Melvern-West

Melvern-West (Outlet Campground) provides boat ramp access to Melvern Lake and the Marais des Cygnes River near Olivet in Osage County. The facility features a concrete boat ramp, accessible dock, and fish cleaning station, with ample parking available. The campground offers 33 sites (19 with electric and water hookups), along with amenities including flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, and a dump station. Reservations are available through Recreation.gov (785-549-3318), with a $20 fee charged for no-shows.

The Marais des Cygnes River is a large stream (Order 7) with an average flow of 2,690 cubic feet per second and moderate gradient of 1.6 feet per mile. Paddlers can expect a substantial, steady current suitable for canoes and kayaks. The access point below Melvern Dam allows entry to both the lake reservoir (nearly 7,000 acres) and the river system beyond, making it ideal for day trips or extended paddles through the scenic Flint Hills region.

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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