🌤 Weather at Cheney State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31–76 °F | 63–92 °F | 30–83 °F | 18–47 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Hutchinson 10 SW, 18 mi away, elevation 1,549 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Kansas’ Premier Sailing and Boating Lake Near Wichita — 9,500-Acre Cheney Reservoir, 22 Boat Launching Lanes, Top US Inland Sailing Destination With Regular Regattas, Hundreds of Campsites With Electric Hookups, Modern Rental Cabins, Walleye Crappie and Catfish Fishing, Swimming Beaches, Nature Trails, Adjacent Cheney Wildlife Area, Kingman and Reno Counties Kansas
Cheney State Park is a state park on the 9,500-acre Cheney Reservoir, approximately 20 miles west of Wichita in Kingman and Reno Counties, Kansas, managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The park features one of the top inland sailing lakes in the United States with consistent Kansas prairie winds and regular regional and national regattas, 22 boat launching lanes across multiple ramps ensuring easy access even on busy weekends, hundreds of campsites ranging from primitive tent sites to electric hookup sites with water, modern rental cabins for those preferring indoor lodging, excellent fishing for walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and wiper, designated swimming beaches, nature and hiking trails through prairie grasslands, and the adjacent Cheney Wildlife Area for hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Cheney Reservoir is Kansas’ premier sailing destination — the consistent prairie winds blowing across the wide-open 9,500-acre lake create ideal sailing conditions that have made Cheney one of the top inland sailing locations in the United States. The park regularly hosts regional and national sailing regattas drawing competitors from across the Midwest.
For anglers, Cheney is a top-rated walleye and crappie fishery — the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks regularly stocks the reservoir. The 22 launching lanes across multiple ramps ensure smooth access even on busy summer weekends close to Wichita.
The adjacent Cheney Wildlife Area adds upland hunting opportunities and excellent wildlife viewing — white-tailed deer, wild turkey, pheasant, and migrating waterfowl are all present seasonally.
Things to Do
- Sailing — top US inland lake, consistent prairie winds, regular regattas
- Boating — 22 launching lanes across multiple ramps
- Fishing — walleye, crappie, white bass, catfish, wiper
- Camping — primitive + electric sites, modern rental cabins
- Swimming — designated beach areas
- Hiking — nature trails through prairie grasslands
- Hunting/Wildlife — adjacent Cheney Wildlife Area
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | ~20 mi W of Wichita, Kingman/Reno Co, KS |
| Reservoir | 9,500 acres — Cheney Reservoir |
| Boat Ramps | Multiple — 22 launching lanes total |
| Camping | Hundreds of sites — primitive + electric |
| Cabins | Modern rental cabins available |
| Sailing | Top US inland — regular regattas |
| Fishing | Walleye, crappie, white bass, catfish, wiper |
| Wildlife Area | Adjacent — hunting + wildlife viewing |
| Managed By | Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks |
| Coordinates | 37.7900° N, 97.7800° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheney State Park good for sailing?
Yes — Cheney State Park on the 9,500-acre Cheney Reservoir is considered one of the top inland sailing lakes in the United States. Consistent Kansas prairie winds across the wide-open lake create ideal sailing conditions, and the park regularly hosts regional and national regattas. The park also offers 22 boat launching lanes, hundreds of campsites (primitive and electric hookup), modern rental cabins, excellent walleye and crappie fishing, swimming beaches, hiking trails, and the adjacent Cheney Wildlife Area for hunting and wildlife viewing. Located about 20 miles west of Wichita, Kansas, managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Last updated: May 2026
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Sand Hills State Park (within about an hour’s drive) and El Dorado State Park (elsewhere in the state).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Kansas state parks online at reserveamerica.com.
⛺ Camping at Cheney State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | Descriptive text states 223 reservable electrical hookup sites with water plus over 400 primitive sites; the park's Areas data lists West Shore with 245 water/electric sites (reservable) and East Shore with 150 primitive sites plus 145 water/electric sites (reservable) - the two figures for utility sites do not match. 4 trailer dump stations, 7 modern pit toilets, 9 showerhouses. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 12 cabins sleeping 4-10 depending on cabin, available year-round. Cabins #1-9 on West Shore, #10-12 on East Shore. Cabins #2-7 (Kingfisher, Nuthatch, Mockingbird, Pelican, Kestrel, Roadrunner) sleep up to 4 with a full bed and twin bunk bed, plus bathroom/shower, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, dorm fridge, AC/heat, outside hydrant, grill, picnic table, fire ring. Cabin #8 Nighthawk has the same amenities but a full bed, single bunk bed and roll-away bed, deck instead of screened porch. ADA-accessible cabins #1 Heron, #8 Nighthawk, #9 Osprey, #10 Crappie, #11 Walleye, #12 Catfish. Cabin #1 Heron is one-bedroom (full bed, single futon, double futon, single Murphy bed). Cabins #9, #10, #11, #12 are two-bedroom (full bed, two twin bunk beds, two double futons) with full kitchens including full-size fridge, stove, dining table with 4 chairs, and basic dishes/utensils. |
| Pets | Statewide KDWP rule: pets must be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tethered chain no longer than 10 feet, and are not allowed on swimming beaches or in buildings. |
| Reservations | Book online via KSOutdoors.com/CampItKS.gov or ReserveAmerica.com, by phone, or at the park office, (316) 542-3664. Vehicle permit required separately ($5/day or $25/year). General KDWP cancellation policy applies (campsites lose reservation fee + $5 within 14 days of arrival, full forfeiture inside 2 days; cabins lose reservation fee + $5 within 29 days, full forfeiture inside 4 days). |
| Special sites | 29 miles of asphalt roads; 2 marinas; 6 boat ramps with 22 launching lanes; 4 courtesy docks; 2 fish cleaning stations; 1 shelter with restrooms; 2 large group shelters; 2 medium group shelters; 29 small picnic shelters; 3 nature trails including a 5-mile bicycle/walking trail. |
| Season notes | Water is shut off for winter to all utility campgrounds, bathrooms/showers and dump stations, except Smarsh Creek Campground (sites 96-115), which keeps both water and electric available year-round. Electric remains available at the other utility campgrounds through winter and the park stays open for winter camping, but only on a first-come, first-served basis - no reservations or online payment during winter; pay at the park office or via self-pay for single-night stays. |
Camping questions about Cheney State Park
Can you camp at Cheney State Park?
Descriptive text states 223 reservable electrical hookup sites with water plus over 400 primitive sites; the park's Areas data lists West Shore with 245 water/electric sites (reservable) and East Shore with 150 primitive sites plus 145 water/electric sites (reservable) - the two figures for utility sites do not match. 4 trailer dump stations, 7 modern pit toilets, 9 showerhouses.
How do you reserve a campsite at Cheney State Park?
Book online via KSOutdoors.com/CampItKS.gov or ReserveAmerica.com, by phone, or at the park office, (316) 542-3664. Vehicle permit required separately ($5/day or $25/year). General KDWP cancellation policy applies (campsites lose reservation fee + $5 within 14 days of arrival, full forfeiture inside 2 days; cabins lose reservation fee + $5 within 29 days, full forfeiture inside 4 days).
Are there cabins at Cheney State Park?
12 cabins sleeping 4-10 depending on cabin, available year-round. Cabins #1-9 on West Shore, #10-12 on East Shore. Cabins #2-7 (Kingfisher, Nuthatch, Mockingbird, Pelican, Kestrel, Roadrunner) sleep up to 4 with a full bed and twin bunk bed, plus bathroom/shower, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, dorm fridge, AC/heat, outside hydrant, grill, picnic table, fire ring. Cabin #8 Nighthawk has the same amenities but a full bed, single bunk bed and roll-away bed, deck instead of screened porch. ADA-accessible cabins #1 Heron, #8 Nighthawk, #9 Osprey, #10 Crappie, #11 Walleye, #12 Catfish. Cabin #1 Heron is one-bedroom (full bed, single futon, double futon, single Murphy bed). Cabins #9, #10, #11, #12 are two-bedroom (full bed, two twin bunk beds, two double futons) with full kitchens including full-size fridge, stove, dining table with 4 chairs, and basic dishes/utensils.
Are pets allowed at the Cheney State Park campground?
Statewide KDWP rule: pets must be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tethered chain no longer than 10 feet, and are not allowed on swimming beaches or in buildings.
Source: ksoutdoors.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Cheney State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Kansas state parks, including trails and campgrounds, but must always be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tether no longer than 10 feet.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Hand-held leash or tethered chain no longer than 10 feet (or confined in camper/cage)
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed on swimming beaches or in buoyed swimming areas, or in public buildings
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed inside cabins except in designated pet-friendly cabins (e.g. at Lovewell, Eisenhower, El Dorado, Clinton) with a $50 pet fee; at other cabins pets must stay outside
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $50 pet fee for designated pet-friendly cabins
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Dogs participating in authorized activities (such as hunting) or assisting the visually or hearing impaired are exempt
Are dogs allowed at Cheney State Park?
Pets are allowed in Kansas state parks, including trails and campgrounds, but must always be restrained by a camper, cage, hand-held leash, or tether no longer than 10 feet. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via ksoutdoors.gov. More: Kansas state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Cheney State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
