Prairie Dog State Park

About

Prairie Dog State Park encompasses 1,150 acres along the shores of Keith Sebelius Reservoir, a 2,181-acre impoundment with 32 miles of shoreline located 4 miles southwest of Norton, Kansas. The park provides diverse camping accommodations across multiple campground areas: Prairie Dog Campground, Cedar Ridge Campground, Shady Rest Campground, and Branded Cedar Campground. Site options include 10 full-hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer; approximately 67-89 electric/water sites; 12-13 electric-only sites; and over 130 primitive sites. Four cabins are available, including two modern cabins with running water, full kitchens, and bathrooms with showers, plus two primitive cabins with heating, A/C, refrigerator, and microwave. The reservoir is well-known for productive fishing with walleye, saugeye, wipers, largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish. The 1.4-mile Steve Mathes Nature Trail features seasonal storybook signs for young hikers. Historical interpretation is a highlight, with a preserved one-room schoolhouse and a restored 1890s rammed-earth adobe house available for tours by appointment. During peak season from mid-April through mid-October, shower and restroom facilities are fully operational with potable water. Off-season camping remains available with vault toilet facilities, though water systems may not be operational. Two RV dump stations serve campers on both the west and east sides of the park.

Directions

From Norton, Kansas: Drive 4 miles west on U.S. Highway 36, then 1 mile south on Kansas Highway 261.