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Located right about in the heart of Kansas, approximately 60 miles west of Salina, Wilson Lake is somewhat of an anomaly among the state’s otherwise flat and featureless plains. This 9,000-acre reservoir, created by the damming of the Saline River, is surrounded by scenic cliffs and sculpted outcrops within the region’s low Smoky Hills. These hills consist of Dakota and Kiowa sandstone formations that were deposited during the Cretaceous Period. Boasting three recreation areas (Wilson Lake State Park, Minooka Park, and Lucas Park), as well as an 8,000-acre Wildlife Area, Wilson Lake offers locals and visitors ample opportunities to get outdoors for camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and wildlife watching. The year-round campgrounds at Wilson State Park feature 240 sites for tent and RV campers in two main areas: Hell Creek and Otoe. Within these areas, campsites are situated around the shores of State Park Cove and Hell Creek Cove, and many have nice views of the lake. RV campers can choose from full- or partial-hookup sites, with back-in or pull-through drives; tent campers have access to primitive sites. Most sites are open and exposed. All are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills, and have access to water faucets, flush and vault toilets, showers, and cooking shelters. Dump stations are available in both areas. Campsite rates are $10–$24/night, plus vehicle fee; weekly and annual rates are available. The park provides two boat launches for recreational and fishing watercraft, as well as docks and a fish-cleaning station. Common catches in the lake include striped, spotted and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, and catfish. Paddlers can launch kayaks, canoes and SUPs from anywhere along the shoreline. A swimming area is located in State Park Cove in the Hell Creek Area. Mountain bikers can enjoy riding on the 25-mile Switchgrass Trail, and the 1-mile, barrier-free Cedar Trail is nice nature path for the mobility impaired. Bird and wildlife watchers should be on the lookout for white-tailed deer, rabbits, quail, turkeys, and a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl, songbirds and raptors.
WOW.... what an experience to visit a place where you can "hear" nature. So Special. For camping sites - VERY basic, but the facilties are good enough. No luxury, but if you like the real quiet places, this is a must to visit and camp for a few days. Camping, hiking , cycling and fishing..
Really beautiful campground. I'll be back again. Hookups all worked well. Very quiet except some campers' barking dogs that weren't a problem between 9pm and 7am. The bathroom showers were a disappointment. None of the 4 stalls worked correctly due to a combination of motion-sensing lights not working, no hot water, and showerheads that dribble water or spray at a 90 degrees straight out from the wall. This needs attention. The view at Bluestem sites are all gorgeous. What a wonderful place on earth.
This is the best lake in Kansas, catch amazing sunsets and the clear warm water will have you swimming all day! Huge fish and a family environment. Welcoming camp hosts and clean restrooms. They have good playgrounds and are pet friendly. We completed the rock town hike, one of the best I’ve done. Good bike trails as well!
Such a beautiful lake and campground. We stayed in Big Bluestem #96 with our 21' trailer. We had nice access to the lake down a rock ledge and great views. Our only complaint was lack of directional signage but nothing Google Maps didn't overcome. Will definitely be back.
Really, really beautiful. Primitive camping was great. We were able to book a spot upon arrival at the park office. Bathrooms were great for camping. Picnic table was clean. Steady cell service (AT&T) which is great for safety. Lake water was beautiful and cool. Kids had a lot of fun here.
Only problem is (at least on the weekends) there is a lot of other people. So if you’re wanting a more private or quiet spot, this isn’t it 😆