, but they were DIRTY! No one cleaned them Sat."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access points: Sandstone Campground offers convenient water recreation. "This park is huge and it can be confusing to find your way if you haven't been here. We had a park host help us, which was great. We booked Sandstone 408 based on a review here. It did not disappoint! Right across from the lake."
Navigation challenges: The state park has two distinct areas requiring careful planning. "We became completely lost. I picked up a map at the office, which was closed, but it didn't help... There are TWO areas of this state park. We were in the Horsethief Area. Our campground was Sandstone, which is the Langley Point Area."
Playground facilities: The south side recreation area provides additional activities. "We spent 3 nights here for spring break with the kids and had a great time. There is a large playground and fishing pond on the south side of the lake," shares a family camper.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Riverside Campground sites require preparation. "Our spot was kind of small, I had to unhook my truck and park next to our 20' trailer to not stick out into the road," advises one RVer who visited the Corps of Engineers site.
Dump station availability: Facilities may require alternative planning. "The dump station in the park was out of service so we had to drive across the dam to the state park, which wasn't really an issue," notes a camper at Riverside.
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose upper sites at some campgrounds for more space. "There are sites for any size rig but the larger ones would be better on the site away from the lake. Most of the sites along the road by the lake are small and not very level. The upper ones are much larger and flat," advises a Venango camper.
