Clinton State Park News
IMPORTANT INFORMATION.... 6/17/13
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We've been named the Best Place for Family Fun! Check out the article in the recently published Lawrence.com magazine.
http://www.lawrence.com/bestoflawrence2013/results/community/
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The Park Office is now open on Saturday's! 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We sell:
• all types of Hunting and Fishing licenses,
• Turkey tags,
• state park Annual Permits for your vehicle and camping,
• Reservations for camping or a cabin stay,
• Boat Registration’s - Current Lake Information.......If anyone has an immediate need to check the lake conditions you may sign on to the US Army Corps of Engineers "Daily Lake Information" web-site for Clinton Reservoir at: http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/cl/daily.cfM
OK Kid's Day - We're planning our 10th Annual OK KIDS DAY on Saturday,August 10, 2013! We hope you can join us. FREE Entry into the State Park on August 10th. We're bringing back the very successful Fishing Derby in the morning and the Animal Show-n-Tell in the evening. These FREE events encourage kids of all ages to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Goodie bags & prizes for all kids who attend at both events!
At the Fishing Derby 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. @ Lake Henry (Located just South of the Park Office.) – Learn fish ID’s, improve your casting skills and how to bait your hook from the KDWPT Fisheries Dept. After the 20 minute talk kids will fish for their chance to win a fabulous prize! (The Biggest Fish, Smallest Fish, Most Fish and the weirdest thing caught were some of our winners last year.) This your first time fishing? You’ll be entered into a special First Time Fishermen Award for a special prize drawing. Fishing Poles & Bait will be provided. (You can bring your own equipment if you want!)
At the Animal Show-n-Tell 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. @ Shelter #6 in Campground #3(Right next to our new PLAYGROUND) You'll get the chance to get a close up look of our Live Animal’s on Display.We’ll set our cages up outside and you’ll get a special viewing of our Snakes & Turtles. We’ll talk about everything from our venomous snakes (Timber Rattlesnake, Copperhead and Massauga Rattlesnake.) and how to avoid them to our cute little turtles. Snake ID Booklet to all who attend. (While supplies last.)
Wildlifer Challenge - Kid's can earn extra prizes for completing Wildlifer Challenges. You can do 12 or 13 of the required 15, right here! Go to: www.kansaswildscape.org for more info.
Our State Park IS open year round for camping. Water at Campsites have been shut off for the winter months, but Water will still be available at frost free hydrants, dump station and Shower House in CG#3.
We have almost 400 campsites and 2 cabins. If you would like set-up your customer profile to help expedite the check-in procedure or make a reservation for a cabin stay, please visit reserveamerica.com Type in 66049 to find us the fastest. Reservations to camp may be done for stays from April – September may be made.
Both Camp Hosts are available to take camping fees or sell permits and licenses. See hours listed below...
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For wildlife area questions, please call the Manager Jason Tarwater @ 785/887-6882 Or you may call our local Natural Resource Officer, Jon Entwhistle @ 785/256-1204.
--- Entrance Booth Hours - (The booth will be staffed for your convenience to purchase daily & annual vehicle permits, annual camping permits, hunting/fishing licenses, Trout Stamps etc.. They do accept: Cash, Check with ID, Visa, Master Card and Discover Credit Cards as payment.)
Monday - Thursday - 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. **** Friday's - Noon p.m. - 11 p.m. *** Saturday's - 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. AND
Sunday's - 8 A.M. - 9 p.m.
Camp Host Hours - (available to take your camping fees, other hunting / fishing licenses and permits. They can also accept: Cash, Check with ID, Visa, Master Card and Discover Credit Cards as payment.)
Campground #1 Host……
Monday’s & Tuesday’s 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday's - 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday's - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and then again 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday's - 10 a.m. - Noon
Campground #3 Host……
Wednesday's & Thursday’s 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday's - 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday's - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and then again 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday's - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
REMEMBER..... To expedite the check-in procedure please go to reserveamerica.com and CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOMER PROFILE. Camping on any site, requires us to enter your account information and payment into our new reservation system. The internet connect at Camp Host sites isn't what we'd like and sometimes it may take a few minutes to navigate through all of the screens of the program. Creating your own profile ahead of time saves us all time so you can get started with your fun right away!
Set up your Customer Profile @ Reserveamerica.com......... We encourage you to go the reservation site to make a reservation OR to setup your customer profile. All camping done in the state park must be entered into this new system. (Reservations AND Walk-in Sites) By having this step done ahead of time, you'll make the check-in procedure much faster. Type in our zip code - 66049 to find us the fastest when making a reservation.
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PLAYGROUND IN CG#3 We installed a new playground in the Fall of 2011 and swing set in spring of 2013 in the campground. It's ready for climbing and FUN!
Come let us help you have a wonderful time @ Clinton Lake!
The Park Office Hours are: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and now Saturday's 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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NEW PRICING.... The reservation system adds $3.00 to every transaction made when entering in camping fees. To offset this change the Department has lowered your Camping and Utility Cost.
Daily Vehicle permit is $5.00/day
Camping is $7.00/per camping unit (Camping April - September cost is $8.00/unit per day)
30 amp sites with water are an additional $9.50 (We have water available year round - same price year round.)
We do have 75 campsites with 50 amp service. The extra amp charge is $2.00/day ($11.50 total per day for regular utility charge and 50 amps.) No Charge from Oct. 1st to March 31st.
Add up the fees above for the services you'll require and the additional $3 one time transaction fee to get your total for your stay.
Please see the Gallery for maps & pictures!
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE MORE PICTURES AND DETAILS.... http://www.facebook.com/ClintonStatePark
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TROUT SEASON - Trout was stocked for the first time this year on January 15th. There will be one more stocking of 725 fish each in February and March. The season dates are Nov. 1, 2012 - April 15, 2012. You can come get your trout stamp anytime!! (Remember: You have to have a vehicle permit, fishing license and a trout stamp to fish in Lake Henry during trout season even if you aren't fishing for trout. Just in case you catch one!) (Last stocked on 3/7/2013)
Campground information
Clinton State Park offers 387 improved campsites located in two campgrounds, 240 have water and electricity, the rest are primitive. Regular utility sites have 30amp service while "Prime Sites" have 50amp electric available. Campsites vary in size from smaller primitive campsites, 20'x40' to the larger Prime Sites, 30'x70'. All are outfitted with picnic tables and campfire rings or BBQ grills. As in most campgrounds some sites offer more shade than others, but most are in or near the tree line. The campgrounds at Clinton were built on high bluffs well above the shoreline. This type of development protects the areas from flooding, but makes lake access directly from the campsites difficult if not impossible.
Reservations may be made by visiting reserveamerica.com. (Type in our Zip Code of 66049 to find us the fastest!) The interactive web-site that will provide detailed descriptions and pictures of individual campsites. Sites in both campgrounds may be reserved. All others are on a first come first service basis. Reservations are convenient and guarantee an available campsite, but not particularly necessary except on major holidays. (Reserving on a holiday requires a 5 night stay.)
And there's plenty to do while you're here.
Trails
The park has over 25 miles of multi-use recreation trails, hiking and mountain biking. It is frequently said Clinton offers some of the most technically challenging and physically demanding mountain bike trails in the mid-west.
To round out the biking experience we offer a "Mountain Bike Skills Course". It's a virtual playground for the more technically skilled biker. Similar to a trials course it provides the opportunity to test your finesse with a bit of a thrill as a bonus. Views of the beautiful lake, shoreline and surrounding lands make your hike or bike workout a real sensory treat.
Or, if a leisurely hike or walk is more your taste there are miles of paved road to accommodate you, or a 3/4 mile self guided nature trail through the prairie.
So as not to leave out the "alternative trail enthusiast" we offer a five mile cross country ski trail that's a unique Kansas experience when mother nature cooperates.
Archery
The park has one of the only outdoor archery ranges in the area. Six shooting lanes with soft targets at 20, 40 and 60 yards offer the chance to hone your skills at "target shooting" or for that all important pre-hunting season tune up for you or your equipment.
Disc Golf
There is a disc golf course located in the park. A 9 hole course with some very challenging tee shots, fairways and greens. It's literally carved through the timber and prairie so, you had better have a keen eye and good spotters or plenty of discs to spare.
The Water
Clinton Reservoir has some of the most beautiful water in Kansas, clear, clean and always ready for your boating or fishing fun. A day on Clinton Lake is never a disappointment. Sixteen boat ramp lanes, eight courtesy docks and lighted parking areas make the access a breeze.
If big water fishing isn't your thing there are two smaller ponds in the park. "Lake Henry" is a quiet secluded four acre pond built in the 1940's with healthy populations of sunfish, largemouth bass and channel catfish. And during the trout season its well stocked with trout. The "Prairie Pond" a 3/4 acre kid's only fishing pond stocked with sunfish and channel catffish that guarantees fun for the little fisherman in your group.
You may want to cool off at the beach too. The park has a sand beach and swimming area. It's part of the lake so feel free to moor your boat outside the buoy line or take the trail from the parking lot and get wet.
No commentary on Clinton Lake would be complete without a word about the "Clinton Lake Marina". Located in the state park it's one of the finest marinas in the country. Annual and daily rental boat slips, secure dry storage, a retail shop, boat rentals and a deli round out the operation. The marina is neat and clean it's well kept and professionally operated, you won't find a better selection to fit your boating needs or friendlier service anywhere.
Cabins
As of April 2013 we now have SEVEN cabins available to reserve.... Chicken Creek, Camp Creek, Deer Creek, Coon Creek, Washington Creek, Elk Creek and Wakarusa River Cabins sit atop a high bluff overlooking Clinton Reservoir with a view as far as the eye can see. From the front porch the vistas are stunning; as miles of rugged timbered shoreline roll on beautiful sunsets illuminate a western skyline with Clinton Lake’s solitary “Pelican Island” centered in this breathtaking view.
Faux log siding, a large sitting porch and concrete parking and patio areas come together to create a homey yet rustic appeal. The spacious three room air conditioned and heated cabins offer all the amenities necessary for a comfortable stay. Accommodations include a full service eat in kitchen, 3/4 bath and master bedroom. The One Bedroom cabin features the added pull down twin “Murphy bed” and fold out futon bed the cabin comfortably sleeps six people. Our Two Bedroom cabin (Wakarusa River) will sleep eight people comfortably and features a second bedroom with two sets of bunk beds. All you’ll need to complete the experience are your linens, bed pillows, bath towels, food and toiletries.
Check out the cabin reservation information, rates and procedures at www.reserveamerica.com (Type in our zip code of 66049 to find us the fastest.)
Please see the Gallery for maps & pictures! Or become a Face Book Fan! http://www.facebook.com/ClintonStatePark
BE SURE TO VISIT OUR PARK OFFICE 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Monday - Friday) TO SEE LIVE ANIMALS. We have several different varieties of Snakes, Turtles, Frogs and Fish to see.
Please feel free to contact us at by phone at 785-842-8562; on the web at http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/ or via our e-mail address at clintonsp@ksoutdoors.com if we can help any further. Thank you for your interest in Clinton State Park.
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