Overlook Park

Closed — Day-use area open year-round. Group picnic shelters reservable April through October via Recreation.gov. No overnight camping permitted.

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About

Overlook Park is a day-use picnic and recreation area situated on the north shore of Clinton Lake in Douglas County, Kansas, just minutes from Lawrence. The park serves as an excellent gathering spot for parties, family reunions, and group events with two electric picnic shelters that can accommodate up to 100 guests each. Shelter 1 is located closer to the center of the park, while Shelter 2 sits near the entrance. The park provides a variety of recreational amenities including a playground, horseshoe pit, tetherball pole, sand volleyball court, and softball field. Overlook Park also serves as the trailhead for the North Shore Trail system, offering access to miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails around Clinton Lake. The lake itself is a major draw, with opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports. Anglers can target crappie, walleye, channel catfish, and white bass in the clear waters. Clinton Lake spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres, featuring steep limestone bluffs, wooded shorelines, and a preserved natural setting. Wildlife viewing is popular, with bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, and wild turkey frequently spotted. The Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center is located nearby on the northwest side of the dam.

Directions

From Lawrence, take Clinton Parkway/23rd Street west to the end of the road. Turn right onto E900 Road, then make the first left onto N1402 Road. Continue approximately one-fourth mile to park.