Clinton Lake is part of Clinton State Park, which is one of the state’s newest state parks constructed in the mid 1970’s. Its close proximity to Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka make it a very popular destination, with nearly 600,000 annual visitors from across the country. Many improved campsites, hiking and mountain biking trails, playgrounds, swimming, and other outdoor activities are available. The privately owned and operated marina is one of the newest and largest of any of Kansas’ lakes. In addition to the lake’s accessibility and amenities, it’s beautiful shoreline and vistas are a great attraction. Miles of rugged wooded shoreline, high bluffs, wildflowers, and prairie grasses are some of the natural beauties. Wildlife is also common and includes white-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl, songbirds, and a variety of small mammals.

Tuttle Creek Lake is the state’s second largest impoundment with 12,500 acres of water. It is surrounded by many miles of rugged wooded shorelines and four units of Tuttle Creek State Park. These units are the River Pond, Cedar Ridge, Fancy Creek, and Randolph units that make up the 1,200-acre park. Several recreational opportunities exist including camping, numerous nature trails, disc golf, wildlife viewing, and more. Fishing is good for Channel Catfish, Flathead, Bass, and Trout. Common wildlife includes shorebirds, waterfowl, white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, pheasants, squirrels, doves, and many more. This route leaves from Spillway State Park and explores the southern end of the lake where there are many coves, sandy beaches, and great views.

Hillsdale Lake is a 4,580-acre reservoir with a maximum depth of 57 feet located about 30 miles east of Kansas City. Hillsdale State Park is on the west shore and more than 12,000 acres of park and wildlife area fill the rest of the shores and surrounding area. Recreation opportunities include boating, fishing, hunting and camping. Common wildlife seen from the lake are white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, rabbit, squirrel, beaver, muskrat, and a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, bald eagles, hawks, and more.

Tuttle Creek Lake is the state’s second largest impoundment with 12,500 acres of water. It is surrounded by many miles of rugged wooded shorelines and four units of Tuttle Creek State Park. These units are the River Pond, Cedar Ridge, Fancy Creek, and Randolph units that make up the 1,200-acre park. Several recreational opportunities exist including camping, numerous nature trails, disc golf, wildlife viewing, and more. Fishing is good for Channel Catfish, Flathead, Bass, and Trout. Common wildlife includes shorebirds, waterfowl, white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, pheasants, squirrels, doves, and many more. This route leaves from Fancy Creek State Park and explores the northern end of the lake where the Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area is found and there are great views.

Perry Lake is an 11,150-acre reservoir operated by the US army Corps of engineers and serves as flood control and water reserve as well as providing a wide variety of wonderful recreational opportunities. Due to its relatively close proximity to Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka, Perry Lake is a very popular destination. Many parks and public lands surround the lake, making it easy to find access and several different places. The landscape and scenery is beautiful and contains rolling wooded hills, grasslands, and clear blue water. Other activities include camping, boating, hunting, hiking, and fishing, among many others.

The Elk City Lake is a 4,500-acre reservoir that is surrounded by a 12,000 acre wildlife area. Elk City State Park borders the east shoreline and offers a great trail system for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrians. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and contains dense oak and hickory woodlands, rolling meadows filled with big bluestem and Indian grass, and some limestone bluffs. Wildlife is common and easily seen from both the lake and the trails. The large pileated woodpecker is common among the mature trees along the Elk River. Many other recreational opportunities are available such as boating, swimming, camping, and playground areas.

Melvern Lake is a 7,000-acre reservoir with a maximum depth of 60 feet and is bordered to the north by Eisenhower State Park. There are many recreational opportunities including fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, swimming, and boating. The scenery is gorgeous and contains mostly tallgrass prairie and woodlands. It is common to spot wildlife such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, squirrels, small mammals, and waterfowl.

Marion Reservoir is an impoundment on the Cottonwood River located 3 miles northwest of Marion on the western edge of the Flint Hills region. It is a 6,160-acre lake and it contains a wide variety of fish. Many recreation areas are found on the lake’s shores including camping, picnicking, playgrounds, beaches, and fishing. Several parks are found around the lake. The scenery consists of some forested sections along the shore, lots of agricultural lands, several pretty inlets, and the small town of Eastshore. There are several boat ramps at different locations around the lake.

Waconda Lake is a reservoir near Glen Elder, Kansas in northwestern Mitchell County and extending westward into northeastern Osborn County. It is fed by the Solomon River and adjacent to the lake is Glen Elder State Park and Cawker City. The views are spectacular stretching across the clear water and over the vast prairies and croplands. This is a wonderful area that is one of the premier spots for hunting and fishing in Kansas.

Pomona Lake is a 4,000-acre lake located 30 miles south of Topeka and adjacent to Pomona State Park. It is situated among rolling hills, mixed grasslands, croplands, and forests and is very scenic and beautiful. Many wildlife species are commonly seen and include bald eagles, white-tailed deer, waterfowl, turkey, and a variety of small mammals. Recreational opportunities include camping, fishing, boating, swimming, and more. Several other parks and public recreation areas fill the shorelines.