Elk City State Park
Located about 5 miles northwest of Independence, 1 mile north of US-160
Dense oak and hickory woodlands meet rolling meadows of big bluestem and Indian grass at this striking 857-acre park located on the east shore of 4,500-acre Elk City Reservoir with 12,000 acres of wildlife area nearby. Elk City State Park offers a quiet, family-oriented get-away. The compact park allows easy, quick access to features including boat ramps, a swim beach, camping, playgrounds, and hiking trails. The lake area offers picturesque views ranging from open prairie to wooded hills and limestone bluffs.
The area is well-known for its diverse trail systems, including the Eagle Rock Mountain Bike Trail, the Post-Oak and Green Thumb Nature Trails, the Table Mound Hiking Trail, and the Osage Lowlands Hiking Trail. Also nearby is the Elk River Hiking Trail, a 15-mile trail from the west end of the dam to the US-160 bridge over the Elk River south of Elk City. Wildlife watchers can see a variety of Kansas wildlife, including the large pileated woodpecker which is common in the mature trees along the Elk River.
Park Office - (620) 331-6295
Welcome to Elk City State Park!
As of November 1st 2021 both bathhouses in the park are closed, the vault toilets remain open. Bathhouses will open in the springs as weather allows.
The camground is also operating as first come first serve until March 1st, meaning no reservations during off season.
Water is currently shut off in Sunset Point and Lower Comfort Cove.
The Friends of Elk City State Park are currently back up in operation and hosting events. Please check the park facebook page for specail events.
Youth/Mentor Pond: Anglers 16 to 75 must have a fishing license and be accompanied by a fishing youth under 16. Special Creel Limits and Regulations are in effect.
Please visit www.reserveamerica.com or call the office at 620-331-6295 for site availability.
For fishing reports or information about the wildlife area, call the project office at 620-331-6820.
For information regarding Card Creek, the Outlet Channel, the Elk River Hiking Trail, and Overlook call the Big Hill Lake Office (COE) at 620-336-2741.
Don't forget to visit the park's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ElkCityStatePark - Great resource for event information and park conditions.
35" minimum and 5 max creel limit on blue catfish
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
Elk City State Park is located in Montgomery County, approximately 5 miles northwest of Independence, Kansas. The State Park was leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1967 and the lease area involved 1,127 acres for the period of 25 years, for Public Park and recreational purposes. The current 25-year lease has been amended and presently consists of 857 acres and approximately 5 miles of maintained roadway. The Elk City project maintains approximately 4,500 water acres at normal flood pool. Elk City offers picnicking and camping with or without electricity; swimming boating, fishing, sanitary facilities, showers, playgrounds, group shelters, vault toilets, sightseeing and a variety of other fun activities.
The Elk City Lake area was once a part of the Osage Indian Diminished Reserve. Two Osage bands settled in the area after they agreed to the Canville Treaty of 1867. One band was led by Napawalla and was reportedly, located on the North side of the river near present day Chetopa. The second band, led by Chief Chetopa, reportedly established a village somewhere on the south side of the Elk River near the west end of Table Mound. In 1870, a treaty was signed on Drum Creek which moved the Osage Indians to present day Oklahoma. By this time, Union Army veterans from the Civil War had settled in the Elk River Valley.
The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act 1941 and designed and built under the supervision of the Tulsa District, Corps of Engineers, at a cost $19,000,000.00. Construction began in February 1962 and was completed for full flood control operation in March 1966. Elk City Lake is one unit in a multiple- lake system in the Verdigris River Basin in Kansas.
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Water, Electric: 1
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 48
- Water, Sewer, Electric: 68
- Water, Electric: 20
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 9
- Water, Sewer, Electric: 52
- Water, Electric: 43
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 0.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 15.181 W095 46.614
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 2.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- This trail is ADA accessible
- Location of Start: N37 15.072 W095 46.481
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 3.3 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 15.072 W095 46.481
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 4 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Mt. Biking, Canoe/Kayaking
- There is camping located near the trail
- Location of Start: N37 16.688 W095 46.808
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 1 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Canoe/Kayaking
- There is camping located near the trail
- Location of Start: N37 16.609 W095 46.704
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 1 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Canoe/Kayaking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 15.516 W095 46.736
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 2.75 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Canoe/Kayaking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 15.509 W095 46.752
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 12 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking, Canoe/Kayaking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N37 15.582 W095 46.079
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Important Cabin Information: Reservation Terms and Conditions, Cabin Reservation Information
- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Cabin #1 - Prairie Meadow
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This form allows you to email Elk City 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.