Dense oak-hickory woodlands meet rolling meadows of big bluestem and Indian grass at this striking 857-acre park located west of Independence in Montgomery County. The 4,500- acre Elk City Reservoir and 12,000-acre Elk City Wildlife Area adjacent to the park offer outdoors lovers ample room to pursue their pastimes.

A nationally recognized trails system invites visitors to take a closer look at the rich variety of flora and fauna in and around Elk City State Park. The Green Thumb Nature Trail is a one-mile loop that begins in the state park campground, and rewards hikers with a panoramic vista of the lake, framed by ash and oak trees. Table Mound Hiking Trail and Post Oak Nature Trail are also park attractions. The Elk River Hiking Trail is a scenic 15-mile route that begins at the west edge of the dam and ends near the U. S. Highway 160 bridge on the Elk River. Parking is available at the Memorial Overlook or state park trailheads.

Campgrounds at Elk City offer an array of well shaded sites appealing to recreational vehicle or primitive campers. Conveniently located restrooms and showers, swimming beach, group shelter, fishing piers, and three lane boat ramp offer popular amenities for park visitors.

The expansive Elk City Wildlife Area adjacent to the park offers a rich array of wild inhabitants. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, cottontail, fox and gray squirrels, and prairie chickens can be found here. Common furbearers include beaver, raccoon, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, mink and muskrat.

Elk City Reservoir offers good to excellent fishing opportunities for channel catfish, white bass, crappie, flathead catfish, largemouth bass and saugeye. A handicapped access fishing dock is located in the state park.

The camping area has 95 modern sites with 30 or 50 amp electric and water hookup.Eleven sites include sewer hookup, modern restrooms with showers, trailer sewage dump stations, group shelter, fishing piers, accessible fishing dock, and playground facilities.

Camping is permitted in the state park campground and along Table Mound Hiking Trail south of the county road. Toilets are available at Memorial Overlook Trailhead near the dam and the state park trailhead.