UPDATE: Due to the surge in Delta-variant cases, masks/facial coverings will continue to be required for all Kansas Hunter Education program instructors, students, parents, and visitors at all hunter education classes and internet assisted field day and testing sessions when indoors. When outdoors, masks are required unless 6ft distance is maintained.

Kansas state park offices remain open, though business may be conducted through teller windows or by phone only. At state park offices where foot traffic is permitted, visitors are kindly asked to social distance and observe all safety precautions put in place by staff.

To locate contact information for a Kansas State Park, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations.

Kansas state parks, fishing lakes and wildlife areas are open to the public – including campgrounds, boat ramps and restroom facilities.

Camping is still allowed. Most campsites, cabins and yurts can be reserved online through ReserveAmerica.com and KDWPT’s mobile app – CampIt KS. To download the CampIt KS mobile app to your Android device, visit https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aspiraconnect.ra.ks. To download the CampIt KS mobile app to your Apple/iOS device, visit https://apps.apple.com/us/app/campit-ks/id1449813035?ls=1.

Waters Open to Fishing

All Kansas state parks, KDWPT-owned fishing lakes and wildlife areas are open to the public.

License Requirements

All license requirements, length and creel limits, and public land regulations remain in effect.

A common question has been whether KDWPT is considering waiving fishing license fees. KDWPT is funded solely from the sale of licenses and permits, and that funding is crucial to keeping gates and facilities open and law enforcement in place; therefore, KDWPT is not considering waiving fees at this time.

From Secretary Brad Loveless, “During this time of unprecedented changes, there is value in those things that can stay consistent. We’re committed to keeping Kansas’ state parks, state fishing lakes and wildlife areas open so that Kansans can continue to safely enjoy the outdoors. To achieve this, we must keep game wardens, public land managers, and park staff working in the field.

Fishing Safely During Tournaments

In this brief video from our friends at Kansas BASS Nation, you'll learn helpful tips for fishing safely during a tournament. NOTE: KDWPT facilities are not closed as indicated in this video. All Kansas state parks, fishing lakes and wildlife areas remain open to the public.

View the video here: https://vimeo.com/405583056

The Life Jacket Association (LJA) provides the following guidance when cleaning your personal flotation devices (PFDs). If you think your product has been exposed to a virus, clean as recommended by the manufacturer and then let dry in a warm, low humidity environment for at least 72 hours before reuse.

CLEANING AND STORING YOUR PFD: To clean your inflatable PFD, hand wash or sponge down in warm, soapy water, taking care not to submerge the inflator. Rinse your PFD with clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Do not dry-clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat. Always store your fully dried PFD in a warm, dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

If you must reuse your product within 72 hours, the following precautionary guidance is suggested. 

• COVID-19 virus may exist 3 days on or in clothing.  Virus can exist longer on porous surfaces.
• Synthetic fabrics, plastic and metal surfaces may harbor the virus longer.
• Buckles, zippers, other hardware and hook/loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro®) are hard to clean due to crevasses and metal/plastic construction.
• Using 60 – 90% solutions of alcohol sprayed/wetted on these components is acceptable.
• Avoid spraying inflatables with specific disinfectants that are detrimental to the fabric. e.g. bleach-based products.
• Do not machine launder life jackets.
• Life jackets should be hand-washed with gloved hands – wash as hot as possible (< 60C) to kill virus.
• Ensuring complete drying is critical, heated air drying is encouraged < 60C.
• Virus likes moisture and can survive in cold – virus dies by drying out and by heat, which some fibers can enhance.
• This pandemic is a new challenge and it is truly not known how all materials and the virus respond to laundry.
• If hang to air dry, allow 72 hours (3 days) before reuse.
• Do not share garments.

DISCLAIMER: Remember it is not possible to carry out or guarantee complete disinfection, the goal is to minimize risk.

KDWP Administrative Offices

Nearly all KDWP offices remain open to the public. Where foot traffic is allowed, please practice social distancing and observe all safety precautions put in place by staff. Thank you.

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we encourage you to connect with us through our agency website, ksoutdoors.com; our license/permit purchasing website, kshuntfishcamp.com; and our free mobile apps – CampIt KS and HuntFish KS – where you can enjoy 24/7 online access to nearly all of our in-person services. Campsite reservations can be made on ReserveAmerica.com.

KDWPT Offices temporarily closed to foot traffic include:

KDWPT Education/Nature Centers

Great Plains Nature Center (6232 East 29th St., Wichita, KS 67220) – Open to public with adjusted hours of operation; special restrictions may be in place. For the most up to date information, call ahead at (316) 683-5499.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center (592 NE K-156 Hwy, Great Bend, KS 67530) – Open to public with adjusted hours of operation; special restrictions may be in place. For the most up to date information, call ahead at (620) 566-1456.

Milford Nature Center/Milford Fish Hatchery (3415 Hatchery Dr., Junction City, KS 66441) – Open to public with adjusted hours of operation; special restrictions may be in place. For the most up to date information, call ahead at (785) 238-5323.

Pratt Education Center (512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124) – Open to public with adjusted hours of operation; special restrictions may be in place. For the most up to date information, call ahead at (620) 672-0776.

Southeast Kansas Nature Center (3511 S. Main St., Galena, KS 66739) – Open to public with adjusted hours of operation; special restrictions may be in place. For the most up to date information, call ahead at (620) 783-5207.

Kansas Tourism Travel Information Centers

Goodland (MM 7 Eastbound on I-70) – The Goodland Travel Information Center will be staffed during regular hours with enhanced and extensive safety and cleaning protocols. Restrooms are open and limited travel brochures are available in the lobby.

Belle Plaine (770 N. I-35) – The Belle Plaine Travel Information Center will be staffed during regular hours with enhanced and extensive safety and cleaning protocols. Restrooms, gas and food services remain open. 

To register a vessel for the first time:

Complete the “Application for Certificate of Number Kansas Boating Act Form” here, https://ksoutdoors.com/Boating/Registering-Your-Boat. Then, mail it with the $42.50 registration fee to: KDWPT Pratt Operations Office, Attn: Boat Registration, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124. Your Bill of Sale will allow you to operate your vessel until your registration arrives in the mail.

To renew a boat registration:

Visit kshuntfishcamp.com and click “Boat Renewal.” Once you have completed the purchase process, you will be provided a confirmation receipt via email. This confirmation will allow you to operate your vessel until your registration arrives in the mail.

In an effort to protect the health of the public, our constituents, volunteers and KDWPT staff, all tours at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge (2577 Pueblo Road, Canton, KS 67428) and Sandsage Bison Range and Wildlife Area (785 S. Hwy 83, Garden City, KS 67846) have been temporarily suspended.

The application period for the 2020 Kansas nonresident deer draw was April 1-24. No leftover permits are available this year.

Hunters have been notified via e-mail regarding the status of their draw application. Please check spam/junk folders prior to calling. For more information, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Big-Game-Information/Deer or contact Licensing staff at (620) 672-5911.

Department staff continue to work diligently to keep Kansas' lakes, parks and wildlife areas open and outdoor opportunities available; therefore, KDWPT is moving forward under the assumption that hunting and travel will continue to be allowed this fall and into winter. Department staff recognize the positive impact nonresident deer hunters have on wildlife conservation and the Kansas economy and want to assure nonresident deer hunters that appropriate measures will be taken, including refunding permit and license fees, if a state travel restriction prevents a nonresident deer hunter from traveling into Kansas (season date restrictions apply).

 
To view Kansas' current Travel Quarantine List, visit https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran.