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Camping and Hiking in Kansas
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Cedar Bluff State Park
Cedar Bluff State Park straddles the reservoir of the same name,
providing approximately 1,000 acres of park. Camping (including
cabins), boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and a variety of
outdoor sports -- such as volleyball, swimming, basketball,
frisbee golf, and horseshoes -- are available in the park. In
summer, interpretive programs may be available, as well. With 74
utility sites and large areas set aside for non-designated
primitive camping, the park comes built to suit nearly any taste
and includes two handicapped-accessible primative cabins. The
6,000-acre lake and almost 9,000 acres of adjacent wildlife area
make Cedar Bluff State Park an excellent base camp for hunters,
fishermen, and year-round explorers. High limestone bluffs
provide a stunning rustic setting for all these outdoor
activities. For information call: (785)726-3212
Kanopolis State Park
Kansas' first state park is also one the most beautiful. From
the towering Dakota sandstone bluffs to the caves and crevices
of Horsethief Canyon, Kanopolis State Park and surrounding area
offer rugged beauty found few places in the Midwest. The park
itself is split into two areas on the north and south sides of
the dam. A marina, beaches, picnic areas, full-service camping
areas, volleyball courts, and softball diamonds make the area an
all-round recreation spot. Of particular interest is Horsethief
Canyon, which offers 26 miles of trails for hikers, horseback
riders, and bicyclists. The 3,500-acre lake and 12,500-acre
Corps of Engineers wildlife area provide anglers and hunters
with abundant fish and game. Nestled near the Smoky Hill River
toward the northwest portion of the wildlife area is Farris
Caves, which were carved by early pioneers and served as
milkhouse, school house, and living quarters. For information
call: (785)546-2565
Fall River State Park
Positioned between the cross-timbered Chautauqua Hills to the
east and the grasslands of the Flint Hills to the west, Fall
River State Park provides a remarkable variety of landscape and
wildlife for the outdoor enthusiast. Eighty-four hundred acres
of wildlife area and 2,500 surface acres of water complement the
facilities in the 900-acre state park. In the spring, white bass
runs up Fall River can be excellent. Some facilities available
at Fall River State Park include boat ramps, a fitness trail,
improved campsites, and modern sanitary facilities. Both
developed and undeveloped campsites are also available. A
favorite pastime at Fall River is canoeing. Canoeists can rent
their vessels in Eureka or use their own and put in where Kansas
Highway 99 crosses Fall River, at the north end of the wildlife
area. Camping is available at designated areas in the wildlife
area, or the ambitious canoeist can paddle all the way to the
state park. For information call: (316)637-2213
Perry State Park
North of I-70 between Topeka and Lawrence, Perry State Park
offers the full array of camping opportunities with 124 sites
with water and electricity and 350 tent camp sites. Swimming
beach, bathhouse, nature trails, and nearby marina complement
the camping facilities. Whether you are just camping or want to
use the area as a base for fishing, hiking, hunting, or other
activities, Perry offers a scenic location in the wooded region
of northeast Kansas. The wildlife area, which encompasses almost
11,000 acres, also includes about 1,000 acres of marshes, making
it a great place to watch and hunt waterfowl. Quail are usually
abundant, as well. The reservoir is known for its excellent
crappie and channel catfishing. For information call:
(785)246-3449
Webster State Park
Nestled in the Solomon River Valley of north central Kansas,
Webster State Park is split between the north and south shores
of Webster Reservoir. Campers can choose from 36 utility
campsites or more than 100 primitive sites. An amphitheater,
playgrounds, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and a nature
trail offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Annual
events include fishing derbies and Webster Fun Days, a festival
complete with mud and sand volleyball tournaments, a sand
sculpture contest, nature programs, and more. The wildlife area
and reservoir also provide good hunting and fishing. The
stilling basin below Webster Dam is outfitted with an accessible
ramp and pier designed to provide barrier-free fishing for trout
(during the fall and winter), bass, catfish, and many other
species. The fishing forecast for the reservoir lists wipers and
black bass as very good to excellent, crappie and bluegill as
very good, channel catfish, flathead catfish and walleye as fair
for the 1999 season. For information call: (785)425-6775
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