Kanopolis State Park spans 1,585 acres near Hoisington, Kansas, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,700 feet. The park sits within the Smoky Hills region, characterized by rolling prairie and striking limestone formations. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F with winter lows around 20°F, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season for visitors seeking yurt camping or traditional outdoor stays.
What to do
Hiking through limestone formations: The trails at Kanopolis State Park Eagle Point Campground showcase unique rock formations and diverse terrain. "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?" reports Holt and Sam L.
Kayaking on Wilson Lake: The crystal-clear waters at Lucas Park provide excellent conditions for paddling. A camper named Jello D. shares, "Our site overlooked the lake from a small ridge. We were able to launch our kayaks easily lets say 50 ft down. Was a small beach as well by the site."
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer shoreline access for anglers. Visitors at Sandyshore Campground appreciate the lake access. Henry M. notes, "Great place for a weekend getaway or long fishing trip on the reservoir. All the facilities were very clean and the park was well maintained."
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Sites along the shoreline are highly sought after. Elizabeth S. from Sandyshore Campground explains, "Perfect mix of shade and shoreline. Beautiful views. The closest restroom is 1/2 a mile away up in Buzzard Bay though."
Clean facilities: The well-maintained restrooms and shower buildings receive consistent praise. At Triple J RV Park, Jeremy H. reports, "Great location, the staff was very welcoming to my arrival and I felt safe with all of the lighting on property. Sites are very level and the entire property is clean and charming."
Swimming beaches: The clear water attracts swimmers during summer months. Shawn W. from Lucas Park states, "Water is crystal clear and affords people the opportunity to swim fish boat etc. Must stay if traveling through the flat state of KS."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites require advance booking, especially during peak season. Amanda from Lucas Park notes, "The primitive campsites were free Monday evening through Wednesday evening. Vault toilets were clean and there was a trash dumpster at the end of each loop."
Wildlife considerations: Ticks can be prevalent in summer months. Carter W. warns about hiking at Kanopolis: "bring tick spray can be brutal out there!"
Site selection strategies: Waterfront sites fill quickly. Elizabeth S. suggests, "wish they would make these spots reservable as they fill up very quick since they are first come first serve. Especially on weekends."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Hoisington, Kansas, several campgrounds now offer these accommodations with more amenities than traditional tent camping.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Cheryl T. from Lincoln Campground mentions the facilities: "There were play grounds for the kids. Really nice clean baths and the roads were pretty easy to push a wheelchair over."
Beach day activities: Designated swimming areas with sandy shores work well for families. Amanda reports about Lucas Park, "The beach area looked clean. Each campsite in the Point area we were in had a lot of room around it."
Accessible facilities: Some campgrounds offer wheelchair-friendly paths and facilities. Rick notes that Lincoln Campground has "a nice park next door" in addition to the camping facilities.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer water, electric, and sewer connections. Ronald R. describes Triple J RV Park as having "Nice level gravel pads. New full hook ups. Nice place to stop for the night."
Pull-through sites: Several campgrounds feature easy-access sites. GP shares about Triple J: "We got a pull-through full-hookups site. The campsite pads are level, nice and wide, gravel like the roads, with wide grassy/dirt/gravel areas between and beautiful mature shade trees everywhere."
Check-in procedures: Many campgrounds accommodate late arrivals. Carlene from Triple J explains, "We pulled in very late last night, called ahead to tell them, very nice folks they left a note for us to park and a site that didn't wake up rest of the campers."
