Perry State Park
Located between Topeka and Lawrence on the southwest shore of Perry Reservoir, 4 miles north of US-24 on K-237
Extensively forested rolling hills offer shaded camping at Perry Lake. 25 miles of horse trails and 20 miles of biking/hiking trails wind through the upland forest providing visitors a great outdoor experience. Lake Perry also offers excellent channel catfish fishing on 11,000 acres of Perry Reservoir with 160 miles of shoreline.
Hike along the lakeshore and through the woods. The nearly 11,000-acre wildlife area includes about 1,000 acres of marshes, making it a great place to watch and hunt waterfowl. Quail are usually abundant. The reservoir is known for its excellent crappie and channel catfishing. Whether you’re just camping or want to use the area as a base for fishing, hiking, hunting, or other activities, Perry offers a scenic location in the wooded region of northeast Kansas.
Park Office – (785) 246-3449
Email KDWPT.perrysp@KS.GOV
Regional Office – (785) 271-7346
Perry State Park Office Hours - Regular
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (NO BOAT Registrations after 3:30 pm)
All Boats New Registrations, Renewals and Transfers PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS in Perry Park News Kansas Requires a bill of sale. A PRINTED copy of the appropriate bill of sale and a PRINTED PICTURE or readable etching of the HULL ID. We need this information for our files, and we cannot make copies. Boats/vessels purchased from dealers mut go to their county first and get the sales tax paid receipt. Please, boat registrations are done Monday - Friday 8:00 -3:30 Only. No boat registrations can be done on the weekend.
Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (NO BOAT Registrations after 3:30 pm or on the weekends)
Tune in to our updated Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PerryStatePark for the most up to date information.
BOAT Registrations Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm ONLY. Please call the office ahead of time 785-246-3449 if you have questions.
BOAT REGISTRATIONS:
Renewals can be done here.
All New Boat Registrations and Transfers Requires a bill of sale. A copy of the appropriate bill of sale is on this website. We need this information for our files, and we cannot make copies. Please, boat registrations are done Monday - Friday 8:00 -3:30 Only. No boat registrations can be done on the weekend.
- You need to provide us with a copy of your bill of sale. Please make a copy to keep for yourself.
- If you bought the boat from a dealer in state or out of state- Kansas Sales tax must be collected, per Senate Bill 195. If sales tax was collected and especially with out of state dealers, please check your County first. You will be given a document that we need to complete the registration.
- You will need to provide A PRINTED picture of the HULL ID - if you can't print a picture, we can take a readable etching of the HULL ID Number that is associated with your vessel. (The Hull ID is located on the back of the transom, and it is 12 digits long)
- There is a registration form to fill out. This form is under -how to register your boat, "the Application for Certificate of Number Kansas Boating" open the + Registration and Renewal Forms." All new boats, out of state boats, and transfers of boats with a KA number already will need to fill out this form. It must be signed and filled out completely.
Welcome to Perry State Park
All Vehicles will need a permit no matter the length of stay
OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Nov 11th for Veterans Day
The park is open year-round. Reservations for utility sites (water and electric) stop November 1
The water will be on until the end of October. Starting Nov 3, the water will be shut off to the bath/shower houses, the dump stations and Campgrounds Eagle Landing, Cottonwood Bridge and Wild Horse. All fees still apply. Starting Nov 1, available sites will be first come first serve. Please use the self-pay stations if the office and or Gate House is closed. If staying more than 2 nights check in with the office/staff. All Vehicles will need a permit no matter the length of stay.
Lake View and Cougar Pass have frost free hydrants and YOU MUST DISCONNECT FROM THE HYDRANT AFTER FILLING YOUR TANK.
NOTICE TO HORSE CAMPERS: You must have a HORSE ON SITE TO CAMP AT WILD HORSE EQUESTRIAN CAMPGROUND When the weather changes and there is lots of precipitation "Do not ride on the muddy trails. If you leave tracks turn back". Please do not make new trails.
Office hours are 8-4 Monday through Friday, please leave a message with a phone number, if you want us to call you back during our office hours. Refer to the Perry Calendar and or the State Park Alerts for Perry State Park for any office closures for the Holidays.
Special Notes:
All bath/shower houses will be closed once the water is shut off. The 2 CXT buildings will be open.
Pelican Point: Walk in camping only. Please do not drive around the barricades.
Turkey Run now has 4 New Cabins and are available to reserve, there is no RV or tent camping at Turkey Run.
BOAT Registrations Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm ONLY Please call the office for questions or follow the link https://ksoutdoors.com/Boating/Registering-Your-Boat
HUNTING SEASON ----Remember Horse Trails and Bike Trails can cross over into CORP OF ENGINEERS LAND and there might be some walk-in hunting during the various hunting seasons on their property and PERRY STATE PARK is scheduled for some special hunts in designated areas starting 9/15-12/31. Please use caution and wear brightly colored clothing (preferably ORANGE) when using all trails.
SPECIAL HUNTS FOR PERRY STATE PARK will take place 9/15/2025-12/31/2025 - these are application only and are in certain designated areas- refer to the 2025 Fall/Winter Hunts / Special Hunts / Programs / KDWP Programs - KDWP Programs on this website.
Remember - Report all Wildlife and Parks violations! Call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-426-3843.
LAKE LEVEL INFORMATION: Normal Lake level is 891.50.
For additional and up-to-date lake information go to US Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District Website: https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Perry-Lake/
BLUE GREEN ALGAE INFORMATION Harmful Algal Blooms | KDHE, KS
DUE to KDHE Lagoon Inspections the Fish cleaning station is still closed. We can no longer dump the fish bones etc. into the Lagoon. Accumulation of the bones, skins and other parts over the years have made the lagoon inoperable. Permission to move the station and have the bones etc. discharge out into the lake has been granted; we know there have been many unforeseen delays in this project, and we apologize. Thanks for your patience and rest assured we are working to get the much wanted and needed facility up and running again, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
We ask that all visitors be aware of surfaces that are touched regularly and remember they are only as clean or sanitized as the last person to use it. Wash your hands with soap and water and use alcohol base sanitizer after touching these surfaces (bathroom door handles, self-pay station, etc.)
Perry State Park was made possible by the signing of a lease agreement in 1968 between the Kansas Parks and Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Perry Reservoir was listed in the Bassmaster.com list of 100 Best Bass Lakes
- Camping Available: No
- ADA Camping Available: No
- Reservable Sites: No
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- Camping Available: Yes
- ADA Camping Available: Yes
- Reservable Sites: No
- Primitive Camping: 200
- Water, Electric: 102
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- Electric: 102
- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 25 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Horse Riding
- There is camping located near the trail
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N 39° 09.036' W 095° 29.718'
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- Trail Season: Year-around
- Length of Trail: 22 mile(s)
- Trail Activities: Walking, Mt. Biking
- There is a permit required on the trail
- Location of Start: N 39° 09.454' W 095° 28.068'
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Important Cabin Information: Reservation Terms and Conditions, Cabin Reservation Information
Perry State Park offers eight cabins for your enjoyment - four in the Lakeview Area and four in the Turkey Run Area. These cabins provide a great getaway for families, couples, or small groups. All cabins include 1 bedroom, a bathroom, heating and air conditioning, kitchen facilities (with dishes, pot and pan, utensils, toaster, coffee maker and filters, refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop), a front room with a futon, a picnic table, and a campfire grill/fire ring.
Vehicle permits are required at Perry State Park and are not included in the reservation price.
Lakeview Area Cabins
Designed for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children).
Cabins: Apache, Cottonwood, Stonefield, Hazelwood.
Each offer 1 bedroom with a full-size bed, bathroom with a tub/shower, and a full-size futon in the front room.
-Apache is ADA accessible and features a walk-in shower and a covered porch.
-Cottonwood, Stonefield, and Hazelwood all include a covered porch and standard tub/shower bathrooms.
Turkey Run Area Cabins - NEW!
Designed for up to six people
Cabins: Rising Sun, Sicklefin, Shoal, Curlew
These spacious cabins offer:
- One bedroom with a full-sized bed and full-sized futon
- A queen-size futon in the living room
- All Turkey Run Area Cabins are ADA accessible and feature walk-in showers and covered porches.
- All other amenities match those in the Lakeview cabins
To make reservations online, please go to Camping & Campground Reservations Online | ReserveAmerica or ksoutdoors.com
- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: 39.139912, -95.478617
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Apache Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: 39.141974, -95.482728
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Curlew Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: 39.141685, -95.483088
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Sicklefin Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: 39.141521, -95.483550
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Shoal Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: 39.142861, -95.481669
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Rising Sun Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- Location of Facility: 39.138541, -95.479944
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Hazelwood Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- Location of Facility: 39.138757, -95.479926
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Stonefield Cabin
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- Type of Cabin: Modern Cabin
- Location of Facility: 39.139755, -95.478607
- This Facility is Reservable. Check availability and reserve Cottonwood Cabin
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For a Freedom of Information Act or Kansas Open Records Act request, please go to the open records request information.
This form allows you to email Perry State Park with any questions you might have about the State Park and its facilities. This includes season openings and closings, campsite reservations, special events, etc.
Perry Lake is in the beautiful Delaware River valley of the Glaciated Region. The rolling bluestem prairie and hillsides of oak and hickory yield a large variety of wildlife. The reservoir, meadows, old fields, and riparian woodlands, as well as the marshes and mudflats, furnish living space for additional species. Hike on the Perry Lake National Recreation Trail (30 mile loop) through the shoreline and hillside communities. Visit Perry Wildlife Area to view the shallow-water habitats of the upper reservoir. In spring and early summer, search the mudflats for shorebirds. Among the cattails and sedges of the marsh you may find nesting sedge wrens, ducks, herons, muskrats, beaver, and mink. Watch for wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and white-tailed deer in the riparian woodlands. American kestrels, eastern meadowlarks, horned larks, and coyotes can be observed in the old fields and meadows. The oak-hickory ridges attract buntings, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, and warblers. Gulls, pelicans, ducks, and flocks of snow geese are common on the open waters during the fall migration. In winter bald eagles perch in tall trees at the water's edge.