State
Park Amenities
Camping is
allowed in the 200 designated camping sites in the Russell Crites Area.
Approximately 157 sites have electric and water hook-ups available and a nightly
utility fee is required. Three bathroom/shower houses are available during the
regular camping season, April 15 – October 15.
When the lake was filled, more than 70 percent
of the standing timber was left to provide fish habitat. Walleye, Catfish,
Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Bluegill are abundant.
Fishing is allowed on all 51 miles of the shoreline and
approximately 4,500 acres of surface water, except for developed beach areas and
boat ramps. Special length limits may apply to some species. For more
information on fishing laws and regulations, refer to the Kansas Fishing
Regulations Summary.
Link:
www.kdwp.state.ks.us/PDF/Regulations/04KSfishRegs.pdf
 BOATING
AND SAILING
There are currently seven boat ramp areas, (primitive and
developed), available at the Hillsdale Reservoir. All vessels propelled by
machinery of any kind, or a sail, must be properly registered before operation
in the State of Kansas. For details on boating laws and regulations, refer to
the Summary of Kansas Boating Laws and Regulations.
Link:
www.kdwp.state.ks.us/boating/boatinglaws.html
HUNTING
Approximately
7,000 acres are open to hunting. Waterfowl, big and small game, and upland game
bird hunting is allowed on state park and wildlife areas during the designated
hunting seasons. Developed areas such as boat ramps, shelter areas, parking
lots, beaches, campgrounds, and the dam, are safety zones where hunting is
prohibited. Refer to Hunting and Fur Harvester
Regulations
BEACH USE
AND SWIMMING
There are two developed beach
areas that are open from sunrise to sunset. One bathroom and one
bathroom/shower house are open from May 15 – October 15, sunrise to sunset. In
order to provide public safety, the following items or activities are not
allowed within the developed beach areas: glass containers, open fires, pets,
fishing, boats, and alcohol/beer.
The Saddle Ridge equestrian area on the east side of the
reservoir has approximately 32 miles of marked trails available to horseback
riders. Livestock is not allowed in developed picnicking, camping, or beach
areas. Camping is available for trail users at Saddle Ridge campground.
MODEL
AIRPLANE FLYING
Model airplane flying is allowed at the flying field area located
south of the dam. All posted rules and regulations must be strictly adhered to.
HIKING,
BACKPACKING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING
Hillsdale Lake, a relatively new reservoir in Kansas, is
progressively developing about 20 miles of trails on the east side of the lake.
These trails are used for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, as well as
horseback riding. Most of the trails are single track with a few areas of
grassy double track and old road routes. The landscape is incredibly beautiful
with hardwood forests, some cliffs and meadowlands. Terrain varies, to suit any
level of hiking needs, from smooth hard packed earth, roaming hillsides, to
challenging slopes and gullies.
HIDDEN SPRING TRAIL
This 1.5-mile nature trail
through hills, prairies, forests and streams was a cooperative project built by
the Corps of Engineers and volunteers who care about their public lands.
The trails contain two
loops. The first loop is approx ¾ of a mile long, and contains 20 points of
interest. The second loop is called the eagle loop. Local Eagle Scouts
constructed it. The loop takes hikers to an observation deck, over two bridges
and to the lake shoreline. This loop is more difficult hiking and offers hikers
a more challenging experience.
It is an interpretive trail
for hikers and Mountain bikers with a self-guided brochure available at the
Corps Visitor Center. Horses are prohibited.
Bicycle and Hiking Trails:
For the
more avid health enthusiast level of hiking, this trail is not well developed
yet so the terrain can be rough at times. It is a days worth of outdoor
enjoyment winding through some of the campgrounds and is located west of dam,
does have a vehicle fee.
Trail Directions:
About 15
mile south of Olathe. Coming from the North, take 169 hwy south to 255th
St. and turn west (right). Follow 255th west through the town of
Hillsdale, past the 4-way stop to the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center (about 2
miles) on north (right) side of road. If you see the dam, you’ve gone too
far. Coming from the South, take 169 hwy and turn north to 255th
St. turn west (left). Follow 255th west through the town of
Hillsdale, past the 4-way stop to the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center (about 2
miles) on north (right) side of road. If you see the dam, you’ve gone too far.
Hillsdale Lake has prime wetlands, providing nutritious food and
peaceful places to rest for thousands of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl,
visiting in the spring and fall seasons. These wetlands, developed by the Corps
of Engineers and the KS Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, are dispersed throughout
the lake region.
Antioch Wetland:
Located on
the north end of Big Bull Creek, is approximately 60 acres in size and is easily
accessible for hunters and birdwatchers. The Kansas Department of Wildlife &
Parks, Miami County Non-Profit Source Pollution and Ducks Unlimited jointly
developed this wetland.
Browns Wetland:
Located on
the north end of Little Bull Creek, is approximately 55 acres in total size. It
is broken into 2 units – 25 acres and 30 acres.
Bull Creek Wetland:
Located
below the dam, contains 3 units of approximately 25 acres in total size.
All
wetland units are open to hunting during waterfowl season. On Rock Creek arm, a
“Refuge” was established in 1998, to provide migrating birds an area to feed and
rest without being disturbed. This area is closed to all activities from
October 1 through January 15.
GENERAL
REGULATIONS
All Vehicles require day-use permits while in state park permit
area.
All campers must have a nightly camping permit.
Campers in an electric and water camping site must pay a utility
fee.
Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings.
Only 3.2 cereal malt beverage consumption is allowed in state park and wildlife
areas. No kegs or party balls.
There is currently no target practicing allowed in the Hillsdale
State Park or Wildlife Areas.
Pets are required to be on a leash or confined to a cage or
vehicle in all state park permit areas except while hunting in designated
hunting areas.
THINGS TO
REMEMBER
The regulation summary contained on this website is not a
complete listing. Consult state park offices and area information signs
regarding additional regulations. You may also visit the Kansas Department of
Wildlife and Parks website at:
www.kdwp.state.ks.us
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