Description - **All information provided by The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks**
A prime place to experience the shortgrass prairies of western Kansas, Prairie Dog State Park occupies 1,150 acres on the shores of Keith Sebelius Reservoir in Norton County. The park is home to a thriving prairie dog colony and is the site of the last remaining adobe house in Kansas. The renovated adobe house was built on the site in the early 1890's
Campsites at Prairie Dog include 1 Reservable cabin, 40 electric/water sites, 18 electric-only sites, and more than 130 primitive sites. Reservable sites are available. A group campground is available in the Branded Cedar area. Shower and restroom facilities are conveniently located, as are two RV dump stations. A 1.4- mile nature trail complete with interpretive signage is a great way to explore the park and observe wildlife.
Historical interpretation is a hallmark of this park. Two vintage 19th century buildings are preserved here, including a one room school and renovated adobe house.
Sebelius Reservoir is well known for its excellent fishing opportunities. In recent years, anglers have found productive fishing for black bass, walleye, wiper, crappie, catfish and saugeye.
The 6,400-acre Norton Wildlife Area offers good prospects for pheasant, waterfowl and rabbits. Both whitetailed and mule deer can be found here, as well as a variety of furbearers.
Attractions
- Camping
Campsites at Prairie Dog include 1 Reservable cabin, 40 electric/water sites, 18 electric-only sites, and more than 130 primitive sites. Reservable sites are available. A group campground is available in the Branded Cedar area. Shower and restroom facilities are conveniently located, as are two RV dump stations.
Fishing
Fishable Populations: Bluegill, Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Saugeye, Spotted Bass, Walleye, Wiper
Recreation - camping, fishing Climate - Kansas has an annual mean temperature almost as high as that of Virginia, more sunshine than that of any state to the east, and generous summer rains.
The State lies across the path of alternate masses of warm moist air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico and currents of cold, comparatively dry, air moving from the polar regions. Consequently, its weather is subject to frequent and often sharp changes, usually of short duration.
Summers are inclined to be warm--often the word "hot" describes them best--but are healthful, with low relative humidity during periods of high temperatures, and usually a good wind movement. Heat prostrations are almost unknown. Summer nights are usually cool, especially in the western counties.
Winters are drier, with more sunshine than those of eastern states. The average snowfall is less than that of other states, except those located farther south. Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and the New England States normally have from two to three times as much snowfall as Kansas.
Location -
COMING FROM THE EAST:
1. Travel Four miles west of Norton, KS on US36;
2. Then one mile south on K261, park office is located on the east side of the road.
COMING FROM THE WEST:
1. Travel 32 miles east of Oberlin, KS on US36;
2. Then one mile south on K261, park office is located on the east side of the road.
GPS Location:
* 39 deg. 48.755 min north
* 099 deg. 57.793 min west
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