The recent heavy rains in southeast Kansas have pushed several reservoirs to the limit of their flood-control capacities. All of Elk City and portions of Fall River and Cross Timbers state parks are closed until further notice. At Hillsdale, some utility sites are closed, as are the courtesy docks and the personal watercraft launch site. Sections of the Prairie Spirit Trail are also closed..

Elk City State Park is virtually an island and will remain closed to the public for at least a week. Fall River campgrounds are underwater, although the Quarry Bay Bathhouse is open for area residents without water service. The Toronto Point area of Cross Timbers State Park remains open, but with several areas of the campground underwater. Blackjack Campground is open, but Holiday Hill is unusable. Activities scheduled for the next few days at all these areas have been cancelled. Debris will remain in the campgrounds for a while even after the water recedes.

Park users are advised to call ahead before driving to any park or recreation area in the southeastern quarter of the state. For contact information click here.

Back to July 2007 News