Kansas / Labette County

Overlook

Closed — Closed for the season. This is a day-use only facility with reservable group picnic shelters.

About

Overlook Park is a day-use only facility located on the crystal clear Big Hill Lake in southeast Kansas. The park is nestled in the rolling, wooded countryside referred to as the Little Ozarks, with forested picnic areas offering sweeping views of the lake. The facility features three reservable group picnic shelters set along the water, each capable of accommodating up to 100 people. Groups over 100 people are required to reserve two shelters. The park provides drinking water and flush toilets for convenience. Overlook serves primarily as a group picnic and fishing area, with Big Hill Lake known as a trophy lake for largemouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye, and smallmouth bass. Visitors can access nearby hiking and equestrian trails, including the Big Hill Lake Horse Trail, a 17-mile trail with varied terrain. An interpretive trail is also located within the park. The surrounding thick oak-hickory forests bordered by prairie and farmland provide diverse habitats for birds and mammals. Almost all land around the lake is open to public hunting for whitetail deer, turkey, and squirrel, except for park areas and zones around the dam.

Directions

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

Nearby Campgrounds