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. Camping and picnicking opportunities are numerous with 171 campsites located in four parks - Cottonwood Point, Hillsboro Cove, Marion Cove, and French Creek Cove. Campsites contain picnic tables, grills and/or fire-rings, sun-shelters and gravel parking pads. Facilities at our class "A" parks, Cottonwood Point and Hillsboro Cove, include electrical hookups, showers, RV dump stations, group camping areas, group picnic areas, playgrounds, and beaches. Potable water is available in all parks. Cottonwood Point also includes some sites with 50 amp electrical service and individual water hookups. A special treat for wildlife observers is the 1-mile Willow Walk Nature Trail located at Cottonwood Point. Maps and information on specific facilities, fees, the Golden Age/Access discount and park regulations are available from gate attendants, park rangers, or the project office at (316) 382-2101. Anglers have bright opportunities at Marion Reservoir. The lake is noted for its walleye, crappie, white bass, wipers and channel catfish. The lake also contains largemouth bass, and a good population of lunker-size flathead catfish. An 18-inch length limit is in effect for walleyes and black bass. Fish feeders are located in Hillsboro Cove and Cottonwood Point. Boaters will find boat ramps located around the lake at Cottonwood Point (2 ramps, 4 lanes), Hillsboro Cove, Marion Cove (2 lanes), French Creek, Durham Cove and Broken Bridge. Developed ramps provide lights and courtesy docks. There is a fee to use these ramps. The undeveloped ramps at Durham Cove and Broken Bridge are free. Hunters at Marion Reservoir will find a mixed bag including pheasants, quail, rabbits, turkeys, and white-tail deer. Waterfowl hunters will find good populations of Canada, snow, and white-front geese as well as all species of ducks found within the Central Flyway. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks maintains a large percentage of the perimeter of the lake as a public hunting area. A map showing the location of this public hunting land may be obtained at the project office. The Department also maintains a waterfowl refuge at Marion Reservoir located just east of French Creek Cove that is off-limits to the public. Its boundaries are designated on the Marion Reservoir brochure and the hunting map.

Marion Reservoir Project Office

Marion KS

French Creek Camping Ground

Small but peaceful campground with self pay system

Marion Reservoir Dam

Summer sunset overlooking Marion Cove Beach

Parallel parking on dirt and gravel

Site 43 Parking Pad

Food locker, picnic table, and fire ring

Site 43

RecAreaDirections

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

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French Creek Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

French Creek Cove Campground offers a secluded quiet campground that is located on the Southwest side of Marion Reservoir.

Recreation

Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting.

Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.

Facilities

This campground has 20 campsites with electric, 18 camping sites include a canopy shelter (Sites 13-14 do not include canopy shelters), with 6 community water hydrants, all sites include fire rings and a grill, a boat ramp with a loading dock is located on the northwest portion of the campground, a playground, and two vault restrooms.

Natural Features

Completed in 1968, Marion Reservoir encompasses 6,200 acres of water surrounded by 6,000 acres of public lands. The surrounding expanse of forest provides visitors with endless recreational activities, set against the backdrop of the sparkling lake.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.

Marion Cove Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Marion Cove Campground is located just north of the Marion Reservoir Dam right past the Project Office. It’s a primitive tent camping campground w/o electrical hookups.

Recreation

Popular activities include camping, boating, and fishing

Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.

Facilities

Marion Cove Campground offers 17 non electric camping sites to our visitors. sites 1-6 all have a picnic shelter along with picnic tables and fire ring. while sites 7-17 offer only a firepit. Marion cove also has a two lane boat launch near by with a community water hydrant located just off of site one.

Natural Features

Nearby Attractions

The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.

COTTONWOOD POINT Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Cottonwood Point is a spacious and shady campground located on the shores of Marion Reservoir. This Kansas getaway draws in thousands of visitors annually to enjoy the pristine lake shoreline and surrounding canopy of forest.

Recreation

Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting.

Numerous hiking and biking trails snake through the forest around the lake, and the The Willow Walk Nature Trail is especially popular for wildlife enthusiasts. Campers are likely to spot white-tailed deer, pelicans, raccoons and various other waterfowl.

Anglers will find an abundance of channel catfish, walleye, white bass and wipers, and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.

Facilities

The campground offers 164 individual sites, along with two group camping areas and two group day use picnic shelters. Campsites offer plenty of shade and include picnic areas with grills and tables. Electrical pedestals are either 50 or 30 amp. Every 50 amp pedestal has 50/30/20 outlets available. All 30 amp pedestals have 30/20 outlets available. The 20 amp outlets are typical residential 110 Volt wall outlets. Additionally you will find two boat ramps between sites 62 and 67.

Natural Features

Nearby Attractions

The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.

HILLSBORO COVE Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Hillsboro Cove is a quiet little campground conveniently located off Highway 56 between the towns of Marion and Hillsboro. It's known for water front camping sites and readily acceessible boat ramp for fishermen.

Recreation

Popular activities include camping, boating, fishing and hunting. Anglers will find an abundance of Channel Catfish, Walleye, White Bass, Wipers, White Crappie and a boat ramp is provided at the campground for convenient access to the lake.

Facilities

The campground offers 51 individual sites and one group camping area with a large shelter. The group camping area holds up to 80 people. The individual sites have tables, grills, sun shelters, electric hookups, and a boat ramp.

Natural Features

Nearby Attractions

The nearby communities of Hillsboro and Marion offer additional tourist attractions. Both cities have a nationally recognized Art and Crafts show, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.

French Creek Cove Facility

This recreation area is part of Marion Reservoir

Marion Cove Facility

This recreation area is part of Marion Reservoir

Recreation Areas and Campground Database