Kansas offers some incredible natural escapes for families looking to unplug and reconnect with nature. The Sunflower State’s park system provides the perfect backdrop for creating lasting memories with your loved ones.
From swimming and hiking to fishing and wildlife watching, these seven state parks offer something special for visitors of all ages while showcasing Kansas’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
1. Tuttle Creek State Park: Trails, Beaches, and Family Activities
Spanning 1,200 acres along the shores of Tuttle Creek Reservoir near Manhattan, this park offers diverse terrain for family adventures. The park’s paved bicycle trails provide safe riding for all skill levels, while more challenging hiking paths traverse wooded hills and open meadows filled with wildflowers.
River Pond area features a popular swimming beach with gradually sloping shores perfect for younger children. Nearby, families can try disc golf on the 18-hole course or challenge each other to volleyball on the sand courts.
The park’s nature center runs kid-friendly programs throughout summer, including fishing clinics where staff provide equipment and instruction. Campsites range from primitive to full-hookup options, with modern shower facilities and playgrounds. Birdwatching opportunities are exceptional, with over 200 species recorded within the park, including bald eagles during winter months.
2. Clinton State Park: Lakeside Fun Near Lawrence
Just west of Lawrence sits 1,500-acre Clinton State Park, a family paradise on the shores of Clinton Lake. The park boasts 25 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails winding through woodlands and prairie, giving kids and adults plenty of space to burn energy.
The sandy swimming beach becomes the park’s summertime hub, where families splash in the cool water under the Kansas sun. Anglers can try their luck catching walleye, crappie, and channel catfish from the shore or a rental boat.
Clinton’s campgrounds offer both modern and primitive options, with playgrounds and picnic shelters nearby. The nature center provides educational programs specifically designed for young explorers, making this park an ideal outdoor classroom just minutes from Kansas’s cultural hub.
3. Milford State Park: Fishing and Camping for Families
Surrounding Kansas’s largest lake, Milford State Park welcomes families to its 16,000 acres of outdoor adventure. The park’s well-maintained campgrounds feature modern amenities including shower houses, electricity, and playgrounds that keep younger visitors entertained between adventures.
Fishing enthusiasts flock here for the legendary walleye, crappie, and catfish populations. The park maintains accessible fishing docks where children can safely cast their lines, often catching their very first fish.
Seven boat ramps provide easy water access, while the swimming beach offers a perfect cool-down spot during hot summer days. Hiking trails accommodate all skill levels, with the 1.5-mile Eagle Ridge Nature Trail particularly popular for spotting wildlife. The park’s interpretive programs teach children about local ecosystems through hands-on activities.
4. Elk City State Park: Trails and Playgrounds by the Lake
Nestled in southeastern Kansas, Elk City State Park combines natural beauty with family-friendly amenities across its 857 acres. The park’s centerpiece, Elk City Reservoir, provides a stunning backdrop for family adventures with its clear waters and tree-lined shores.
Families love the 15 miles of hiking trails that range from easy lakeside strolls to more challenging woodland paths. The Table Mound Trail offers spectacular views of the water and surrounding Chautauqua Hills, with plenty of spots to stop for a picnic lunch.
Modern campsites accommodate tents and RVs, featuring electrical hookups and clean facilities. Children gravitate toward the park’s updated playground equipment and open play areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species making regular appearances along the shoreline.
5. Cheney State Park: Boating and Swimming for All Ages
Located just 30 minutes west of Wichita, Cheney State Park spreads across 1,913 acres surrounding the sparkling Cheney Reservoir. The park’s east shore features the bustling Cheney Point area, where families gather to enjoy the swimming beach with its designated swimming area and nearby changing facilities.
Water enthusiasts can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or pontoon boats from the marina to explore the 9,500-acre reservoir. The park maintains several no-wake zones perfect for novice paddlers and young children trying water sports for the first time.
Eight modern campgrounds offer over 300 sites with amenities like electricity, water, and shower facilities. The park’s naturalist leads family-oriented programs throughout summer, including guided hikes, wildlife spotting, and stargazing events that captivate curious young minds while teaching them about Kansas ecosystems.
6. Prairie Dog State Park: Unique Wildlife Encounters and Camping
Prairie Dog State Park offers families a distinctive Kansas experience with its famous black-tailed prairie dog town, where children delight in watching these social creatures pop in and out of their burrows. Located in northwest Kansas near Norton, this 1,150-acre park surrounds Keith Sebelius Reservoir, providing a perfect mix of water and land activities.
The park preserves a piece of authentic prairie ecosystem, complete with interpretive displays explaining the importance of these grasslands. Fishing opportunities abound in the 2,000-acre reservoir, known for its walleye, crappie, and bass populations.
Modern campgrounds feature electrical hookups and shower facilities, while a swimming beach provides summer fun. The historic 1930s adobe house and one-room schoolhouse on the property offer educational glimpses into pioneer life, making history tangible for young visitors.
7. Lake Scott State Park: History and Outdoor Adventure Combined
Hidden in a lush valley in western Kansas, Lake Scott State Park surprises visitors with its unexpected oasis atmosphere. This 1,020-acre park features a spring-fed lake surrounded by canyons, bluffs, and natural springs, creating a striking contrast to the surrounding plains.
History comes alive at El Cuartelejo, the northernmost Native American pueblo ruins in the United States, located within park boundaries. Interpretive signs help families understand the significance of this 1700s structure and the earlier Steele Home, a limestone house from the 1890s.
The 100-acre lake offers excellent fishing for trout, bass, and catfish, with rental boats available. Swimming areas feature gradual entry points ideal for children, while hiking trails showcase diverse wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys. Modern campgrounds provide comfortable accommodations with shower facilities, playgrounds, and picnic areas throughout.
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