Toronto Point at Cross Timbers State Park offers camping and glamping experiences along the shores of Toronto Lake in eastern Kansas. The area sits within the Flint Hills region, characterized by tallgrass prairie and limestone outcroppings. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer daytime highs often reach the 90s with significant humidity. The area receives around 40 inches of annual precipitation, with most rainfall occurring during spring and early summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Toronto Lake spans 2,800 acres with multiple species for anglers. At Whitehall Bay, campers appreciate the rocky shoreline access points. One visitor noted, "We picked a spot right on the point of the cove where we could see all of the lake and its beauty!"
Sunset watching: Evening colors reflect dramatically across Toronto Lake's waters. An experienced camper at Whitehall Bay mentioned, "Best sunset of our whole trip! The campsites were spacious with trees and the view of the water was incredible, sunset was magnificent."
History exploration: The area contains notable historical sites. At Beaumont Hotel & RV Park, visitors can learn about regional railroad history while glamping. A reviewer shared, "Beaumont with their own airport, hotel, campground, and cafe with a lot of Frisco Railroad History."
What campers like
Lakefront camping spots: Sites with water views rank highest among campers near Toronto. At Lake Parsons, visitors appreciate the proximity to water, with one noting, "We were parked right on the water. They have concrete slabs with a great picnic table for each site."
Full hookup options: Several campgrounds offer complete utilities. At Whitehall Bay, a camper highlighted, "The best part of Whitehall Bay is the sewer is directly at your campsite, so no dumping afterwards. A big plus for me!!!"
Stargazing conditions: The rural setting creates excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Beaumont Hotel & RV Park shared, "Quiet evening and fantastic stargazing" due to minimal light pollution in this part of Kansas.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. A Whitehall Bay visitor cautioned, "The last 4-5 miles are very narrow, with the vegetation growing right up to the pavement... The last 2-3 miles are riddled with potholes."
Seasonal closures: Confirm operating dates before planning trips. Lake Parsons operates from April 1 to November 1, while other sites like Bluestem Point remain open year-round.
Water levels fluctuate: Toronto Lake and surrounding waters experience level changes throughout the year. At Bluestem Point Area, a camper reported, "The lake was flooded so the water was a bit off."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas for children. A reviewer at Bluestem Point Area mentioned, "Decent beach area with playground equipment for kids."
Site selection for wind protection: Wind can affect comfort at certain sites. One camper advised, "The wind blew the entire time... but if we were in the woods it didn't really bother us. Just need to pick a better campsite next time."
Shade considerations: Certain areas lack natural cover. A visitor noted, "Very few 50 amp site to choose from and no 50 amp sites with shade," which can be important for families camping during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with hookups have dump stations. One RVer shared, "We actually camped at Bemis Campground... I believe there was vault toilets only but no dump station. We had to come up to the blue stem area to dump."
Electric-only sections: Some areas offer partial hookups. At Chuck Wagon RV Park, a traveler advised, "Full hook ups, 50 and 30 amp, pull through and back in. Small campground with no public showers or bathrooms, no WiFi but good ATT cell service."
Site levelness: Terrain varies across campgrounds. One RVer mentioned, "The sites are gravel and fairly level," while another noted, "Spaces were fairly level and nicely spaced apart. Probably would recommend taking a back in spot rather than a pull through spot as the pull through were all pretty small and had no shade."
