Wilson Lake
RV Guide
Introduction
The clear blue waters within rolling landscape of hills and geological formations make Wilson Lake the perfect destination for vacationers and travelers who wish to enjoy memorable RV holidays. This Corps of Engineers park in the Smoky Hills of North Central Kansas features hazy hills and mixed grass prairie lands that provide a beautiful backdrop for recreation and outdoor exploration.
Wilson Lake features RV campgrounds and group camping areas that offer recreational camping options for visitors. Full hookups and partial hookup options are available within the park’s campgrounds. Other amenities such as flush toilets, showers, playground, boat ramps, and a marina are available in the park.
Dubbed the “clearest lake in Kansas”, RV campers and visitors can enjoy a host of water-related recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, swimming, and sailing on Wilson Lake. Besides, the wide variety of wildlife and birds in the park provide good viewing opportunities for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. In addition, hunting is allowed within the designated hunting area in the park. Nature and interpretive trails are also open to campers who wish to explore the park on foot.
Adventurous campers may wish to visit nearby attractions such as Wilson State Park and Kanopolis State Park.
RV Rentals in Wilson Lake
Transportation
Driving
Access to Wilson Lake is via Interstate 70, 48 miles west of Salina, or seven miles north of Wilson exit. As a result, you can drive to the park with ease in your RVs and trailers, as well as other vehicles. RV rentals are available at Wilson and Kanopolis for campers who may require motorhomes or rigs for their vacation. There are no driving restrictions in the park and the campgrounds are connected by local roads.
Parking
Parking areas are provided for RVs, trailers, and cars at Wilson Lake for vacationers and visitors. The campgrounds within the park also have parking spaces for rigs. Moreover, overnight parking is available.
Public Transportation
General public transportation is available within Wilson, however there are no direct public bus services to Wilson Lake.
Campgrounds and parking in Wilson Lake
Campsites in Wilson Lake
Reservations camping
Lucas Park
Lucas Park is a 98-campsite COE campground north of Wilson Lake, available for group, tent and RV camping. The campground is open between May and September (peak season) and accepts reservations. During off-peak season, some of the sites may be available on first-come, first-served basis. Pets are allowed within the campground.
In terms of facilities and amenities, 18 campsites in the campground are equipped with electric and water hookups for RVs, while 52 campsites have electric hookups only. Other amenities include dump station, showers, and vault toilets. A boat ramp, picnic areas, and swim beach are also on hand at the campground. A large group camp area is also available. RV length limit at Lucas Park is 148 feet.
Minooka Park
Minooka Park, located on the south side of Wilson Lake is a 159-campsite COE campground that features a group camp, RV sites, and tent camping areas. The campground is open during peak season between May and September and all the campsites are available by reservation.
57 campsites in the campground have electric and water hookups for RVs, while 60 campsites have electric hookups only. Within the campground, vacationers will be able to make use of dump stations, vault toilets, boat ramps, showers, and a sand volleyball court. A designated swim beach, reservable day use shelter and group camp are also available.
RVs and trailers up to 107 feet can be accommodated in the campground. During off-peak season, some of the sites may be available on first-come, first-served basis.
Sylvan Park
Sylvan Park in Wilson Lake features 27 pet-friendly campsites that can accommodate RVs and tents, as well as group camps. Located below the dam in the park, this campground is popular among campers and visitors who enjoy hunting. Peak season within the campground, during which reservations are accepted, is from May to September. During off-peak season, some of the sites may be available on first-come, first-served basis.
Full hookup options are available within two campsites in the park, while the rest have electric and/or water hookups. Horseshoe pits, playground, dump station, showers and day use shelter are some of the facilities in the park. Others include deer hanging station, group camp and ADA sites. Maximum RV/trailer length in the campground is 137 feet.
Seasonal activities in Wilson Lake
In-Season
Fishing
Renowned as the clearest lake in Kansas, Wilson Lake is popular among RV campers and visitors that enjoy angling for its large population of game fish species. This 14 sq. mile lake is regularly stocked by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and offers wonderful opportunities for anglers to cast their line in the park’s fisheries. Two state record fish – striped bass and walleye – are found within this COE park’s waters that hosts abundant smallmouth bass species. Two aquatic invasive species are also found in this lake; White Perch and the Zebra Mussel.
Boating
Wilson Lake is a premier destination for boating and sailing fun for all RV campers and water-related recreation enthusiasts. The large body of the lake is particularly enjoyable on calm days for pleasure boating and water-skiing activities. Sail boaters also have more than enough room on the lake for various kinds of maneuvers. If you’re worried about where to rent vessels or get supplies, worry no more as the Marina in the park is stocked with fuel, equipment and supplies. Ramps are also available in the park.
Hiking
Nice hiking trails are available for use at Wilson Lake for campers who would love to explore the park on foot. The Rocktown Hiking Trail, for instance, is in the western part of Lucas Park and stretches for three miles in a loop that starts and ends on the east side of Rocktown. As you hike this trail, you’ll see rolling hills with shallow sandy soils, rock outcrops, and steep slopes along the wall of the valley. Other trails that you should check out in the park for more hiking excitement are Bur Oak Nature Trail and Prairie Fire Trail.
Off-Season
Wildlife Viewing
There are amazing opportunities to view beautiful wildlife at Wilson Lake and take photographs of them too. You’ll find, within different parts of the park, deer, waterfowl, and bobwhite quail, as well as numerous migratory birds and songbirds.
If you’re interested in watching waterbirds, then you should visit the reservoir near Russel where you’ll see them and other open-country species. You may encounter greater prairie-chicken too, if you’re lucky. Grebes and gulls, ospreys, bald eagles, and rock wren also live in the park.
Swimming
Designated swimming beaches are available at Wilson Lake for visitors and RV campers at the park who wish to take a dip in the crystal-clear water. The first rule in this park when it comes to swimming is never to swim alone. This is in the bid to ensure that all practice safe swimming in the park’s waters. At Minooka Park beach, a buoyed swimming area is available with vault toilets and a change house. The same goes for Lucas Park. Swimming at any of these beaches is both exciting and refreshing, so you should stop at one and experience it for yourself.
Hunting
As you visit Wilson Lake, be prepared to hunt for a variety of game animals like quail, pheasant, whitetail deer, waterfowl, and so on. Moreover, these faunae are found in huntable populations. In addition, fun harvesters get the chance to pursue bobcat, coyote, mink, muskrat, and raccoon within the park. Before setting out, you should know that all state and federal hunting regulations are in effect at the park and safety is paramount. A Kansas hunting license is also required.
