Hillsdale State Park sits adjacent to the 4,580-acre Hillsdale Reservoir in eastern Kansas. The area features a mix of native tallgrass prairie and oak-hickory woodland at approximately 900 feet elevation. Camping options range from primitive tent sites to electric hookups, with seasonal temperature variations from below freezing in winter to humid 90°F days in summer.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Perry State Park Campground offers various fishing spots along its shoreline. "The campground is kept up great! We just had a family get together where we rented 6 sites. It accommodated us all!" reports one visitor.
Hiking trails: Multiple trails wind through the natural areas surrounding Hillsdale State Park. "Campgrounds are clean and aren't too overly cramped. Trails for hiking and riding bikes and they offer canoe/kayak renting," notes Maria M.
Archery practice: The state parks maintain dedicated archery facilities. As Jason W. points out, "It has a great bow range for siting in and practicing with your bow. You can even climb towers to practice shooting from 'tree-stand' elevations."
Swimming beaches: Several parks provide designated swimming areas. At Perry State Park Campground, "Wonderful pull through spots, great views, and closer to the boat ramp!" reports Caitlin R., making it convenient to access water activities.
What Campers Like
Lakefront camping: Numerous sites at Pomona State Park Campground provide direct water access. "After everyone left I moved to a few non shore power site down by the water. Beautiful view, with a quiet serene feel," explains Tanner P.
Clean facilities: Most parks maintain well-kept restrooms and shower buildings. At Lake Jacomo - Fleming Park, "This is a very clean campground. The staff is very nice and helpful," notes Darlene N.
Seclusion options: Certain camping loops offer more privacy than others. One camper at Pomona State Park Campground notes, "Our camp was in burning heart, it was very quiet and very clean. Even being full, it felt secluded."
Easy weekend getaways: The proximity to Kansas City makes these parks convenient for short trips. "This campground is close to home for us, but we love it as a quick get away," shares a camper.
What You Should Know
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. At Eisenhower State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "The cold spring winds made kayaking impossible." Plan water activities accordingly.
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary greatly, with some offering more privacy than others. At Perry State Park, "Eagle Loop was essentially a parking lot. Also surprised there were essentially semi-permanent campers set up," reports Andy.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation routes. At Kansas City West-Lawrence KOA, multiple reviews mention trains: "There was a train that comes by every couple of hours," and "The trains run ALL NIGHT long."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Spent the weekend here and glad we had reservations prior as it was full even though it was the end of October," reports Michelle H. at Eisenhower State Park Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Kansas City specializes in family camping. "My kids love camping here, we came in an RV and we're barely ever inside it until we were ready to sleep. So much fun activities for the kids," Dawn H. explains.
Playground access: Several parks feature play equipment for children. Lone Star Lake Park offers "a playground and clean facilities. Makes for a great family camping option."
Swimming beaches: Designated swimming areas provide safe water recreation. One camper at Lone Star Lake Park notes it has "a great dock and beach. Views of the lake are fantastic."
Glamping options: For families seeking more comfort than traditional camping, glamping near Hillsdale offers modern amenities. Mark R. describes Hillsdale as having "lots of glamping" opportunities compared to more rustic options.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require preparation for uneven terrain. At Pomona State Park Campground, Dan & Penny F. noted, "Site a little off level, nothing a few blocks or boards couldn't solve. 30 amps of clean 122 vac."
Full hookup availability: Hookup options vary between parks and loops. "Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy," explains one camper.
Tree cover considerations: Shade availability differs between loops and campgrounds. Ty A. appreciated that "The campground here is covered in trees, Awesome. We're in a Montana high country 384br, 41' fifth wheel."
Dump station access: Most parks provide dump stations even when full hookups aren't available. "Like most state parks no sewer hookups but easy access to dump station," notes Doug H. about Perry State Park.
