Kansas / Osage County / Melvern Recreation Area

Melvern Outlet

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates May through September. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Outlet Campground is a large U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility situated below the Melvern Lake Dam on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills, America's last expanse of intact tallgrass prairie. The campground offers 140 family campsites spread across three loops, with many sites featuring full hookups for electric, water, and sewer. The rolling hills feature scattered trees with limited shade, and the B-loop sites notably do not have fire rings, though campers may bring their own elevated fire pits. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring Melvern Lake's 7,000 acres of water and 18,000 acres of surrounding land. Anglers target walleye, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, and multiple bass species including black, striped, white, and smallmouth. The on-site amenities include a boat ramp, accessible dock, fish cleaning station, swimming beach, playground, and a stocked fishing pond open year-round. Trail enthusiasts can access the 4-mile Tallgrass Heritage Trail directly from the campground, which winds through the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Hunters find abundant opportunities for deer, quail, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, and squirrels throughout the area. Two group day-use picnic shelters with electrical hookups are available for reservation, and several family picnic sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The facility enforces the standard Corps of Engineers 14-day stay limit within any 30-consecutive-day period.

Directions

From US-75, take the Melvern exit. Turn west onto Melvern Lake Parkway and continue 1/4 mile to the cut-off road, then another 1/4-mile west to River Pond Parkway and follow into the campground.

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