Kanopolis State Park spans across 1,585 acres on the Smoky Hill River with camping facilities situated around Kansas' first reservoir. The lake extends over 3,500 acres at normal water levels with 30 miles of shoreline providing diverse camping environments. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F while winter nights often drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Paddleboarding on the reservoir: Sandyshore Campground offers direct water access for paddleboard enthusiasts. "My girlfriend and I were able to take our paddle boards out which was a ton of fun and with the heavy boat traffic," notes Nick P., highlighting the water recreation options beyond fishing.
Explore limestone formations: Eagle Point Campground serves as an excellent base for trail exploration. "Trails with cliffs, creeks and caves, campsites with incredible views and Bald Eagles soaring overhead," reports Holt and Sam L., who appreciated the natural features during their winter visit.
Fishing at the kids' pond: Little Bluestem area maintains a stocked fishing pond specifically for younger anglers. "The kids fishing pond is stocked with catfish, my kids loved catching something other than our usual blue Gill!" shares Natalie, who found this alternative to reservoir fishing particularly appealing for families.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Venango Park offers lakefront camping with ample space between sites. "Lots of grass to walk dogs, beautiful sunsets," mentions Suzy, who appreciated the waterfront location despite noting that "people did not care about walking through my waterfront site to get to the water."
Off-season solitude: Winter and early spring camping provides remarkable quiet at most campgrounds. "Not very crowded mid-April 2024. Level sites with water available. Many trees," reports Larry E. about his experience at Eagle Point Campground during the shoulder season.
Beach-like shoreline: The sandy areas along parts of the reservoir create unusual inland beach environments. "We got a perfect camp spot all to ourselves. It was not necessarily private or in the woods. But we were right up against the lake. There was sand like a beach," notes Carter W. about his Sandyshore Campground experience.
What you should know
Multiple park areas can cause confusion: Sandstone Campground visitors often report navigation challenges. "We became completely lost. There are TWO areas of this state park. We were in the Horsethief Area. Our campground was Sandstone, which is the Langley Point Area. Get out of Horsethief, turn right & cross the dam," advises Cynthia K.
Wind exposure: Shoreline camping sites experience significant wind, especially in spring. "The wind was significant and was super annoying all night, but the grounds were nice, well maintained," reports Brendon K. about his tent camping experience at Venango Park.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility cleanliness depends on season and visitation levels. "The bathrooms/showers are typical state park, but they were DIRTY! No one cleaned them Sat. There were spiders & cobwebs everywhere," notes Cynthia K. during a busy holiday weekend at Sandstone Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with playground access: Cottonwood Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "Family friendly... Nice facilities in campground. Nice lake to boat on. Clean," reports Carla H., who found the maintained facilities suitable for family camping.
Visit Mushroom Rock before setting up camp: This unique geological formation provides an educational stop. "Before you head to your campsite make sure you stop off at Mushroom Rock for a photo op!" recommends Natalie, who incorporated this landmark visit into her family's Little Bluestem camping trip.
Consider primitive site #5 at Blue Stem: This specific site offers exceptional views and space for families. "Do yourself a favor and stay at Blue Stem primitive site 5. Beautiful view of the reservoir, and it's on the end so you have a huge open area all to yourself," suggests Natalie for families seeking more outdoor space.
Tips from RVers
Level variability at waterfront sites: Riverside Campground offers scenic spots that 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," shares Larry M., noting the space constraints at some waterfront sites.
Choose upper sites for larger rigs: Waterfront locations often accommodate smaller setups better than large RVs. "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 Doug W. about Venango Campground.
Consider hookup placement: Some sites have awkward utility connections. "The placement of the sewer was awkward if you have a backend bathroom," notes Jane G. about her experience at Cottonwood Campground, highlighting the importance of checking utility layouts when selecting pet-friendly camping sites near Kanopolis Lake.
