Kansas / Labette County

Downstream Point

Closed — Day-use only facility open 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. This is not an overnight campground. The group picnic shelter is reservable through Recreation.gov.

About

Downstream Point is a day-use recreation area located on Big Hill Lake in southeast Kansas's Little Ozarks region. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this facility serves primarily as a group picnic destination rather than an overnight campground. The site features a reservable group shelter that accommodates up to 100 people, basketball courts, and proximity to the lake's outlet channel. The surrounding area offers diverse recreational opportunities on the crystal clear waters of Big Hill Lake. Visitors can access several trails including the 17-mile Big Hill Lake Horse Trail with varied terrain and the one-mile Ruth Nixon Trail along the lake's western shore. The lake is renowned as a trophy fishing destination for largemouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye, and smallmouth bass. The surrounding oak-hickory forests provide excellent hunting opportunities for whitetail deer, turkey, and squirrel. The facility is nestled in rolling, wooded countryside with thick forests surrounded by prairie and farmland, creating diverse habitats for wildlife. A sandy beach at nearby Mound Valley Park offers swimming opportunities during summer months.

Directions

Take U.S. Highway 169 to Cherryvale, Kansas, and turn east onto Main Street. Continue through town and turn right at the end of Main Street onto Olive Street. Go 1/2 block and turn left onto County Route 5000. Proceed 4.5 miles to Big Hill Lake and follow signs to Downstream Point.

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