Kansas Summer Fun

Kansas State Parks Perfect for Summer Fun

June 1, 2010, Kansas … June marks the official start of summer, kicking off the season for adventure, exploring and enjoying the great outdoors.  There is no more perfect place to spend summer than at one of Kansas’ state parks, offering endless possibilities for low-cost getaways close ! to home.

Kansas’ 24 state parks showcase all of the variety and different landscapes that Kansas has to offer.   For example, the May/June 2010 issue of Midwest Living magazine cited Cheney and Crawford State Parks among the magazine’s picks for the best state parks in the Midwest.  Cheney, near Wichita, is nationally known as a sailing lake; a little known activity available in Kansas.  Crawford offers a taste of the Ozarks in Kansas, with its wooded campsites and beautiful shoreline.  In addition, an impressive monument at Crawford honors the members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) of the Great Depression who built many stone and log buildings in state parks all across the country.

According to Jerry Hover, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks state parks director, “Kansas state parks are natural playgrounds, and it’s important for families to get outdoors and experience all that nature has to offer in a safe environment.  In addition to all of the outdoor activities, our parks also host a number of family events throughout the summer, including free entrance days, Outdoor Kansas for Kids Day, concerts and sporting events. “

The month of June has two special days designated to promote outdoor activities:  National Trails Day (www.americanhiking.org) held the first Saturday in June; and National Get Outdoors Day (www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org) on June 13.  These websites list a variety of local activities, ideas for enjoying the outdoors, and discussion of the benefits of outdoor recreation.

Kansas state parks offer visitors a variety of recreational activities, including:

·      Camping

·      Fishing

·      Boating and canoeing (rentals available in some locations)

·      Hiking and walking trails

·      Mountain biking

·      Trail riding

·      Frisbee golf

·      Children’s play areas

·!       Picnicking

·      Wildlife watching

·      B! irding

·      Geocaching

Comprehensive information on the state parks, including maps, event information and on-line cabin rental, is found at www.TravelKS.com.

 

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