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Day Use
Overlook Park
Clinton LakeNear Lawrence, Kansas
This day-use picnic area, located just north of Clinton Lake in the hills of Kansas, is the perfect spot for a party or family gathering.
Overlook Park
This day-use picnic area, located just north of Clinton Lake in the hills of Kansas, is the perfect spot for a party or family gathering.
Overlook Park has two picnic shelters available for up to 100 guests. Flush toilets and drinking water are available for visitors' convenience.
Need to Know
This is Overlook Park at Clinton Lake, near Lawrence, Kansas, not Overlook Park at Big Hill Lake, near Cherryvale, Kansas.
Upon arrival, please confirm that your reservation matches the shelter number you set up on. Shelter 1 is located closer to the center of Overlook park and Shelter 2 is located closer to the entrance of Overlook Park.
Park closes at 10:00 p.m. The gate is locked at this time and all vehicles and occupants must be out.
Day-use only, no overnight camping permitted.
Please inquire about obtaining a special event permit from the Clinton Lake Project Office prior to reservation if you are planning on having an especially large event requiring extra coordination or one that would impact other users access to the area such as a weddings, special recreation programs, events that collects fees, events including live bands, events with vendors, etc.
Vehicles must be operated in accordance with applicable state laws. Only licensed vehicles operated by a licensed driver can be used within a public use area. Park roads are for ingress and egress only. Absolutely No ATVs, UTVs, Golf Carts, or other battery operated vehicles can be operated in the park. All vehicles must remain on paved or graveled surfaces. Parking vehicles on the grass is prohibited.
All pets must be kept on a leash not more than 6 feet in length. Pets are not allowed in restrooms and pet waste needs to be picked up by pet owner.
Commercial operations are prohibited on USACE operated lands.
Fires must be confined to fire rings provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dead and downed wood may be used for firewood, cutting of standing trees, limbs, or bushes is prohibited. Operation of a chainsaw is prohibited, hand tools are allowed. Please do not dispose of trash in fire rings.
At the end of your stay please dispose of all trash in the trash cans or dumpsters located in the park.
Wading pools, water slides and other large water toys and bounce houses are not allowed in park areas.
No firewood from outside Douglas or Shawnee counties in Kansas permitted. Please help us prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer insect. For more information contact the Clinton Lake Project Office at (785) 843-7665. Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Natural Features
Congress authorized Clinton Lake in 1962, and the finished reservoir was filled in 1980. While the Dam and Reservoir were originally built for flood control, the area has now become a recreational oasis for millions of visitors to enjoy the beautiful green Kansas backdrop.
Clinton Lake's beautiful setting of steep bluffs, wooded shoreline and clear water is unequaled among Kansas lakes. Shoreline development has been limited in an effort to preserve as much of the natural setting as possible.
Clinton spans 8 miles up the Wakarusa Valley and covers 7,000 surface acres. If the lake ever approaches the top of its flood pool, an additional 5,800 acres will be covered, extending the area to 13 miles along the valley floor.
Nearby Attractions
The Visitor Center, located on the northwest side of the dam, just down the road from Overlook Park, has several informative displays covering topics such as the history of the area, reasons for the dam and the wildlife in the area. The Clinton Lake Museum, located within the Bloomington East Park, has information on the history of the region and the Underground Railroad. The city of Lawrence is just a few miles away.
Recreation
A horseshoe pit, tetherball pole, sand volleyball court, softball field and playground are all provided at Overlook Park.
Clinton Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming and countless other water sports, making it the main attraction to area.
The lake's fish and wildlife resources provide sightseers, fishermen, and hunters ample opportunities for their sports, and Clinton Lake is well-stocked with crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white bass.
Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife in abundance at Clinton Lake.
Four trail systems are located around Clinton Lake, including the North Shore, South Shore, Smokehouse and the George Latham Trails. All offer hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities within a 20 minute drive. The North Shore trailhead is in Overlook Park.
Contact Information
Mailing
872 N. 1402 Rd. LAWRENCE KS 66049
Physical
800 N. 1402 Rd Lawrence KS 66049
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 785-843-7665
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Lawrence, Kansas, take Clinton Parkway/23rd Street west to the end of the road. Make a right turn onto E900 Road followed by the first left turn onto N1402 Road. Continue approximately one-fourth mile to park.
Available Campsites
- Site 001, Loop GROUP SITES, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 002, Loop GROUP SITES, Type Group Shelter Electric
