Tuttle Creek State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Cico Park Goodnow Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Tuttle Creek State Park, located in the state of Kansas, is a popular destination offering a wide range of outdoor activities and natural beauty.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park sits along the shores of Tuttle Creek Lake, the largest lake in Kansas, covering approximately 12,500 acres and offering over 100 miles of shoreline.
One of the main reasons to visit Tuttle Creek State Park is its stunning natural scenery. The park is surrounded by rolling hills, picturesque prairies, and dense forests, providing a perfect backdrop for activities such as hiking, biking, and wildlife observation. The park is home to numerous species of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and various waterfowl, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts.
For those interested in water activities, Tuttle Creek Lake offers excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The lake is known for its abundance of catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass, attracting anglers from all over. Additionally, the park has several boat ramps, marinas, and swimming beaches, providing ample facilities for water-based recreation.
Tuttle Creek State Park also boasts several points of interest worth exploring. Randolph State Park, located within Tuttle Creek, features a variety of recreational activities including camping, hiking trails, and a horseback riding area. The Fancy Creek Mountain Bike Area is another highlight, offering over 20 miles of trails for biking enthusiasts of all skill levels.
A fascinating fact about Tuttle Creek State Park is that it was built as part of a flood control project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s. The damming of the Big Blue River formed Tuttle Creek Lake, providing flood protection for the nearby city of Manhattan and the surrounding area.
The best time to visit Tuttle Creek State Park depends on personal preferences and desired activities. Spring and fall are generally mild and pleasant, offering ideal temperatures for outdoor exploration and wildlife observation. The summer months are perfect for water-related activities and camping, with warmer temperatures and longer days. Winter brings colder temperatures, but it can still be an excellent time for hiking and enjoying the park's scenic beauty.
To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to verify the information provided about Tuttle Creek State Park by cross-referencing multiple independent sources.
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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Tuttle Creek State Park
|
||
Tuttle Creek Cove - Tuttle Creek Lake
|
||
Stockdale - Tuttle Creek Reservoir
|
Cico Park
Goodnow Park
Anneberg Park
Warner Memorial Park