Elk City State Park

Julie Smotherman

2023-07

Great place to go camping with the family!! The walking trails are very fun, but beware of poison ivy!!! It is out there!The lake is massive and the primitive camp sites are really nice. There’s some great options that you can reserve to get out away from everyone else & away from the campers. We stayed for 9 days and had a great time!!There is ice & fire wood available for sale up front if you need it. They also have kayak rentals and we did that twice! Had a great time. Everyone we came into contact with was very friendly and happy to help.My only complaint is their “beach” was a little sad looking. there was some grass/weeds growing on the beach and it was fairly small.. we honestly just found access to the lake through a camp site and went down and played in our own area since the beach wasn’t very appealing. The rocks down in that area are beautiful! They’re all flat due to the water wearing them down. It was a great experience for our son!

Justin Newell

2023-09

The small trails we explored were better than expected. Good little hike with decent scenery.Didn't camp, hit the lake, or anything like that, so unfortunately, I can't give the area a 'full' review.

Victoria Noller

2023-06

We love this lake and campgrounds. We have come here for many years. There are multiple restrooms and shower options and as a small family having a private shower/bathroom is very helpful. All the campsites are great that we have stayed at, and we will keep coming to Elk City for the fun we have here! Fishing, trails, and nearby Independence is convenient when you need to make a store run or get some breakfast. Love this state park!

Sheena Youngers

2023-05

Very nice place. The lake is beautiful. It was too hot when we visited to get too far into the trails, but we plan to return. The bathrooms were kind of gross and the trees were overgrown around the lookout areas making it hard to see anything other than treetops.

Mary Lou

2023-06

Our visit here was absolutely perfect. Clean VERY well attended campground. The people working here are great. Organized, clean.There is a swimming beach, playground, dump station, huge green areas for kite flying etcWill be back for sureAlso, its near Independence Kansas which is a cute town. Many things to do there. They have a free zoo in town center. Also a mini train, miniature golf, public pool. Its wonderful!Playground: Nice well cared for playground also basketball hoopRestrooms: Good restroomsDog-friendliness: Very dog friendly as long as you keep furry friend on leashMy beagle LOVED IT

Scott Mccolley

2022-05

This park is great, Kathy who checked me in is very professional but has a colorful wit and charm that you just fall in Love with.Check in was easy breezy.!!!My name plate was posted so easy to find and was parked and hiking in 5 minutes.😊For $23 I picked a site with electric and water so I could have my morning 🌞 ☕.....it's like a necessity, right people? 😂I had the great opportunity to meet Jacob, the Park Ranger and manger of this park. He's doing a great job, and his fellow workers were so friendly, informative and constantly busy......park and amenities are clean and we'll lit. I woke up at 5am and felt perfectly safe hiking the 5 really great hiking trails that I had all to myselfI would definitely put this on my list of places to visit and I'll be back for sure......

Jeremy Williams

2023-05

I went hiking with my brother here. We went through the Elk River Trail and Table Mound Trail. Elk River tends to be more wild and narrower/more overgrown in some spots. I thought Elk River was more scenic and interesting. Table Mound is wider and more clear and has some views of the lake. It was 5 dollars for a parking pass. Overall, we enjoyed our hike and I will probably go back and explore more.

Tammy French

2022-05

We had a great time tent camping on the end of Sunset Point. We had the whole peninsula to ourselves. I woke up to have sunrise alone over the water. A creature swam below in the calm water. I'm pretty sure he was a muskrat, or a beaver... This was a great jumping off point for "Little House on the Prairie museum" just 18 minutes away.

Pedro Gonzalez

2023-05

Well kept area and trails. Really enjoyed the night even with a 2 hour drive to the camp site. Well worth it.The pictures are week prior to Memorial Day. It was bit humid and we had the trail to ourselves. Had little bit of trash in certain spots. We hiked out the trash, still very nice park.

Darrin LeManton

2022-05

The site area where we were at was ok, there was a dead tree by us that should be removed. The staff were very nice and helpful. They should plant trees of color, flowering bushes and place large Boulders around the place to improve the Ambiance of the place. And also the grills are on the ground, so if you have trouble bending over ad I do (bad hip and knee) it's difficult, plus there were large rocks all around the grill area making all the more hazardous. Beautiful trails to walk, rock outcroppings all over, trees. The bathrooms by us were kept locked due to vandalism, so that was inconvenient. All in all we will come back.

H Luong

2022-05

Nice place to bring family and kids. Multiple hiking trails and fishing opportunities. Unable to see the milky way though. Too much light from independence. Overall nice place to spend the weekend.

Maurice Garlet

2023-05

Amazing trails and lots of them. When someone told me that this trails are rated among the best ones I wasn't sure. I picture most of Kansas flat and boring in my mind, but I was really surprised by this great trails.

Holly Spinelli

2023-05

Beautiful campsites, especially the ones with electric hookups right by the lake! Easy access to the water for swimming and boating. A few hiking trails. Showers, flush toilets, and laundry are available. Be mindful that sites closest to the lake have little to no shade/trees.

Gary Claydon

2024-03

We came out of season so we are the 9nly RV on the Sunset Cove. Beautiful sunset. Great rangers to help us get checked in.Dog-friendliness: Dogs are allowed which is great.

John Barney

2022-05

I went there today and hiked the blue trail and the yellow trail and also rode my mountain bike on the roads it's pretty fun and I do it for a workout plus it's nice to be in nature and it's hard to find that kind of scenery around here in Kansas being so flat

Ethan Smith

2023-05

The most beautiful camp grounds and hiking trails have been here twice and intend to come again

Diane Yzar

2023-08

Lovely state park. Trails are well marked and maintained. Be sure to bring water and be prepared to get muddied after a food rain. 😋

John Gilley

2021-05

Nice clean compact park, 5 dollars per car per day entrance fee is in addition to camping fee but for 25 dollars you get an annual pass to all Kansas State Parks. There is swimming in the lake and several playgrounds, free showers. The big attraction is the trail.

Joshua L Barney

2021-05

Go hiking, boating, camping, hunting, swimming, and much more. They have amazing hiking trails that are well marked and have started.putting in nice bathrooms for public use.Take the family and enjoy!

Pat Perkins

2022-05

My husband of 40 years went here when he was in High School, years before I married him. He had such fond memories of the hiking, I wanted to go with him more than 45 years later. We had such a wonderful time there.

Koko

2017-05

Great park. I drove 2 hrs from Wichita to check it out and I don't regret the drive. I hiked the Table Mound Trail; which was a cool hike; great views, nice elevation change, overall great. Didn't camp, but the Campgrounds looked nice as well.

Jessica Minard

2022-05

Beautiful scenery they have trails you can do. Perfect spot to enjoy nature!!

Chelsie Woods

2022-05

Drove through there for the first time today. Very pretty and nice looking camping areas great for tents lots of space and grass. But the showers could be better. Or shall I say bigger. More of them maybe.

Kerry O'Brien

2023-06

Such a beautiful place to kayac, camp, trails, and bike ride. WORTH IT......Restrooms: Clean and easy access.Dog-friendliness: Dogs everywhere :)Picnic area: Easy access to tables. NICE

Restaurant Critic

2021-05

No one landscapes like God does. Very nice picturesque setting. Plenty of trails. Lots of beautiful scenery.

Debbie M Prosper, TX

2024-03

Great hiking trails!

Roy Hammar

2022-05

Great park for a getaway weekend or longer camping trip! Lots to do and see. Several areas will make you forget you are still in Kansas!!

Steven Birney

2023-05

Beautiful good size lake. Great well maintained trails.

Joseph Kerski

2022-05

Beautiful place with lots of options for camping… Not too many hiking trails but great sunset views over the lake.

Geoff Robinson

2023-05

Beautiful place, friendly staff, and amazing hiking trails nearby.