State Parks in Kansas

Cedar Bluff Reservoir is a 6,800-acre reservoir in northwestern Kansas. It's a recreational hotspot that draws outdoor enthusiasts from far and wide, and many of them decide to set up camp at Cedar Bluff State Park for a few nights or more.Located just over 20 miles southwest of Ellis, the park actually has two quite distinct areas. On the northern side of the reservoir is the Bluffton Area, which is quite well developed and boasts all the essential facilities for a great camping or boating experience. The Page Creek Area sits on the reservoir's southern shoreline and is a little quieter and a little less developed than its nearby neighbor.Each of these areas offers its own mix …

If you're a water sports enthusiast searching for the perfect RV camping destination in Kansas, look no further than Cheney State Park. Located five miles north of Cheney in central Kansas, this 1,913-acre park sits right on the shores of the 6,800-acre Cheney Reservoir.Situated at the southern end of the lake, Cheney State Park is divided into two separate zones — the East Shore area and the West Shore area. Famous for its excellent sailing conditions, the park is also a popular destination for fishing, boating, and hiking. And with hundreds of campsites to choose from in various campgrounds around the lake, Cheney State Park has a whole lot to offer to anyone planning their next relaxing camping getaway.

Clinton State Park is situated in Osage Questa Region near Topeka. This park offers a beautiful display of nature and serves as a ground for several outdoor recreations. Located on the northern shore of Clinton Lake, this 1,500 acres park is one of the most popular RV destinations in Kansas. This expansive park, lying just a few miles west of Lawrence boasts of recreational trails, picnic shelters, native prairie area, Archery Park and an RV-friendly campground. Clinton State Park campers may hike, swim, fish or boat during their time here.Established in 1975, the park is popular with Kansas campers. Love the great outdoors? Then search for an RV near Douglas County and get out to enjoy the many …

Located in the hills of Verdigris River Valley in southeast Kansas is the home to scenic Cross Timbers State Park. Located just south of the city of Toronto, the park is not too far from Chanute and Independence, and both cities are easily accessible by renting an RV; you’ll find a range of affordable RV rentals in Woodson County. Coming back to what’s so great about this park and why you should be planning a motorhome camping trip here soon – well, for one, its spread across 1075-acres of forest land that’s made up of terraces of Prairie and hills of Oak Savanna; the park lies right opposite the Toronto Wildlife Area. What’s more, the park offers easy access …

Eisenhower State Park is located in northeastern Kansas. This area is fairly rural, so the closest community to this park is the small hamlet of Olivet, which is located around 10 miles to the south. The nearest larger town is Emporia, which is found around 40 miles to the southwest, while the nearest large city is Kansas City, which is almost 100 miles to the northeast.Though this state is usually thought to consist mostly of agricultural areas, Eisenhower State Park is largely forested. The park sits on the northern shore of Melvern Lake. This allows for numerous opportunities to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and water sports.

El Dorado State Park is situated in the southern section of Kansas, just a short drive away from Wichita. This state park is one of the largest in Kansas and spans over 4,000 acres. It rests next to the Flint Hills and El Dorado Reservoir providing guests with plenty of stunning views.Besides its beautiful landscapes, El Dorado State Park also features abandoned railroad tracks and a large amphitheater which hosts numerous festivals throughout the year. The park is located next to El Dorado Lake and has an impressive 98-mile shoreline.

Elk City State Park is a microcosm of sorts, a nature preserve and outdoor recreational destination located within a compact area. The landscape includes rolling meadows and woodland forests to the east of the Elk City Reservoir (which is also incorporated into the park area). The park is intended for quiet family outings but is open to the public at large. The park has a beach where you can swim and a boat ramp granting access to the reservoir lake. The lake is not particularly deep, but it is a good venue for getting some fishing in; the lake is stocked with blue and channel catfish, white bass, and crappie. Younger anglers can take advantage of a pond that is …

Spread over 980 acres of beautiful open plains, tallgrass prairie, and mixed bush and grass, Fall River State Park is a unique wilderness getaway for state park campers in southeast Kansas. Neighboring cities with the cozy town of Eureka and rural Hamilton, the park makes for a Greenwood County gem. The park offers campsites sprinkled near the glassy Fall River Lake, six hiking trails filled to the brim with diverse wildlife, and excellent hunting and archery opportunities at every bend in the woods.Fall River Lake is one of the oldest reservoirs in Kansas, although it didn’t always look as good as it does today. The former Osage territory had to wait until the Flood Control Act of 1941 …

As the United States expanded west in the mid-19th century, conflicts began to break out along the Santa Fe Trail, and the federal government established forts to provide protection to the settlers. Fort Larned was established in 1859 and remained in place until it was abandoned in 1878.Today the National Historic Site is a monument to the history and cultures of those times. When you visit, you will first see a picnic area as you enter the site. There are picnic shelters and restrooms near the entrance; the shelters are set among trees that provide shade and are near the Pawnee River, which flows past the site. You may be able to spot the wildlife that now resides here, …

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a monument to a time when America was still a young republic forging its identity and a witness to the events that were part of that transition. The area was originally inhabited by the Osage tribe, a group of Native Americans who were described by famed artist George Catlin as being exceptionally tall (taller than most Europeans) and fierce warriors. The actual fort was established sometime around the mid-19th century. It became the training ground for the first African-American military units that would fight in the Civil War. Rent a camper near Fort Scott National Historic Site, and you can experience the landscape and history for yourself.Fort Scott occupied an area where it …

On the easternmost border of Kansas, you’ll find rolling grasslands and lush forest: the perfect natural landscape for a camping trip. Hillsdale State Park is a quick one-hour drive south of both Topeka, KS, and Kansas City, MO, just outside of Louisburg.In 1976, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began building a dam on Bull Creek to control flooding in the Osage River Basin. Six years later, the Hillsdale reservoir was created and a new ecosystem grew. In 1989, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sold the land to the state of Kansas, and five years later, Hillsdale State Park opened to the public.If your RV camping trip takes you to the middle of the country, …

As the oldest recreation area in Kansas, Kanopolis State Park has a reputation that precedes it. Located near Ellsworth in the heart of Kansas, and situated on the shores of the 3,000-acre Kanopolis Reservoir, this big and beautiful park offers a long list of recreational opportunities to campers.Excellent boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking can all be enjoyed here, with the park offering two distinct areas for visitors to enjoy — Horsethief in the north and Langley Point in the south. And with 14 campgrounds and more than 300 campsites spread throughout these two areas, there are plenty of great places to stay for campers looking to escape civilization for a while.

Recognized as one of the best state parks anywhere in the United States, Lake Scott State Park combines fascinating history with impressive natural beauty and a wide range of recreational activities. Located 15 miles north of Scott City in the western Kansas prairie, this 1,020-acre park and the nearby area are home to more than 25 archeological sites.The park also boasts a 100-acre lake and a 160-acre wildlife area, so boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and wildlife watching can all be enjoyed here. Best of all, Lake Scott State Park also features multiple campgrounds and sites to suit all types of campers, so it's a great spot to park your rig while you explore your spectacular surrounds.Let's take a …

No matter which way you look at it, there's lots to love about Lovewell State Park. Located near Webber in northcentral Kansas, this 1,160-acre park is tucked away on the shores of Lovewell Reservoir and offers a little something for everyone.Excellent swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching are all on offer here. Other features like an archery range and disc golf course offer something a little different for outdoor enthusiasts. And with six campgrounds and hundreds of campsites to choose from, Lovewell State Park is a relaxing and secluded camping destination. Keep reading to find out how you can enjoy the perfect visit to this much-loved park.

Meade State Park is located in the countryside of southwestern Kansas. It is just south of its namesake town, Meade, and is a three-hour drive from Wichita, which is the nearest large city. The park was originally a turkey ranch and was established in 1927. It is in the high plains and is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species.The park is home to a large 80-acre lake, which makes it a popular destination for fishing and boating. This park even has its own fish hatchery. There is also a large hunting area as well as hundreds of acres of designated campsites, which offer access for RV camping.

Milford Lake State Park is located in north-central Kansas. The tiny community of Milford sits just north of the park, while the nearest larger town is Junction City, which is found less than 10 miles to the southeast. The nearest larger city is Wichita, at almost 120 miles to the south.The state park contains a mix of grassland, forested areas, and waterways. Many activities are available to enjoy here, including camping, picnic sites, and hiking. It also sits on the shores of a large lake, so there's plenty of access for water sports as well. Winter activities, such as cross-country skiing, can also be enjoyed when the snow flies.

Mill Creek Streamway Park is an urban, cultivated park that provides both indoor and outdoor recreational activities to the public. The park follows Mill Creek south from the Kansas River past Shawnee and Lenexa, finally ending just north of the city of Olathe. The main trail through the park is paved and reasonably level, with the occasional rolling hill to contend with. It is paved but has unpaved side trails that veer off through the woods, adding to the experience. You can park your Bonner Springs camper rental at any of the park's several access points and enter the park from there.Mill Creek Streamway Park has several shelters that can be reserved. The park has restrooms located …

Delve into some interesting aspects of U.S. history when you rent an RV near Nicodemus National Historic Site in Bogue, Kansas. Following the end of the Civil War, many African Americans headed west seeking fortune and a better life; Nicodemus is one of many African American settlements that was a result of this migration, and it was signed into designation as a historic site in 1996.The site is marked by five buildings; a township hall, two churches, a school, and a hotel. Some of these buildings were constructed using locally quarried limestone, and collectively, they represent the spirit of the pioneers who settled here and the principles they lived by. RV camping near Nicodemus National Historic Site can help …