Clinton Lake State Recreation Area park
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
One of the main attractions of the recreation area is the Clinton Lake Dam. The dam is over 11,000 feet long and holds back over 1,000,000 acre-feet of water. The dam's construction was completed in 1978, and it has become a well-known landmark in the region.
The area also features several hiking trails, including the Salt Creek Trail and the Eagle Creek Trail. Visitors can also explore the Clinton Lake State Park's natural habitats, which include forests, prairies, and wetlands. Wildlife such as white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles can also be spotted in the park.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is also a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie. Hunting is also allowed in the park, but visitors must follow specific guidelines and obtain a hunting permit.
The best time to visit Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the off-season.
In conclusion, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is an excellent destination for outdoor activities and nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, and exploring the area's natural habitats. The Clinton Lake Dam, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife are some of the main attractions of the park.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Lake State Rec Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Weldon Springs State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Friends Creek Regional Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| 4-H Memorial Site | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Faries Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Clinton Lake State Recreation Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
What can I do at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Clinton Lake State Recreation Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area.