Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park

Within Kanopolis State Park, Sandyshore Campground sits along the reservoir shoreline offering both primitive tent sites and RV hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections. The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis at $10 per night, with sites that include fire pits and picnic tables positioned near the water's edge.

The open terrain provides a mix of shade and direct lake access, though campers report that sites fill quickly on weekends due to the waterfront location. Some visitors note the end sites experience day-use foot traffic as people walk along the shoreline. The nearest restroom facilities are located half a mile away at Buzzard Bay, requiring a short drive for amenities beyond the basic site furnishings.

Fishing proves popular from the shoreline, and the reservoir accommodates paddleboards and other watercraft despite regular boat traffic. The campground allows pets and provides dump station access for RVs. Henry M. found "all the facilities were very clean and the park was well maintained." Hikers need to drive to trailheads elsewhere in the park, as no trails begin directly from the campground.

For a different setting within the same park system, Eagle Point Campground — Kanopolis State Park offers an alternative less than a mile northwest.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsSandyshore Campground is located in Kansas near Kanopolis

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Salina Kansas on interstate I-135 take K-140 west 23 miles to K-141, then take K-141 south 13 miles to the park. From interstate I-135 near Lindsborg, Kansas take K-4 west 20 miles to K-141, then take K-141 north 7 miles to the park. From Ellsworth Kansas take K-140 East 15 miles to K-141 then take K-141 south 13 miles to the park.

Address

200 Horsethief Rd
Marquette, KS 67464

Coordinates

38.64207821 N
97.99948055 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/11/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/11/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/11/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/11/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin
  • Yurts
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Sandyshore Campground

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5 Stars

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4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the beautiful lakefront locations and scenic views as major draws. Some feedback indicated concerns about distant restrooms, day-user traffic through sites, and challenging reservation availability on weekends.

Reviewed Apr. 16, 2023

My Favorite

Every spring I look forward to getting out of the city and relaxing peacefully at this beautiful Lake! I love the gorgeous sunsets, the beach area, the hiking trails, and picking guitar with my besties! There's nothing better than being submerged in mother nature and I can't think of a better place to do it!!

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Kami J., April 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Kami J., April 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Kami J., April 16, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 26, 2022

Excellent place to camp!

My wife and I camped in site 093 and really enjoyed the scenery of the lake and the park itself. Great place for a weekend getaway or long fishing trip on the reservoir. All the facilities were very clean and the park was well maintained.

Site093
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Henry M., April 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Henry M., April 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Henry M., April 26, 2022
Reviewed Feb. 21, 2022

My favorite spot in the whole park.

Perfect mix of shade and shoreline. Beautiful views. 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. Also wish they would make these spots reservable as they fill up very quick since they are first come first serve. Especially on weekends. Would also be great if they didn’t allow RV’s taking up space meant for primitive camping.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2021

Party spot, kinda smelly.

We had the last spot at the end of the drive, which seemed to be a popular place for day users to park and walk the edge of the water. Several groups showed up looking to cool off and walked right by our spot. Also the area kind of smelled like dead fish. We ended up leaving because we found several tics and were worried about our dogs. It was pretty though and the weather was great. A little pricy for what it is.

Site44
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Hunter , June 29, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2019

Primitive!

This campsite is truly primitive only. There were no RV’s taking up space. There were good separate spots that included a fire pit and a table. The fire pit in our spot was up next to the shoreline where we didn’t want it so we built one with a hole and rocks. It did get a bit windy but we put the Jeep behind us so that blocked some wind. This site is not near any hiking so you will have to drive to the hiking spot.

  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Carter W., July 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Carter W., July 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Sandyshore Campground — Kanopolis State Park by Carter W., July 6, 2019
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2016

Fun in the Sun

Great scenery and nice trails (bring tick spray can be brutal out there!). My girlfriend and I were able to take our paddle boards out which was a ton of fun and with the heavy boat traffic.

Reviewed Jul. 2, 2016

The beach in KS??

We went for the weekend, mostly to do some hiking. Then realized we had found one of the nest places in Kansas! We got a perfect camp spot all to ourselves. It was not necessarily private or in the woods. But we were right up against the lake. There was sand like a beach the water was alright. I mean it's a lake. We loved the hiking through limestone. We found couple caves and climbed some rock. Would be good for mntn biking

Frequently Asked Questions

What reviews do visitors give for Kanopolis Lake State Park camping?

Kanopolis Lake State Park receives predominantly positive feedback, with many campers rating it 4-5 stars. Visitors praise the gorgeous lake views, beautiful sunsets, and well-maintained facilities. Campers particularly enjoy the mix of shade and shoreline access, clean facilities, and the peaceful environment that offers an escape from city life. The park is noted for its scenic beauty, hiking trails, and water recreation opportunities including paddleboarding. While most experiences are excellent, some visitors mention challenges with wind and occasional crowding during peak times.

Is Sandy Shore a good camping area at Kanopolis Lake?

Sandy Shore is an excellent primitive camping area at Kanopolis Lake, especially for tent campers seeking a natural experience. The area features spacious sites with fire pits and tables, and many spots offer direct lake access with beach-like sandy shorelines. Campers appreciate the lack of RVs and the perfect mix of shade and waterfront views. While highly desirable, sites fill quickly as they're first-come, first-served. Note that the nearest restroom facilities are about half a mile away in Buzzard Bay, and the area can get windy at times.

How do I make reservations at Kanopolis State Park?

The Sandy Shore Campground at Kanopolis State Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis rather than a reservation system. Sites fill up quickly, especially during weekends and peak season, so arriving early is recommended to secure a spot. For other campgrounds within Kanopolis State Park that do accept reservations, you can make them through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism website or by calling their reservation line. Always check the official Kansas State Parks website for the most current reservation policies and procedures.

What's the best way to get to Kanopolis Lake State Park?

Kanopolis Lake State Park is accessible via Kansas state highways, with good road access for most vehicles. The park is located in central Kansas, approximately 30 miles southwest of Salina. From I-70, take exit 225 for KS-156 South toward Great Bend, then follow signs to Kanopolis Lake State Park. Local highways are well-maintained, making navigation straightforward for most visitors. For specific directions from your location, use a GPS navigation system or check the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism website for detailed driving instructions and entrance points to different areas of the park.

Are cabin accommodations available at Kanopolis State Park?

Kanopolis State Park does not offer cabin accommodations. The park primarily provides primitive camping opportunities, particularly at Sandy Shore Campground where visitors can enjoy tent camping with basic amenities like fire pits and tables. For those seeking more comfortable accommodations, you'll need to look at nearby towns or private campgrounds outside the state park. Contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism for information about alternative lodging options in the vicinity.