Clinton State Park - Four miles west of historic Lawrence, Kansas, in the Osage
Questas woodlands lays Clinton State Park. The 1,500-acre park is located on the northern shore Clinton Reservoir. Boat ramps and courtesy docks allow easy access to the reservoir, known for clear water and good fishing. Anglers, boaters and campers enjoy the Clinton Lake marina. It offers boat slips, retail sales, and equipment rentals. Whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl, and numerous species of songbirds inhabit the carefully managed areas. During the spring and fall, bald eagles frequent the shoreline and nest at the reservoir. In spring, native wildflowers are easily seen from a self-guided nature trail. Other trails throughout the park provide mountain biking, hiking, and even cross-country skiing. Activities such as picnicking, swimming, archery practice at the range or camping on one of the nearly 500 campsites in the park are available. The park also offers over 200 RV sites with water
and electricity. Nearby restrooms and showers add a touch of comfort to the park.

Crawford State Park -  The 150 acre lake was constructed by the Civilian Conserva tion Corps on the Drywood Creek in the early 1930’s. Shortly thereafter, a fish hatchery was built below the dam. In 1965, Crawford State Park was established. One of the most beautiful parks in the state, Crawford is located on the edge of the Ozarks. Redbud trees offer spectacular beauty in spring, plus multicolored foliage in the fall. The area provides unequaled opportunity for wildlife and scenic adventures. There are two recorded archaeological sites identified within the boundaries of Crawford State Park. It is located nine miles north of Girard on Highway 7.

Cross Timbers State Park - Cross Timbers State Park at Toronto Lake is located in the gently rolling hills of the Verdigris River Valley in southeastern Kansas. This 1,075-acre preserve that overlooks the 2800-acre Toronto Reservoir marks the northern reaches of a region known to early explorers, pioneers, and today by ecologists as the Cross Timbers. Forested flood plains are surrounded by open prairie, hills of oak savannah, and forests. This setting provides the visitor an opportunity to enjoy wildlife in their natural setting and to see some of the most diverse flora and fauna found in Kansas. Those enjoying outdoor study and nature observation will find the park an extraordinary area for their pursuits. The park offers a multitude of recreational activities including camping, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, picnicking, boating, and fishing are popular pursuits. Cross Timbers State Park is located 12 miles west of Yates Center in Woodson County.

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Eisenhower State Park is 1,785 acres of rolling hills with 18 miles of trails, miles of horseback riding trails, playground, beach, horse shoe pits, sand volley ball court, and basketball court for your family gatherings. Eisenhower State Park is located on the North shore of Melvern Lake.

El Dorado  State Park sits on the shore of El Dorado Reservoir and consists of trails for horses, hiking, biking, and swim beaches. El Dorado State Park is located 3 miles east of El Dorado, KS.

Elk City  State Park has numerous recreational oppurtunities. Elk City State Park is located approximately 5 miles northwest Independence, KS.

Fall River  State Park is home to a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life. Six hiking trails offer visitors an up-close and personal perspective on this unique area. Fall River offers good fishing opportunities for channel catfish, white bass, crappie, flathead catfish, largemouth bass and walleye. Fall River State Park is located between the Cross Timbers region and the grasslands of the Flint Hills, near Toronto, KS.




 

Glen Elder  State Park sits on the shores of Waconda Lake, one of Kansas' largest lakes. Glen Elder State Park offers nearly unlimited recreational opportunities that include: boating, hiking, volleyball, softball and bike riding. Glen Elder State Park is located in Glen Elder, KS.

Hillsdale  State Park has Hillsdale lake and this park offers outdoor recreational opportunities to fisherman, boaters, hunters, swimmers, horseback riders, model airplane fliers, hikers, naturalists, photographers and sightseers. Hillsdale State Park is located in Paola, KS.

Kanopolis State Park - Kansas’ oldest recreation area includes more than 15,000 acres of rolling hills, bluffs, and woods. Kanopolis Reservoir at normal pool covers 3,000 acres and is located just off Highway K-141, 33 miles southwest of Salina. Construction of the reservoir’s dam began in 1940 but was halted in 1942 due to World War II. Construction resumed in 1946, and the project was completed in 1948. The Kansas Park Authority dedicated two areas on May 30, 1959 Langley Point (also known as “the South Shore’) and Horsethief (also known as “the East Shore” or “ Horsethief Canyon”). The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks continues to operate these areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates two parks as well – Venango and Riverside. The Corps also maintains the Yankee Run and Bolt Bluff access areas. Kanopolis State Park is located 33 miles southwest of Salina, KS

Kaw River

Lovewell  State Park is a 1160 acre State Park located 4 miles East of Mankato, KS

Lake Meade  State Park rests in the High Plains of southwest Kansas with a 80 acre lake that provides excellent opportunities for the angler and there is a nature trail has been marked at the northwest corner of the lake. Meade State Park is located 5 miles West of Meade, KS.

Milford State Park is located near Junction City on the shores of the state's largest lake, 16,000-acre Milford Reservoir. Milford State Park offers a multi-purpose trails system, great for nature lovers and back packers. Nearly all of the brushy and rocky coves contain crappie and largemouth bass, but coves in the Rolling Hills and Curtis Creek areas are traditional hot spots for crappie. Milford State Park is located in Milford, KS.

Mushroom Rock State Park is a 5 acre park, where Dakota formations are the remains of beach sands and sediments of the Cretaceous Period, 144 to 66 million years ago. The concreations that make up Mushroom Rocks. The largest rock measures 27 feet in diameter. Mushroom Rock State Park is located near Marquette, KS.

Perry  State Park sits on the southwest portion of Perry Reservoir and features a sand beach, picnic areas, and Perry State Park offers 22 miles of biking and hiking trails in the Delaware Area, and 25 miles of equestrian trails in the Jefferson Point Area. Perry State Park is located near Ozawkie, KS.

Pomona  State Park is located on the south shore of Pomona Reservoir, a 4,000 acre lake that features scenic beauty as well as an abundance of wildlife. Pomona state park consists of 490 acres. Recreational opportunities await you with 3 hiking trails, swim beach, day use picnic areas, volleyball and basketball courts, playgrounds, horseshoe pits and a nine-hole disc golf course. Pomona State Park is located 30 miles south of Topeka, KansasVassar KS

Prairie Dog  State Park occupies 1,150 acres on the shores of Keith Sebelius Reservoir. Prairie Dog State Park is home to a thriving prairie dog colony and is the site of the last remaining adobe house in Kansas. The renovated adobe house was built on the site in the early 1890's. Sebelius Reservoir is well known for its excellent fishing for for black bass, walleye, wiper, crappie, catfish and saugeye. Prairie Dog State Park is located near Norton, KS.

Prairie Spirit Trail  Trail State Park has a trail built upon a railroad Right-of Way which was the first north -south rail line in Kansas. The rail line was constructed in the1860's. Portions of the trail are asphalted through Garnett and Ottawa. Prairie Spirit Trail State Park is located in Garnett, KS.

Sand Hills State Park is a 1,123 acre natural area, that has been preserved for its sand dunes, grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. Popular activites at the park are hiking, horseback riding, hunting, bird watching and wildflower walks. There are 8 distinct trails within the park which are broken down into interpretive, hiking and horseback rinding trails. There are 14 miles of trails which weave in between 10 to 40 feet high sand dunes. Sand Hills State Park is located North of Hutchinson, KS.

Scott  State Park provides an ideal setting for boating, swimming, hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. Scott State Park is a startling oasis of natural springs, deep wooded canyons, and craggy bluffs. The 1,020-acre park surrounds the 100-acre, springfed Scott State Fishing Lake and nature trails accommodate hikers, horseback riders, and naturalists. The Steele home, the dwelling of the original settlers on the area, has been preserved much as it was 100 years ago. The park also boasts the northernmost pueblo in the U. S. - El Cuartelejo. Scott State Park is located near Scott City, KS.

Tuttle Creek  State Park offers visitors a broad variety of outdoor recreation possibilities. Tuttle Creek Reservoir, the state's second largest lake, offers 12,500 acres of water and approximately 100 miles of rugged, wooded shoreline to explore. Tuttle Creek State Park has numerous nature trails, a mountain biking trail, and a scenic equestrian trail offer explorers a variety of routes to explore the Flint Hills environment. There is an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball courts, horse shoe pits and the state-of-the-art Fancy Creek Shooting Range. Excellent channel cat and flathead fishing is available in the lake and in the river above and below the lake. Tuttle Creek State Park is located in Manhattan KS

Webster  State Park offers boaters ample launching facilities on a usually uncluttered lake at conservation level. Webster State Park is located in Stockton, KS/

Wilson  State Park sits on the south side of Wilson Reservoir. Wilson State Park is divided into two areas: Hell Creek and Otoe. Wilson State Park is one of Kansa's premier recreation hot spots to fish, hike, water-sk, and boasts to have one of the best Mountain bike trails in the Kansas. Wilson State Park is located in Wilson, KS.

Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of Kansas, March, 2011.