Big Oak

🌳 **Escape to the Shade: Big Oak Campground at El Dorado State Park**

For Kansans seeking the perfect blend of lakeside recreation and shaded, comfortable camping, **Big Oak Campground** at El Dorado State Park is a perennial favorite. Tucked away within the beautiful Walnut River Area of the park, this campground lives up to its name, offering a serene, tree-covered setting that provides much-needed relief from the Kansas sun. Local campers consistently praise the clean facilities and the ability to easily access the expansive El Dorado Lake.

Whether you are pulling a large RV needing a 50-amp spot, or simply looking for a peaceful place to set up camp with reliable facilities, Big Oak delivers. It’s an ideal base camp for enjoying all the fun El Dorado Lake has to offer, from boating and swimming to exploring the numerous hiking and biking trails that wind through the surrounding Flint Hills landscape. When you camp here, you're choosing a quintessential Kansas State Park experience, focusing on nature, comfort, and accessibility.

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### **Introduction / Overview**

**Big Oak Campground** is a designated camping area located within the larger, highly acclaimed El Dorado State Park in Kansas. Situated in the park's scenic Walnut River Area, this particular loop is well-known to local users for its generous tree canopy, which provides extensive shade across most of its sites—a highly valued feature during the warm Kansas summer months. The campground is part of the largest state park in Kansas, sprawling across 4,500 acres of land along the eastern and western shores of the vast El Dorado Lake.

Big Oak offers a blend of convenience and nature, providing numerous utility campsites with electric and water hookups, catering primarily to RV and travel trailer users, though it also welcomes tent campers. The local camping community appreciates its proximity to the lake’s recreational activities, including a swimming beach, boat ramps, and multiple trail systems. It is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and is designed to accommodate families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a quality experience in the Kansas Flint Hills region. The park maintains a reputation for having well-kept, essential facilities and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a reliable choice for your next Kansas outdoor adventure.

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### **Location and Accessibility**

Big Oak Campground is conveniently located within the Walnut River Area of El Dorado State Park, situated just north of the city of El Dorado in Butler County, Kansas.

**Address:** NE Big Oak Ln, El Dorado, KS 67042, USA

The campground offers excellent accessibility for both local and regional travelers:

• **Proximity to El Dorado Lake:** The campground is located on a cove of El Dorado Lake, offering quick, easy access to the water for fishing, boating, and the nearby swimming beach (within a 1/4 mile walk from some sites).
• **Highway Access:** El Dorado State Park is conveniently located near major routes, including Interstate 35 (the Kansas Turnpike), making it a popular destination for campers traveling from Wichita (less than an hour away) and other parts of Kansas.
• **Internal Trails:** Big Oak is accessible to the park’s extensive trail network, including sections of the multi-use trail system open to hiking, biking, and sometimes horses. The paved, ADA-accessible Walnut River Trail also runs through the Walnut River Area, providing a great option for walking and biking near the campground.
• **Vehicle Accommodation:** Sites are generally spacious and graveled, accommodating RVs up to 85 feet in length in some designated spots, ensuring ease of parking and setup for large units.

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### **Services Offered**

Big Oak Campground provides essential services necessary for a comfortable state park camping experience, particularly focusing on utility hookups for RVs and modern restroom facilities.

Core Services Provided:

• **Utility Campsites:** Numerous sites offer **Water and Electric (W/E) hookups**, with electric service typically available in 20/30 amp. (Note: While the park as a whole, specifically other loops in the Walnut River Area like Frontier and Eagle Pass, offers 50-amp service, most of the sites *specifically* in the Big Oak loop are generally designated as W/E with 30-amp service, making it important for large RV users to confirm availability when booking.)
• **Modern Shower House and Restrooms:** The campground features a modern **shower house** and **restroom facilities** that are regularly maintained for the comfort of campers. Customers have noted the convenience of having facilities that are always open and stocked.
• **Potable Water:** Clean, potable drinking water is available throughout the camping loop.
• **Sanitary Dump Station:** While not at every site, a **sanitary dump station** is available within the Walnut River Area of the state park for convenient disposal of black and grey water.
• **ADA Accessibility:** The campground area, including the shower house and a section of the nearby trail system, is **ADA accessible**, ensuring usability for all visitors.
• **Picnic Facilities:** Every campsite is typically equipped with a **picnic table** and a **fire ring/grill** for cooking and campfires.

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### **Features / Highlights**

The Big Oak Campground's popularity among Kansas users stems from its natural setting and its integration with the wider El Dorado State Park amenities.

Key Features and Highlights:

• **Exceptional Shade:** As the name suggests, the defining feature is the abundance of **large, mature trees** providing dense, natural shade, which makes a significant difference during hot summer days.
• **Proximity to Recreation:** The campground is centrally located near numerous recreational opportunities offered by El Dorado State Park, including:
  • **Swimming Beach:** A public swimming beach is within a short walking distance.
  • **Fishing Spots:** Easy access to shoreline fishing potential and the vast, stocked waters of El Dorado Lake.
  • **Playground:** A dedicated playground is nearby, making it highly **family-friendly**.
• **Peaceful Environment:** Patrons consistently describe their stays as **"peaceful,"** suggesting a quiet, well-managed environment ideal for relaxation and connecting with nature.
• **Trail System Access:** Campers have direct access to some of the park's seven different **hiking, biking, and equestrian trails**, including the paved, scenic Walnut River Trail.
• **Flexible Camping Options:** Although generally a W/E loop, the campground is accommodating, as noted in customer feedback where the staff allowed relocation to ensure campers found a spot with their desired amperage (e.g., a 50 amp spot elsewhere in the area).

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### **Contact Information**

Big Oak Campground is part of El Dorado State Park. All permits and specific camping reservations are handled through the park's official channels.

**Address (Campground):** NE Big Oak Ln, El Dorado, KS 67042, USA

**Park Office (For Reservations/Inquiries):** El Dorado State Park, 618 NE Bluestem Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042

**Phone (El Dorado State Park Office):** (316) 321-7180

**Website:** Reservations for specific sites and up-to-date fees are often handled via the official state park website and its reservation portal (e.g., ReserveAmerica).

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### **What is Worth Choosing Big Oak Campground**

For any Kansas resident looking for an authentic and comfortable outdoor experience, Big Oak Campground is worth choosing primarily for its **unmatched shade coverage** and its **prime, centralized location** within the premier El Dorado State Park complex. It addresses the critical need for relief from the summer sun with its towering trees, a feature often lacking in many other Kansas lake campgrounds.

Furthermore, you should choose Big Oak if you value **reliable, clean facilities**—knowing the bathrooms are always open and well-stocked removes a common camping frustration. The campground's location on the Walnut River side means you are positioned perfectly for both water-based fun on El Dorado Lake and land-based activities, as you’re steps away from the swimming beach, playground, and the accessible Walnut River Trail. It’s an ideal, peaceful, and well-equipped retreat that allows you to fully engage with the best recreational offerings of the Kansas Flint Hills without sacrificing comfort.