Crappie Cove Campground

🎣 **Introduction / Overview**

For Kansas families seeking the perfect blend of lakeside relaxation and vibrant activity, **Crappie Cove Campground** at Hillsdale State Park is a premier destination. Located in the beautiful and expansive Hillsdale State Park near Paola, this campground is celebrated for its commitment to providing a **clean and safe** environment, making it a favorite for parents and outdoor enthusiasts across the region. As one delighted customer put it, it's a **"Perfect place for kids and adults!"**

The campground is named, aptly, for the excellent **crappie fishing** found in Hillsdale Lake, which spans over 4,500 surface acres. Crappie Cove provides a fantastic base camp within the larger Russel Crites Camping Area of the park. It successfully merges modern conveniences—like reservable electric and water sites—with natural appeal, offering **tons of shade** from nearby towering pines. Whether your idea of fun is spending the day swimming at the **beautiful sand beach**, exploring miles of trails, or casting a line into the lake's rich waters, Crappie Cove Campground offers an **amazing experience** in the heart of Eastern Kansas.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

Crappie Cove Campground benefits from a highly accessible location in Miami County, situated just a short drive south of the Kansas City metro area, ensuring a quick and easy weekend escape for many Kansas residents.

The official address for the surrounding State Park is:

Address: State Park Campground Rd, Paola, KS 66071, USA (Located within Hillsdale State Park)

The campground is part of the larger Hillsdale State Park, located at approximately 26001 W 255th St, Paola, KS. It is easily accessed via well-maintained park roads. A key feature of its location is its **direct proximity to the lake**. Campers are within a short distance of the **boat ramp**, the **amphitheater**, and most importantly, the **beautiful swimming beach**. This convenience ensures minimal travel time from your campsite to your day's main activity. The park’s location in Miami County also places it near a vast wildlife area, offering a blend of developed amenities and wilderness exploration.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

Crappie Cove Campground is a modernized facility managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), ensuring a comprehensive suite of services for a comfortable and self-sufficient stay.

• **Reservable Campsites:** The campground features **37 water and electric sites** (W/E) that can be reserved online, providing peace of mind and guaranteeing a spot for your stay. Electricity hookups offer **50/30/20 amp service**.
• **Modern Facilities:** A dedicated **shower house** provides clean restrooms and hot water, and **laundry facilities** are available on-site, a significant convenience for longer stays.
• **RV Support:** A **dump station** is readily accessible on-site for the easy disposal of grey and black water waste from RVs and trailers.
• **Recreation Areas:** The campground includes a dedicated **playground** and a **sand volleyball area**, emphasizing its commitment to family fun and group activities.
• **Water Access:** Campers benefit from close proximity (within 1/4 mile) to a **boat ramp** and **shoreline fishing potential**, maximizing time spent on Hillsdale Lake.
• **ADA Compliant Features:** Certain facilities, including the swimming beach shower house and some restrooms, are **ADA compliant** to accommodate all visitors.

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⭐ **Features / Highlights**

The distinguishing features of Crappie Cove Campground are its family-centric amenities and its exceptional access to both water recreation and the surrounding parkland's diverse activities.

• **The Beautiful Swimming Beach:** A major highlight is the access to the nearby **beautiful swimming beach**—a sand-covered area perfect for cooling off and sunbathing, which is a rare and highly valued feature at a Kansas state park campground.
• **Ideal for Families:** The combination of the **playground**, **volleyball area**, and easy water access makes it a **perfect place for kids and adults** to enjoy quality time together.
• **Excellent Fishing:** The lake is renowned for its fishing, living up to the campground's name with excellent populations of **crappie**, as well as walleye, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.
• **Trails and Exploration:** Campers are within easy reach of the park’s extensive **network of trails** for hiking, mountain biking, and even **horseback riding** on the 32 miles of marked equestrian trails.
• **Additional Recreational Options:** The larger Hillsdale State Park complex, accessible to all campers, features a full **shooting range**, an **archery range** with practice towers, and a marina with **boat rentals**, ensuring plenty of off-water activities.
• **Clean and Safe Environment:** The campground is frequently described by guests as a **"Nice area. Very pretty! It is very clean and safe!"** which underscores the peace of mind offered to all visitors.

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📞 **Contact Information**

To reserve a site or inquire about park permits, fees, or current lake conditions, please contact the Hillsdale State Park office, which oversees the Crappie Cove Campground operations:

Address: State Park Campground Rd, Paola, KS 66071, USA (Hillsdale State Park Office)

Phone: (913) 259-6245

Mobile Phone: +1 913-259-6245

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing**

Crappie Cove Campground is the premier choice for Kansas families and outdoor adventurers who prioritize a **safe, clean, and amenity-rich lakeside experience** within easy driving distance of the Kansas City metro area. Its greatest appeal lies in the ability to **reserve a well-equipped electric and water site** and then step directly into a hub of activity.

By choosing Crappie Cove, you gain immediate, convenient access to the highly-rated **swimming beach** and dedicated recreational areas like the **playground and volleyball courts**. It’s the perfect place to drop your boat, cast a line for that trophy crappie, and then easily clean up afterward using the on-site **shower house and laundry facilities**. For a complete, high-value, and unforgettable family camping trip that balances the beauty of Hillsdale Lake with modern comfort and safety, Crappie Cove Campground delivers the **amazing experience** Kansas locals are looking for.