Campgrounds near Paola, Kansas cluster around Hillsdale Lake, a 4,580-acre reservoir maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The area sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and cold winters. Water levels at Hillsdale Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Hillsdale State Park offers rentals for water exploration. "This was our first location as full time RVers and it was such a fun experience. There are kayaks and canoes to rent, there is a great marina, fishing, and tons of water access opportunities for private kayaks," notes Jamie S.
Archery practice: The park maintains specialized facilities for bow hunters. "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," explains Jason W.
Mountain biking: Numerous trails surround the campgrounds for cycling enthusiasts. "Campgrounds are clean and aren't too overly cramped. Trails for hiking and riding bikes and they offer canoe/kayak renting," says Maria M.
Fishing access: Middle Creek State Fishing Lake provides waterfront sites with prime access. "Clean lake that is great fishing, Walleye bass catfish. Campsites are waterfront and there's about 4 spots to choose from," shares Alexis B.
What campers like
Affordability: Lake Miola City Park provides budget-friendly options. "It's CHEAP!! $20 for electric tent & camper! They have water spouts at the tent area as well!!" exclaims Kayzie N.
Campsite variety: Quail Run Campground offers options for different camping styles. "All in all I really enjoyed tent camping at one of the primitive sites! My dad and I used two separate tents, each of which are six person tents, and it was easy to fit both on the campsite," explains Freya.
Location convenience: The proximity to Kansas City makes these campsites near Paola, Kansas perfect for weekend trips. "Quiet and a quick drive from KC. Lots to do here. Great even for a last minute adventure," notes Trish R.
Lakefront positioning: Many campers appreciate direct water access. "The sites are right on the lake and the vault toilet was clean. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and they are spaced out nicely," says Jordan B.
What you should know
Campsite leveling: Bring proper equipment if staying at Lake Miola. "The sites are not very level, so bring leveling equipment! The rates are EXTREMELY affordable. First come, first served. Holidays will find the campground FULL," advises Steve D.
Facility maintenance variations: Crappie Cove Campground has inconsistent maintenance reports. "Not sure the showers/toilets were cleaned in the 7 days we were there. There were always puddles everywhere in the bathroom, so much that the heat made them smell very bad," notes Kristine S.
Campsite assignment confusion: Rules can be inconsistent between park staff. "When we drove into the park and paid the entrance fee, we were told to find a place that wasn't occupied then go get a tag from the host. We found a site and started getting our stuff out of the car and pretty soon the campground host came by and told us we had to leave," reports Janice O.
Storm protection: Not all camping areas have shelter options. "You're also very close to Hillsdale State Park, but this location has a tornado shelter," comments Laura H. about Rutlader Outpost RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Miola City Park offers recreational areas for children. "This is a surprising little campground. We took our first trip in our new RV and was able to camp right along the water. The restrooms are very clean and a fun playground for the kids," shares Brandon B.
Bathroom facilities: Consider campgrounds with better amenities when camping with children. "The shower house with flush toilets, which was a little further away, was clean but didn't have any hand soap, it only had hand sanitizer which was a disappointment," notes Freya about Quail Run.
Swimming areas: Several campsites near Paola provide swimming opportunities. "The lake offers hiking/biking trails around it, a campground, fishing, a swimming beach with a picnic area and volleyball courts," explains Misti P.
Pest awareness: Be prepared for seasonal wildlife encounters. "A note about spiders: there were way more than I've ever seen while camping before, so if spiders bother you I suggest you not camp here in October!" warns Freya.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Sunflower Campground provides full utility connections. "Great campground (Sunflower) The host's are friendly and knowledgeable of the area. The trees in the sites are small saplings, give them a few more years, and they will be nice," shares Ty A.
Site spacing: Different campground loops offer varying degrees of privacy. "Sunflower loop is widely spaced and plenty of room for larger RVs," notes Laura H.
Stay duration limits: Be aware of maximum stay policies. "You are allowed to stay 14 consecutive days before you must take 5 day break," explains Steve D. about Lake Miola.
Shade considerations: Tree cover varies significantly between camping areas. "Full-hookup sites don't have any tree coverage, but the electric/water sites near the lake are very cozy," explains Jason W.
