Fishing enthusiasts and trail riders will find multiple recreation opportunities at River Pond Campground within Tuttle Creek State Park. The campground sits alongside Tuttle Creek Lake with additional access to both a river and pond, giving campers various water access points for angling. Sites range from primitive tent areas to full hookup spots with electric, water, and sewer connections.
The campground operates on a self-pay system with no on-site management presence, according to multiple visitors. Sites vary considerably in appeal and privacy, with some offering lakeside placement under mature trees while others occupy more open terrain. Weekend crowds can include college students from nearby Manhattan, though weekday visits tend to be quieter. "Fishing in the lake, the spillway or the pond is always productive," notes Tommie J..
The area includes hiking and biking trails plus an off-road vehicle area with mudding spots and climbing ledges. Bathrooms and showers are positioned near the RV camping areas rather than primitive sites. Campers seeking different amenities can check Rocky Ford Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park, located less than a mile away with a different layout and site configuration.
Description
Located near Manhattan in the Flint Hills of Northeast Kansas, Tuttle Creek State Park offers a broad variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Tuttle Creek Reservoir is the state's second largest impoundment, offering 12,500 acres of water and 100 miles of rugged, wooded shoreline. The park consists of 1,250 acres and is made up of five individual areas including River Pond, Rocky Ford, Cedar Ridge, Fancy Creek and Randolph. Both utility campsites and primitive campsites are available, along with a swimming beach, cabins, boat ramps, courtesy docks, a full service marina, and dump stations. Campgrounds contain eight water,electric and sewer campsites; 159 water and electric campsites; 44 electric-only campsites; and 500 primitive non designated campsites. Numerous nature trails, a mountain bike trail, and a scenic equestrian trail offer explorers a variety of routes to discover the Flint HIlls and tall grass prairies. Scenic picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course,an archery range, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and conveniently placed restroom and shower facilities accommodate park visitors. The Fancy Creek Shooting Range offers a safe shooting range environment and is open the first and third full weekends of each month and the fourth Thursday. Anglers will find that Tuttle Creek offers excellent channel cat and flathead fishing in the lake and also in the river above and below the lake. Fair numbers of bass and crappie are caught near standing timber and brush piles. Saugeye are often caught off the face of the dam, as well as in the river below. The nearby 12,000-acre wildlife area offers excellent hunting and wildlife viewing.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cabin reservations may check in after 3 pm and check out by Noon everyday, year round. Smoking is NOT allowed in the cabins. Pets and pet carriers are NOT allowed inside or on the porches of the cabins, unless staying in the PAWNEE and or NEMAHA cabins, which are designated as pet-friendly. You may contact the office Monday thru Friday 8am to 4pm and we will be glad to assist you. Cabin renters are not allowed to grill or cook from the porch deck. The cabin must be clean and not damaged prior to departure. Cabin renters are responsible for any and all damages. Your code on the door will be the last 4 digits of your phone and you should receive an email prior to your stay. The Cherokee, Sioux, Kiowa, Osage, Kanza, Pawnee and Cheyenne cabins are located below the dam in the River Pond Area. The Riley, Pottawatomie, Shawnee and Nemaha cabins are located off Spillway Marina Rd and Taylors View Rd in the Cedar Ridge Area.
- ** Information in this brochure has been prepared as a guide, not a complete list of regulations. Complete regulations may also be viewed and printed online at ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Park-Regulations. **
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
**COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY, SUCH AS THE RENTING OF SITES AND RESELLING SAID RESERVATION, IS OCCURRING ON STATE PARK PROPERTY THAT IS AGAINST AGENCY REGULATIONS. KDWPT REGULATION K.A.R. 115-8-19 STATES THAT NO PERSON SHALL ADVERTISE, ENGAGE IN, OR SOLICIT ANY BUSINESS, OR MAKE A CHARGE FOR ANY EVENT OR SERVICE EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT-ON-DEPARTMENT LANDS AND WATERS. PERSONS OR BUSINESSES FOUND TO BE ENGAGING IN THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE TICKETED RESULTING IN A COURT APPEARANCE AND RELATED FINES/COSTS.**
**2026 CAMPSITES Holiday Minimum Stay Rule:** - **Memorial Day Weekend - 4-night minimum** , customer choice of Thursday through Sunday nights, May 21–24, 2026 or Friday through Monday nights, May 22–25, 2026 - **July 4th Weekend - 3-night minimum,** customer choice of Thursday through Saturday nights, July 2–4, 2026 or Friday through Sunday nights, July 3–5, 2026 - **Labor Day Weekend - 4-night minimum,** customer choice of Thursday through Sunday nights, September 3–6, 2026 or Friday through Monday nights, September 4–7, 2026 **CABIN 2026 Holiday Minimum Stay Rule:** Memorial Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun May 22, 23, 24; July 4th holiday is Fri/Sat July 3, 4; Labor Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 4,5, 6 **CABIN 2027 Holiday Minimum Stay Rule:** Memorial Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun May 28, 29, 30; July 4th holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun July 2, 3, 4; Labor Day holiday is Fri/Sat/Sun Sept 3,4, 5
Additional tents may require an additional $10.00 per night fee at check-in.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundRiver Pond Campground — Tuttle Creek State Park is located in Kansas
Directions
**DIRECTIONS FOR ALL TUTTLE CREEK STATE PARK AREAS** **For the River Pond, Rocky Ford and Riley Point Areas** From the north I-80. Take US-77S exit 397 and merge on US-77 South. Continue on US-77 for approximately 118 miles. US-77 becomes US-24E/ Tuttle Creek Blvd. Continue on US-24W/ Tuttle Creek Blvd. for 10 miles. Turn left onto HWY 13 and continue across the dam to the first right hand turn which brings you below the dam. From Eastbound I-70, Attention: Our West Entrance off Tuttle Creek Blvd is also open now. Take exit 303 ramp. Turn left on K-18N/K-18 Bypass N. Continue on K-18N for 11.3 miles to K113/Seth Child Rd/ Canyon Dr exit. Turn left on K113N/ Seth Child Rd and continue for 5.7 miles. Merge Right on US-24E/Tuttle Creek Blvd. for 1 mile. Turn left onto HWY 13 and continue across the dam to the first right hand turn which brings you below the dam. From Westbound I-70, Attention: Our West Entrance off Tuttle Creek Blvd is also open now. Take exit 313 ramp and merge onto K-177 North for 8.5 miles. Take the exit for Fort Riley Blvd / Tuttle Creek Blvd / K -18 / K -177. At stoplight turn left on Tuttle Creek Blvd / K -177 N / US - 24W. Continue on Tuttle Creek Blvd. for approximately 6 miles. Take a slight turn right onto HWY 13 and continue across the dam to the first right hand turn which brings you below the dam. Attention: Our West Entrance off Tuttle Creek Blvd is also open now. **For the Fancy Creek Area** At the junction of HWY 77 and HWY 16, just north of the town of Randolph, turn east onto HWY 16 for one mile for FANCY CREEK AREA and take the first left hand (north) turn. Fancy Creek is on the West side of the lake. There is a sign for Fancy Creek. Fancy Creek Area is located north of Hwy 16 between HWY 77 and HWY 13. **Use 14890 Honor Camp LN for GPS information.** **For the South Randolph Area** At the junction of HWY 77 and HWY 16, just north of the town of Randolph, turn east and continue on across the bridge that spans the lake and take the first turn to the right (south). South Randolph is on the East side of the lake. There is a sign for South Randolph. South Randolph is south of HWY 16 between HWY 77 and HWY 13. **Use 16345 Randolph Park Road for GPS directions.** **For the Cedar Ridge Area** From the north I-80. Take US-77S exit 397 and merge on US-77 South. Continue on US-77 for approximately 118 miles. US-77 becomes US-24E/ Tuttle Creek Blvd. Continue on US-24E for 10 miles. Go across the dam on HWY 13 until you see Spillway Marina Rd and turn onto Spillway Marina Road and then left onto Taylors View Rd which takes you into Cedar Ridge. **Use 5385 Taylors View Rd for GPS directions.** From Eastbound I-70 Take exit 303 ramp. Turn left on K-18N/K-18 Bypass N. Continue on K-18N for 11.3 miles to K113/Seth Child Rd/ Canyon Dr exit. Turn left on K113/ Seth Child Rd and continue for 5.7 miles. Merge Right on US-24E/Tuttle Creek Blvd. for 1 mile. Go across the dam on HWY 13 until you see Spillway Marina Rd and turn onto Spillway Marina Road and then left onto Taylors View Rd which takes you into Cedar Ridge. **Use 5385 Taylors View Rd for GPS directions.** From Westbound I-70 Take exit 313 ramp and merge onto K-177 North for 8.5 miles. Take the exit for Fort Riley Blvd / Tuttle Creek Blvd / K -18 / K -177. At stoplight turn left on Tuttle Creek Blvd / K -177 N / US - 24W. Continue on Tuttle Creek Blvd. for approximately 6 miles. Take a slight turn right onto HWY 13. Go across the dam on HWY 13 until you see Spillway Marina Rd and turn onto Spillway Marina Road and then left onto Taylors View Rd which takes you into Cedar Ridge.
Address
5800A River Pond Road
Manhattan, KS 66502
Coordinates
39.25413915 N
96.59287048 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/18/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 4/18/26
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/18/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 4/18/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
