El Dorado State Park offers extensive equestrian camping near Marion, Kansas with over 8,000 acres of parkland surrounding the reservoir. The park maintains specialized camping areas for horse owners throughout summer and fall seasons. Water levels in the reservoir fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline access at certain campsites.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: El Dorado State Park provides extensive paved trails and roads suitable for riding, plus wooded trails for more adventurous equestrians. "There are lots of paved trails and paved roads in the campground that are nice for biking. There are some trails through the woods also," notes Mary, who visited the Walnut River Area.
Swimming areas for cooling off: Several designated swimming beaches are available within the park system. "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," according to Zephyr Y. at Boulder Bluff Area.
Fishing access: Many campsites provide shoreline fishing access. "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!" advises Zephyr Y.
What campers like
Waterfront camping experiences: Campers appreciate sites positioned near the reservoir. "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," shares Brittany G. about staying at Walnut River Area.
Convenient facilities for horse owners: The Equestrian Loop accommodates horse trailers with spacious sites. "We stayed in the equestrian loop. All but a couple primitive sites are back-in," reports Tracy N., though noting "The layout of the fire rings, grills and picnic tables are all weird... Not consistent and usually on the wrong side of your trailer."
Family-friendly atmosphere: The park offers playgrounds and recreation areas for children. "We usually stay on the Walnut River side as there is a large playground with tent sites close enough to keep an eye on the kiddos. They also have a swim area on this side," explains Kara S.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility maintenance appears inconsistent throughout the park. "The bathhouse 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," reports Tracy N. about the Equestrian Loop.
Challenging reservation process: Getting a campsite can be difficult during certain periods. "It was very confusing to get a site because there was no camp host available and the park office was closed. (It was Saturday.) There were a lot of local campers in the park. There are maps on bulletin boards but no printed maps were available," explains Mary.
Rule enforcement issues: Some campers note concerns about park management. "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," reports Angie S. about the Big Oak Campground at Sand Hills State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near recreation areas for easier supervision. "We will stay here for overnight trips since it's only about 40 minutes from home. We usually stay on the Walnut River side as there is a large playground with tent sites close enough to keep an eye on the kiddos," recommends Kara S.
Swimming beach considerations: Choose campsites with proximity to designated swim areas. "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," notes Angie S.
Weekend timing: Holiday weekends bring different crowds than weekdays. "This is a popular weekend get-away. It's less than an hour from Wichita, clean, taken care of. My experience over the holiday weekends has usually been that's when the rowdy crowd shows up but this campground was comfortable and family-oriented," shares Brad H.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling preparations: Bring leveling equipment for RV camping. "The parking pad was nowhere near level, so you'll want to plan for that," advises Tracy N. about the Equestrian Loop. Similarly, at Sand Hills State Park, Victoria S. notes, "Park was a little unlevel so definitely need to bring extra wood to level correctly."
Utility hookups: Most sites offer water and electric connections for RVs. "We had electric and water," confirms Mary about the facilities at Walnut River Area, though site assignments can be confusing without staff assistance during off-hours.
Dump station access: Plan your tank management accordingly. "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 for the rest of the winter," explains Paul P. about his stay at Sand Hills State Park, adding, "Also saw a dump station that was free."
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