TUTTLE CREEK STATE PARK
Located near Manhattan in northeast Kansas, Tuttle Creek State Park offers visitors a broad variety of outdoor recreation possibilities and plenty of room to roam. The communities of Manhattan, Wamego, Fort Riley, Olsburg, Randolph and Westmoreland offer nearby eating establishments or visitor opportunities. Tuttle Creek Reservoir, the state's second largest impoundment, offers 12,500 acres of water and about 100 miles of rugged, wooded shoreline to explore.
Four units (River Pond, Spillway, Fancy Creek and Randolph) make up the 1,200 - acre park. Electric and water hookups, a swimming beach, boat ramps, courtesy docks, and dump stations are available. Campgrounds contain 118 water/electric campsites, 24 electric-only campsites, 7 electric sites with community water and 500 primitive campsites. By May 2006, the Randolph Area horse campground will be completed and will provide an additional 13 electric campsites with community water.
Four cabins are offered at Tuttle Creek State Park. Each cabin offers a full kitchen with basic pots and pans, table service for four, a full bathroom, heating, A/C, covered patio, picnic tables, grill and fire-ring. Reservations can be made by contacting the park office.
Numerous nature trails, a mountain biking trail, and a scenic equestrian trail offer explorers a variety of routes to experience the aesthetic Flint Hills environment. Scenic picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball courts, horse shoe pits, and conveniently placed restroom and shower facilities accommodate park visitors. The state-of-the-art Fancy Creek Shooting Range is open the first and third full weekends of each month.
Excellent channel cat and flathead fishing is available in the lake and in the river above and below the lake. Fair numbers of bass are caught near standing timber and brush piles, and walleye can be taken off the face of the dam as well as in the river below. During the Spring there is ample opportunity to catch master angler white bass and crappie. The 12,000-acre wildlife area adjacent to the park offers excellent hunting and wildlife watching opportunities.
Tuttle Creek State Park is pleased to offer modern log cabins as an additional camping opportunity. The cabins are available year around and are located in the beautiful River Pond Area.
Enjoy the beauty of our park from the comfort of one of our cabins. Each cabin has a full kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, and basic kitchen amenities. Cabins offers a master bedroom with a full size mattress as well as a full or queen size sofa sleeper in the living room. One of the cabins offers bunk beds in the living area as well. Three cabins have a loft which is perfect for use with a sleeping bag. Enjoy the comfort of a full bathroom in each cabin. Pawnee cabin is ADA compliant for your convenience. Each cabin will accommodate up to six people. Cabins are air conditioned and heated, but do not have televisions or phones. Outside the cabins a concrete shelter is located for each cabin and has a picnic table, fire-ring and bbq grill.
Recreational Opportunities:
Tuttle Creek State Park has many recreational opportunities within walking distance of your cabin. You will find fantastic fishing in the River Pond for species like catfish, crappie, white bass, and saugeye. Our stream that runs through the River Pond area also offers trout fishing! A swimming beach, canoe and kayak rental and a laundry and concession facility are located nearby to serve you. There is also an 18-hole frisbee/disc golf course that winds thru the park.
Cabin Reservation Deposits:
Cabin reservation deposits cannot be refunded. However, when you notify the park office at least 14 days prior to your reserved date, the remaining cabin rental fee may be refunded or alternate reservations may be arranged depending on availability and your fee applied to a new reservation.
What you should take with you:
Bedding and or sleeping bags are a must, as well as towels, dish clothes, hot pads, washcloths, soap, shampoo, food, ect. Cabins do have modern bathrooms. You will need to provide your own pillows and linens. Kitchen items provided include basic pots and pans, coffeemaker and filters, dishes, and silverware to serve four. Kitchens also include a stove, microwave, toaster, and refrigerator.
Tuttle Creek State Park offers both utility and primitive camping. The River Pond area has 118 water and electric sites, many being pull-through sites although back-in sites are available as well. Of these sites, 44 offer 50 amp. electrical service and 16 new sites are winterized with frost-free water hydrants. Primitive camping is also available in the River Pond area.
The Spillway Park offers primitive camping on a self-pay basis. The main boat ramp on Tuttle Creek Reservoir is located here. Spillway Park also has the only marina on the lake. A new shower building was added in the Spillway Area in July 2005.
Fancy Creek Park has a more secluded utility campground with 24 electrical service sites, pull-through and back-in sites are available. Two new ADA accessible restrooms are open year round. Water, while not available in the Fancy Creek Park itself, is obtainable nearby.
The North and South Randolph areas have primitive camping with a shower house and water service. Horse corrals have been added to South Randolph. A new ADA accessible vault toilet has been recently added to the South Randolph Area. 20 electric campsites with community water are being developed in the Randolph Area and targeted towards horse campers. Currently 7 of the sites are completed, total completion is expected by May 2006.
Rent - A - Camp ProgramFor those visitors that need camping gear, the Rent - A - Camp Program provides tents, stoves, lanterns and other camping supplies for a modest fee from the park office. The equipment is set up for you and all you need to do is have fun! ALL THE EQUIPMENT IS NEW AND IS VERY NICE.
Todd,Joyce and gang, congratulations on your good work in achieving the Blue Chip award.
Driving and Parking on non paved or gravel surfaces rules are not inforced.
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