Glen Elder State Park gives you plenty of ways to enjoy camping in Kansas. The recreational activities here will keep you and your family entertained, whether you’re staying for weeks, or for the weekend.
The park is located on the north shore of Waconda Lake on Highway 24, about 40 miles west of Highway 81, and 60 miles north of I-70. It’s near small towns that include Glen Elder, Cawker City, Downs and Beloit.
Things To Do at Glen Elder State Park
Glen Elder State Park has lots of things to do for the outdoorsy type. The Waconda Trail is a hiking trail that’s accessible from most of the park’s campgrounds. The easy, five-mile out-and-back trail takes you through grasslands and gives you lake views.
Click here to learn more about the Waconda Trail.
Learn about the Waconda Spring; the lake’s history, and our Kansas ancestors at the Waconda Spring replica interpretive park. There are informational signs that give you details about Plains Indians, and early settlers—truly rugged Kansans.
Other things to do at Glen Elder State Park include swimming at the beach in the Cheyenne Campground. You can watch migrating birds from waterfowl blinds in the Takota Point area. An archery range is available for those who want to practice their skills.
The wildlife areas managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are popular for hunting. These areas are good for white-tailed deer, waterfowl, doves, turkey, pheasants, and bobwhite quail. Trapping is also allowed in the wildlife areas.
And of course, there’s boating and fishing. Glen Elder State Park has two boat ramps and a marina. Anglers can find crappie, walleye, black bass, white bass, and catfish at different parts of Waconda Lake.
The Campgrounds at Glen Elder State Park
There are eight campgrounds in Glen Elder State Park. All the campgrounds have primitive campsites, and three of them have electrical and water for campers and RVs.
The camper and RV sites are on level concrete pads, making things comfortable and easy to set up. Most of the camp sites have a picnic table, a fire ring, and a grill.
You can see the water from most of the campsites. The shoreline is easily accessible from anywhere in the park, so you can hang out by the water without having to rappel down bluffs.
Campgrounds include:
Cheyenne Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 36
- 50 amp
- Level Concrete Pads
- Primitive Campsites: 40
- Shower Houses / Public Restrooms: 1
- Boat Ramps: 0
- Swimming Beach: 1
Kanza Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 36
- 50 amp
- Level Concrete Pads
- Electric Only: 5
- Primitive Campsites: 108
- Shower Houses / Public Restrooms: 1
- Boat Ramps: 1
- Swimming Beach: 0
Kaw Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 5
- 50 amp
- Level Concrete Pads
- Pull-through sites near shower house
- Primitive Campsites
- Shower Houses / Public Restrooms: 1 near by
- Vault Toilet: 1
- Boat Ramps: 0
- Swimming Beach: 0
Souix Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 0
- Primitive Campsites: 20
- Shower Houses / Public Restrooms: 1 near by
- Vault Toilet: 1
- Boat Ramps: 0
- Swimming Beach: 0
Pawnee Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 0
- Primitive Campsites: 20
- Shower Houses / Public Restrooms: 0
- Boat Ramps: 0
- Swimming Beach: 0
Arikaree Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 0
- Primitive Campsites Near Shoreline
- Shower Houses: 0
- Vault Toilet: 1
- Boat Ramps: 0
- Swimming Beach: 0
Takota Point Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 0
- Primitive Campsites Near Shoreline
- Shower Houses: 0
- Vault Toilet: 0
- Boat Ramps: 0
- Swimming Beach: 0
Osage Campground
- Water and Electric Campsites: 0
- Primitive Campsites Near Boat Ramp: 5
- Shower Houses: 0
- Vault Toilet: 1
- Boat Ramps: 1
- Swimming Beach: 0
Other campgrounds you may like:
Learn more about Waconda Lake and Glen Elder State Park