Established Camping
COE Wilson Lake Sylvan Park
About
US Army Corps of Engineers
Wilson Lake
Overview
Sylvan Park Campground is located below the dam at Wilson Lake in the wide open spaces of central Kansas. A few campsites overlook the Saline River exiting the dam, while a handful of other sites overlook the Old Saline River channel.
Recreation
Boating is the most popular pastime on the lake, with plenty of room for water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, sailing and more. The high salinity content of the Saline River makes drinking and irrigation difficult without special treatment, but it aids the stocking of ocean-native Striped Bass, which have been known to reach enormous sizes in Wilson Lake. This and many other game fish species have been enhanced by a stocking program conducted by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Walleye, Large and Smallmouth bass can be found in abundance in the lake, as well as White bass, channel and flathead catfish. Several trails are available to visitors, including the Bur Oak Nature Trail located in Sylvan Park. This 3/4 mile nature walk is a self guided interpretive trail, that has many interpretive stations along the path. Wilson Lake also offers hunting opportunities for a variety of game animals, including pheasant, quail, prairie chicken, whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl and rabbit.
Facilities
Sylvan Park Campground offers 27 reservable modern campsites, along with an 8-site group camp area and large group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 50 guests. Most campsites offer sweeping views of the surrounding prairie, in addition to a handful of sites which offer a beautiful view of the Saline River. Access to hiking trails and a boat ramp make exploring the area convenient for visitors, while others looking to stay closer to the campground can enjoy an on-site sand volleyball court and playground.
Natural Features
Wilson lake, known as the "clearest lake in Kansas," is located in the Smoky Hills of North Central Kansas--a rolling landscape of hills, buttes and hazy valleys. Also known as Post Rock Country, the area contains thousands of miles of stone fenceposts and buildings that have been constructed out of the area's local limestone. This and other unique geologic formations and mixed grass prairie lands provide an excellent scenic backdrop for recreation around the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Wilson State Park, also located on the south side of the lake, offers additional recreation opportunities, as well as Lucas and Minooka Parks. Visitors can check out the nearby town of Lucas, known for its unique artistic spirit and attractions, or experience the rich historical heritage of Wilson, Kansas and other surrounding communities.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
Views of the sky and lake
This campground deserves 5 stars because the views are breathtaking. Electrical hook-up for RVs. Water. Dump station. Tent camps available. Our own experience is more like a 3 because while the campground was open, the bathrooms were not. Water was not available either. If this happens to you, jump in your vehicle, make a right from the park and there is a boat launch area about 5 mins from the campground with a nice composting toilet. But the skyline was worth it.
Nice clean place to find an oasis (Wilson Lake) on a highway desert!
Great location in Kansas, 9 miles off I70, at exit 206. US Army Corps of Engineers campground, with water, electric and a dump station available.
Restrooms are heated and showers are available as well.
Senior Passes are accepted. If you choose not to use the electric sites, there are primitive sites, which are free. Nice clean place to find an oasis (Wilson Lake) on a highway desert!
No lake views
Sylvan campground is situated at the spillway of Wilson lake. There are no water views here. It has 25 sites that each have electric and water and are pull thru. . Each site has a cement picnic table and fire rings. There is also a playground at the campground. All and all if you don’t mind not having a water view than this camp area is nice
- (7) View All
Location
COE Wilson Lake Sylvan Park is located in Kansas
Directions
From Interstate 70, north of Wilson, Kansas, take exit 206 and turn north onto Highway 232. Continue for 8 miles, then turn right onto Highway 181 and follow signs to the campground.
Address
4860 OUTLET BLVD
Sylvan grove, KS 67481
Coordinates
38.9683333 N
98.4916667 W