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Access Site KS

Melvern-East

Marais des Cygnes River - Melvern Lake Marais des Cygnes River

Source: kansas_department_of_wildlife__parks_and_tourism Updated 1 year ago

City: Olivet, KS
County: Osage County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 38.51764151, -95.73287090
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
About This Access Site
**Location & Access:** Melvern-East (Outlet Campground) provides boat ramp access below Melvern Lake Dam on the Marais des Cygnes River in Osage County, Kansas. From US-75, take the Melvern exit west onto Melvern Lake Parkway for approximately 1/2 mile to reach the campground. The site features a concrete boat ramp, accessible dock, and fish cleaning station, with ample parking available.

**Water Conditions:** The Marais des Cygnes River is a large, Class 7 stream with an average flow of 2,691 cubic feet per second and average velocity of 3.4 feet/second. The river maintains a gentle gradient of 1.6 feet per mile, making it suitable for recreational paddling and boating. From this access point, paddlers can explore Melvern Lake's nearly 7,000 acres of water or continue downriver, with the river mouth located approximately 1,797 miles downstream.

**Facilities & Amenities:** This is an Army Corps of Engineers campground with full amenities including flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and a dump station. The facility offers 33 campsites (19 with electric and water hookups) on a reservable basis. Note that reservations require check-in within 24 hours; no-shows incur a $20 fee plus the first night's charge. For reservations or information, call 785-549-3318.
Federal Facility Information
785-549-3318 Free Access Reservations Available

Overview
Outlet Campground is situated below the Melvern Lake Dam on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills of Kansas. Visitors enjoy the area's wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. Find a virtual tour of Melvern Lake at http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/melvern/tour.html
Recreation
Melvern Lake impounds nearly 7,000 acres of water on the...

Overview
Outlet Campground is situated below the Melvern Lake Dam on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills of Kansas. Visitors enjoy the area's wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. Find a virtual tour of Melvern Lake at http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/melvern/tour.html
Recreation
Melvern Lake impounds nearly 7,000 acres of water on the upper reaches of the Marais des Cygnes River Valley. Boating and swimming are popular activities on the lake.

Anglers will find walleye, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, as well as black, striped, white and smallmouth bass.

The 18,000 acres of land surrounding Melvern Lake provide plentiful hiking and hunting opportunities. Several trails wind around the lake, including the 4-mile Tallgrass Heritage Trail, which begins in the campground. Hunters may find deer, quail, turkeys, ducks, rabbits and squirrels throughout the area.Facilities
This large campground offers 140 family sites, many of which have full hookups for electric, water and sewer. Two group day-use picnic shelters with electrical hookups are available as well. Several family picnic sites can be used on a first come, first served basis.

Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. A boat ramp, accessible dock and fish cleaning station are located on-site.

Younger campers love the park's swimming beach, playground and stocked fishing pond, which is open year-round.

Click Here for a Virtual Tour (http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/melvern/tour.html)Natural Features
The Flint Hills represent America's last expanse of intact tallgrass prairie, made up of big bluestem, switchgrass and Indian grass. The rolling hills on the south side of the lake are wooded, and the campground has scattered trees and limited shade.
Contact Info
For local information, please call (877) 444-6777 or call (785) 549-3318 for general information.

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