Clinton Lake attracts boaters of all shapes and sizes. The main body of the lake is large enough for motor boaters, water skiers, sailboats and personal watercraft.
Fishermen enjoy the submerged timber in the Rock Creek, Deer Creek and the Wakarusa River arms. This makes boating in the arms more difficult, but the fishermen appreciate the fish habitat. Water skiing is not allowed outside of the main lake body, and buoys designate the non-skiing areas.
Sailboat operators have plenty of room to maneuver on the main body of the lake. Several sailing regattas are held each year. Windsurfers also find Clinton Lake to their liking with windy days quite common in Kansas.
Day use fees are required for launching at Corps of Engineers managed boat ramps. A daily fee of $5.00 can be paid on site. There is also an annual pass available for $40.00, which is accepted at any Corps of Engineers facility nationwide.
The Clinton State Park requires a vehicle permit to enter the State Park. Contact the Clinton State Park for daily and annual vehicle permit prices (785-842-8562).
There are ten boat ramps located on Clinton Lake. Ramps #1 - #3 are located in the Clinton State Park, and require a State Park vehicle permit. Ramp #4, in Bloomington West, is free to the public. Ramps #5 - #7 are in Bloomington East and require a Federal Day Use pass (daily or annual), from April 1-31 October. Boat ramps #8, #9 and #10 are located in the Coon Creek Area, Wakarusa River arm and Rock Creek arms and are free to the public.
The Clinton Marina is located in the Clinton State Park on the north side of the lake. This full service marina offers fuel, bait, supplies, mooring, dry storage, restaurant and boat rentals.
Boaters should be aware of hazardous boating areas on Clinton Lake. For information, look at the Clinton Lake map. Also, be aware that lake conditions, such as elevation level, are constantly changing, and hazards change with those elevation changes.
Clinton Lake offers many opportunities for campers. Four parks offering camping are conveniently located around the lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains Bloomington, Woodridge and Rockhaven Parks. In addition, The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism maintains Clinton State Park. User fees are charged for camping in all of the parks except Woodridge Park which offers primitive camping only. The amount of these fees are based upon the type of facilities provided. Reservations can be made at www.Recreation.gov.
Campgrounds
Bloomington East
Bloomington East Park, just west of Clinton Lake, between the Rock Creek and Wakarusa River arms of the lake, offers several different recreational options. Within Bloomington East Park, visitors have the opportunity to reserve picnic shelters and campsites, both for group camping and individual family camping. Bloomington Park is the Corps' largest and most developed park with over 400 campsites conveniently located near the swimming beach, picnic area with reservable picnic shelters, boat ramps, disc golf course, playgrounds and the Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum.
Cedar Ridge Campground
$22.00 - $24.00 per night (sites with 50 amp electrical service). This campground is open April 1 through 15 October and has 101 campsites with electric and water hookups. Sites 7-12 and 66-72 have 50/30/20 amp service, while the remainder have 20/30 amp service. Many campsites have pull-through capabilities. There are three comfort stations, a shower building, playground, and a laundry facility.
View the Cedar Ridge Campground map here
Make reservations here
Hickory/Walnut Campgrounds
Hickory Walnut Campground is comprised of two big loops; Hickory and Walnut, and one smaller loop named Oak.
Walnut - $26.00 per night (50 amp electrical, water & sewer hookups)/$22.00 per night (electrical & water hookups)/$20.00 per night (electrical hookup)/$16.00 per night (non-electric)/$14.00 per night (Oak Loop). This campground is open May 1 through September 30 and has 97 campsites. 5 sites are used by volunteers and contractors, so there are 42 sites with electrical hookups (10 of these have water hookups) and 50 without hookups. Walnut campground has two conveniently located comfort stations and shares a playground and a shower building/laundry facility with Hickory campground. Oak Loop, somewhat separated from the Walnut campground, has 22 sites, all non-electric. Oak Loop has one vault toilet and two water hydrants. Campers from Oak Loop can drive approximately one mile to the Hickory/Walnut shower/laundry facility.
View the Walnut Campground map here
View the Oak Campground map here
Make Reservations here
Hickory - $24.00 per night (50 amp electrical & water hookups)/$20.00 per night (electrical & water hookups)/$20.00 per night (electrical -hookup)/$16.00 per night (non-electric). This campground is open May 1 through September 30 and has 101 campsites. 4 of the sites are used by volunteers and contractors, so there are 50 sites with electrical hookups (6 of these have water hookups) and 47 without hookups. Hickory campground has 2 conveniently located comfort stations, and shares a shower building/laundry facility and playground with Walnut campground. The Hickory, Walnut and Cedar Ridge campgrounds share the centrally located historic stone smokehouse amphitheater where evening programs are presented on many Saturdays, May through September.
View the Hickory Campground map here.
Make Reservations here
Group Camping - Elm and Ash
These group camps are open from May 1 through September 30 and cost $60.00 per day. These areas offer random camping for up to 75 people in a mowed grassy area. These areas are designed for tent camping, but a small number of wheeled camping units are allowed, as long as campers remain on gravel roadway. Facilities include picnic shelter, volleyball court, vault toilet, and drinking water. Campers can use the Hickory/Walnut campground shower building, just a short drive away.
Elm and Ash Group Camps are reserved through the National Recreation Reservation Service www.recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777, but depending on availability, can be accessed on a walk-in basis, through the Hickory/ Walnut Fee Booth.
View the Elm and Ash Campground map here
Make reservations here
Bloomington West
This group camp is open from April 1 through October 15 and costs $150.00 per day. There are 24 campsites and can accommodate up to 150 people. Four of the camp sites have electrical and water hookups. This group camp is located within a heavily wooded area. Facilities include one picnic shelter with lights and electricity, shower building, playground, basketball goal, and a softball diamond. Boat ramp #4 is located a short distance from the group camp for convenient boat launching.
Bloomington West Group Camp can be reserved through the National Recreation Reservation Service www.recreation.gov, or by calling 1-877-444-6777, up to 12 months in advance.
Make reservations here
Rockhaven Park
Rockhaven Park has the only campground on Clinton Lake that allows people to camp with their horses or mules. In fact, a portion of the sites are considered "equestrian campers only" (sites 1-4 and 10-24) and are only to be used by people camping with horses and/or mules. All electric sites in this park are reserved for equestrian campers only. The main trailhead for the South Shore or Rockhaven Trail is located in Rockhaven Park. There is also a day use parking lot for those who wish to ride or walk the trails without overnight camping. We do ask that day use trail users park in the day use parking lot rather than on campsites.
Camping fees are $14.00 per night on non-electric sites and $20.00 per night on electric sites. This campground is open April 1 through November 30 and has 24 campsites. Rockhaven Park Campground is now included in recreation.gov and all campsites may be reserved for dates between 1 April and 30 September.
Rockhaven Park has seen many improvements over the past few years; as a result, this equestrian park is becoming more popular and well-visited. The recent improvements include: a new vault toilet just outside the campground for those just spending the day at the park, a new four-unit shower and flush toilet restroom for the paid campers, a new group picnic shelter on the north side, new playground equipment, electric pedestals on twelve of the campsites, and several corrals have been built or setup around the perimeter of the campground and in the center of the area.
Rockhaven Park Campground Map
Make Reservations Here
Woodridge Park
Woodridge Park is a primitive camping area for tents only. The park is free of charge and open year-round. Drinking water and a vault toilet are provided year-round.
Visitors can camp in the large, mowed area near the entrance to the park or along the 4.5-mile trail. There are numerous small clearings along the trail that make excellent camping spots, but the Corps of Engineers asks that people use only pre-existing, permanent campfire rings. The trail is quite scenic as it travels through woods, meadows and hay fields, and meets up with the lakeshore intermittently.
View the Woodridge Campground map here
Make Reservations here
Clinton State Park
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism manages the Clinton State Park with campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, boat ramps, hiking/mountain biking trails, a beach and the Clinton Marina.
Make Reservations Here
Clinton Lake Hunting
Clinton Lake Hunting Areas Map and Brochure
Clinton Lake Interactive Hunting Area Map
Hunting Regulations
Clinton Lake offers many hunting opportunities and a variety of game. The public land surrounding the lake is a mix of cropland, grassland and timber, providing excellent habitat for game species. Deer, quail, turkey, waterfowl, dove, rabbit and squirrel may be found on these public hunting lands.
There are over 9,000 acres of public land available to hunting at Clinton Lake. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism manages much of the land, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the remainder. The parks and the dam are closed to hunting, but most of the remaining land surrounding Clinton Lake is open to hunting. However, some areas are designated for archery and/or shotshell only, so please be aware of the regulations for each individual unit.
In addition to the main body of water, waterfowl hunters can take advantage of the Coblentz Marsh, located near the Shawnee/Douglas County line on the Wakarusa River arm of the lake.
Most hunting accidents occur because of improper gun handling. Two of the most common accidents are caused by hunters swinging on game and hunters mistaken for game. Hunter Education training and the wearing of blaze orange can reduce the chances of being involved in an accident.ect "Edit Content" from the Edit (Pencil Icon) Action Menu.
Hunting Policies
To align with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks public lands hunting regulations, an updated policy restricting certain hunting practices is in effect at Kansas lakes.
Updated hunting regulations apply to Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed lakes in Kansas, which include Hillsdale, Clinton, Perry, Pomona, Melvern, Tuttle Creek, Milford, Kanopolis and Wilson lakes. The following restrictions apply to USACE managed public hunting lands at the aforementioned USACE lakes:
a. Baiting:
(1) No person shall place, deposit, expose, or scatter bait while hunting or preparing to hunt on lands and waters in the State of Kansas or place, deposit, expose, or scatter bait in a manner that causes another person to be in violation of this regulation.
(2) Hunting shall be prohibited within 100 yards of any bait placed, deposited, exposed, or scattered on lands or waters. Bait shall be considered placed, deposited, exposed, or scattered on department lands for 10 days following complete removal of the bait.
(3) Nothing in this regulation shall prohibit the hunting or taking of wildlife over standing crops, grain found scattered solely as the result of normal agricultural operations, or grain found scattered solely as the result of normal weather conditions.
(4) For the purpose of this regulation, “bait” shall mean any grain, fruit, vegetable, nut, hay, salt sorghum, feed, other food, or mineral that is capable of attracting wildlife. Liquid scents and sprays shall not be considered bait.
b. Night Hunting Equipment: The use of artificial light, scopes and equipment that amplify visible light, and thermal-imaging scopes and thermal-imaging equipment for hunting at night shall not be authorized on lands and waters.
c. Trail or Game Cameras and Other Devices:
(1) No person shall place, maintain, or use a trail or game camera on lands and waters, or any images or video from a trail or game camera including location, time, or date for any purpose.
(2) For the purpose of this regulation, “trail or game camera” shall include any remote motion-activated or infrared camera in which the shutter is activated by sound triggers, proximity sensation, radio transmitters, or a self-timer built into the trail or game camera.
(3) No person shall use any images of wildlife produced by or transmitted from a satellite to take or aid in the taking of wildlife or to locate wildlife to take or aid in the taking of wildlife on lands and waters.
(4) This shall not prohibit the use of mapping systems or programs.
(5) This regulation shall not apply to any trail or game camera that is owned by USACE and/or a USACE-approved designated party for operations or research on lands and waters.
d. Commercial Guiding of Hunters: The conduct, actions, or activities of persons on lands and waters shall be subject to provisions and restrictions as established by posted notice. The following general provisions and restrictions shall apply:
(1) No person shall advertise, engage in, or solicit any business, or make any charge for any event or service except as authorized by USACE.
e. Antlerless White-Tailed Deer Limit:
(1) The first whitetail antlerless only permit is valid for the hunting of antlerless whitetail deer statewide during the established season. Any subsequent whitetail antlerless only permit issued to the same applicant shall not be valid on USACE lands and waters.
(2) All USACE lands and waters are excluded from Unit 19, urban deer management unit, remaining open only under their original unit.
The Kansas City District, USACE at Hillsdale, Clinton, Perry, Pomona, Melvern, Tuttle Creek, Milford, Kanopolis and Wilson Lakes adopts these restrictions, under Title 36, CFR, Part 327.8 (d) Hunting, fishing, and trapping, to provide statewide consistency for public hunters.
Clinton Lake Waterfowl Hunting Information
Duck blinds and waterfowl hunting is allowed at Clinton Lake. Hunters are asked to observe the following restrictions and safety precautions.
1. Non-toxic shot is required to hunt all waterfowl at Clinton Lake. Legal shot includes steel, tin, bismuth-tin, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix and steel shot coated with copper, nickel, zinc chromate or zinc chloride.
2. A refuge, established by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, extends ½ to ¾ mile on either side of the Wakarusa River bridge. Any and all activity within the refuge is prohibited from October 1 to January 15.
3. All blinds must constructed of natural vegetation (dead brush, grass, cattails, etc.). Do not cut living or standing dead trees.
4. The use of blinds is on a first-come, first-served basis. In other words, if someone arrives to the blind, that you built on a previous day, at 5:30 a.m. and you arrive at 6:00 a.m. then they have the right to use the blind.
5. Land and boat blinds may not be closer than 150 yards to another blind.
6. Hunting is not allowed within 200 yards of boat ramps or within 100 yards of the shoreline to any park.
7. Boats that are used for hunting may not be left unattended on the project overnight or they will be considered abandoned and impounded.
8. Vehicles must remain on established roadways.
9. Pit blinds are not allowed.
10. It would benefit hunters to scout the area prior to hunting.
11. Hunters are reminded to observe ALL posted signs and Kansas hunting regulations.
12. Be prepared for cold weather – dress in layers of clothing, wear rubber or water- proof boots, gloves that provide warmth and shed water. Know the signs of hypothermia. Wear a life jacket if you have to use a boat to get to the blind.
13. Cellular game cameras are not allowed.
Helpful Information
Hunting Map (pdf)
Interactive Hunting Map
KDWPT Hunting Regulations
Clinton Wildlife Area
Picnic Shelter Reservations/Availability
Bloomington East Shelters
Shelter 3: Shelter is available May 1st to September 30th daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Shelter may be reserved for parties of up to 100 guest Friday-Sunday for $35. This shelter provides electricity, water, a large grill for cooking, parking, numerous picnic tables, restrooms, sand volleyball pits, playground equipment as well as close proximity to a disc golf course and walking distance to the swimming beach that includes a shower house. Reserve Shelter 3.
Shelter 4: Shelter is available May 1st to September 30th daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Shelter may be reserved for parties of up to 100 guest Friday-Sunday for $35. This shelter provides electricity, water, a large grill for cooking, parking, numerous picnic tables, restrooms, sand volleyball pits, playground equipment as well as close proximity to a disc golf course and walking distance to the swimming beach that includes a shower house. Reserve Shelter 4.
Shelter 5: Shelter is available May 1st to September 30th daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Shelter may be reserved for parties of up to 100 guest Friday-Sunday for $35. This shelter provides electricity, water, a large grill for cooking, parking, numerous picnic tables, restrooms, sand volleyball pits, playground equipment as well as close proximity to a disc golf course and walking distance to the swimming beach that includes a shower house. Reserve Shelter 5.
Shelter 6: Shelter is available May 1st to September 30th daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Shelter may be reserved for parties of up to 100 guest Friday-Sunday for $35. This shelter provides electricity, a large grill for cooking, parking, numerous picnic tables, restrooms, sand volleyball pits, playground equipment as well as close proximity to a disc golf course and walking distance to the swimming beach that includes a shower house. Reserve Shelter 6.
Overlook Park Shelters
Shelter 1: Shelter is available from April 1st - September 30th from 9:00 am-10:00 pm. Shelter can be reserved Monday-Friday for $35 and can accommodate parties of up to 100 people. This shelter provides electricity, water, a large grill for cooking, a large fireplace, abundant parking, numerous picnic tables, restrooms, sand volleyball pits, horseshoes, playground equipment as well as close proximity to a softball field, hiking trails and the lake. This shelter has a scenic view of the lake. Reserve Shelter 1.
Shelter 2: Shelter is available from April 1st - September 30th from 9:00 am-10:00 pm. Shelter can be reserved Monday-Friday for $35 and can accommodate parties of up to 100 people. This shelter provides electricity, water, a large grill for cooking, a large fireplace, abundant parking, numerous picnic tables, restrooms, sand volleyball pits, horseshoes, playground equipment as well as close proximity to a softball field, hiking trails and the lake. This shelter has a scenic view of the lake. Reserve Shelter 2.
Partner Agency Picnic Shelter Reservation/Availability
City of Lawrence Picnic Shelters
Clinton State Park Picnic Shelters
Bloomington Beach
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the Bloomington East swimming beach. This large, sandy beach is open 1 May through 30 September, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The swimming area is marked with a yellow, floating buoy line that surrounds the area. Boats are prohibited from entering the area by buoys and signs and designated mooring areas are indicated. The parking lot is paved and large enough to accommodate users on all but the busiest of weekends. There are 2 waterborne restrooms located on opposite sides of the parking area and two small outdoor showers are located closer to the swimming area for a quick rinse off. A playground and four picnic shelters, each with a volleyball court, are available for use in this area. These shelters can be reserved by calling (877) 444-6777 or by going online at www.recreation.gov.
For people not camping in the Corps of Engineers campgrounds, there will be a $5.00/vehicle fee. The fee for buses or commercial vehicles is $20.00/vehicle. Beach users, 16 yrs. of age and older, that walk or bicycle in, will need to pay $2.00/person. Shelter users, with or without reservations, will still need to pay the day use fee if they use the beach or launch at a boat ramp. These day use fees can be paid at the Bloomington East entrance automatic self-pay station, or the automatic self-pay station located at the beach. These machines only accept credit/debit cards.
An annual Corps of Engineers day use pass can be purchased from the Clinton Lake Information Center/Project Office or from the automatic self-pay stations located in the park for an annual fee of $40.00. The annual day use pass is good at Corps of Engineers areas nationwide for one year from the purchase date. Holders of any America the Beautiful Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, Military, Every Kid in a Park 4th Grade Pass, Volunteer) or Golden Age and Golden Access Passports, can use the beach and boat ramps with no additional fee when pass is displayed on dash or rear view mirror. Any version of the America the Beautiful pass may be purchased/obtained at the Clinton Lake Information Center as well.
A few rules to remember when visiting the Bloomington Beach are:
Alcohol is not allowed on the beach.
Pets are not allowed on the beach.
All users must have a permit (see above).
Clinton Lake Trails Brochure
Clinton Lake is known for the many quality and diverse trails located around the lake. There are over 50 miles of trails around the lake which are quite popular with the various types of recreational users that utilize them.
North Shore Trail
The North Shore Trail has over 21 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails which begin in the Overlook Park and much of the north shore of the lake from the north end of the dam to the Coon Creek arm of the lake.
South Shore/Rockhaven Trail
The South Shore Trail contains over 30 miles of horseback riding and hiking trails which span from the south end of the dam into the Rock Creek arm of the lake. The main trailhead is located in Rockhaven Park, but the trail can be also be accessed at the south end of the dam or in the Rock Creek area. Rockhaven Park is the only area where campers with horses and/or mules are allowed to camp overnight.
George Latham Trail
The George Latham Trail is located in the Woodridge Park on the northwest side of the lake. This 4.5 mile trail offers excellent hiking opportunities as well as overnight camping along the trail, if desired.
Backwoods and Discovery Nature Trails
Two self-guided nature trails are located behind the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Information Center, near the north end of Clinton Lake dam. Both of these trails are for hiking only. The Backwoods Trail is 5/8 of a mile in length, and is self-guided with a pamphlet, which is available at the Information Center. The Discovery Trail is 1/2 mile in length and is self-guided by use of signs placed along the trail.
South Lawrence Trafficway
Hike/Bike Path
The most recent addition to trails at Clinton Lake is the South Lawrence Trafficway Hike/Bike Path. This concrete paved trail travels parallel to the new K-10 bypass road. The path travels about 8.5 miles from Highway 59, south of Lawrence, to Douglas County 438, northwest of Lawrence, in a westerly then northerly direction. This path crosses Clinton Lake property as it passes through the spillway area and is well suited to bicycle and roller blade traffic as well as walkers and joggers.
Helpful Links:
Kansas Trails Council
Lawrence Mountain Bike Club
Kansas Cyclist