Wilson Lake surrounds the glamping offerings near Wilson, Kansas, creating a crystal clear reservoir with limestone shorelines in the Smoky Hills region. The area sits at approximately 1,700 feet elevation, with terrain characterized by rolling hills, limestone outcroppings, and prairie vegetation. Summer temperatures often reach the 90s with cooler evenings around 65-70°F, while spring and fall provide more moderate camping conditions.
What to do
Kayak launching from beaches: Lucas Park features small beaches where visitors can easily launch kayaks just 50 feet from some campsites. "We were able to launch our kayaks easily lets say 50 ft down. Was a small beach as well by the site. Larger beaches elsewhere," notes a Lucas Park visitor.
Explore unique art installations: The Garden of Eden and downtown art district in Lucas make for an interesting day trip from campgrounds. "Drive into town and check out the 'US Largest Toilet Bowl' art installation, 'Garden of Eden' and the downtown district where you can find a few unique pieces," recommends a camper.
Hiking limestone formations: Trails through the area's distinctive limestone terrain provide scenic day outings. "Check out the trail on the property to the rocks!" suggests one camper, while another at Kanopolis State Park mentions, "Trails with cliffs, creeks and caves, campsites with incredible views and Bald Eagles soaring overhead."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Birdwatchers appreciate the chance to spot bald eagles and other native species. According to a camper at Eagle Point, there are "campsites with incredible views and Bald Eagles soaring overhead."
Crystal clear water quality: Multiple campers highlight the exceptional water clarity at Wilson Lake. "Water is crystal clear and affords people the opportunity to swim fish boat etc," notes a Lucas Park reviewer, while another states it's "one of our favorite campgrounds. The lake is extremely clean."
Site spacing and lake views: Campsites at Lucas Park are arranged to maximize privacy and water views. "The way they had placed the sites was in a way that most all of them had views of water," shares one visitor. Another adds, "Each campsite in the Point area we were in had a lot of room around it."
What you should know
Free weekday primitive camping: Budget-conscious travelers can take advantage of no-cost options during off-peak times. "The primitive campsites were free Monday evening through Wednesday evening," reports one Sandyshore Campground visitor.
Weather considerations: Be prepared for wind exposure at elevated sites. A camper notes, "We were up on the top of cliffs so got plenty of wind." At Sandyshore, one camper mentions it "did get a bit windy but we put the Jeep behind us so that blocked some wind."
Bathroom facilities vary by location: Some areas have limited facilities requiring planning. A Sandyshore visitor warns, "The closest restroom is 1/2 a mile away up in Buzzard Bay though. For how popular this spot is, they need to build one closer to the campground."
Cell service coverage: Coverage varies by provider, with some areas offering better reception than expected. At Lucas Park, "I had decent cell signal on AT&T," while another reviewer counters common perceptions at a different site: "T Mobile service is Very Good opposed to the rating I saw of Poor."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Lucas Park, visitors find "play grounds for the kids" and "nice playground equipment for the kiddos," providing recreation options beyond water activities.
Swimming beaches with varying amenities: Families can choose between different swimming locations based on needs. "Swim beach is a short drive from the camp ground itself," notes a Lucas Park reviewer, while another mentions that the vault toilets near beaches were "clean and there was a trash dumpster at the end of each loop."
Kid-friendly amenities at Salina KOA: This campground offers numerous activities for children. "My kids loved the ping pong, basketball, inflatable jump pad, old metal playground and outdoor pool," shares one family, while another reports, "They also had bikes and a train for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: Many sites accommodate larger rigs without unhooking. "We pulled in late. We were tired and didn't want to do anything but sleep haha. We got on Recreation.gov and found us a spot. The spot was perfect. A pull thru that was half moon shape," shares an RVer at Triple J RV Park.
Level pads reduce setup time: Minimal leveling requirements make for easier stays. "The campsite pads are level, nice and wide, gravel like the roads, with wide grassy/dirt/gravel areas between and beautiful mature shade trees everywhere," notes one camper, while another adds their site was "almost perfect level, didn't have to do additional leveling."
Late arrival accommodations: Some parks accommodate after-hours check-ins. "Called Sunday of July 4 weekend and the owners answered. Late check in was zero issue," reports a Triple J visitor, while another shares, "We pulled in very late last night, called ahead to tell them, very nice folks they left a note for us to park and a site that didn't wake up rest of the campers."
