Cross Timbers State Park
The park is located 12 miles west of Yates Center in Woodson County, south of Toronto, KS. This region was a favored hunting and camping ground of Native Americans of the Osage Nation. The forested flood plains, surrounded by terraces of prairie and hills of oak savanna, provide visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Kansas.
Shaded campsites within easy access of the lake are available for both full RV hookup and primitive camping. All park campgrounds are served by modern bathroom and shower facilities, with the exception of Mann's Cove Loop that has a vault toilet. All park trails are open to hiking and mountain bikes except the Ancient Trees Trail is only open hiking. Back country camping is allowed by special permit on segments of the Chautauqua Hills Trail.
Fishing in the river and on the reservoir can be excellent. Both are noted for excellent white crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and flat-head catfish angling. Black bass, bluegill, and sunfish round out the diverse fishing opportunities available here. The adjacent 4,600-acre Toronto Wildlife Area is a diverse collection of habitats, including forests, grasslands, farmlands, and marshes. Species common to the area included white-tailed deer, wild turkey, quail, squirrel, rabbit, dove, and raccoon. A rich variety of songbirds appeals to wildlife observers and photographers.
(620) 637-2213 (Park Office)
We are in our summer season. Water to Blackjack, Clovis Point and portions of Osage Plains campgrounds are open for the season. The enclosed shower house in Toronto Point - Sandstone Campground is open for the season, as is Blackjack shower house. We plan to open the east shower house in Toronto Point before Memorial Weekend. All vault toilets are open year-round and can be found in Blackjack Campground, West Spillway, Mann's Cove, Clovis Point Campground and at the Chautauqua Hills trailhead. All four cabins and laundry facilities are open year-round.
Cross Timbers is seeking camp hosts for the Toronto Point area for 2025. Duties may include mowing, cleaning restrooms, reservation cards, guest questions, weather alerts. Volunteers will receive campsite and storage area, for 20 - 25 hours of volunteer hours.
Blackjack Campground has been taken out of group use. Individual campsites can now be reserved in Blackjack April to October.
Be sure and check out our four rustic cabins. All of our cabins offer unique views and a quiet atmosphere. Reservations should be made early, weekends usually fill up six months ahead. Make your reservation through www.reserveamerica.com or call the office, 620.637.2213. Please note there is no smoking allowed inside and NO TENTS allowed at the cabin areas. The only pet-friendly cabin is Eagle's Nest, pet fee is required. Timber Walker Cabin is fully ADA, sleeps six, and has a larger living space than our other Cross Timbers cabins.
The Blue Water Trail with loaner kayaks & canoes will open May 16 for 2025. Boats are first come first serve and cannot be reserved. An adult 18+ must sign a waiver, and provided lifejackets must be worn. Kayaks & Canoes are loaned for a two hour window and for use on the Blue Water Trail in Moon's Cove, and cannot be taken onto the main lake. Kayak Hosts can be found in Toronto Point Area at the East Boat Ramp Campsite #61, and will be available Friday afternoons through Sunday afternoon.
The Big Timbers playground, located in the Toronto Point area of the park, is designed for children ages 5-12. There are slides, climbing, and swings for your youngster's enjoyment. A smaller playground is located in the Osage Plains Campground, where kids can enjoy a climber, and swings! New surfacing placed in the spring of 2023.
For cabin & campsite reservations go to: www.reserveamerica.com; or for information contact the park office between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tues - Sat (summer hours) or M-F 8 - 4:30 (winter hours) at 620-637-2213. Please note: if you have a hunting, fishing or boat registration need please come into the office before 4:00.
Cross Timbers State Park @ Toronto Lake is located in the gently rolling hills of the Verdigris River Valley in southeast Kansas. Comprising 1,075 acres in the northern reaches of the physiographic region known to early pioneers as the Cross Timbers, this park provides numerous access points to the 2,800-acre Toronto Reservoir.
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: No
- Primitive Camping: 5
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 15
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 28
- Water, Sewer, Electric: 1
- Water, Electric: 7
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- Electric: 7
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 60
- Water, Sewer, Electric: 18
- Water, Electric: 45
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- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 0.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 44.770 W095 56.282
- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 1 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 45.064 W095 56.674
- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 1.25 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 44.544 W095 54.835
- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 11 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 46.682 W095 56.176
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- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 1 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 46.743 W095 56.646
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Important Cabin Information: Reservation Terms and Conditions, Cabin Reservation Information
Cross Timbers State Park has a total of four cabins. Sandstone Bluff, Whispering Oaks and Eagle's Nest sleep eight and have a bathroom with shower, 2-burner range top, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee pot, table and chairs, and a futon couch. Outside, they also offer a campfire ring with grill. Timber Walker sleeps six, is handicapped accessible, has all the amenities of the other cabins, with the addition of a dishwasher and an apartment sized stove. All cabins are equipped with glassware, flatware, dishware and cookware. No smoking in the cabins. The only pet-friendly cabin is Eagle's Nest, pet fee required. No tents are allowed in the cabin area. Capacity is limited to the number that the cabin sleeps.
- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- Location of Facility: N37 46.503 W095 56.409
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Sandstone Bluff Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N37 46.482 W095 56.443
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Whispering Oaks Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N37 46.553 W95 56.369
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Timber Walker Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- Location of Facility: N37 46.377 W095 56.484
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Eagle's Nest
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For a Freedom of Information Act or Kansas Open Records Act request, please go to the open records request information.
This form allows you to email Cross Timbers State Park with any questions you might have about the State Park and its facilities. This includes season openings and closings, campsite reservations, special events, etc.