Bemis Creek Campground

A Secluded Escape: Bemis Creek Campground at El Dorado State Park

For Kansas campers who prefer a quieter, more rustic atmosphere yet still require essential utilities and easy lake access, Bemis Creek Campground at El Dorado State Park offers a unique option. Located within the large Bluestem Point area of the park, Bemis Creek is set apart as its own dedicated camping loop, providing a degree of separation from the larger, busier sections of this major state park. It’s an ideal choice for boaters, anglers, and nature enthusiasts who value being right next to the water, often with direct footpaths leading to the shoreline of the expansive El Dorado Lake.

Bemis Creek is known for its gravel utility sites, which typically include both water and electric hookups (including 30/50 AMP service), making it accessible for most RVs and trailers. The surrounding area is characterized by the rugged beauty of the Flint Hills, offering scenic views and a peaceful environment. However, prospective campers should approach Bemis Creek with a clear understanding of its distinct character. Unlike the modern, central loops of El Dorado State Park, Bemis Creek tends toward a more hands-off, primitive experience in terms of facility upkeep and host engagement. It is a place where the focus is firmly on lake access and tranquility, making it essential for visitors to be self-sufficient and prepared for a genuine outdoor experience where maintenance standards may occasionally fall short of the park's more developed areas.

Choosing Bemis Creek means embracing the raw, untamed aspects of the Kansas outdoors, where proximity to the lake is the primary reward.

Location and Accessibility

Bemis Creek Campground is situated on the northeastern side of El Dorado Lake, forming a distinct, smaller loop within the larger Bluestem Point Area 5 of El Dorado State Park. The physical address is generally listed as: V722+32, El Dorado, KS 67042, USA. This area is accessed by taking State Highway 177, which defines the eastern boundary of the park, and then navigating to the specific turn-off for the Bemis Creek loop, keeping it physically separated from the other main campgrounds. This separation is key to its quieter atmosphere.

Accessibility to the area is generally excellent, being a short drive north from the city of El Dorado and easily reached via I-35 (the Kansas Turnpike) for travelers coming from Wichita and other major Kansas cities. The crucial point of navigation, as noted by local users, is that Bemis Creek is on a separate loop from many of the other campgrounds within Bluestem Point. Visitors must specifically follow the signage for Bemis Creek, which often requires a brief drive on Highway 177 between the other campgrounds and the Bemis turn-off. While the campground offers superb water access, it is important to remember that there is no dedicated dump station within the Bemis Creek loop itself. RV campers must be prepared to drive to one of the nearest dump stations located in other major areas of El Dorado State Park, such as the Bluestem Point West Sewer Dump or the Area 2 Dump Station in the Shady Creek area.

Services Offered

The services at Bemis Creek Campground focus on providing necessary utilities for comfortable overnight stays, especially for utility-dependent vehicles. While basic, these services ensure the essentials are covered:

• Campsite Utilities: The campground provides 24 reservable utility sites equipped with both water and electric hookups (featuring both 30-amp and 50-amp service), a major convenience for RVs and trailers.
• Sanitary Facilities: Restroom facilities are provided in the form of vault toilets (outhouse-type setups). These are listed as ADA accessible. Campers should be prepared for the cleanliness of these facilities to be variable and less consistent than those in the park’s modern shower houses, which are located in other areas of the State Park.
• Basic Site Amenities: Each campsite is typically furnished with a picnic table and a fire ring/grill for cooking and warmth.
• Reservations: Campsites are fully reservable through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) system, allowing visitors to secure their preferred lake-view spot in advance.
• Potable Water: Beyond the direct water hookups at sites, potable water is available, ensuring drinking water access for all campers.

Features / Highlights

Bemis Creek Campground is distinguished by its direct connection to the lake and its comparatively secluded nature within the busy state park complex:

• Outstanding Lake Access: This is arguably the primary draw. The loop offers an excellent location for watercraft owners, with multiple footpaths leading directly from the sites down to the water's edge, making it easy to launch kayaks, paddleboards, or simply fish from the shore.
• Scenery and Views: Situated on the shoreline, the campsites often boast lake views and are backed by the typical riparian timber and rolling terrain of the Flint Hills, offering a picturesque and tranquil setting.
• Seclusion: Being a separate loop, Bemis Creek provides a notable degree of quiet and separation from the hustle of the main park areas, which is highly valued by campers seeking peace and a break from crowds.
• Boat Access Proximity: While the campground does not have its own dedicated boat ramp, it is located close to other boat ramps within the Bluestem Point area of El Dorado State Park, making boat launching convenient.
• Fishing Potential: The easy access to the shoreline makes Bemis Creek an attractive spot for anglers to fish for the lake's abundant species, including walleye, crappie, and catfish.

Contact Information

For reservations, current park alerts, or to inquire about the nearest modern facilities (like shower houses or the dump station), please contact the main El Dorado State Park office, which oversees the Bemis Creek area:

Address: The campground is located at V722+32, El Dorado, KS 67042, USA (within El Dorado State Park)

Phone: The primary contact number for El Dorado State Park is (316) 321-7180 (This is the central office for all areas, including Bemis Creek).

What is Worth Choosing Bemis Creek Campground

Bemis Creek Campground is the right choice for Kansas campers who have a strong focus on water activities and are looking for a more rustic, private, and less commercial state park experience. Its location as a separate loop provides a welcome sense of seclusion and quiet, making it ideal for those who feel the main areas of El Dorado State Park are too crowded, especially on busy holiday weekends.

The core appeal is the combination of essential water and electric utility hookups with direct footpath access to the lake, which is perfect for self-sufficient boaters and shoreline fishermen. However, potential visitors must be willing to accept the trade-offs: the lack of a dump station on-site and the potential for variable upkeep (such as overgrown grass and basic vault toilets) require a pragmatic attitude. If you prioritize peace, seclusion, direct lake proximity, and essential utilities over immaculate facilities and constant host presence, Bemis Creek offers a genuine, rewarding, and authentic Kansas lakeside camping escape.