Under Two Hours From Topeka Is An Artificial Midwestern Lake With Camping, Fishing, And A Beach

A Midwestern lake getaway can make you feel all kinds of nostalgic, be it having your coffee by the docks, going on a pontoon cruise, or sitting by the evening campfire. These kinds of escapes in the Sunflower State are most likely centered around artificial reservoirs, but the lake-life spirit is very much real. If you don't want to venture too far from Topeka, you can have a scenic lakeside experience at Council Grove Lake. As a great outdoor destination for nature enthusiasts, the lake allows you to engage in a variety of recreation. With family-friendly activities and fiery sunsets, this body of water is "made for a relaxing weekend," as one visitor explained on Google.

Covering more than 3,200 acres, Council Grove Lake was named after its neighboring city. The man-made lake was built back in the 1960s for flood control, with the project fast-tracked after severe regional flooding caused massive property and economic damage. Nestled in Kansas' Flint Hills region, the V-shaped body of water lets you take advantage of a wide range of pastimes. Some like to bring their powerboats and try out different kinds of water sports. Others like to go on a fishing boat to cast a line into the lake, as it's stocked with multiple fish species. There is also a designated swimming beach for those who'd like to soak up the sun and wade in the water.

The Council Grove Lake features six campgrounds, with both primitive and electric sites. You can take your pick depending on how rustic you'd like your retreat to be and which side of the lake you'd like to enjoy. All you have to do is drive one hour and 20 minutes southwest of Topeka to arrive at the lake. Coming from Wichita, the drive takes almost two hours.

Visitors will discover a number of campgrounds on Council Grove Lake's eastern, western, and southern shores. The Canning Creek Cove campground is located on the west side, with 43 campsites available for reservations. Open from the beginning of April until the end of October, this is the largest campground on the lake and offers electric, nonelectric, and group sites. There are basic amenities such as restrooms and showers, along with multiple playgrounds scattered across the space. You can play lawn games like horseshoes at the campground too. Guests have access to picnic tables, grills, and shelters for day-time use, as well as a boat launch for heading out on the water. Canning Creek is a dog-friendly campground.

Just five minutes away from Canning Creek Cove is the Santa Fe Trail campground. Boasting 35 campsites, this zone is equipped with vault and flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, and shelters. From the total, only one is a group site, with space for up to 75 campers. You can choose from primitive, full, and partial hookup spots and there is a dump station for RVs. Not only that, but the pet-friendly campground is within walking distance of Council Grove Marina, making it easy to rent out boats.

Meanwhile, on the east side of the lake, you can set up camp at Richey Cove. Featuring a total of 43 campsites — one being a 40-person group spot — this campground provides full and partial hookups, along with primitive sites. If you want to be surrounded by water on all sides, book one of the peninsular spots, numbered from 12 to 20. On top of that, the Richey Cove campground is where Council Grove Lake's swim beach is located, eliminating the need to drive from one shore to another just to swim. If swimming is your priority, don't forget to create the ultimate packing list for a successful beach trip. The remaining three campgrounds have a limited number of campsites.

Council Grove Lake is a decent playground for water lovers, with activities like fishing, boating, and swimming. The lake offers great diversity for anglers, with high chances of reeling in crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Other common catches include saugeye and wipers. If you're lucky, you might even hook a black bass. Make your way to Council Grove Marina to obtain a license and stock up on fishing essentials — there's also a fish cleaning station nearby. When packing your fishing equipment, use the simple pool noodle fishing hack to keep your rods safe. 

You can jump straight into the water from the campsites, but for a proper outing, there's a designated swim zone. Head to Richey Cove to spend a day lounging under the sun and cooling off at a "well laid out, nice swim beach," per one reviewer on Google. Due to the rocky shore and presence of zebra mussels, you're better off wearing water shoes. Also note that pets are not allowed on the beach.

As for those who want to make waves, the lake accommodates motorized and non-motorized boats. Ten single-lane boat ramps serve the lake: eight in campgrounds and two in the Council Grove Wildlife Area. The marina provides kayak, standup paddleboard, and pontoon rentals for visitors who don't have their own watercraft. While you'll see plenty of vacationers showing off their water skiing skills and being pulled by a powerboat, you can also enjoy sailing on the lake. After your trip, continue exploring the region along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, where "Ancient Kansas" thrives through charming towns.