Atchison Sfl
The primitive camping area is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is free with no reservations accepted. Campers are limited to 7 consecutive days per stay.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 19 at 8:12PM CDT until September 20 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 672 IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT SUNDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN KANSAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST KANSAS ATCHISON DONIPHAN LEAVENWORTH WYANDOTTE IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 19 COUNTIES IN NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI CALDWELL DAVIESS GRUNDY HARRISON LINN LIVINGSTON MERCER PUTNAM SULLIVAN IN NORTHEAST MISSOURI ADAIR SCHUYLER IN NORTHWEST MISSOURI ANDREW BUCHANAN CLINTON DEKALB GENTRY IN WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI CLAY PLATTE RAY THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALBANY, ATCHISON, BETHANY, BRAYMER, BRECKENRIDGE, BROOKFIELD, CAMERON, CHILLICOTHE, CLARKSDALE, COUNTRY CLUB VILLA, DOWNING, ELWOOD, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, FORT LEAVENWORTH, GALLATIN, GLADSTONE, GLENWOOD, GREEN CITY, GREENTOP, HAMILTON, HIGHLAND, JAMESPORT, KANSAS CITY KANSAS, KEARNEY, KING CITY, KIRKSVILLE, LANCASTER, LANSING, LATHROP, LAWSON, LEAVENWORTH, LIBERTY, MARCELINE, MAYSVILLE, MERCER, MILAN, OSBORN, PARKVILLE, PLATTE CITY, PLATTSBURG, POLO, PRINCETON, QUEEN CITY, RICHMOND, RIVERSIDE, SAVANNAH, ST. JOSEPH, ST. JOSEPH AIRPORT, STANBERRY, STEWARTSVILLE, TRENTON, TROY, UNION STAR, UNIONVILLE, WATHENA, WEATHERBY LAKE, AND WESTON.
About
Atchison State Fishing Lake is a 66-acre impoundment nestled among rolling hills covered in oak-hickory forest in Atchison County, Kansas. Built in 1957 and originally known as Hetherington Lake, the area offers free primitive camping on designated sites along the south and east side of the lake. All camping is first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted for primitive sites. Campers are limited to 7 consecutive days before vacating for at least 5 days. The lake features extensive shallow water areas on the west end, making it productive for warm-water fish species including channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish. Facilities include pit toilets, a boat ramp with dock, fishing piers, and picnic areas. Trash service is not provided; campers must pack out all refuse. Rural water is available at the southeast entrance to the area. A separate modern rental cabin is available northwest of the primitive camping areas for those seeking more amenities. The cabin includes a full kitchen, climate control, and is ADA-accessible.
Directions
From Atchison, KS: Go 3 miles north on Highway 7, turn left (west) on 318th Road, continue 2 miles, then turn right (north) on Pawnee Road and go 0.7 mile. The lake and camping areas will be on your left.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $105 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (913) 367-7811 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| KDWP Atchison State Fishing Lake | |
| KDWP Camping Information |
Availability
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