Most Kansas parks and lakes will be open for Memorial Day, but make plans now

Memorial Day weekend — May 22 to 25 this year — is often the unofficial kickoff for the summer season at Kansas’ recreation areas. Like most everything else in these pandemic times, though, that’s different this year. Some state parks have already reported near-capacity campgrounds, and recreation areas throughout the state are seeing increased traffic.

“After being out here for 20 years, this is the most I’ve ever seen our parks used for what one would envision the parks to be used for: people out walking, fishing, sitting in their chair watching the sun go down,” said Seth Turner, manager of El Dorado State Park, about 30 miles northeast of Wichita. “It’s like people have been forced to slow down and maybe look at things differently or reconnect with the outdoors. My hope is that if and when we go back to the quote unquote normal world, people will remember and that they don’t just go back to rush-rush and busy-busy.”

Officials with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are thrilled to see people taking advantage of outdoor areas that require little travel and give people something to do while maintaining social distancing. They say there have been few issues with groups gathering or tolerating necessary closures.

“We are seeing an increase in day use activities and advise visitors to be courteous of lines at boat ramps, traffic restrictions and barricades, closed facilities and trash,” Stacey Reese, a public affairs specialist, with the Tulsa District of the Corps of Engineers said in an email. Both the Tulsa and Kansas City districts of the corps oversee lakes in Kansas.

Staff at Kansas state parks said they are seeing larger numbers of campers early in the season in part because the Corps campgrounds remain closed, but also because people have more time on their hands and are looking for ways to enjoy the nice weather.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to visit one of the state’s lakes or recreation areas.

Most parks and lakes are open with some limitations.

Most of the state’s recreation areas — no matter which entity manages them — are open for walking, running, fishing, boating and other leisure activities. Wildlife and Parks manages 28 state parks, 63 state fishing lakes and more than 100 wildlife areas that are open to the public. The Corps of Engineers oversees several lakes that are adjacent to a state park. For example, Clinton Lake near Lawrence is open to the public, though if you’re planning to stay overnight the campgrounds at Clinton State Park are open while Corps’ campgrounds are not.

While lake access areas are open, courtesy docks have been removed in most cases. Across the state’s recreation areas, fewer shower facilities and restrooms are open because it takes staff longer to follow increased sanitizing protocols. Shelters, visitor centers and playgrounds are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, along with swimming beaches, another gathering place that’s hard to maintain distance from others.

Offices at each state park are closed to the public, though they are available by telephone to answer questions in advance of your visit or to lend assistance during a visit.

Check for closures and remember not all disruptions are virus-related.

There are some road and facilities closures unrelated to COVID-19. Kansas experienced record flooding in 2019 and many parks are still rebuilding from the damage.

“We know everyone is antsy to get their summer started but there are still some restrictions coming off of last year’s flood damage,” said Kevin McCoy, who works for the U.S. Corps of Engineers as assistant lake manager for Marion County and El Dorado lakes, two of the eight Kansas lakes the Tulsa District manages. “We need the public to obey any restrictions and barricades they encounter. Each site has their own situations, so it’s best to plan ahead. Go to a recreation area’s website or give their office a call to find out what’s open. Most of us are being inundated with calls but if you leave a message, someone will get back with you.”

For a full list of state park closures, see the links in the “Notices” section at the top of ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks. Each park has a webpage with alerts about current conditions, too. It’s a good idea to call the number listed there to verify access before visiting. In most cases, a telephone number will be posted on the park office door if you need assistance during your visit. Most state parks offices will reopen to the public beginning May 18. Until then, staff is on-site to answer the phone from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Plan ahead for overnight stays.

State parks have kept campgrounds and cabins open throughout the stay-at-home order, while about 3,400 campsites in Kansas managed by the Corps are closed through the end of May. Day use areas, group shelters, swim beaches and all common use area openings under the control of the Corps will be based on local health conditions , according to a news release from the Corps.

Some lake recreation areas in Texas and Oklahoma managed by the Corps, including Kaw, Keystone and Tenkiller, are scheduled to open May 20 in time for Memorial Day weekend. Some of the other Corps recreation areas in those two states won’t open until June 1.

Kansas officials said utility campsites will be hard to find between now and the end of June, though there are primitive campsites available and there’s a possibility of snagging a site or cabin due to a cancellation.

When fully operational, the state parks have roughly 10,000 campsites and more than 120 cabins and yurts. For a KDWPT reservation, go to the webpage of the site, search for the site at ReserveAmerica.com or call the state park office.

Use recreation.gov to make a reservation at a Corps of Engineers campground.

Keep your distance.

Kansas State Parks director Linda Lanterman said state park staff reminds visitors often to help keep the parks open by practicing social distancing and avoiding gathering in groups. She said it helps, too, that visitors don’t seem shy about telling others they are getting too close.

“We’re telling everyone to not be offended if someone tells you you’re too close,” she said. And plan to be self-sufficient. Bring your own soap and sanitizer; a hiking stick can help you gauge your distance from others; and wear flip flops if you use the showers.

Swimming is allowed but no beach access.

As the state parks became more crowded and with the governor’s direction on keeping swimming pools closed, Lanterman said the state parks decided to close designated swimming beaches.

“At campsites, you pretty much stay in your family group but we felt it would be hard to keep everybody social distancing from others at our beaches,” she said. “We will relook at it as the summer progresses.”

That doesn’t mean you can’t get in the water, though.

“Go find a nice little cove and get in the water,” El Dorado State Park’s Turner advised. “Remember to wear water shoes or something to protect your feet, though; Walking in the lake is a little different than walking on the sandy beach or a swimming pool.”

Water safety and safe boating practices can save lives.

With busy waterways expected, Kansas officials encourage everyone to wear a life jacket when in or around water. Lanterman said the parks’ life jackets loaner program is not operating because there was not an efficient way to keep them clean.

State law requires ages 12 and younger to wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets when on a boat. A serviceable life jacket must be readily accessible for each person on board. Learn more about safe boating at ksoutdoors.com/Boating.

Reese, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said to keep these water safety measures in mind: “Always remember to swim with a buddy, designate a water watcher and wear your life jacket when you’re in and around the water.”

Don’t forget to pay for vehicle access at state parks.

State park offices are closed through at least May 17 to walk ins but you’re still able to conduct business with the parks. Day users should pay $5 per vehicle at a self-pay station or $6 online. There are $25 annual passes available online, too. This is in addition to campsite, cabin or yurt fees. Use their online and mobile services kshuntfishcamp.com to pay license and permit fees.