Elk City State Park

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis from November through February. Reservations available March 1 through October 31 via ReserveAmerica. Bathhouses are closed during winter; vault toilets remain open. Water is shut off in Sunset Point and Lower Comfort Cove during winter months.

About

Elk City State Park encompasses 857 acres on the east shore of 4,500-acre Elk City Reservoir in Montgomery County, approximately 5 miles northwest of Independence. The park features dense oak and hickory woodlands meeting rolling meadows of big bluestem and Indian grass, offering a quiet, family-oriented camping experience with convenient access to all amenities. The park is particularly well-known for its diverse trail systems totaling over 12 miles. Trails include the Eagle Rock Mountain Bike Trail (4 miles), designed for both beginner and experienced riders with roller coaster dips and log jumps; the Post Oak Self-Guiding Nature Trail, which winds through old-growth forest with trees over 200 years old; the Green Thumb Nature Trail offering panoramic lake views; and the Table Mound Hiking Trail (2.75 miles), a National Recreation Trail featuring vertical rock walls, boulder fields, and cave-like formations. The paved Osage Lowland trails provide accessible walking and biking options with views of the wildlife area. Camping facilities include multiple campgrounds with a mix of primitive sites and sites with water/electric or full hookup options. The compact park layout allows quick access to boat ramps, a swim beach, playgrounds, and fishing opportunities. Wildlife watchers can spot diverse Kansas wildlife including the large pileated woodpecker common in mature trees along the Elk River. The park also features modern rental cabins and group shelters.

Directions

Located approximately 5 miles northwest of Independence, Kansas, 1 mile north of US-160 on the east shore of Elk City Reservoir.

Nearby Campgrounds