Reviews of Kanopolis Lake State Park (Park)

Lori Mckinney

Great for hiking and fishing, and even camping they also have a cabin you can rent

Kathy Lee

The lake is flooded in a lot of areas but the ones open in Horse thief cove were nice. The fire pit we're new and the host was nice. The bathroom was clean.

Wesly Rodriguez

Nice and open, has cliffs, and has a beautiful federal picnic side with awesome views. So if it's for camping or just a lunch with a view, it's pretty nice.

Michael Kluzak

Probably my favorite park (so far) in KS. Nice campsites and facilities. Seems to be a good lake for watersports or fishing. Fun to kayak around. Lots of hiking trails. If you have horses, apparently you can camp with them here as well in one of the campgrounds (and go trail riding of course).

Lynn Larsen

Beautiful, lots of trails, and clean

Kathy Anthony

Best of the best

Robert Boylan

Great family spot!

Brandon Ray

We stayed in the cabins over Thanksgiving and had a blast hiking and biking. It was a very quiet place during the holiday. The cabins are perfect for what we wanted, and reasonably priced.

Jill Lundgren

Nice clean campgrounds and atmosphere friendly. Loved our stay for the weekend.

rita klimas

Surprise find in our Cross country travels. Spotted a Baltimore Oriele

Shelly Holt

Rocking K Horse camp is amazing. Nice camp sites with good pens for horses. Good trail access. Friendly staff.

Lucifer's foxhound Finrir

I love this place it's close to where I live and nice during good weather

Rudy Perez

Always clean and a great place to take your family!

Jeremy Clatterbuck

Kayaking this lake would take some time, but it's a beautiful lake, plenty of camping spots and places to hang a hammock.

Wade Osborne

I love it here and little Oasis in Kansas hidden in pastures and crops..Sandy Beach has all day shade a key ingredient in the summer beautiful and scenic ..

Lynette Dick

You would never guess that in Kansas, you could find a place so beautiful. Great for hiking and even a little climbing. This is one of my favorite places.

Brandon Carter

Beautiful park, friendliest state employee I have ever met was working in the park office that day.

Jenna Miller

Nice facilities. Enjoy camping here

Melissa Piersee

Flooded dirty

Ronald Hamilton

Scenery was. Beautiful and the water was clean

Anna Weniger

Clean bathrooms, showers at.Blue Stem were free with hot water. Clean campsites and shelters.

Bill Willm

Would give higher rating but they have done away with campsites next to the water. Bad for people who fish or swim.

Susan Higbee

Didn't spot any eagles today, but lots of deer. The trees were exquisite with frost.

Pam Oshel

I will be back

Marshall Mendez

I camp here nearly every summer. It's always a great time swimming and exploring nearby caves and trails.

Valerie Barr

Quiet well maintained

Tricia Grace

Kanopolis lake has something for everyone. I enjoy the hiking trails and shorelines in every season. They also have horse trails, plenty of bird watching and historical sites in the area. There is usually no wait to load\unload your watercraft.

C. Shelby Jarrell

The fishing has never been good there for me. But it has a lot of places easy to access even after all the rain and high water

Bryan Massingill

Nice park, lots of water. Only thing, Corp of engineers won't let me fly a drone anywhere around the lake.

Aaron Pinto

Great place to camp and hike. We have been here several times and enjoy camping right on the beach. Some of the shelters need attention but overall, a nice state park.

Ian Hartley

Had a great time hiking with the family. The trails were well marked and the wildlife was fun to watch. We seen a total of 10 deer. In just 2 hours.

Billy Higgins

Always a good time. Beautiful lake and nice people.

Leroy Walls

Mushroom Rock just down the road is a great place to see also Kanopolis Lake and park has a great lake with supper nice employees nice camping too for horses and RV travelers

Monique Miller

We stayed with our family for 3 days in the cabins. The cabins were very nice and clean. The reservoir is beautiful and the area is very scenic. However, the HUGE negative was the quality of the beaches. The park has designated swimming areas. The beaches where these designated swimming areas are located were so poorly maintained, it was, in my opinion, a public health and safety issue. There were old tires, broken beer bottles, trash, dog dodoo, and the place was covered in cigarettes butts. It was absolutely horrendous and a public health concern. I was completely shocked and disappointed. Since we had planned on spending a great deal of our time enjoying the lake, it put a huge damper on our visit. It's a real shame that such a beautiful place is absolutely trashed. I will not be returning until they clean up their beach. Truly a disappointment.

LnKay Lewis

The park is full of wildlfe. It is important to respect their environment PLEASE . The deer will gather together by family's and wonder around. They are curious but leary. Large flocks of Turkey's and more....

Tim Thunell

Great park.

Andy Armstrong

We arrived close to dark, I wouldn't recommend that if you have a medium to large RV and are going to Eagles Point. You can do some really good hiking along the shoreline. Climb the sandstone cliffs. Some real funny structures on the beach, Bigfoot vacations here? Eagles Point is a beautiful relaxing area But, most of the sites don't have running water. I missed that on the reservation site. This park is especially equine friendly. Trails, walking areas, even corrals I saw. Overall a good clean park, just don't expect all the comforts of home.

Bill Ritcha

G reat

Sandra Pilcher

We've stayed at the Little Bluestem cabins every year for awhile now. And, it's perfect!

Jeremy Swain

Beautiful quite place

David E Ruhl

Good fishing

Betty Manning

Had a great experience @ Kanopolis Lake all 4 days!!

Jesika Croom

Be sure to get a day pass! We learned the hard way. Beautiful hiking trails, but we could not find the caves? May have been overgrown as we visited in mid summer (PS have plenty of water, nowhere near to get any!)

Nevin Guhr

I like this lake. Grew up going here and boating, swimming and fishing.

J S

This huge state park has lots of trails! Be sure to put on your bug repellent though. We got to see 15 stealth bombers fly past us as we hiked across the park. Be prepared to wade through sections of trail if water levels are high! Equestrian camp sites are also available.

Farley Family

Camping and boating fun for the whole family

Jenni Jones

Best place on earth

Todd Hillman

After moving campgrounds staff was polite understanding

Hannah H

This was a beautiful park and the cabins are great.

Benny Blanco

I've visited many lakes in Kansas and so far this is the best one!

Dan Mosier

Picturesque

Dusty Wiegert

Great lake for fishing and camping!

Alek Stang

I've been to quite a few state parks and national parks, so I was a little surprised at the condition of the facilities here considering the price for use. The camp sites are maintained well enough but the latrines and shower houses leave a lot to be desired in cleanliness and maintenance. However, we really enjoyed the lake and the wonderful nature trails.

Jessica Smith

Awesome place to stay!!

Angela Nicholas Stone Hicks

Loved it. Just wish there was still an option of camping at bolts bluff & yankee run. To camp with out having to pay so much. I dont mind the 5 buck fee but the camping is so high.

don doerschlag

Beautiful place

troy reed

Absolutely love the place and people

Richard Seaton

Kanopolis has so much to offer. Great trails. Beautiful lake with great views. Lots of camping opportunities.

Todd Brown

Hike was nice, lots of bugs but caves were cool

Tom Mauch

Good fishing

Marty allen

Always quiet and friendly..!!

Jenny Schneider

Vary vary good place

Brandon Turner

Love coming here for summer camping trips

TravelBy Sedan

Very nice rock cliffs. Trails are very well kept. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure that you can bring the kids, I highly recommend the Horsethief Trails.

Bonneva Shontz

Very nice State Park

Katy McManus

So beautiful

Dan Inman

Great State Park. Good playgrounds. Lakes for fishing and swimming. Plenty of hiking trails. Cabins are very nice.

Virginia McClatchey

This is a place where memories have been made and where more will be made. Have come here as a kid and now I am a grandmother myself. Loved talking to my grandkids about all the memories i have of this place.

Brian Lingle

I love the terrain in the Horsethief Canyon area.

Jacob M. High

I love it out there. I don't swim so the brown water makes no difference to me. I've had lots of fun for years here

Patty Green

Best park in Kansas!

Bull Ryda

Great place for your family to explore nature, and bond with family...

Connie Nichols

Daughters coolers were stolen and also another campsite. Sad situation when one can't trust others campers.

Kristine Williams

Love the lake and now that the water is going down, there is beautiful drift wood everywhere.

Lauren Mahlstedt

I love hiking here. Great trails.

William Brown

Great place lots of fish and staff will go above and beyond to help

Ken Livingston

Peaceful and quiet

Brenda Dailey

Not what we expected, site very small for camper.

Droid Stiggins

Water level is low but that makes the hunting for the fool's gold that much better.

Betsy VanGundy

I live there. Go there everyday!!

Doc Bennett

By far the dirtiest, most unkempt state park I have ever been to. Overpriced. If you are camping here you must also paid a $5.00 a day vehicle tax. We won’t be back.

James Jarvis

Absolutely love this place and our two boys both under 3 have already started to love it as well. Will be back many many times for many years!!!

Justin Kufahl

I came here for a day hike and was blown away. Lots of wildlife, cool rock formations, caves and great hiking.

Angel Andrewson

Our home away from home! Hiking, fishing, swimming, boating!! Camping, bonfires, you name It!

Jamie Wilson

It says there's a lot of stuff to do on the website but in reality there's not. Very dissapointed!!!

Anderson Adventures

Great stop for us on our way to CO from OK. A bit off the beaten path but worth it. We stayed one night in the sandstone campground 1 night.

Brent Yingling

Nice and quiet, peaceful and nice place to relax while taking in beautiful scenery.

Addison Moslow

I didn't get to spend more than 2 days and 1 night here, so I can't say I got to take full advantage of all the park has to offer. However, from what I did get to see and do here, I can say that it changed my opinion of Kansas as a state. It is no longer just something to get through on the way elsewhere, but actually a beautiful state with unique landscape and breathtaking skies. I highly recommend spending time here.

Adam Gunnels

Trails are poorly marked and water crossings on maps could be anything from a puddle to a five foot deep river. There are definitely better options in Kansas.

Aaron Gentry

Very quiet and clean and a great place to bring my family.

Glen Soldan

Some of the prettiest country Kansas has to offer. Fishing, hunting, swimming boating, hiking, biking, Geocaching, the list is long!

Kathy Seidel

The wildlife

John Kedzuf

Relaxing and nice

JoAnna Cordell

Great place it has several things a family can do. Wilderness hiking horseback riding. And fishing and swimming.

Mackenzie Ornelas

I loved it

Tam Pinto

Lovely, quiet campground. Sandyshore with its little beaches is perfect (except for the no bathroom thing).

Chance Barlow

Good can't camping spot!

Steven Rodriquez

Nice gem hiding in plain sight. Hiking, camping, fishing, horseback trails and swimming.

Kathy Becker

Due to high lake water levels, boats are discouraged...other than that...beautiful

Andrew Ridinger

Very beautiful and well kept.

curt kauer

Trout season off to great start.Make sure to pack out your trash

Terry White

I love the wildlife viewing here. The deer are almost tame and turkeys everywhere.

Annette Potter

Water a little high but still fun and beautiful

Nicole Brown

Beatiful, unique piece of Kansas that is a must visit. One hike will take you through sandy trails, brush, deep canyons, dense woodlands, and back. Plan on spending a few hours if you come out!

Derick Kile

What ever kind of water activity you enjoy kanopolis lake is the place to make it happen.

Mofarm videos

Great place to horse camp and trail ride! Very nice campgrounds. Electric and water available. Corrals for your horses. Beautiful trails.

Jannette Godwin

Still a couple of roads closed off but water looks refreshing. And state employees are very nice and helpful.

Jeri Brungardt

Great hiking!

Catherine Cooper

Nice place to camp

colby Boyd

It's a blast everyone is super nice and helpfull beaches are clean and nice!

Trey Hilyard

This is a great recreational lake. It's starting to be busier than it was in the past, but still plenty of room to play around on a boat or waverunner. I hear the swimming beaches are pretty good, too.

Irene Anderson

Fantastic! Loved the climb.

Quinnda McMullen

Great place, but need bathroom in all camping circles, you may try to find out what the bugs are that were biting people in Sumac area. They were so small like dark brown-red mites. I wish there was a better way to get to the caves. That's a lot of driving down dirt roads and a small overgrown path, and there needs to be better signs with the grass cut around the ones there so you can drive up and read the small wording. Everything was clean, guest and employees were nice. The beach area was great, play areas, couple of nice little stores to pick up things forgotten.

Margaret Sweeton

The weather was beautiful, which always helps on a camping trip. The lake with all the birds was calming and relaxing. Spotted a bald eagle the morning of arrival! Perfect time of year to visit (we were there 1st weekend of October).

Brent Hardin

Great hiking! Horse thief canyon is beautiful! We go for day trips but plan to come back and camp out.

Josh Hulett

My family love it for camping swimming and boating, clean bathroom &showers, fun in summer, we be there this weekend

Christy S

Nice lake. Raunchy people actually live there in their broke down campers. Didn't feel very safe with that business. Only stayed the night and left the next morning.

Kait Meguire

As far as I could tell, every campsite was taken Memorial Day weekend. However, it did not feel crowded. The restrooms are very nice and within walking distance of most campsites. The water was high while we were there, so the "beach" was nearly non-existent. Friendly campground managers and Park Staff add to the positive aspects of this park. Gorgeous scenery and trails, as well. I highly recommend. Also, Mushroom Rock is about a 10 minute drive, so you can get two trips in one.

bryce johnson

Not there but they are very nice

Mike Siegrist

Great lake with some nice trails and so many deer you will be severely outnumbered. Don't forget to look for bald eagles while you are there.

Greg Hall

Stayed at Sandstone on the Marina side. They have great Camphosts and keep the place well groomed!

Savannah Rice

The lake was flooded when we visited but it is very pretty. We will be back when the hiking trails open again

Phyllis Loder

Fall colors are beautiful right now not many people out

mak090974

I don't do repeats on most places I visit but this is the one exception. I love everything about this place, the camping, the lake, and the trails. Overnight camping is never crowded or noisy when I go. I feel like I have the whole place to myself (can't speak for holiday weekends, though). The Horsethief canyon trail is a peaceful, restful experience. If you can, try to find a place to cross the creek so you can explore more. There really is a canyon to hike through and while it won't take your breath away, it truly is beautiful. Two words of caution: if you go hiking during the summer, definitely bring a pair of tweezers to pick the 20 or so ticks that WILL latch on to you. But it's totally worth it. Secondly, be careful if driving in the park at twilight or after dark. I always see at least 5-10 deer prancing around. NOTE: Drought lowered the lake levels drastically but the last 2 years, it's filled back up very nicely.

dorrin allsman

Great place to visit

Marcos Durán

Being there a couple times with family! Kids love it

Meagan White

Nice, relaxing getaway!

Robert Cr4Him

This lake needs some attention to upkeep. Fishing is not peek but fair pan fish. Campsites are many but in need of work.

Melanie Ann

Beautiful park, lots to do and see. Trails are fantastic and I love that they cater to equestrians also. We primitive camped near the shore and it was a great experience.

Amber Rackham

Beautiful scenery great place to explore.

Kelly Morrison

Kanopolis is still closed from all the rain we had in May and June. It flooded so bad and the water is still too high. Will rate different after the water recedes.

Jacob N

Im reviewing the Horsethief Trail. Its about 8 miles long if you complete both east and west loops. The east loop seems to be used as a horse and a hiking trail, but the trail isnt too terribly tore up if you wish to hike it, plus, there are some colorful rock formations on that side. The west side is what most people hike and is about 5 to 6 miles. This loop is quite interesting for several reasons. Lots of good rock formations and the hydroglyphs that are mostly defaced. If you take the left most trail heading north and west you will come to part of the path that is covered by water. This seems to be covered even when water levels are barely raised. When water levels are high there are several parts of the trail where you have to cross small water flows. Ok so in preparation for this hike expect to cross water. If the water level is high you will have to wade through at least 3 to 4 foot of water. Otherwise backtrack miles! Because the main water crossing is at the beginning of the trail. Pretty nice hike though.

corey stewart

cabins are awesome, with a great view.

Karl Nordstrom

This is a nice, quiet state park campground.

Michelle Guy

Good place to go spend the day

Jeff Komp

Nice lake with plenty of shoreline for fishing, open water for boating recreation, very nice camping facilities and day use areas.

Melody Workman

Sandy Shore at Kanopolis lake is an awesome place to go camping. Camped there for almost a month recently & thoroughly enjoyed it even though I was having medical issues half the time we were there. None of us wanted to leave and come back home.

Barry Brouhard

Nice quite place, during the week. Not stayed on a weekend. Building new corrals, nice. We stay passing through to rest the horses. Rode trails a few times, good experience for us and the horses. Wheel borrows provided.