Blackjack Campground

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

For Kansas campers seeking a tranquil and well-appointed lakeside retreat, **Blackjack Campground** stands out as an excellent choice. Located within the scenic **Cross Timbers State Park** on the shores of Toronto Lake, this campground is celebrated by local users for offering a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere compared to some of the park's busier areas, like Toronto Point. It sits nestled in the beautiful Verdigris River Valley, an area characterized by gently rolling hills and dense woodlands—the very 'Cross Timbers' region that gives the park its name.

Blackjack Campground is part of the larger Holiday Hill area of the State Park, providing a secure and clean environment with essential modern amenities. It caters to a range of visitors, from those pulling a large RV to traditional tent campers seeking a shady spot near the water. Customer reviews consistently praise the **cleanliness and quiet nature** of the area, making it ideal for families, retirees, and anyone needing a genuine escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in Kansas. Although the dense tree cover, which provides excellent shade, can occasionally limit the breeze—a minor trade-off for the privacy and quiet—it remains a favorite for its combination of accessible trails and peaceful lakeside living.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

Blackjack Campground is situated on the south side of Toronto Lake in Cross Timbers State Park, which is located near the town of Toronto in Woodson County, Kansas. This location is easily reached via US Highway 54 and then K-105.

The approximate address for the park area is:

**Toronto, KS 66777, USA**

The park office, which manages the campground, is located at **144 Hwy 105, Toronto, KS 66777-9749**. The campground is well-marked within the park system, though travelers note it requires a slightly longer drive than some of the more central Toronto Point campgrounds. This minor extra travel time, however, contributes significantly to the peaceful, quiet environment that Blackjack is known for. The campground is nestled among the Cross Timbers, a mix of blackjack and post oaks, offering deep shade and a feeling of seclusion that many Kansas campers value. Its lakeside position provides convenient, though not always immediate, access to the water for fishing and boating activities.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

Blackjack Campground, as a key part of Cross Timbers State Park, provides a comprehensive list of services and utility sites to ensure a comfortable stay for a variety of campers.

• **Utility Campsites:** The campground features sites equipped with **electric and water hookups** (typically 30/20 amp electric) to accommodate RVs and pop-up campers. Some of the park's utility sites in the area offer full hookups (water, sewer, electric) across the whole park system, but Blackjack is predominantly water and electric.
• **Modern Comfort Station:** A major amenity is the **modern shower house with restrooms** located within the Blackjack loop, which is typically open seasonally (April to October) and provides hot water and flush toilets. Vault toilets are available year-round.
• **Primitive Camping:** Dedicated, unimproved sites are available for **primitive tent camping**, offering a truly rustic experience while still maintaining easy access to the modern comfort station.
• **Reservable Sites:** Individual campsites in the Blackjack loop are reservable, typically available for booking from April through October, which is a major convenience for Kansas families planning ahead for popular summer weekends.
• **Dump Station:** A centrally located **RV dump station** is available within the State Park complex for convenient wastewater disposal upon arrival or departure.
• **Camp Host:** The campground often has **friendly and helpful camp hosts** on site, as noted in customer reviews, who can assist with information, minor issues, and general safety.
• **Pet-Friendly:** The campground permits **pets**, provided they are kept on a leash no longer than 10 feet, adhering to standard Kansas State Park policies.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

Blackjack Campground’s top features revolve around its excellent trail connectivity, peaceful ambiance, and the expansive recreational opportunities available at Toronto Lake.

• **Shaded, Quiet Environment:** The most frequently cited highlight is the **secluded, quiet, and clean atmosphere**, thanks to the density of the surrounding blackjack and post oak trees. This deep shade offers welcome relief during the heat of the Kansas summer.
• **Trail System Access:** The campground provides immediate access to or is located very close to the **15-mile trail system** within Cross Timbers State Park. The **Blackjack Ridge Trail** and the beginning of the **Chautauqua Hills Trail** (open to hiking and mountain biking) are easily accessible from this area.
• **Excellent Fishing on Toronto Lake:** Toronto Lake is known throughout Kansas as a premier fishing destination, famous for its abundant **white bass, crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish**. Campers at Blackjack are a short distance from prime shoreline fishing and boat ramps.
• **Boating and Watersports:** The entire Toronto Lake reservoir offers 2,800 acres of water surface for **boating, skiing, and general watersports**. Several boat ramps are located throughout the park for easy launching.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** The wooded terrain and proximity to the lake make the campground an excellent location for **wildlife viewing** and **birdwatching**, appealing to nature photographers and observers in Kansas.
• **Toronto Wildlife Area Proximity:** The adjacent 4,600-acre Toronto Wildlife Area offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting, and exploring diverse habitats, providing a vast expanse of public land for outdoor pursuit.

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📞 **Contact Information**

As Blackjack Campground is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) as part of Cross Timbers State Park, all official communication and reservations are handled through the main park office or the state's reservation system.

Address (Park Office): **144 Hwy 105, Toronto, KS 66777-9749, USA**

Phone (Park Office): **(620) 637-2213**

Reservations: **Online via ReserveAmerica or the CampIt KS app**

Office Hours: **Typically Tues - Sat (summer) or Mon - Fri (winter), 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Always call ahead to confirm)**

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💯 **What is Worth Choosing Blackjack Campground**

For the discerning Kansas camper, choosing **Blackjack Campground** is choosing a perfect blend of **peace, shade, and access to premier recreation** at Toronto Lake. It provides a superior experience over the busier loops for specific reasons:

**1. Unrivaled Peace and Quiet:** Customer reviews universally point out that Blackjack is **"a lot quieter"** than the popular Toronto Point area. This makes it the ideal spot for Kansans who prioritize tranquility, deep relaxation, or simply a better night's sleep without loud neighbor activity.

**2. Exceptional Shade and Natural Beauty:** The dense, mature tree canopy ensures superior shade, which is a major comfort during the peak Kansas summer heat, making the outdoor areas more enjoyable even on warm days. The natural setting of the Cross Timbers is beautiful and gives the campground a genuinely rustic, secluded feel.

**3. Seamless Trail Connectivity:** For hikers and mountain bikers, the ability to **walk or ride directly onto the park's renowned trail system** without having to load up and drive is a huge convenience. The proximity to the Blackjack and Chautauqua Hills Trails is a major highlight for active visitors.

**4. Modern Convenience with Reserveability:** The availability of **electric and water hookups**, along with the **modern shower house**, meets essential needs, while the option to **reserve individual sites** guarantees a stress-free arrival, ensuring that Kansas travelers secure their spot without relying on first-come, first-served luck.

If you are looking for a clean, quiet, shady base camp for enjoying the best fishing, biking, and hiking that Toronto Lake has to offer, Blackjack Campground is the top choice in Cross Timbers State Park.