Perry State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Perry State Park is a popular destination located in Kansas, offering a variety of outdoor activities for visitors.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is situated on the shores of Perry Lake, which covers over 11,000 acres and has over 160 miles of shoreline. There are many reasons to visit Perry State Park, including hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.
One of the main attractions at Perry State Park is the extensive network of hiking trails, which offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding countryside. The park is also home to a marina, which provides boat rentals and a convenient launch site for those who want to explore the lake by water. Visitors can also fish for a variety of species, including crappie, catfish, and bass.
There are several points of interest within Perry State Park, including the Rock Creek Trail, which winds through a scenic valley and is home to a variety of wildlife. The park also has several campgrounds, including full-service RV sites, primitive campsites, and group campsites.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Perry Lake was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s, and it is now one of the most popular recreational destinations in the region. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Perry State Park depends on what activities you plan to do. Spring and fall are popular times for hiking and wildlife watching, while summer is the ideal time for boating and fishing. The park is also open year-round, so visitors can enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding countryside throughout the year.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
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 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.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
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.
Related References
Camp 13
Camp 12
Camp 11
Camp 10
Camp 14
Camp 15
Lake Shawnee Park
Shawnee North Community Park
Ripley Park
Dornwood Park
Freedom Valley Park