El Dorado State Park offers diverse camping experiences across several areas including the Equestrian Loop within Boulder Bluff. The park spans 4,000 acres with 98 miles of shoreline along El Dorado Reservoir. Temperatures range from summer highs in the mid-90s to winter lows below freezing, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Trail riding on horseback: El Dorado State Park features dedicated equestrian trails that connect to various parts of the park. A camper at Walnut River Area notes, "Three nice campgrounds, large playground, fishing and a swim beach. Worth the stop with the kids."
Fishing in stocked waters: Cowley County Fishing Lake provides prime spots for anglers. "Very nice primitive campsite. Several spots beside the lake or built on little peninsulas surrounded by water on three sides," writes a visitor to Cowley County Fishing Lake.
Swimming at designated beaches: Many camping areas include swimming access points. At Walnut River Area, one visitor mentioned, "Good wish could've been closer to the boats, but nearby the swimming area right now t-Mobile service works out here pretty well."
Hiking nature trails: The region offers walking paths through diverse terrain. "It's a small campground, nearby hiking but no other activities. It is clean, lots of trash cans and restrooms are clean," notes a visitor at Sand Hills State Park.
What campers like
Water proximity: Campsites near water edges are particularly popular. A camper at Winfield City Lake observed, "It's a small lake but big enough to go fishing and do your boating fun on like skiing, tubing and etc. There is camping around the lake with RV hookups in spots around the lake."
Weekday solitude: Most horse campgrounds near Haysville, Kansas experience significantly less crowding midweek. "We stayed in the equestrian loop. The trees are lovely. You're very near the water and the breeze was beautiful," shares one camper about their experience.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds receive higher ratings. At Sand Hills State Park, a visitor appreciated the "Good, clean restroom/showers" and mentioned it's "Horse friendly. Over 600 acres of equestrian trails."
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate reasonable fees. "We paid $12 for the night since we got in super late otherwise it's $25 a night. Also saw a dump station that was free," notes a Sand Hills State Park visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Campground conditions vary significantly by season. A visitor to Kansas State Fair RV Park recommended planning around the state fair for less crowded experiences.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "Telephone reservations were a little confusing, otherwise a 5-Star," noted one Sand Hills State Park camper.
Rule enforcement varies: Campground rules may not be consistently enforced. A Winfield City Lake visitor observed, "This lake is nice but small. The camping is OK, however, the city of Winfield never enforces quite hours or patrols the area."
Facility limitations: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "Showers were nice. They were over run with bugs but that was to be expected since it's early May," reported a Sand Hills State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Choose sites near recreational facilities. At Walnut River Area, a visitor recommended the "large playground, fishing and a swim beach" which makes it "worth the stop with the kids."
Kid-friendly beaches: Several equestrian campgrounds near Haysville feature swimming areas suitable for children. Winfield City Lake offers "camping around the lake with RV hookups in spots around the lake."
Noise considerations: Family campers should note potential disturbances. "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," advised a Winfield City Lake visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require additional equipment. A Sand Hills State Park visitor warned, "Park was a little unlevel so definitely need to bring extra wood to level correctly."
Hookup availability: Check specific site amenities before booking. At Boulder Bluff Area, a visitor shared, "This is a beautiful park. It has a river that runs through it and a man-made lake. We had electric and water."
Dump station locations: Plan for waste disposal. "Stopped here early in February 2021 for one night, on the way home to Missouri from Arizona. Needed a quiet place to get a nights sleep and drain the tanks before putting the RV back in storage," noted a Sand Hills State Park visitor.
