Camping Kansas Toronto Lake

Camping Kansas: Toronto Reservoir

When you go camping at Toronto Reservoir, you’ll experience one of the most interesting regions in Kansas, historically known as the Cross Timbers region.

Camping Kansas Toronto Lake

Toronto Reservoir is located in the southeastern Kansas floodplains. It’s five miles south of Highway 54 and about 13 miles north of Highway 400.

The lake is an hour-and-a-half east of Wichita; an hour south of Emporia; and about an hour-and-a-half west of Pittsburg, Kansas.

Camping Kansas Toronto Lake

Toronto Reservoir

Toronto Reservoir is in the Cross Timbers region of southeast Kansas, in the rolling hills of the Verdigris River valley. The area is also known as the Chautauqua Hills.

The forested floodplains of the Cross Timbers region were home to the Osage Nation, and were treasured by many explorers, pioneers and settlers.

Camping Kansas Toronto Lake

The Verdigris River feeds the 2,500-acre reservoir. The river and lake provide visitors some of the most stunning flora in Kansas.

The area is surrounded by woodlands, ancient oak savannas, hills, and open prairie. The Cross Timbers area is ideal for hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, photographers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

Camping Kansas Toronto Lake

A unique feature of the reservoir is the Blue Water Trail, a kayak and canoe trail. This water trail gives you access to places on the lake that other boats can’t normally reach. It’s complete with 15 signs that stick out of the water and describe surrounding landscape features like rock formations and fauna.

Camping Kansas Toronto Lake

Toronto Reservoir has five areas that are open to the public and perfect for camping in Kansas – the Cross Timbers State Park; Mann’s Cove Area; Woodson Cove Area; the Dam Site Area; and the Holiday Hill Area. All of the areas are operated and maintained by the Kansas Division of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

Other posts about Toronto Reservoir:

Cross Timbers State Park

Mann’s Cove and Woodson Cove Campgrounds

Holiday Hill and Dam Site Areas

Website: US Army Corps of Engineers – Toronto Reservoir

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