Best Equestrian Camping near Emporia, KS

Cedar Park offers equestrian camping with six corrals available for horses. Located near Lyndon, Kansas, this primitive campground features eight designated campsites specifically designed to accommodate riders and their horses. The park provides basic amenities including pit toilets and a gravel boat ramp. The equestrian sites remain accessible year-round with no reservation requirements, though permits are needed for camping. The corrals accommodate multiple horses with adequate space for trailer parking nearby.

El Dorado State Park's Equestrian Loop provides waterfront horse camping with direct lake access. The loop features back-in sites suitable for horse trailers, though campers should note that parking pads are not consistently level. Fire rings, grills, and picnic tables are available at each site, though their placement varies throughout the camping area. The park offers extensive riding opportunities with trails connecting to various sections of the 8,000-acre property. Boulder Bluff Area provides additional camping options with the peaceful sound of waves hitting the shoreline throughout the night. Pit toilets are available in the equestrian area, with shower facilities located in the main campground sections. The park's massive size allows for extensive exploration on horseback with convenient access to amenities in nearby El Dorado.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Emporia, Kansas (4)

    1. Eisenhower State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lyndon, KS
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 528-4102

    $10 - $100 / night

    "This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. 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."

    "The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well."

    2. Cedar Park

    5 Reviews
    Vassar, KS
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (785) 453-2201

    "Free and easy, and a nice change from all the flat dry Kansas fields."

    "Near the boat launch and had a quiet night. There is a pit toilet close."

    3. Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

    12 Reviews
    El Dorado, KS
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (316) 321-7180

    $10 - $23 / night

    "My husband, our 2 dogs, and I stayed at the Equestrian Loop. We pulled in our PUP for a night sleep."

    "We stayed in the equestrian loop. All but a couple primitive sites are back-in. The layout of the fire rings, grills and picnic tables are all weird..."

    4. Toronto Point — Cross Timbers State Park

    1 Review
    Toronto, KS
    44 miles
    Website

    "Some of the trails were a little overgrown at times."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Emporia, KS

28 Reviews of 4 Emporia Campgrounds


  • JC C.
    Oct. 11, 2018

    Cedar Park

    Primitive campsite with tent sites and rock boat ramp

    • 8 campsites
    • Equestrian sites available with 6 corrals
    • Pit toilet
    • Boat ramp (gravel)
    • Open all year
  • Brittany G.
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

    Peaceful stay

    My husband, our 2 dogs, and I stayed at the Equestrian Loop. We pulled in our PUP for a night sleep. 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.

  • Nancy C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Everything you need is here

    This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. 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.

    There was only 1 small bath house open while we were there, but it was clean and the shower was hot. It was one of those push button kind that only stayed on for a min. Not a problem to just keep pushing.

    We road bikes, but the cold spring winds made kayaking impossible. In the summer, I can see why this place would be a fun destination. Swimming, boating, fishing, horses, archery, wide open spaces.

    The roads within the park are not the best. Also, online reservations must be made 48 hrs in advance, otherwise, its day by day.

  • T
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

    Beautiful and peaceful

    We stayed in the equestrian loop. All but a couple primitive sites are back-in. The layout of the fire rings, grills and picnic tables are all weird... Not consistent and usually on the wrong side of your trailer. The parking pad was nowhere near level, so you'll want to plan for that. The trees are lovely. You're very near the water and the breeze was beautiful. The toilet 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. No stall doors on toilets or showers. We used the city of El Dorado dump station. The park is massive. Lots of amenities in El Dorado. And a quick jump to Wichita. We will be back.

  • Niki S.
    Feb. 4, 2021

    Cedar Park

    Loved it!

    I slept here on my way from Denver to Washington DC in February 2021. I have a mini camper in my CRV, I pulled up at midnight, went to a spot right by the shore and saw some incredible stars. Free and easy, and a nice change from all the flat dry Kansas fields.

  • John G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Eisenhower State Park Campground

    Eisenhower SP spaciousness

    This was our first visit and we chose a campsite on-line. The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well. The camp store is minimal and only open a few hours in the evening. Access to the water is easy so bring watercraft and swimming attire. The lake is almost 7,000 acres so our kayak exploring only covered a small portion.

  • Angie S.
    Jul. 20, 2018

    Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

    Walnut River Area, Big Oak Campground

    You'd think the Big Oak Campground in El Dorado State Park would be amazing. 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. Unfortunately these pluses are far outweighed by the negatives. First the bathrooms were horrible. I realize they are older restrooms but they smelled awful, they were never obviously cleaned, the showers were not even a tiny bit private, the door to the restroom was broken and had to be propped open with a tree branch. Just over the bridge at the swim beach they were worse and some of the doors in the women’s room were missing. Yuck! Secondly basic campground rules were not enforced at all. The site across from us easily had 30 people camping and were up until 4am with loud music and a bright light on. I’m not kidding, my daughter was up around 3 to use the restroom and we walked by twice. The family in the site next to us had at least 4 cars and 2 tents set up outside the site on the walking path in addition to their two tents in their own site. The dog free swim beach had dogs on it. We camp with our dogs, one of which loves to swim and even I don’t want dogs on a public beach. Our camping weekend was negatively affected by poor camping etiquette and a sever lack of basic rule enforcement. We won’t be back to El Dorado State Park Big Oak campsite any time soon. Cross Timbers and Fall River are much better!

  • Jason S.
    Apr. 14, 2018

    Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

    Fun Area

    This Park is closer to home so just took my son on a quick fishing/camping overnigh for his birthday. Stayed at the Walnut River Area, the Blue stem area was still closed down for winter in April. 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.

  • Z
    May. 27, 2018

    Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park

    El Dorado State Park Bluestem for an easy, laid-back weekend!

    Restrooms with showers and dumpsters (for you campsite garbage) are widely available during camping season. 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. Beware at the box turtle camp site though, a channel runs 3-4 feet out from the shore and drops about 12 feet QUICK so don't swim there! The general store and bait shop at Bluestem is wonderful. If you visit Kansas State Parks frequently, it pays to purchase an annual vehicle permit early in the year when they are discounted rather than pay per day every time you visit.


Guide to Emporia

Horse camping in Kansas offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds equipped for horse camping, adventurers can find the perfect spot to saddle up and enjoy nature.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Tips for equestrian camping near Emporia, Kansas

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and water access

  • Cedar Park features a boat ramp and beach access, making it ideal for those who want to combine water activities with horse camping.
  • At Eisenhower State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy well-maintained trails that are perfect for horseback riding and exploring the area.
  • Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park provides a variety of amenities, including picnic tables and fire rings, making it a comfortable choice for equestrian campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Emporia, KS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Emporia, KS is Eisenhower State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Emporia, KS?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Emporia, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.