1 campground with availability this weekend
Boulder Bluff Area at El Dorado State Park offers equestrian camping in its dedicated Equestrian Loop near Strong City, Kansas. The campground provides primitive back-in sites for horse owners with trailer parking adjacent to each site. Fire rings, grills, and picnic tables are available at all sites, though campers note their placement can be inconsistent relative to trailer positioning. Restroom facilities include pit toilets at the loop and bath houses with showers elsewhere in the park. Water access is a highlight with most equestrian sites positioned near the shore, allowing campers to hear waves throughout the night. Sites are generally well-spaced with tree coverage providing good shade.
Bridle trails connect to the campground, providing access to riding routes throughout the 4,000-acre park. The camping area layout accommodates horse trailers with sufficient space, though parking pads may not be level at all sites. Riders should prepare accordingly when planning their visit. The park's size allows for extended trail rides with varied terrain and scenic views of El Dorado Lake. For amenities beyond the campground, the city of El Dorado is nearby with supplies and services. The campground is less than an hour from Wichita, making it accessible for weekend trips. Reservations are recommended, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends when the park becomes crowded.
"My husband, our 2 dogs, and I stayed at the Equestrian Loop. We pulled in our PUP for a night sleep."
"We stayed in the equestrian loop. All but a couple primitive sites are back-in. The layout of the fire rings, grills and picnic tables are all weird..."
from $15 - $28 / night
"This was one of our favorite Kansas State Parks. At the end of May, it was almost empty. We had our pick of sites. We got a prime tree shaded spot on the water."
"The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well."
Available this weekend
from $15 - $85 / night
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $90 / night
GuideI stayed at Doud Campground inside the state park. It was a peaceful site facing the lake, with a few hay bales and a well maintained trail.
September was a good month to stay because it was cooler outside. I recommend using the bathhouse facilities at BlackJack campground right next to Doud as they are more updated.
GuideWe just did a quick overnight camp on a road trip out east. No noise from other campers, but this is near a railroad track or maybe even depot. So there was constant noise throughout the night. If you are a hard sleeper, you might be fine! Otherwise—not the best! We didn’t use the facilities here, so can’t speak to the bathroom, though there is one.
Lots of bugs this time of year, which whatever. BUT you can pull into this site at any time. There are self pay stations as you drive in or you can pay with the rangers if their station is open. It was a fine pit stop. Served its purpose.
RangerWe stayed here in mid October of 2025. This state park has over 1000 campsites as noted on line. We did not have reservations and drove around to a few of the FHU campgrounds till we found a spot. Big Oak and Frontier Refinery sites had the unkempt look of full timers. To say that this state park has much deferred maintenance is kind. Our site had a leaking underground water pipe that provided a constant puddle. The neighbor to us said it had been there all summer. The grounds are very unkempt and enforcement of rules seems to be non existent. Only plus is the number of activities available, but we cannot attest to the conditions. One of the worst state campgrounds we have ever stayed. We would definitely choose another campground when in the area.
TravelerThis was our first visit and we chose a campsite on-line. The COE has done an admirable job developing this lakeside area for plentiful campsites and decent shade. The showers and facilities were clean and maintained well. The camp store is minimal and only open a few hours in the evening. Access to the water is easy so bring watercraft and swimming attire. The lake is almost 7,000 acres so our kayak exploring only covered a small portion.
TravelerFinally we found a campsite in Old Oak. Beautiful setting. Showers/toilets were were better than the archaic ones in Bluestem that have no roofs, but barely. Broken soap dispensers, cold water, no privacy in showers, etc.
ScoutGood wish could’ve been closer to the boats, but nearby the swimming area right now t-Mobile service works out here pretty well. 
TravelerBeautiful campgrounds with so many activities available! The general store is super helpful, as they sell firewood and ice, and have kayak and canoe rentals. There are a few swim beaches, and plenty of sand to sit in and relax. Our actual campsite was great and came equipped with a firepit and picnic table, and we could walk to the lakeshore. We will be back!
GuideThis is a beautiful park. It has a river that runs through it and a man-made lake. The campsites are separated a little from each other. Lots of nice trees. 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. We had electric and water.
We visited this park in early April. 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. This is a BIG park with multiple camping areas so it was difficult to figure out on our own.
ScoutSpent the weekend here and glad we had reservations prior as it was full even though it was the end of October and the weather wasn't the best. Close to Melvern and the railroad tracks so if the sound of trains all night isn't your thing, then pick somewhere else. Excellent clean restrooms and showers. Great views of the lake from many spots. Also good cell service. Only 8 miles from Lyndon where there are restaurants, gas and a dollar store although no grocery store.
El Dorado State Park encompasses over 4,000 acres surrounding a 8,000-acre reservoir in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. The park contains multiple camping areas with varying levels of amenities, from primitive sites to full hookup RV spots. Equestrian facilities are concentrated in dedicated loops that accommodate horse trailers and provide access to bridle trails throughout the park.
Water activities: El Dorado Lake offers multiple swimming beaches and boat ramps. At Walnut River Area, campers have convenient access to swimming areas. "Three nice campgrounds, large playground, fishing and a swim beach. Worth the stop with the kids," notes Jason S.
Biking: Paved roads and trails throughout the park create opportunities for cycling. At Eisenhower State Park, "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," according to Nancy C.
Fishing: Access to shoreline fishing spots is available directly from many campsites. The reservoir contains multiple fish species and fishing is possible year-round. "Close enough to town for convenience but far enough away you get to see a lot of stars," mentions Bill H. about fishing at Eisenhower State Park.
Lake views: Many sites at Boulder Bluff Area provide water views and shoreline access. "We pulled in our PUP for a night sleep. 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.
Shade coverage: Mature trees throughout the camping areas provide relief during hot summer months. At Walnut River Area, campers appreciate the natural canopy. "Beautiful setting. Showers/toilets were better than the archaic ones in Bluestem that have no roofs," notes Donna G. about the Old Oak area.
Spacious sites: Most campgrounds in the region offer well-spaced sites that provide privacy. "The campsites are separated a little from each other. Lots of nice trees," writes Mary about Boulder Bluff Area.
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary significantly between camping loops. "Broken soap dispensers, cold water, no privacy in showers," reports Donna G. about Walnut River Area, while another camper notes "Bathrooms were terrible. All shower stalls face each other with no curtains."
Reservation timing: The parks require advance planning during peak periods. "We visited this park in early April. It was very confusing to get a site because there was no camp host available and the park office was closed. This is a BIG park with multiple camping areas so it was difficult to figure out on our own," explains Mary.
Weekend crowds: Holiday weekends bring significantly more visitors. "This is a popular weekend get-away. It's less than an hour from Wichita, clean, taken care of," mentions Brad H., adding that even with crowds "this campground was comfortable and family-oriented."
Playground access: Select sites near recreation areas for convenience with 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. Bathroom and shower are next to the playground which is also convenient for us," recommends Kara S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Strong City, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Strong City, KS is Boulder Bluff Area — El Dorado State Park with a 3.5-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Strong City, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Strong City, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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