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 backpacking. All but the Ancient Trees Trail are open to other non-motorized uses such as jogging and mountain biking. 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.
All shower buildings have now been closed for the season. All campsites that are not frost free are now winterized for the season. Cross Timbers has frost free hydrants at Mann’s Cove and entrance to Toronto Point, also Osage Plains 101 - 108, East Ramp 61 & 64, and all of Timber Ridge Campground are frost free. Vault toilets are available in Toronto Point, Mann’s Cove, and Blackjack Campground.
Most of Cross Timbers campsites are reservable April - October. Reservations will open for the 2021 season on December 17, 2020 at noon.
Big things are happening in the Timber Ridge Campground in Toronto Point (formerly Cross Timbers Campground). Over the past two years all 24 campsites were upgraded to 50 Amp service and frost-free hydrants. Staff have recently completed concrete to some campsites and gravel to others, five sites have concrete living spaces with two of which will be ADA. This is a Land Water Conservation Fund project, and will be complete by the end of 2020.
Another recent project was the replacement vault toilet in the west spillway. This is a FEMA funded project, staff hope to have dirtwork and parking complete soon!
Be sure and check out our four rustic cabins. All of our cabins offer unique views and a quiet atmosphere. Sandstone Bluff and Whispering Oaks share a courtesy dock for boaters and fisherman, be sure to request one of the two if you have these needs. Reservations should be made early, weekends usually fill up six months ahead, they can be made through www.reserveamerica.com. Please note there is no smoking allowed inside and NO TENTS allowed in the cabin areas. The only pet-friendly cabin is Eagle's Nest, pet fee is required. Timber Walker in Toronto Point, is fully ADA, sleeps six, and has a larger living space than our other Cross Timbers cabins.
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 additional playground is located in the Osage Plains Campground, where kids can enjoy a climber, and swings!
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. M-F at 620-637-2213.
Cross Timbers State Park 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: No
- Primitive Camping: 15
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: No
- Primitive Camping: 21
- 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: 80
- Water, Sewer, Electric: 15
- Water, Electric: 43
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- Electric: 1
- 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 three cabins that sleep eight and contain 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. Additionally the Timber Walker cabin sleeps six, is handicapped accessible, has all the amenities of the other cabins, with the addition of a dishwasher and an apartment sized stove. No smoking in the cabins. The only pet-friendly cabin is Eagle's Nest. 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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- Easter Egg Hunt 04/03/2021
- Music in the Park 05/29/2021
- National Trails Day 06/05/2021
- Breakfast Ride In 06/05/2021
- Toronto Days 07/02/2021
- Friends of Cross Timbers - End of Summer BBQ 09/04/2021
- 2nd Annual Friends of Cross Timbers Chili Contest 10/02/2021
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.