Glen Elder State Park
Waconda Lake Recreation in the Heart of Kansas — State Park on the 12,500-Acre Glen Elder Reservoir (Waconda Lake) in North-Central Kansas, Full-Service Marina With Boat Ramp and Dock Facilities, Fishing for Walleye Wipers White Bass and Channel Catfish, 400+ Campsites Including Full Hookups and Primitive Sites, Swimming Beach and Water Sports on the Open Prairie Lake, Hiking and Wildlife Viewing on the Grassland Trails, Near Glen Elder Mitchell County North-Central Kansas
Glen Elder State Park is a state park on 12,500-acre Glen Elder Reservoir (Waconda Lake) in Mitchell County, north-central Kansas, managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The park features a full-service marina with boat ramp and dock facilities on one of Kansas’s most popular recreation lakes, fishing for walleye, wipers (hybrid striped bass), white bass, and channel catfish, over 400 campsites including full hookups, utility sites, and primitive camping, a swimming beach with sandy shoreline, water sports including waterskiing and jet skiing on the open prairie lake, hiking and wildlife viewing on grassland trails, hunting access in designated areas during season, and panoramic Great Plains views across the reservoir from elevated campground bluffs.
The wiper fishing is exceptional — these aggressive hybrid striped bass provide explosive surface-feeding action, especially during summer evening feeding frenzies when schools of wipers chase shad across the surface. Waconda Lake is one of the premier wiper fisheries in the Great Plains.
The open prairie setting creates spectacular sunsets — with no trees or hills to block the view, the western Kansas sky puts on a nightly show that reflects across the lake surface. The elevated campground bluffs provide front-row seats to this natural theater.
Things to Do
- Fishing — walleye, wipers, catfish
- Camping — 400+ sites, hookups
- Boating — marina, ramp
- Swimming beach — sandy shore
- Water sports — skiing, jet ski
- Wildlife — grassland trails
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Glen Elder, Mitchell County, KS |
| Lake | 12,500-acre Waconda Lake |
| Campsites | 400+ (hookups + primitive) |
| Fishing | Walleye, wipers, white bass, catfish |
| Marina | Full-service, ramp, docks |
| Managed By | Kansas Dept. Wildlife & Parks |
| Coordinates | 39.4833° N, 98.7667° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish are in Waconda Lake Kansas?
Waconda Lake (Glen Elder Reservoir) in north-central Kansas is stocked with walleye, wipers (hybrid striped bass), white bass, and channel catfish. Glen Elder State Park on the 12,500-acre lake offers a full-service marina, over 400 campsites with hookups, a swimming beach, and water sports. One of the premier wiper fisheries in the Great Plains. Managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
The park sits in the geographic heart of Kansas — and close to the geographic center of the contiguous United States. This central location makes Glen Elder a convenient meeting point for families traveling from different parts of the state, and the massive campground with over 400 sites ensures everyone can find a spot even on holiday weekends.
Last updated: May 2026
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