Dispersed overnight camping in Marshall Cove Loop at Wilson Lake discontinuing beginning May 15

Kansas City District
Published April 24, 2025
A rock formation is in the foreground with water and grass in the background.

Rocktown, a roughly 20 to 30-foot sandstone formation, is a popular tourist attraction at Wilson Lake, located in Sylvan Grove, Kansas. The sandstone formation can only be accessed via a hike through a native prairie or by boat. | Photo by Sam Weldin, Public Affairs Specialist, Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

In alignment with established U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation use standards, dispersed overnight camping in Marshall Cove Loop (within Minooka Park) will no longer be permitted beginning May 15, 2025.

Marshall Cove will remain open for public recreation access, including to private dock holders and guests. The Wilson Lake project is implementing this necessary change to improve public safety, staff safety and protect environmental resources in the area by referring users to designated campsites.

We understand this change impacts long-standing practices. However, after reviewing usage at Minooka Park and other USACE-managed areas, we've determined that maintaining previous overnight camping services is unsustainable with current resources.

We encourage visitors to make reservations at one of our designated campsites by visiting https://www.recreation.gov.

For additional information, contact the Kansas City District’s Public Affairs Office at: cenwk-pa@usace.army.mil


Release no. 25-007