Hillsdale State Park — Attraction in Paola

Great lake and state park located in Miami County, Kansas. I didn’t visit the actual state park camping area, I was on the north side of the lake in the wildlife area doing some hunting on this visit, but I have come to this lake and state park often for various activities over the years. The sunrise and sunsets here are often very beautiful. This lake is accessible pretty easily via highway 69 from the Kansas City metro area, making it a beautiful getaway spot to find some peace and solitude from the city. There is the state park grounds which you can camp at, swim and hike. On the eastern side you can find the equestrian area and a beautiful trail system near the Army Corps of Engineers office as well. They are the ones who built this lake in the 1980’s I think. It’s a fairly young lake and state park from my understanding. There is many ramps around the lake for boating access. All around the lake are areas designated as wildlife areas which allow for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, im sure you could hike around in the woods as well in these spots just be sure to stay safe and wear hunter orange if you do. Overall tons to do out here if you are a nature lover like I am. This is a well managed state park and we are blessed to have it. There truly is something for everyone in this area. When it gets a bit warmer I plan to come and do some tent camping inside the state park. There are primitive spots, full RV spots, and even cabins I believe. Just check the website...

Strongly do not recommend Hillsdale Lake

What can I say i thought this would be a nice little spot to relax. Nope, I have a rooftop tent so I camp with my car. I found a primitive campsite and set up. Talk a walk, eat dinner, read a book. 10pm rolls around and I'm ready to climb up in my tent and go to sleep. Well about 10:15pm a lady comes up to the tent and says I need to pack up and find another spot that is not on grass. I asked her why was I not told this earlier, I had been there for about 5 hours already. She said "We were busy with other calls." I ask, "You had a call on me?" Her response, "yes, you're on the grass and you cant be here" Well someone needs to tell the person at the front station these rules because I asked her because my tent is a bit odd that it's on the car. Where can't I set up at this park. Her response was that I couldn't go on any paved utility sites. I was 100% fine with that, those are the rules that I followed. Apparently the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing out there.

Strongly do not recommend...

I will NEVER stay at this lake again. The 75%of the staff are rude and condescending. The parks Glorified meter maids, especially the back hollar, sister f#@&3r , mustard sandwich looking one ,with a superiority complex and a stupid 🤠, are more concerned about getting rid of any trailer that isn't Johnson county approved$$$, and harassing decent hard working people, if they're 2 mins late pumping the meter,(website for online booking is trash, can't extend stay online have to go to one of the hosts or the "office l" in person, which if your working during the day, aren't open to pay..(which is a joy!!!) then they are about people ODing at 2 am, the parks trashed, and drug use and partying is a ok. And I wouldn't recommend leaving your children un supervised when the overweight,power tripping metermaid with the hat is working, 30 seconds around him you'll understand why. I for one, hope they harass the wrong person, lawyers and the media are funny things......