Cross Timbers State Park RV & Campground Guide
Kansas
- Home
- State Parks
- Kansas
- Cross Timbers State Park
Long before it became a park, Cross Timbers State Park was home to early American pioneers of the Cross Timbers region of Kansas and Texas. Before that, it was the home of the Osage Nation, a Native American group of the Great Plains that was established around 700 B.C. Today, this state park, found just south of Toronto, Kansas, comprises 1,075 acres, many of which are alongside the shoreline of the 2,800-acre Toronto Lake.
Nearby Cities:
Toronto, KS
Coyville, KS
Rocky Ford, KS
Neal, KS
Spring 45-68 F
Summer 68-91 F
Fall 45-70 F
Winter 18-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cross Timbers State Park
Campground Accommodations
Cross Timbers State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 70 feet
Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, fire rings, and picnic tables
Whitehall Bay Campground
Whitehall Bay Campground is situated on the shores of Fall River Lake in Greenwood County, Kansas, and less than 14 miles west of the state park. The campground has boating, swimming, and water-skiing opportunities. The rolling prairie and tree-dotted valleys surrounding the Fall River Lake area is ideal for native wildlife observation.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Boat ramp, dump station, beach, and playground
Santa Fe Safari RV Campground
Santa Fe Safari RV Campground features 28 paved stalls with some adjacent to the Lakeview Recreation Area. All sites are first-come, first-serve with no charge for the first 48 hours and $10 per day afterward. There is a 10-day stay limit in any 30-day period. The campground uses an honor system for all campground fees.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station, playground, sand volleyball court, and basketball court
Burlington Kansas RV Park
Burlington Kansas RV Park is equipped to accommodate any size of RV. The campground is surrounded by mature trees and greenery, making it the perfect oasis away from home. It's conveniently situated near the John Redmond Reservoir, grocery stores, restaurants, and retail shops.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms and showers
What to Do at
Cross Timbers State Park
Cross Timbers State Park is located along the 4,600-acre Toronto Wildlife Area, so many local animals tend to wander through the park, and this makes it popular with wildlife watchers and photographers. This park also offers a ball court and over 15 miles of trails. There is access to a dam site area for visitors, too, and a number of gravel and paved trails for mountain biking during dry seasons.
Inside Cross Timbers State Park
Begin your visit to Cross Timbers State Park by staying at one of the campgrounds; after settling in, you can go hiking on the 16 miles of nature trails or use your mountain bike to travel through the beautiful picturesque scenery. Many vacationers enjoy fishing in the river and on the reservoir; both are noted for excellent places to catch channel catfish, white bass, sunfish, bluegill, and black bass. The river and reservoir are also great for kayaking, canoeing, and other watersports. There is a swimming beach area where you can build a sandcastle, swim, or take in the rays. Other activities to do inside the state park are wildlife observation, bird-watching, and hunting in designated areas.
Fishing
Anglers who come to Cross Timbers State Park are able to fish in either Toronto Lake or the Verdigris River. In both the lake and river, species such as white crappie, white bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black bass, bluegill, and sunfish can be caught. Plenty of fishing spots can be found along the water, specifically near the campground and parking areas. There is also a handicap-accessible fishing pier on the lake just outside of the Sandstone Campground loop.
Flora and Fauna
Plenty of fauna call Cross Timbers State Park home, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, bobwhite quails, doves, and many types of waterfowl. Migratory birds are also commonly seen in the marshes around Toronto Lake. As for flora, the area is known for its flood plains, open prairies, and savannas full of oak trees.
Hiking
Hikers can enjoy all of the trails found at Cross Timbers State Park, and backpack hikers may camp along the Yellow Loop and the west segment of the Red Loop on the Chautauqua Hills Trail. Easy hiking can also be found on the Ancient Trees Trails, which is a self-guided interpretive trail that features 26 old-growth oak trees that were studied by laboratory scientists in 1982. The Blackjack Trail, which can be accessed from the Blackjack Campground area, is a more moderately intense, one-mile trail that features wildflowers, deer, and wild turkeys.
Boating
There are many boat ramps found at this state park, most of which are accessible by roads. Motorized and non-motorized boating are both permitted, and some hiking trails lead to additional boat launches for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats.
Biking
Bikers are welcome to use any of the hiking trails at Cross Timbers State Park aside from the Ancient Trees Trail. However, biking may be prohibited after heavy rains since this tends to make the trails too hazardous to pass. The Chautauqua Hills Trail offers up to 11 miles of interconnected loop trails for visitors to use, and it features many woodlands and plains.
How to Get to
Cross Timbers State Park
Cross Timbers State Park can be accessed via KS-105 from the north, and this road can be accessed from I-54. The park can also be accessed via I-400 from the South. The entrance to the park is found on Park Office Way West, which is a turn-off from KS-105.
Entering Cross Timbers State Park
There is no fee to enter the park or to use the day-use areas. Parking is available in multiple day-use locations on nearly every campground loop.
There are many special events and interactive programs to check out at Cross Timbers State Park during most weekends in the summer. Past events have included ranger-led outdoor talks and a concert series. This state park also offers a playground in its Toronto Point day-use area, and backpack camping is allowed on some areas of some trails with a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cross Timbers State Park
Since Toronto Lake is a highlight of this state park, visitors may enjoy the park's fishing, swimming, and boating activities most when they visit in the summer. However, the campground at the park tends to fill up quickly during this season, so campers may enjoy staying in the spring or fall instead.
The most commonly seen wildlife at this state park includes white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons. Birds such as quail, doves, and multiple varieties of songbirds are also commonly seen in the campground areas.
There are 50 campsites designed for RVs to use at Cross Timbers State Park, and most of these sites offer water and electrical hookups. All of the primitive campsites at this park are available for tent camping only.
Visitors to Cross Timbers State Park have the option to reserve their campsite in advance online or to reserve their campsite upon arrival. However, many of the full hookup campsites tend to have limited availability, so campers who wish to reserve one of those sites should consider reserving online. The cost to reserve a campsite at this state park is $21 per night.
Pets are allowed at this state park though they must be kept on a leash. Pets are also required to be supervised at all times, including at the campground, and pet owners are required to clean up after their animals everywhere in the park.
Related
Millbury, Ohio RV Rental Deals Hopedale, Illinois RV Rentals Bourbon, Missouri RV Rental Deals McCarr, Kentucky RV Rental Deals Rosebud, Missouri RV Rental Deals Lebanon, Maine RV Rentals Quechee, Vermont RV Rentals Nellis AFB, Nevada RV Rental Deals Lake Lucerne, Florida RV Rentals Abbotsford, Wisconsin RV Rental Deals