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Located just west of the city of Glen Elder, south of the US-24/K-9 and KS128 intersection.
On the north shores of 12,500-acre Glen Elder Reservoir (Waconda Lake), one of Kansas' largest lakes, Glen Elder State Park offers nearly unlimited recreational opportunities. With its rural setting, Glen Elder is a perfect place to relax.
The reservoir covers what once was a mineral spring sacred to many Native Americans and former home of a sanitarium. The Waconda Springs Replica at the park pays tribute to this ill-fated site of Kansas geology and Native American history. At Waconda Heritage Village, a living museum, visit the historic Hopewell Church south of the park office.
Glen Elder Wildlife Area encompasses almost 13,200 land acres surrounding the lake. You can see and photograph a diversity of wildlife species. In winter, bald and golden eagles visit. Deer and pheasant are common sights. Waterfowl stop on their migrations, and a small Canada goose flock makes the area home.
The Glen Elder State Park main entrance is located on Hwy 24 at the Hwy 128 junction. Approximately 12 miles West of Beloit or 6 miles East of Cawker City on Hwy 24.
Neat place to go kayaking, with a launch area near the swimming area. They have campgrounds and a visitor center. Worth checking out if in the area.
This is a great lake! We've been coming here for years! Somethings have changed. You buy your park permit at the kiosk by the main park building. You purchase your fishing permit online. Definitely worth checking out!
We decided to take our time during a Colorado vacation. Having seen everything on the Interstate, we decided to take the scenic route this time. Original plan was to make Glen Elder an overnight stopping point, but decided to stay a couple extra days. Being a Kansas native, I'd heard about Glen Elder but never been there. We weren't disappointed.
Public park specializing in camping, boating, hunting, and fishing. I spent a week in a self-service cabin with a full kitchen and bathroom. Quiet, with plenty of room for exploration and gallavanting around. No structural playground or other space for children. Restrictions on places for swimming. The website advertised an old church that doubles as a historic museum, but we found it to be closed due to structural damage. Ideal place for peace and solitude: it's so close to Highway 24 that you can see and hear traffic, but you wouldn't know it was there unless you went looking for it deliberately. Vehicle pass required for admission, available to purchase onsite.
Very clean and well taken care of park. We’ve camped here multiple times throughout the last couple years and it’s been so pleasant. Mr. Gumm was very kind, helpful, and informative when we stopped him to ask some questions about our camping spot. The information center is also a spectacle for the lost ways of the past. Such a great place to keep the native history alive. They were here first.
