Closed
— Closed for the winter season. The campground typically operates from spring through fall, with exact opening dates varying by year and staffing availability.
About
Kit Carson Campground is situated on Council Grove Lake, a 3,310-acre reservoir in the green expanses of eastern Kansas' Flint Hills. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with a dam completed in 1964, the lake now serves as a popular recreation destination. The campground features 11 reservable campsites with electric hookups, flush toilets, and modern conveniences. Shaded sites are complemented by open grassy areas perfect for games and outdoor activities.
The lake is renowned for its fishing opportunities, particularly for crappie and catfish, and was the first Kansas lake to receive Saugeye stocking. An on-site boat ramp provides convenient access for boaters and anglers. Hiking trails wind along the shoreline and into the forest, with Pioneer Nature Trail standing out for its wildlife viewing, native vegetation, and seasonal wildflowers. Nearly 2,700 acres of public hunting lands surround the lake, supporting populations of quail, prairie chicken, wild turkey, and deer.
Council Grove Lake sits in an area steeped in history. The Osage Indians signed a treaty here to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail, and a marker in the nearby town of Council Grove commemorates this event. The town itself, located about 2 miles southeast of the lake, is a National Historic District with seven Santa Fe National Historic Trail sites. The campground also serves as a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, which showcases the best remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America.
Directions
From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Kit Carson entrance is located on the west side of the highway at the dam road.
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