Overview

Venango Park Campground is located on the eastern shores of Kanopolis Lake in central Kansas, 30 miles southwest of Salina.

Kanopolis Lake is on the Smoky Hill River, and is one of the state's oldest lakes. Many outdoor activities are available, including boating, fishing, hunting and ATV riding.

Natural Features:

The campground is situated on the shady tree-dotted shoreline. Sandstone bluffs, rolling hills, and vast, open prairie lands surround the lake.

Wildlife is varied and abundant in the area: Whitetail deer, pheasants, quail, turkeys, Texas horned lizards, beavers and even Bald eagles are commonly seen.

Wildflowers including purple poppy mallow, blue false indigo, yucca and prairie wild rose, put on a colorful display in prairies surrounding the lake.

Recreation:

Kanopolis Lake offers great boating and fishing opportunities with plenty of bluegill, Channel Catfish, White Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Saugeye, Walleye, Wiper and trout.

The Venango Park ATV Trail crisscrosses roughly 5 acres of land within the park, making this a popular destination for ATV and motorcycle enthusiasts.

Nearby Kanopolis State Park offers 25 miles of trail, tailored to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, all of which start within the park.

The Buffalo Tracks Canyon Nature Trail is listed on the National Historic Registry and follows Bison Creek, offering hikers a view of native plants, wildlife, Native American history and canyons of geologic interest.

Facilities:

This large campground offers group day-use shelters and a group campsite, as well as family sites. Electrical hookups are available at two group sites and 83 family sites. Other amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, showers, a dump station, boat ramp, beach, playground and nature trail.

Nearby Attractions:

The Fort Harker Museum in Kanopolis and the Rogers Art Gallery and Museum in Ellsworth both portray the settlement of the American West.