Clinton State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

One of our favorite weekends of the year is almost here…

Free Fishing Weekend in Kansas is June 6–7, and Clinton State Park is the perfect place to celebrate! We even attached a map to one of our best secret fishing spots in Kansas… please don’t tell anyone!!

This weekend — and this weekend only — no fishing license is needed and there won’t be a game warden or park ranger asking to see one. Just bring your pole, your people, and your love for the outdoors. Whether you’re reeling in a big one or simply enjoying the view, we hope to see you lakeside soaking up the sunshine.

And we want to see your adventure.
Share your best catch, your favorite fishing moment, or your most scenic photo from your outing at Clinton State Park. Let’s fill this page with the joy of being outside.

We’ve attached a few memories to get everyone excited for a weekend spent casting a line and enjoying the lake.

06/02/2026

🎆Big milestone alert!🎇

The Prairie Spirit Trail is celebrating 30 years of connecting communities and inspiring outdoor adventure. Please join them in celebration on June 6 in Garnett if you’re able. It’s the perfect way to honor one of Kansas’s most iconic trails. See below for more details and keep exploring our Kansas State Parks!!

🚴🎉 The Prairie Spirit Trail is turning 30!
Join us Saturday, June 6, in Garnett as we celebrate 30 years of one of Kansas' most beloved trails.

Enjoy a morning of activities, including:
•A community bike ride
•A walk/run on the trail
•A Story Walk for families
•Fitness Court demonstrations
•Free hot dogs, chips, cookies, and water

For three decades, the Prairie Spirit Trail has connected communities, welcomed visitors from across the country, and provided a place for Kansans to explore the outdoors.

Come celebrate the trail's past, present, and future with us!

Learn more: https://www.ksoutdoors.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/50/437?widgetId=50

05/31/2026

Clinton State Park is hiring! We’re looking to fill a dual‑role position that supports both grounds maintenance and visitor center guest services.

We are looking for someone experienced in landscaping who is also comfortable with routine, high‑volume visitor interactions and sales.

If you have skills in both areas and enjoy working in a park environment, please message us or visit the Visitor Center to set up an interview.

This position will remain open until filled.

Edit:

The position is a seasonal position with flexible hours. For questions, please contact the visitor center in person, on Facebook, via email, or by phone!

05/30/2026

We wanted to provide a quick update on the K‑10 access road to the state park. After speaking with KDOT, we learned that recent weather has slowed progress and prevented crews from applying the final touches required before the road can safely open. Their goal is to complete the remaining work next week, as long as the weather cooperates. We appreciate your patience and will keep you posted.

🔶K-10/Clinton Parkway ramp in Lawrence to close for SLT project

The Kansas Department of Transportation will close an exit ramp on K-10 next week for work on the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) expansion project.

On Tuesday, May 26, the eastbound K-10 exit ramp to Clinton Parkway will close for construction on the new eastbound alignment. The exit ramp will remain closed until the SLT project is complete.

During the ramp’s closure, a detour will be marked on 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive to Clinton Parkway. Clinton Lake State Park will be accessible from Bob Billings Parkway/N. 1500 Road and the new E. 875 Road and E. 900 Road. Motorists can follow the marked detours or find an appropriate alternative route.

By early July, K-10 traffic between U.S. 40/6th Street and Clinton Parkway is expected to shift to one lane in each direction on the new eastbound lanes. The U.S. 40/6th Street entrance ramp and the Bob Billings Parkway exit ramp will also reopen when the traffic shift occurs.

All project work and traffic changes are conditions permitting and subject to change.

More information about the SLT project is available at ksdot.gov/SLT.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. For current road conditions, visit KanDrive.gov or call 511. For updates on highway projects in northeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/NortheastNews.

05/26/2026

🚧 Heads up, Clinton visitors! 🚧

Make note of the scheduled closures announced by Kansas Department of Transportation - Northeast Kansas. These temporary lane and ramp restrictions may affect how you reach the park.

We want to help you avoid that moment when you drive past the exit, see us waving from the park entrance, and think…
“Wait… how do I get to the lake?”

So, whether you’re camping, hiking, boating, fishing, or just stopping by to enjoy the lake, we want your trip to start off stress‑free. A quick check of closures and detours will help you get here without missing your turn or the fun waiting for you at the park.

🔶K-10/Clinton Parkway ramp in Lawrence to close for SLT project

The Kansas Department of Transportation will close an exit ramp on K-10 next week for work on the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) expansion project.

On Tuesday, May 26, the eastbound K-10 exit ramp to Clinton Parkway will close for construction on the new eastbound alignment. The exit ramp will remain closed until the SLT project is complete.

During the ramp’s closure, a detour will be marked on 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive to Clinton Parkway. Clinton Lake State Park will be accessible from Bob Billings Parkway/N. 1500 Road and the new E. 875 Road and E. 900 Road. Motorists can follow the marked detours or find an appropriate alternative route.

By early July, K-10 traffic between U.S. 40/6th Street and Clinton Parkway is expected to shift to one lane in each direction on the new eastbound lanes. The U.S. 40/6th Street entrance ramp and the Bob Billings Parkway exit ramp will also reopen when the traffic shift occurs.

All project work and traffic changes are conditions permitting and subject to change.

More information about the SLT project is available at ksdot.gov/SLT.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. For current road conditions, visit KanDrive.gov or call 511. For updates on highway projects in northeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/NortheastNews.

05/26/2026

🇺🇸 Memorial Day at Clinton State Park 🇺🇸

Memorial Day means many things to many people — the unofficial start of summer, time with family, a chance to get out on the water, or a weekend to slow down and breathe. But at its heart, this day carries a deeper meaning for all of us.

Today, as our park fills with campers, boaters, hikers, and families, we pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is the reason we have the freedom to gather, explore, and enjoy places like this.

Out here among the trees, the trails, and the open water, it’s easy to feel the weight of that gratitude. Nature has a way of reminding us what truly matters.

We invite you to take a moment today — whether you’re on the lake, around a campfire, or walking a quiet path — to reflect on the meaning of this day and the people who made it possible.

From all of us at Clinton State Park, thank you for spending your holiday weekend with us.
May it be safe, meaningful, and filled with moments that remind you of the freedoms we’re fortunate to share.

05/24/2026

🚨 Clinton State Park – Holiday Weekend Update 🚨

The holiday weekend is officially underway, and traffic around the park and the Clinton Marina is picking up fast. With the increase in visitors, you’ll notice several areas temporarily blocked off with traffic cones.

These cones are in place to give our construction crew the space they need to repair damage sustained in the marina area last night. Where you see cones, we ask that you do not enter or drive past them. This includes the small grassy section marked with short cones. This area is restricted, and parking on the grass is not allowed.

🎣 Fish Cleaning Station Access 🎣

If you’re bringing in a catch from the lake, the fish cleaning station remains open, but it is foot‑traffic only at this time. Please park in designated areas and walk in.

🌤️ Enjoy the Weekend — Safely and Responsibly

We want everyone to have a great holiday weekend at Clinton State Park and the marina. Please follow posted restrictions, respect the coned‑off work zones, and help us keep the area safe for visitors and staff.

🤎 Happy Holiday Weekend! 🤎

Thank you for recreating responsibly and helping us protect the park we all enjoy. Now, check out the great photos our ranger team has captured so far this weekend — along with images of the restricted zones. We hope these help you navigate the park smoothly. Rangers will be here all day to observe and assist as needed! Cheers to a great weekend!!

05/23/2026

What do you get when a Park Ranger, a Game Warden, and a Boater show up in a state park?

A Safe Park!! And maybe a boat inspection and a permit verification or two….

But in all seriousness, while our park rangers and game wardens each have their own distinct law‑enforcement roles within the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, there are times when our missions overlap. Holiday weekends at state parks and on our reservoirs are one of those times.

This weekend, we teamed up to conquer the rush at the park entrance, on the water, and at the ramps. Our ranger focused on park‑side operations, visitor contacts, and safety checks, while our game wardens handled boating enforcement, compliance, and on‑water patrols. Together, we kept Clinton Lake safe, moving, and enjoyable for everyone.

❓Did you know these are two completely different law‑enforcement positions❓

Many visitors are surprised to learn that park rangers and game wardens are separate branches of KDWP law enforcement — each with different training, duties, and areas of responsibility. Both are fully certified officers, but they serve in different ways to protect our natural resources and the people who enjoy them.

And if that surprises you… here’s another one.

There’s a third KDWP division with law‑enforcement authority: our Public Lands Managers.

Those beautiful public hunting areas don’t just appear out of nowhere. Our Public Lands Managers build them, maintain them, protect them, and ensure they remain healthy, accessible, and safe. They are also law‑enforcement certified and responsible for enforcing regulations on the lands they manage.

They’re the reason Kansas has such incredible wildlife areas and habitat spaces for the public to enjoy.

Three branches. One mission.

Park Rangers 🤎
Game Wardens 💚
Public Lands Managers 💛

Different roles with the same commitment to protecting Kansas’ natural resources and the people who enjoy them.

Thanks to everyone who has or is planning to visit Clinton State Park this weekend or this summer!! Remember to help us all make it a safe and memorable experience!

Enjoy a few snaps of the park rangers and game wardens “collaborating” over equipment this past week! Not sure everyday is smooth sailing, even for us, but we still make light of these moments!!