Council Grove, Kansas · Morris County · Campground
Overview Canning Creek Cove Park is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.Recreation Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and two boat ramps are located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catf…
Overview Canning Creek Cove Park is located on the 3,310-acre Council Grove Lake in the green expanses of eastern Kansas.Recreation Boating is a popular pastime at the lake, and two boat ramps are located in the campground for visitors' convenience. The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, with crappie and catfish being the most abundant. Council Grove was also the first lake in Kansas to receive stocking of Saugeye. Hunters will find populations of quail, wild turkey, deer, squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, ducks, geese and more on the nearly 2,700 acres of public hunting land surrounding the lake. Hiking trails wind along the lakeshore and into the forest. Pioneer Nature Trail is known as the most scenic trail, with plenty of wildlife, greenery and wildflowers creating a beautiful background. Council Grove is also a starting point for the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. This byway travels through the best of the remaining remnants of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem in North America. Along the byway and 25 miles south is the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where visitors can spot colorful wildflowers in the spring and array of autumn colors in the fall.Facilities Canning Creek Campground offers 43 reservable campsites, including three group sites that can accommodate 40, 75 and 100 guests. Electric hookups, flush toilets and other modern amenities are provided. The campground has plenty of shade, along with open grassy areas for games and recreation.Natural Features Council Grove Lake sits in the rolling, grassy prairie of east Kansas, known as the Flint Hills. The lake was created by a dam built in 1964, and now offers recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Historically this area is where the Osage Indians signed a treaty to establish the Old Santa Fe Trail. A marker in the town of Council Grove indicates the place where the treaty was signed. Nearby Attractions The town of Council Grove, located about 2 miles southe
Photos
Map of Canning Creek Cove — USACECampground Map New 2026 — USACECanning Creek Cove from the water — USACECANNING CREEK 4 — USACECANNING CREEK 5 — USACEBoating from Canning Creek Cove — USACEBoat Ramp at Canning Creek Cove — USACECANNING CREEK 2 — USACECanning Creek in early Spring — USACECanning Creek Cove Day use — USACECANNING CREEK 3 — USACECANNING CREEK 1 — USACE
How to Get There
From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Turn west across Dam Road, then turn right on to City Lake Road and continue for 2 miles. Campground entrance road is on the right.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
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Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to CANNING CREEK
Heading to CANNING CREEK? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for CANNING CREEK?
No central reservation system listed for CANNING CREEK. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233449) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to CANNING CREEK?
From I-70, take Highway 177 south for 30 miles. Turn west across Dam Road, then turn right on to City Lake Road and continue for 2 miles. Campground entrance road is on the right.
