Eisenhower State Park Campground

History:

Eisenhower State Park is located on the eastern fringe of the Flint Hills in southern Osage County. This Native tall grass prairie park is known for its rolling hills, big bluestem grasses that can grow to over 6 feet tall, wildlife including white-tail deer, fox, bobcat, turkey and quail and beautiful wildflowers from spring to fall. Eisenhower State Park formerly known as Melvern State Park was renamed in 1990 by legislature to honor the only US President from Kansas. Eisenhower is 1,785 acre area is found at Melvern lake, a man-made flood control project for the Marais des Cygnes River basin.

Description:

The park offers 186 utility campsites which include 15 Equestrian Campsites with electric/water and an individual corral to each site available in the upper loop of Westpoint Campground and five shower houses. Non-utility sites are available for primitive camping in Five-Star, Sailboat Beach, and Omaha Swim Beach. Non-utility camping with horses is available in Cowboy Camp. Campers may stay at any one of the campgrounds for up to 14 consecutive days.

Ike's General Store is located at Doud Campground where you can pay your campground fees, purchase souvenirs and/or non-perishables items that you may have forgotten at home, rent kayaks/canoes and check out games. Eisenhower State Parks' Friends Group offers ice and firewood for sale at the General Store and a laundry is available in the Doud Shower Building.

Eisenhower State Park offers one primitive Sleeper Cabin; two primitive Sleeper Yurt Cabins; and four modern cabins

There is a playground, swim beach, horse shoe pits, basketball court,18-hole frisbee disk golf course, kayak/canoe and boat slip rentals, hiking, biking, & equestrian trails, 2 9-lane boat ramps, day use picnicking/shelters and a Ike's shelter house for your family gatherings.

Wi-Fi is available in the office parking lot. Visit our interpretive room in the park office to see live snakes, fish, turtles and much more.

You must be 18 or older to rent a cabin or campsite.

• Subject to regulations and posted notices, any individual over 21 may possess, consume, or drink alcoholic liquor. Kegs and party balls are strictly prohibited.
• Any motorized vehicles (gas or electric) operated within state parks must be registered (having a license plate) and must purchase and display a valid state park vehicle permit. Electric and gas powered scooters and skateboards cannot be operated in the state park. ATV use is prohibited in the state park.
• Camping is allowed only in designated areas and is subject to restrictions as posted. All campers and camping units are limited to a stay of not more than 14 consecutive days although a 14-day extension may be obtained with written permission from the park manager. A five-day absence is required before returning to the park to camp again. Any property left unused or unoccupied for 48 hours is subject to removal. Only one camper/RV per utility site is allowed.
• Fires are allowed in fireplaces, fire rings, and cooking grills only. Fires must be completely extinguished prior to leaving the area.
• Swimming is allowed in designated areas. Liquor and beer are prohibited on swimming beaches or in waters designated by buoys or other markers as swimming areas. For other beverages, only shatterproof containers are allowed.
• Pets must always be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tethered chain no longer than 10 feet. They are not allowed on swimming beaches or swimming areas that are delineated by buoys or other markers or in public buildings or structures. Dogs participating in authorized activities or assisting the visually or hearing impaired are not subject to these restrictions. If staying in the Mamie Cabin, which is designated as pet-friendly a fee of $50.00 is due at least 48 hours PRIOR to check-in, if bringing a pet. You may contact the office at 785-528-4102 and we will be glad to assit you.
• A special event permit is required for any event involving entrance fees, exclusive use of an area, sales, organized competition, amplified sound, or reservation of a specific site or facility. Check with the park office for details.
• Fishing is prohibited on boat ramps, courtesy docks, swimming beaches, and in swimming areas marked with buoys. In state parks, fish may only be cleaned at designated fish cleaning stations or other locations as posted.
• Boats may not be operated within 200 feet of any area posted specifically for swimming and delineated by markers. No-wake speeds are required within 200 feet of a boat ramp, boat dock. Vessels left unattended at courtesy docks are subject to removal.
• Fireworks are prohibited.
• Digging holes, removing or defacing geological formations, archeological relics or ruins, or vegetation (except for noncommercial use of edible wild plants, wild fruits, nuts, or fungi) is prohibited.
• Quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Actions which alarm, anger, or disturb others are prohibited. Generators can not be used during quiet hours. Failure to comply may result in expulsion from the park.
• Firearms may only be discharged in areas specifically designated for hunting or target practice.
• All litter must be properly disposed of in the provided trashbins. Where no bins are provided, patrons must carry their trash out with them.
• DUMPING OF GREY WATER IS PROHIBITED. Grey water must be disposed of at the dump station.
• Trails are open during daylight hours only. No camping, fires, or motorized vehicles are allowed on the trails. Please use caution when crossing roadways.
• This is not a complete list of regulations. Complete regulations can be viewed and printed at ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Park-Regulations.