Prairie Dog State Park
We get many compliments from people that stay in the park and use the facilities. Customers continue to let us know how great the park looks, with the mowed areas, excellent camping availability, gorgeous views of the lake, and recreational items.
You must have a vehicle permit to drive into the park, whether you plan to just drive through or use the available facilities.
Going from north to south, there is the Prairie Dog State Park, the Keith Sebelius Reservoir that is the lake, and the Norton Wildlife Area. (Technically the Sebelius Reservoir is considered part of the Norton Wildlife Area.) These three entities are located next to each other, about 3 miles west and 1 mile south of Norton, Kansas.
To get to the Prairie Dog State Park, from the east: take highway 36 west out of Norton, then turn south on highway 261. From the west: take highway 36 east, turn south on highway 261.
There are a variety of ways to get to the Norton Wildlife Area. One way is to take highway 36 west out of Norton, then turn south at the "Norton Dam" sign that you will see on the left side. Another way is to continue on highway 36 west of Norton and turn left on highway 383. Go south at least 2 miles, and any of the next several roads going left or right will give you access to the Wildlife Area.
Did you know... blue green algae is not really algae? It's a bacteria, called cyanobacteria. It releases toxins sometimes, and these toxins can affect warm-blooded animals in the area of the brain, liver, or other organs. To learn more, visit: https://ksoutdoors.com/Outdoor-Activities/Outdoor-Health-and-Safety/Blue-Green-Algae-Information
Camping at Prairie Dog State Park includes 4 reservable cabins, all of which are nice on the inside and have air conditioning, heat, refrigerator & freezer, and microwave (2 modern cabins with a nice bathroom and kitchen, and 2 primitive cabins with no kitchen and very close to a shower house with bathrooms), 10 electric/water/sewer sites, 89 electric/water sites, and more than 130 primitive sites. Reservable sites are available, as well as walk-in sites. Shower and restroom facilities are conveniently located, as are two RV dump stations (one on the west side and one on the east side). A 1.4-mile nature trail complete with Story Walk signage for kids is a great way to explore the park and observe wildlife.
Historical interpretation is a hallmark of this park. Two vintage 19th century buildings are preserved here, including a one room school and renovated adobe house. Learn more at https://www.youtube.com/@NortonLivingHistory
Keith Sebelius Reservoir is well known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers continue to find productive fishing for black bass, walleye, wiper, crappie, catfish and saugeye.
The 6,400-acre Norton Wildlife Area offers good prospects for quail, pheasant, waterfowl and rabbits. Both whitetail and mule deer can be found here, as well as a variety of furbearers.
Park Office: (785) 877-2953 - Click the Park News icon above for office hours.
Questions pertaining to the Norton Wildlife Area or hunting should be directed to Luke Winge, Public Lands Manager at (785) 877-2953.
Questions pertaining to fishing should be directed to Mark Shaw, Fisheries Biologist at (785) 425-6775.
Questions for a Conservation Officer should be directed to the Hays Regional Office at (785) 628-8614.
Cabin Renters--Please make sure to contact the park office at (785) 877-2953 within 48 hours of your arrival to obtain your key code. Also, you will need to bring your own bed items: pillows, sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, etc.
There is NO HUNTING ALLOWED in the State Park. Please contact the office with any questions.
Please visit campitks.com or Reserve America to make your reservations online, or click the "Make a Reservation!" button at the right side of this page. Licenses and permits for hunting and fishing, and boat registrations, can be purchased online through gooutdoorskansas.com.
Water has been turned off for the entire park. When the water gets turned off, there is no water available anywhere in the park. All facilities in the park will not have water, including our two primitive cabins, all campsites, and all water faucets. Shower houses will be closed, and dump stations will remain open but will be without water. Note that if you reserve one of our modern cabins, they do have water all year. There are vault toilets open all year in various locations in the park.
The Senior Lifetime Combo for hunting and fishing is no longer for sale. KDWP says that the statute that authorized this permit has expired. More info is at www.ksoutdoors.com/license-permits If you are a Kansas resident, you can purchase the senior annual hunting license and senior annual fishing license for $15 per year, each.
The 12 new sites in the northeast loop of Prairie Dog campground are available. These are new sites, 50 amp with water, and have an excellent view of the lake and the dam.
Burn ban is off. Campfires and charcoal grills are allowed.
Campfires are only allowed in designated fire rings, or in your fire pit that you bring that has legs and keeps the fire above the ground. Year round, no fires of any kind are allowed in the East Leota campground.
Reservations can be made for utility sites at Kansas State Parks (once we get to the December date of release for 2025). Until April 1, no reservable campsites can be reserved and all campsites are walk-in only. After the 2025 release date, here at Prairie Dog State Park for camping, our utility sites and most mushroom sites are reservable. You cannot reserve a site same day on the websites or on the phone. If the current time is before noon, you can reserve a campsite for tomorrow. Otherwise it's 2 days in advance. Non-designated primitive sites are walk-in and not reservable. All campsites are available year-round and electricity is always on.
Cabins can be reserved as far as 364 days in advance, and you can reserve a minimum of 2 days in advance. Our two modern cabins are on their own well, so they have water all year long. If you make a reservation, when your arrival date is within a day or two, give us a call for last-minute instructions and how to get in to your cabin. A reminder that, until late April when we turn the water back on for the park, our two primitive cabins do not have water.
Did you know ...
... A self-pay kiosk is available! All sales are final, so take your time and double-check what you are selecting. The kiosk is located at the office, will accept credit and debit cards only, and will allow the purchase of:
- A daily vehicle permit, only for today, expires 2pm tomorrow;
- An annual vehicle permit (good until December 31 of this year);
- The receipt generated by the kiosk will say that it is temporary and will expire in 2 weeks; this only means that the paper is thermal paper and the ink will eventually fade if it's left in the sun; bring the receipt to the park office and you can exchange it for a sticker;
- Note: the discounted annual and daily vehicle permits (for Kansas residents that are 65+ or are disabled) cannot be purchased at the kiosk;
- Campsite fees, such as a camping permit, utilities fee, and prime fee ... BUT ... ;
- Suggest that you use the self-pay table instead, to pay for your campsite; currently it is impossible when using the kiosk, to know which sites are available, and to tell the kiosk which fees apply to your desired campsite, which may or may not be available;
... there are websites available for your use:
- campitks.com ... is for vehicle permits, and reserving cabins and campsites;
- gooutdoorskansas.com ... is for fishing licenses, boat registrations, and hunting licenses and permits;
- reserveamerica.com ... is for reserving cabins and campsites;
- usbr.gov ... is for checking on the water statistics of Sebelius Reservoir, by looking for Norton Dam and/or Keith Sebelius Lake;
... HAB stands for Harmful Algal Bloom, meaning that blue-green algae and/or its toxins have been detected in a water sample for a lake.
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Also...
Camping is available year-round in the park. As always, any vehicle that is driven within the park must have a vehicle permit. Kansas residents 65 and older, as well as disabled Kansas residents, can get a daily vehicle permit for $3.25. It is $5 for all others, resident or non-resident. The self-pay table is located next to the front door of the office, is always available, and takes check or cash.
Check-in time and check-out time for a campsite is 2 pm.
For cabins, check-in is after 3 pm, and check-out is before noon.
Good news: all cabins and campsites are available year-round with electricity. Our newest campground, Cedar Ridge, has full hookups including sewer. Vault toilets are also available year-round.
** If you have purchased a Parks Passport when you register your vehicle with your county in Kansas, and you need a replacement, it is $2.50 and can be purchased at any State Park office. Proof of your vehicle registration is required. **
There is NO HUNTING ALLOWED in the State Park. Please feel free to contact the office with any questions.
Please click the Make a Reservation button above, or visit campitks.com to make your campsite and cabin reservations online. For fishing licenses, boat registrations, and hunting licenses, go to gooutdoorskansas.com.
Prairie Dog State Park has four cabins available. Cabin reservations can be made for at least 2 days in advance. Call the office or reserve a cabin online. All cabins have heating and air conditioning, a refrigerator with freezer, and a microwave. Bring your own sleeping items such as sheets, pillows, sleeping bags, and blankets.
Cedar Crest and Cottonwood are primitive cabins, and starting in late April, water is available from an outside faucet for these two cabins. These cabins sleep 8. When the water is turned off in mid- to late-October, these cabins do not have water.
Prairie Dog and Eagle View are modern cabins with running water year-round, fully stocked kitchen areas, and a big bathroom with a shower. These cabins sleep 5-6.
Cabin Renters: Please make sure to contact the park office at (785) 877-2953 within 48 hours of your arrival to obtain your key code. Reminder that you need to bring bed items, such as pillows, blankets, sheets, sleeping bags, etc.
Please remember to always wear your life jacket when you're on the water, it could save your life.
Questions pertaining to the Norton Wildlife Area or hunting should be directed to Luke Winge, Norton Wildlife Area Manager, at (785) 877-2953.
Questions pertaining to fishing should be directed to Mark Shaw, Fisheries Biologist at (785) 342-9525.
Questions for a Conservation Officer should be directed to the Hays Regional Office at (785) 628-8614.
If you have questions pertaining to Prairie Dog State Park, call the Park office at (785) 877-2953.
The Kansas Legislature in 1962 authorized a park near the soon-to-be-built Norton Dam. Originally called Norton Park, it was opened in late 1964. Norton Park and Norton Reservoir appeared on a Kansas Highway foldout map in 1965. At some point in the late 1960's, the park name changed to Prairie Dog State Park. The name of the reservoir was changed to Keith Sebelius Reservoir in 1981.
Prairie Dog State Park at Keith Sebelius Reservoir west of Norton, in Norton County, hosts two vintage 19th century buildings – an adobe house, and the Hillmon Schoolhouse, a one-room school. Both buildings have been recently renovated both inside and out, with the interiors being staged with amazing artifacts and furniture from the time periods of the late 1880's and early 1900's!
The Adobe House was built on Prairie Dog State Park in the 1890s and it still stands today.
The adobe house is the only one in Kansas on its original location and preserved as a museum. The house was probably constructed in 1892 by the John Spencer family. It was built with bricks formed from a mix of mud and straw, called adobe. A horse walking in a circular trench to which dirt, water, and straw were added, was used to create the proper consistency for the adobe bricks. Once the adobe bricks were laid in place, they were covered with a smooth finish coat of adobe. The adobe is still visible on the interior walls.
The house remains in its original location. As the state park was being built, a volunteer group worked to preserve the building. They fixed the roof, walls, and windows, cleaned the interior, and furnished it with donated antique furniture. The Adobe House has recently been extensively renovated. The grounds around the adobe house feature a wooden-wheel windmill, and a two-horse, dirt-moving wagon unearthed during the dam’s construction.
The Norton Living History Museum started in 2021, and it represents the Adobe House and the Hillmon School. To get information about tours and other events and happenings, look for these fantastic folks on Facebook at "Norton Living History Museum". Their email address is nortonlivinghistory@gmail.com.
Hillmon Schoolhouse is the second iteration of the school. The original was a combination dugout and log structure overlooking the Sappa Valley in northwestern Norton County about 1 ½ miles south of the Kansas-Nebraska line. It had two windows, a door in the rear and desks fashioned of wood slabs with pegs for support. The current building was built in 1886 about ½ mile south of the original. It hosted community, church, and school events for many years. It was moved to Prairie Dog State Park in the late 1960s and was dedicated at its current location in September 1969.
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Water, Sewer, Electric: 10
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Water, Electric: 40
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- Electric: 12
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 6
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- Electric: 1
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 40
- Water, Electric: 6
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: No
- Primitive Camping: 15
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 14
- Water, Electric: 21
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: No
- Primitive Camping: 30
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: No
- Primitive Camping: 5
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- Trail Season: All-Year
- Length of Trail: 1.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N39 48.504 W99 57.690
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Important Cabin Information: Reservation Terms and Conditions, Cabin Reservation Information
Cottonwood cabin
If you have a cabin reservation, call us at 785-877-2953 within 48 hours of your arrival date, to get check-in information.
Prairie Dog State Park has rental cabins as an alternative camping opportunity. For your convenience, we offer two primitive and two modern cabins. Check-in time is 3pm. Cedar Crest and Cottonwood cabins are primitive cabins located adjacent to Prairie Dog campground. Prairie Dog and Eagle View are modern cabins with a fantastic view of the lake and located in close proximity to the public fishing dock. All cabins are available for year-round rental, 364 days in advance.
Cedar Crest Cabin
The two primitive cabins include heating, air-conditioning, refrigerator/freezer, and a microwave. Each primitive cabin sleeps eight. Mattresses are provided, but you will need to bring your own bedding. One mattress in each primitive cabin is full size, all other mattresses are twins. During the peak season of mid April through mid October, shower and restroom facilities are close by, and a water hydrant is available at each cabin. During the off season, a vault toilet facility is within walking distance, but no water is available. No pets are allowed in the cabins and smoking is prohibited. Tents are not allowed around the cabin, and the exception is, one small kid's tent would be allowed for free.
You can also experience the beauty of the lake from the comfort of one of two modern cabins with most of the comforts of home. The cabins are one bedroom with two full-size beds in the bedroom. A couch and a twin-size murphy bed are provided in the living area. The modern cabins sleep five to six people. Kitchens have a small stove with oven, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, coffee maker, pots & pans, dishes and silverware. Kitchen table and four chairs and picnic table and grill are also provided. Cabins have modern bathrooms with showers as well as air conditioning and heating. You will need to bring your own bedding, towels, & toiletry items. No pets are allowed in the cabins and smoking is prohibited in the cabins. No camping units (tents or campers) are allowed.
- Type of Facility: Primitive Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N39 48.280 W99 56.694
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Cedar Crest Cabin
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- Type of Facility: Primitive Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N39 48.245 W99 56.691
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Cottonwood Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N39 48.402 W99 56.661
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Prairie Dog Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N39 48.383 W99 56.665
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Eagle View Cabin
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This form allows you to email Prairie Dog 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.