Bluestem Campground

🧭 **Bluestem Area: Gateway to Trails and Fishing at Fall River Lake, Kansas**

When looking for a place to truly connect with the raw, untamed nature of Kansas, sometimes the best spots are those that offer simple access without the manicured feel of a heavily developed park. The location known as **Bluestem Campground** in the Fall River area of Kansas is a unique designation that local users need to understand before planning a trip. It is less of a traditional campground and more of a rustic access point, primarily linking visitors to the lake, river, and the diverse trail system of Fall River State Park.

Situated between the rugged Cross Timbers region and the gentle Flint Hills, this area offers a beautiful landscape of forested flood plains and tall-grass prairie. If your goal is to set up a full-service RV site, the nearby, official campgrounds within Fall River State Park (like Casner Creek or Quarry Bay) are recommended. However, if your focus is on immediate access to the **Bluestem Trail** for hiking and mountain biking, and a quiet spot for shoreline fishing, this locale serves as a pragmatic starting point, embodying a more primitive, exploratory outdoor experience. It's a key location for those who enjoy taking the path less traveled.

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### **Introduction / Overview**

The area designated as Bluestem, located near the Fall River community in Kansas, is important not as a formal, developed campground but primarily as a **recreational access point** associated with the larger Fall River State Park and Fall River Lake area. Information from local users and public data suggests that this particular spot should not be confused with fully-serviced campgrounds (like those found within the official State Park boundaries). Instead, it appears to provide access to the water and, crucially, to the start or path of the **Bluestem Trail**.

The surrounding environment of Fall River State Park is a significant draw, encompassing 1,107 acres of unique ecosystems, including blackjack savannas and tall-grass prairie. The entire region is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and is a haven for diverse plant and animal life. The "campground" name attached to the Bluestem location may indicate a very basic, unmaintained, or formerly used area for primitive camping, which is a key distinction for local users planning their stay. For those interested in the robust amenities and reservable sites of a full campground, the main areas of Fall River State Park should be consulted.

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### **Location and Accessibility**

The Bluestem access area is generally located near the city of Fall River, Kansas, in Greenwood County. The specific address provided is **Fall River, KS 67047, USA**. This area is connected to the greater Fall River State Park system, which is located seven miles east of Severy, KS, and two miles north of US-400 on Z50 Road.

Accessibility to the specific Bluestem area can be challenging, as indicated by a customer review suggesting the spot is "more or less unmaintained" and the trail "a little sketchy." This implies that access roads may be rudimentary and not suited for large RVs or vehicles. However, its proximity to the lake and its integration into the local trail network means that for dedicated hikers, mountain bikers, and anglers with an appreciation for primitive conditions, it offers a direct connection to the natural landscape. Visitors should anticipate a rustic experience and plan to use an appropriate vehicle for navigation to the immediate area. For all official park amenities and better-maintained access, the main Fall River State Park office or Casner Creek/Quarry Bay areas are the established points of entry.

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### **Services Offered**

Given the user feedback indicating the area is "not a campground at all" and "unmaintained," the specific services available at the named Bluestem location are extremely limited and likely primitive.

Services that can be generally associated with a basic public access point in this environment, rather than a developed campground, include:

• **Water Access:** Provides a point of contact for fishing in the nearby water or shoreline access to Fall River Lake.
• **Trailhead Access:** Serves as a direct entry point to the **Bluestem Trail** (a 1.5-mile moderate trail for hiking and mountain biking) and connections to other Fall River State Park trails (e.g., Catclaw).
• **Primitive Parking/Pull-off:** Basic, possibly unpaved areas where visitors can temporarily park to access the water or trails.
• **Public Land Access:** The general right to public access for activities like fishing and day use on state park or wildlife area grounds.

**Note on Developed Services:** Users seeking amenities such as electric/water hookups, modern restroom/shower buildings, dump stations, or designated camping pads must use the **official developed campgrounds** within Fall River State Park (like Casner Creek, Quarry Bay, or Fredonia Bay), not the Bluestem access area.

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### **Features / Highlights**

The unique value of the Bluestem area lies entirely in its features as a wilderness access point, connecting visitors to the rich natural and recreational highlights of the Fall River State Park complex.

Key features and highlights accessible from this area include:

• **Direct Bluestem Trail Access:** It provides an entry point to the 1.5-mile long **Bluestem Trail**, which traverses a landscape dominated by native grasses (Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem) as it transitions from upland prairie to low woodlands.
• **Hiking and Mountain Biking:** The Bluestem Trail offers a moderately difficult, natural-surface experience for both foot traffic and mountain bikes, connecting to other trails like the Catclaw Trail.
• **Prime Fishing Access:** Its proximity to the water offers excellent opportunities for shoreline fishing, particularly for species like crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish in the Fall River area.
• **Tallgrass Prairie Ecology:** The location is situated at the unique intersection of the Cross Timbers and Flint Hills regions, providing a spectacular, diverse viewing area for native Kansas prairie flora and fauna.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** The undeveloped nature of the area increases the likelihood of hearing native animals like owls and coyotes in the evenings, and viewing white-tailed deer and various migratory birds.

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### **Contact Information**

Since the Bluestem area is not a formal campground, all inquiries, reservations for developed camping, and questions regarding local conditions or permits should be directed to the official Fall River State Park office.

**General Location:** Fall River, KS 67047, USA (Associated with Fall River State Park)

**Fall River State Park Office Phone:** (620) 637-2213

**Mobile Phone:** +1 620-637-2213

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### **What is Worth Choosing the Bluestem Area**

The Bluestem area is worth choosing specifically for the **experienced Kansas outdoors person** or local user who values **solitude, primitive access, and trail connection** over modern amenities. It should be chosen *not* as a traditional campsite, but as a specialized entry point.

What sets it apart is its **unfiltered access to the Bluestem Trail and the wilder side of Fall River Lake**. For mountain bikers and hikers looking to complete a long route or explore the native tallgrass prairies without the crowds of a main campground, this is an excellent, low-traffic option. The area's focus on providing a genuine connection to the natural environment, particularly its highly-rated fishing access, makes it an excellent choice for a dedicated angler willing to rough it. If you're a Kansas resident seeking a quick, no-frills entry to a popular trail system or a quiet bank for casting a line, and you don't require electrical hookups or modern restrooms, the primitive, trail-focused access of the Bluestem area offers a valuable opportunity to experience the raw beauty of the Fall River ecosystem. Always plan your trip with the understanding that this is a rustic, unmaintained location.

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For more information on the developed camping options and the full trail map, contact the Fall River State Park office directly.