Eisenhower State Park
Eisenhower State Park has 1,785 acres. It features 1,000 acres of tallgrass prairie, 440 acres of woodland and a complete range of recreational facilities in addition to the 6,930 acres of Melvern Lake.
Eisenhower State Park provides 163 utility campsites: 126 with water/electric, 25 with water/electric/sewer hookps and five shower houses. Non-utility sites are available for primitive camping in Five-Star, Sailboat Beach, and Omaha Swim Beach. Fifteen Equestrian Campsites with electric/water and individual corrals are available in the upper loop of Westpoint Campground. Cowboy campground is a primitive area for equestrian camping. The park offers 4 modern cabins and 2 primitive yurts for rent. Campers may stay at any one of the campgrounds for up to 14 consecutive days.
FREE WIFI is available at the park office/parking lot. A Boat Dock with 16 slips located at the East Boat Ramp can be rented through the Ike Store.
Ike's Shelterhouse is excellent for hosting family reunions within the Jones Family Activity Area. There is a playground, basketball court and horseshoe pits close by. Other recreational facilities include a swimming beach, sand volleyball court, picnic shelters, an 18-hole disc golf course, a 19 target walk through archery trail, kids fishing pond and a fly fishing pond.
Visit Ike's General Store located at Doud Campground to pay your campground fees, purchase souvenirs, rent kayaks/canoes and check out games. Eisenhower State Parks' Friends Group offers items you might have forgot at to bring from home. Ice and firewood for sale at Doud campground. Laundry facilities are available at the Doud shower building
Eisenhower is also home to a burgeoning trails system for horseback riding, biking, hiking and archery. Crooked Knee Horse Trail offers equestrians a 20-mile excursion through the undeveloped west side of the park. Biking and hiking is available on the horse trail. The bike trail and 19 target walk through archery trail head is located in the Five-Star campground.
Wildlife include white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkey, bobwhite quail, squirrels, furbearers, and waterfowl.
Anglers seek walleye, crappie, sauger, white bass, and channel catfish. Two nine-lane boat ramps offer excellent access to Melvern Lake.
Phone: 785-528-4102
Eisenhower State Park is located in Osage County on the North shore of Melvern Lake.
South of Topeka 30 miles on 75 Hwy then 3 miles west on K-278
- Office is open Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm
- Please use Self-Pay Station located at park entrance
- STATE PARK VEHICLE PERMIT REQUIRED YEAR AROUND!
- email - kdwpt.esisenhowersp@ks.gov
Remember to purchase Annual Camping or 14 Day Camping Permits in the Off Season and SAVE!!
Prime Season Rates go into effect April 1st
Eisenhower State Park is OPEN year round!
Melvern Lake Daily Conditions: http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/MelvernLake/DailyLakeInformation.aspx
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kansas-Wildlife-Parks-Tourism-Eisenhower-State-Park/452654821492179
Stop by our office to look around in our Nature Room to see honey bees, snakes, fish, turtles, amphibians, the bear and much more. Take a strolling walk through the Arboretum or sit by the waterfall and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature. Sponsored by the Friends of Eisenhower State Park!
- You may purchase your vehicle or camping permits.
- Find a few non-perishable items that you forgot to bring.
- Purchase Ice Cream, Soda, Ice, Worms, and Firewood
- Checkout/rent recreational games:
- Kayaks (4 singles and 4 tandems)
- Canoes (4 - 17')
- Frisbee Disc
- Laddergolf
- Horseshoes
- Basketballs
- Croquet
- Laundry Facility (across the street in center of shower building)
- Trailhead is located in the Five-Star Campground
- A 19 target walk-thru Archery Trail has been added to the existing Bike Trail which is just one phase of expanding this area into a multi-purpose trail.
- Come and enjoy the easy ride along the east cove of the park to see deer, quail and other visitors and inhabitants of Eisenhower.
- **Reminder: bikers yield to hikers.
FREE WIFI
- At the park office parking lot.
- Seating available in park office during open hours.
- Connect with ks-open. -No Password Necessary-
BOAT SLIP RENTAL
- If you are looking for some place to leave your boat on the water while on vacation, Eisenhower is your place to be.
- Located on the East Boat Ramp
- We have 10 covered boat slips that are available for rent during the summer months by the day ($15.00), week ($80.00) or 14 days ($150.00).
- Rent slips through IKE's General Store
18 HOLE DISK GOLF
- Located near the east boat ramp.
MODERN FULL SERVICE CABINS
- We will provide you with all the essentials of home plus a view of the lake, sunsets, and enough time to relax.
- Algiers & Meade are located in the WestPoint Campground. Arvonia & Melvern are located centrally in the park west of Abilene Campground.
- These one bedroom cabins sleep 6 people, have a full kitchen and restroom with shower.
- Each has a double bed & couch in the bedroom. A futon that folds down into a double & a twin pull-down--"Murphy-type bed"
- Each cabin is supplied with a table & chairs, refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishes, silverware, pots & pans, toaster and coffee pot.
- You need to bring your bedding including blankets & pillows, toiletries including soap, shampoo & towels.
- Outside each will have a picnic table, BBQ grill and a fire ring.
- View availability and make reservations online or by calling the park office.
- Reservations can be made 364 days out &; up to 3 days in advance online.
YURTS
- YURTS Colt (sleeps 4) and Gaillard (sleeps 5) are a great alternative to "roughing it" & are located in the WestPoint Campground.
- These primitive units provide beds, electricity, heat and A/C inside.
- No kitchen or restroom!
- Outside is a water hydrant, BBQ grill and picnic table.
- View availability and make reservations online or by calling the park office.
- Reservations can be made 364 days out & up to 3 days in advance online.
IKE'S SCOOTER TRAIL
- A 1 mile Scooter Trail runs between WestPoint and Doud campgrounds with a parking area in WestPoint Campground. It runs through open area as well as along a forested portion of the old Fairlawn township road and crosses a pretty nifty bridge that staff worked hard to build.
- RULES
- Trail is open to motorized scooters 50cc and smaller
- Helmets must be worn at ALL times.
- Open to scooters during the hours of 10:00am - 6:00pm.
- This trail may be used as a walking trail from sunrise to sunset.
- Obey traffic signs. The trail is a one way trail.
Eisenhower State Park formerly known as Melvern State Park was renamed in 1990 by legislature to honor the only native son President Dwight Eisenhower. Located on Melvern Lake in the eastern fringe of the Flint Hills in southern Osage County.
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 30
- Water, Electric: 10
- Click for more information
- Electric: 10
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 31
- Water, Sewer, Electric: 25
- Water, Electric: 78
- Click for more information
- Electric: 146
- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: Yes
- Primitive Camping: 5
- Water, Electric: 30
- Click for more information
- Electric: 15
- Trail Season:
- Length of Trail: 2 mile(s)
- Trail Activities:
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Click for more information
- Trail Season:
- Trail Activities: Walking
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Click for more information
- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 1.5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- Location of Start: N38 30.990 W95 44.814
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- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 5 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N38 31.439 W95 44.350
- Trail Season: Year Round
- Length of Trail: 20 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Horse Riding, Mt. Biking
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N38 31.594 W95 45.379
- Click for more information
Important Cabin Information: Reservation Terms and Conditions, Cabin Reservation Information
Would you like to stay at the park for a weekend but don't have a tent or camper? Mamie's Cabin (located near the east boat ramp) or our two Yurts Colt and Gaillard (located in WestPoint Campground) can provide a primitive (no kitchen or restroom) alternative camping option. Equipped with a beds, electric, heat and AC as well as a picnic table, BBQ grill, fire ring, and a water hydrant, this ADA accessible cabin/yurts are the perfect place to stay for a weekend at the Lake.
Or if you would like a place as cozy as home we have 4 modern cabins. Melvern and Arvonia (located near Abilene Campground); Algiers and Meade (located in WestPoint Campground) cabins will each sleep six only (one double bed, a futon, a couch and a pull-down--”Murphy-type bed”; comes with a full kitchen (refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishes, silverware, pots and pans and coffee pot), as well as table and chairs and a restroom/shower. Beds have mattresses only; you will need to bring your own bedding (full size sheets), pillows, soap, shampoo and towels and kitchen linens. Exterior amenities include a picnic table, BBQ grill and a fire ring. There are two additional modern cabins in WestPoint campground that were added in the spring of 2010 giving family members another option for spending time with extended family members with campers.
Check-in 2:00pm - Check-out 12:00pm (noon)
NO smoking and NO pets allowed in Cabin.
There is no television, no internet or telephone hookups. We do offer free WiFi at the office parking lot.
Click on cabin/yurt links below to learn more.
- Type of Facility: Primitiv Cabin
- Location of Facility: N38 31.209 W95 44.088
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Mamie's Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 30.982 W95 44.577
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Melvern Cabin
- Click for more information
- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 30.982 W95 44.577
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Arvonia Cabin
- Click for more information
- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 31.044 W95 45.028
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Meade Cabin
- Click for more information
- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 31.030 W95 45.032
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Algiers Cabin
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Primitive Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 31.064 W95 45.005
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Camp Colt (Yurt)
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Primitive Cabin
- Location of Facility: N38 31.072 W95 44.994
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Camp Gaillard (Yurt)
- Click for more information
This form allows you to email Eisenhower State Park with any questions you might have about the State Park and its facilities. This includes season openings and closings, campsite reservations, special events, etc.