Spend Your 4th of July Holiday at a Kansas State Park
TOPEKA – What could be better than watching a gorgeous fireworks display, every ember trail and brilliant explosion mirrored in a lake that’s coating you in a cool breeze? Getting to enjoy it two or three times over at Kansas state parks!
Consider making a day of your visit since some parks will have special events throughout the holiday. Nearly all offer easy access to water and good opportunities for picnicking, fishing, disc golf, great hiking trails and more. You’ll just need a daily vehicle permit, $5, that can be purchased at the park’s entrance. Remember to park in designated areas, and that it’s illegal to ignite personal fireworks unless the state park manager has designated a special area.
Below is a list of Kansas state parks offering fantastic views of brilliant displays across the upcoming week celebrating America’s Independence. For additional information on Kansas state parks, visit travelks.com or ksoutdoors.com.
Cross Timbers State Park – June 30 (rain date to be announced)
The fireworks display from the park’s Toronto Point camping area has become one of the region’s biggest attractions. Guests will be directed to specified parking and viewing areas as soon as they enter the campground.
Glen Elder State Park – June 30 (rain date July 3)
Fireworks will be launched from the park’s Osage Area. Best viewing will be in the Cheyenne, Kanza, Osage and Sioux campgrounds.
At 9 a.m. that morning, a day-long celebration will begin for the opening of the park’s Waconda Visitor and Education Center. A variety of activities for kids and refreshments are planned.
Lovewell State Park – June 30 (rain date July 1)
Fireworks will be launched from the Walleye Point Area, where there is plenty of parking and space for viewing. Watching the fireworks display from boats has become a tradition here, too.
Pomona State Park – June 30 (rain date July 7)
Any place on the east side of the park can offer good views of this fireworks display, particularly the Kansa, Red Oak, Osage, and Bunkers Cove campgrounds.
Webster State Park – June 30 (no rain date)
Lakeview and Hilltop campgrounds and the Townsite Area are great places to watch the display put on by the Friends of Webster State Park.
The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with a flag ceremony at the park office, then there’s a poker run for cars, bikes and boats beginning at noon. The group will hold a cookout at the Townsite Area at 6 p.m. Guests are asked to make a free-will donation.
Crawford State Park – July 2 (no rain date)
The park’s swimming area may offer the best view of the fireworks, but there’s really not a bad place to pitch a lawn chair and enjoy the park’s biggest event of the year.
Beginning at 5 p.m., grilled burgers and other food will be sold by Friends of Crawford State Park.
Kanopolis State Park – July 7 (rain date July 14)
The lake’s marina annually provides a great fireworks display near the south end of the dam. That means about any place in the Langley Point Area of Kanopolis State Park can offer fantastic viewing.
Historic Lake Scott State Park – July 7 (no rain date)
The El Cuartelejo parking area is the prime location for watching a legendary fireworks display over nearby private property. Viewers are reminded that parking in the cabin area is restricted to those renting the cabins. It is also illegal, and dangerous, to park along Highway 95, just outside the park.
Wilson State Park – July 7 (rain date to be announced)
The fireworks display at one of America’s most scenic state parks can best be seen from around the Hell Creek boat ramp, New Otoe Beach, as well as Dakota and Sunflower campgrounds.
Call your favorite state park office for more information about other July 4 events, or go online, ksoutdoors.com, and view the “State Parks Calendar of Events.”
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