Sunflower Campground

☀️ **The RV Traveler's Dream: Sunflower Campground at Hillsdale State Park**

For Kansas RV owners and travelers who prioritize comfort, convenience, and modern amenities without sacrificing the great outdoors, **Sunflower Campground** at Hillsdale State Park is widely considered the top choice. This campground stands out because it offers a significant rarity in the park system: **full hookup sites** (water, electric, and sewer) and is renowned among local campers as the **premier and best-kept camping area** within Hillsdale State Park.

Visitors consistently praise the quality of the sites, with many noting the **spacious, level concrete pads** and the generous amount of green space between each spot. This design offers a much-appreciated sense of privacy and ease of setup. While the initial landscape may lack mature shade trees, this is balanced by excellent utility function and the ability to easily obtain satellite reception. Sunflower Campground offers a modern, clean, and highly functional base camp from which to enjoy the beautiful Hillsdale Reservoir and the surrounding Kansas wilderness.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

Sunflower Campground is located within the expansive **Hillsdale State Park** complex, situated in Miami County, Kansas. The park is easily accessible from major metropolitan areas, making it a perfect quick escape for residents across Eastern Kansas. The general address for navigation is:

• 26353 Jayhawker Dr, Paola, KS 66071, USA

Hillsdale State Park is conveniently located just south of Olathe and southwest of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, making the drive relatively short for many. It is only about three miles east of US-169/K-7 near the 255th Street interchange. Travelers should be aware that, as a State Park, a separate **daily vehicle permit fee** is required in addition to the nightly camping fee. The campground is within the **Jayhawk area** of the park, and while its layout is newer and less shaded, the well-kept, concrete pads ensure smooth access for large RVs and trailers (some sites can accommodate units up to 100 feet in length).

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📋 **Services Offered**

The services at Sunflower Campground are specifically tailored for the modern RV traveler, providing the highest level of convenience available at Hillsdale Lake:

• **Full Utility Hookups**: It is the only camp area in the park offering **electric (30/50 amp), water, and sewer hookups** at the site pad, simplifying long-term stays.
• **Paved, Level Sites**: The majority of the sites feature **level concrete pads**, making setup effortless and ensuring a stable environment for RVs and trailers.
• **Modern Restrooms and Showers**: Clean, developed restroom facilities with showers are available for all campers.
• **Sanitary Dump Station**: A central dump station is available for grey and black water disposal (though on-site sewer hookups make this less critical for guests in this specific loop).
• **Accessibility**: The campground includes ADA-accessible sites and facilities.
• **Pet-Friendly**: Pets are welcome, provided they comply with park regulations (leashed, not allowed on swimming beaches, etc.).
• **Designated Amenities**: Each site typically includes a **picnic table** and a **fire ring/grill**.
• **Proximity to Recreation**: The boat launch ramp and the extensive trail system are fairly close, making it easy to transition from camp to activity.
• **Reservation System**: Campsites are highly sought after, and reservations are strongly recommended, typically made through the ReserveAmerica platform or by contacting the Park Office.

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✨ **Features and Highlights**

Sunflower Campground’s biggest features are its high-quality infrastructure and its location within the diverse recreational environment of Hillsdale State Park:

• **Guaranteed Full Hookups**: This is the **primary draw** for the campground—knowing you have sewer hookup available prevents the need for trips to the dump station, maximizing relaxation time.
• **Excellent Satellite Access**: The lack of mature shade trees, while a drawback for sun protection, is a major benefit for guests relying on **satellite television or internet**, which often struggles in heavily wooded areas.
• **Hillsdale Lake Recreation**: Campers have direct access to Hillsdale Lake, known for its **no-horsepower limit boating**, offering excellent opportunities for power boating, skiing, and sailing. The lake is also a highly productive spot for **fishing** (Crappie, Walleye, Bass, Catfish).
• **Extensive Trail Network**: The State Park boasts over **24 miles of trails**, including the popular **5-mile ADA Hike/Bike Trail** (paved, easy terrain) which meanders throughout the park, ideal for walking and mountain biking.
• **Equestrian Trails**: The nearby Saddle Ridge area features approximately **32 miles of dedicated equestrian trails**, adding a unique recreational feature for horseback riding enthusiasts.
• **Shooting Sports**: The park area is close to a **shooting range facility**, accommodating archery, shotgun, and rifle practice.

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📞 **Contact Information**

For the most current information on site availability, seasonal operating hours, or park fees, local users should contact the Hillsdale State Park Office:

• Address: 26001 W. 255th Street, Paola, KS 66071 (Hillsdale State Park Office)
• Phone: (913) 594-3600 (Hillsdale State Park Office)

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing Sunflower Campground?**

Sunflower Campground is the unequivocally best choice for Kansas campers who prioritize a modern, comfortable, and hassle-free RV experience. It is worth choosing because it provides:

• **Superior RV Infrastructure**: It offers the **only full hookup sites** at Hillsdale, with large, level concrete pads and wide spacing, making it ideal for big rigs and minimizing setup effort.
• **Maximum Relaxation**: The convenience of on-site sewer hookups drastically reduces logistical stress, allowing you to maximize your time enjoying the lake, the trails, and the scenic sunsets.
• **Cleanliness and Maintenance**: As a well-regarded loop in the State Park system, visitors can expect a clean, meticulously maintained environment.
• **Unimpeded Connectivity**: For those who need to stay connected or enjoy satellite TV, the open setting provides **clear, reliable satellite reception** that heavily-wooded campgrounds cannot offer.

If a top-tier, fully-serviced RV experience near excellent boating and hiking is your goal in Eastern Kansas, Sunflower Campground is the destination to reserve.