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Marion Reservoir

Marion, Kansas · Marion County

If you enjoy camping, boating, fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching - we have the place for you. Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by another 6,000 acres of public lands. The lake is located just north of U.S. Highway 56 between the communities of Marion and Hillsboro, Ka…

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About Marion Reservoir

If you enjoy camping, boating, fishing, hunting, or wildlife watching - we have the place for you. Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by another 6,000 acres of public lands. The lake is located just north of U.S. Highway 56 between the communities of Marion and Hillsboro, Kansas. The reservoir includes 253 campsites located in our four parks – Cottonwood Point, Hillsboro Cove, Marion Cove, and French Creek Cove. We also have a 1-mile Willow Walk Nature Trail located within Cottonwood Point. Anglers will find walleye, crappie, white bass, wipers, and catfish within the reservoir. We have boat ramps available at each of our campgrounds with Cottonwood Point having multiple courtesy docks for ease of access. Hunters will find pheasants, quail, rabbits, turkeys, and white-tail deer around the reservoir. We also have a variety of geese and ducks for waterfowl hunters. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks maintains a large percentage of the perimeter of the lake as a public hunting area along with a waterfowl refuge. A map showing the location of this public hunting land may be obtained at the project office. Our office is located at 2105 Pawnee Rd, Marion, KS – just north of the dam, and can be contacted at 620-382-2101.

Plan Your Visit to Marion Reservoir

Heading to Marion Reservoir? 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 Marion Reservoir?

No central reservation system listed for Marion Reservoir. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/565) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Marion Reservoir?

From Newton, 24 miles north on KS 15, 12 miles east on US 56.

How do I contact Marion Reservoir?

You can reach the park at phone: (620) 382-2101.