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Beginning May 15, Minooka Park on the Marshall Cove Loop at Wilson Lake (operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers) will be closed for dispersed overnight use but day use will remain open. There are no closures at Wilson State Park.
The Park Office is open Monday thru Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM. Friday/Saturday Closed. The office will be open Saturday 9/6 from 8-4. Please call ahead to make sure the office is open if you are driving from a distance. Check the park news for detailed days the office will be closed.
Located along the Post Rock Scenic Byway about 5 miles north of I-70, west of K-232
Located in the heart of the Smoky Hills, Wilson State Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the state. Wilson Reservoir features a rugged shoreline punctuated by scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops. The park and surrounding wildlife area offer the opportunity to view and photograph deer, pheasant, waterfowl, songbirds, and furbearers.
Wilson Reservoir offers excellent white bass and striped bass angling. The Cedar Trail in the Otoe area is a one-mile loop with a concrete surface and is great for a leisurely, low-stress walk. The 24.5-mile long Switchgrass Bike Trail is popular with mountain bikers to pursue this challenging activity.
Wilson Wildlife Area is located on the upper end of 9,000 acre Wilson Reservoir. The 8,069-acre public hunting area is made up of 5,000 acres of rugged rolling hills of native prairie, approximately 2,000 acres of cropland, and 1,000 acres of riparian timber along the Saline River, Cedar Creek, Turkey Creek, and Elm Creek. The area has a waterfowl refuge that was established in 1996.
Wilson State Park is excited to announce that Story Adventures has opened at Cedar Trail in the Otoe Area. This is part of the Imagination Library of Kansas program. Story panels along the trail feature the children's storybook One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me! by John Micklos Jr and Clive Farland. By using the QR code on the Story Adventure panels, families can enroll children ages birth to age 5 in the Imagination Library book gifting program. Once enrolled, children receive one free age-appropriate book per month mailed directly to their home. Cedar Trail coordinates: 38.924695, -98.488815. The park is accessible daily and a vehicle permit is required to enter the state park areas. Check out the new storyboard while the leaves are showing their fall colors.
Switchgrass Bathroom/Shower facility is open year round and Big Bluestem bathroom/shower facility in Hell Creek is open year round, also Yarrow and Coneflower bathroom/shower facilities in Otoe are open year round. Wheatgrass bathroom/shower is open. Marina bathroom is open. Water is available in the following campgrounds year round: Big Bluestem, Foxtail, Lovegrass and Wheatgrass in the Hell Creek Area and Goldenrod in the Otoe Area.
Wilson State Park has four large shelters available for use. They are great for groups, family reunions, and weddings. Tatanka (the church) is a great place for weddings and is located on the Hell Creek side of the state park. Wyoming shelter can only be reserved with the group camp area. The Otoe area has Pine Shelter and Yucca Shelter. All the shelters are covered and have picnic tables and charcoal grills. Electricity is available at Tatanka & Pine. Yucca shelter does not have electricity. All large shelters (except Wyoming) are available individually by paying a designated reservation fee. Contact the park office for more information. 785-658-2465 and Press 1.
Dropseed 106-111 Lottery drawing was held Monday 12/16/24. All sites were drawn for 2025.
2026 Reservations for Wilson went live Wednesday, 12/17/25 at noon. 2026 Annual vehicle, annual camp and 14 Day permits went on sale December 1, 2025.
Lovegrass Group Camp Area is available by online reservation. Annual Camp and Fourteen Night permits will not be valid in the Lovegrass Group Camp Area when doing reservations. Prime site fees ($2 per site per night) will be added to this area during the prime season. When doing a reservation and you select Lovegrass, one site will be able to be selected. This will reserve all four sites and the shelter in the area. Total Cost for a minimum two night weekend stay will be $190.75 for the four sites and the shelter. If you have questions, please contact the park office at 785 658 2465.
Lake Wilson Marina is located in the Hell Creek Area of the state park and is a full service marina. They carry all kinds of items needed for camping and fishing, including food/drink, dry goods, bait and tackle, and many other items. Boat rental, boat slip rental, storage rental, and boat repair is also available through the marina. For more information on goods and services at the marina, call 785-658-2392.
Knotheads Bait & Tackle Shop is located on the east side of Shoreline Drive just off 232 highway. Live bait and fishing tackle available as well as camping and fishing supplies. Knotheads provides rental for Kayaks, Paddle boards and Canoes. Contact 785 658 2166 for rental or questions. Hourly rentals available.
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