Melvern Lake in southeast Kansas offers a perfect getaway with extensive recreational opportunities. Created in 1972 for flood control, the lake opened to the public in 1975 and now features six campgrounds, a marina, multiple boat ramps, and three swimming beaches. The US Army Corps of Engineers manage five campgrounds, while the sixth is Eisenhower State Park. The lake, located about 30 miles east of Emporia and within driving distance of Topeka and Kansas City, attracts visitors for weekend getaways.
The lake covers 6,930 acres with 100 miles of irregular shoreline, providing ample space for water skiing, tubing, power boating, canoeing, pontooning, and kayaking. A concession marina near Coeur d’Alene Park offers boat rentals, gas, and supplies. Fishers can enjoy fishing for various species, including channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and walleye. The marina also features an indoor, heated fishing dock for year-round enjoyment.
Camping at Melvern Lake is a comfortable and convenient experience, with a range of amenities available. Most campgrounds provide electrified sites, tent pads, shower facilities, RV dumps, and fish cleaning stations. Eisenhower State Park, one of the six campgrounds, includes an interpretive nature trail and a 22-mile horseback trail. The park also offers educational programs during the summer. The Five-Star Bike Trail provides a scenic five-mile route for cyclists.
The nearby city of Emporia provides additional lodging options, dining, and attractions such as a municipal golf course and the Jones Aquatic Center. Topeka offers cultural and historical attractions, including the Kansas Expo Center, the Holley Museum of Military History, and the Topeka Performing Arts Center.