Perry State Park

The lake level is currently 1.56 feet above normal pool. The gates at the outlet are releasing 25 cubic feet per second. Both docks at the state park boat ramps are useable. Boaters are warned to watch for debris floating down from the northern end of the lake.

There will be a fireworks display this year at the dam Saturday, July 6th, however, NO FIREWORKS will be allowed in the state park this year. We are expecting a large crowd for the 4th of July weekend. For safety reasons, there will be no fireworks allowed at Perry State Park. We will also be sectioning off Hobie Cove campground in order to control the number of individuals camping in that campground. Once the designated sections are filled, individuals will be directed to camp in other primitive campgrounds in the state park.

New this year - The Kansas State Parks' Passport! The Kansas State Parks' Passport is available only during your Kansas motor vehicle registration process (new or renewal). It is available at a motor vehicle registration office, through the online vehicle registration site (www. kswebtags.org), or when renewing by mail. The parks' passport only costs $15.50 and is good for a full twelve months (one year) same as your vehicle registration. The park passport expires the same day your vehicle registration expires. For more information, contact Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Pratt Operations Office at 620-672-5911 or call your state park office.

With the lake level at approximately two feet (2.14) below normal pool, boaters need to be alert and mindful of the changing contours of the the lake. Areas that were once deep enough near the shoreline for boats have become shallow areas making the grounding of a boat highly probable. With the low lake level there is lake debris just below the surface that at normal pool would not have been a hazard. Use caution near the shorelines. Have a safe and enjoyable outing at the lake.

The reservation system is on-line for camping sites for the spring and summer season. Reserve you camp site for 2013 at www.reserveamerica.com. The cabins are open and reserveable at www.reserveamerica.com. Prior to April 1st the camp sites are available on a first-come first serve basis.

The Park Office will be open seven days of the week starting April 1st; Monday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 (closed for lunch) and then 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Park permits are required when entering the state park campgrounds and day use areas. All annual park permits are available at the park office. Also, be sure to inquire about the new State Parks Passport debuting in 2013. The state park is open for use and if the office is closed, the appropriate fees can be paid at the self-pay kiosks.

Boat registrations are available at the park office. In order to register a newly acquired boat, be sure to bring the bill of sale containing an accurate Hull Identification Number and the KA assigned number or any other state's assigned number. Another tip when purchasing a boat from an individual, be sure the person you are buying the boat from is the current registered owner in KDWPT's system.

The water in Wild Horse campground has been turned on. The showerhouse in Wild Horse campground area is available upon request by patrons using the equistrian area. (ALERT: Wild Horse campground utility sites are limited to Equine campers only. You must have a horse at the site to camp.)

Currently, a daily vehicle pass is $5.00 (Senior and disability is $3.25). Daily camping is $8.00 and utility (electricity and water) is an additional $9.50. A $3.00 transaction fee will apply for all walk-in utility sites and primitive camp sites with the new camping system. If you arrive when the office is closed, a self-pay station is available for vehicle and camping permits. The self-pay station is located in the parking lot of the main office. 2013 Annual Vehicle permits are available at the park office for $25.00; Senior and Disabled 2013 Annual Vehicle permits are $13.75. All annual permits purchased at the park office expire December 31, 2013.

Remember - Report all Wildlife and Parks violations! Call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-426-3843.

LONG-TERM CAMPING LOTTERY DRAWING - The lottery process for the 2013 long-term camping has been completed. We still have a few Long-Term sites available and applications are available through email or at the office for these sites on a first come, first serve basis. If interested or for questions regarding the long-term camping program, please call the park office for more information or email us at perrysp@ksoutdoors.com.

The cabins at Perry State Park are open and reservations can be made online at www.reserveamerica.com. If you have not tried camping in one of Perry’s cabins, consider coming out this summer.

We have installed mileage markers on the Nature Trail in the park. The trail has been cleaned up and marked so you can record your distance and time in order to track your fitness level. If you can complete one mile in 14 minutes or less without discomfort, you are achieving a good fitness level. Learn more about "What's Your Mile?" and take the Healthy Kansas pledge at www.healthykansas.org.

Wild Horse Campground Area:

We have had a very productive two weeks in the Wild Horse campground area thanks numerous individuals who assisted and volunteered their time to improvements in this campground. A new walking path from the campground to the bathhouse has been built thanks to the time and sharing of equipment by Regional Supervisor Jeff Bender, Seasonal Worker Jeff Robinson, Americorp workers, Chris and Derrick; and Perry State Park's own seasonal volunteers. At this time we are allowing the walking path to settle with the moisture and hope to have it opened to foot traffic in the coming weeks.

We also want to give a special thanks to all the folks who have generously given of their time to make improvements on the horse trails and in the campground. New trail signs were made by Tom Wilson of Perry; Evert Glenn, Joey Jernigan, Jo Turner, and Dewayne Burgess painted the signs and Mr. Glenn coated them in a sealer. Mr. Glenn, Mr. Jernigan, and Ed and Sue Jarvis put the new trail signs up so now individuals will be able to navigate themselves on the trails without getting lost. Ed Jarvis has been working on a new map that cooresponds to the new signs on the trails. Bob Rettele did some preliminary grading on the new gravel we put on the eight utility sites and for preliminary work, those sites look fantastic. Additional work will be done once the rock settles on the pads. Recognition also goes out to Eldon and Pete Pickett for doing some much needed tree trimming in the campground. Everything is really shaping up for the 2013 season. We can't thank Dewayne Burgess enough for his role in coordinating all these improvements to the Wild Horse campground area. Thank you again, everyone!

Wild Horse Campground area is open for primitive and utility (electricity and water) use. There are eight utility sites available to equestrian campers only. You must have a horse to camp on these utility sites. We have installed two hitching posts - at site #105 and the other at site #107. We hope to continue adding hitching posts throughout the year. Horse riders are encouraged to come out and enjoy the trails. The bathhouse is open upon request. ALERT: Do not create new trails or trail heads as this causes confusion to riders and creates difficulties in mapping the trail areas. New trails can not be created without the consent and approval of the state park and the Corp of Engineers.

Try out the new free Pocket Ranger® app to use as the Official Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Toursim Guide at http://pocketranger.com/apps/ks/apps.php.

Upcoming Special Events:

June 21, 2013 - Running Race - Bike Trail - Sponsored by Trail Nerds

June 29, 2013 - Bass Fishing Tournament - Sponsored by Kansas Buddy Bass

July 7, 2013 - Bass Tournament (Rock Creek) - Sponsored by Atchison Bass Club

July 27, 2013 - Tenative - Mountain Bike Trail Ride - Sunflower State Games - sponsored by Lawrence Mountain Bike Club

August 11, 2013 - Bass Tournament (Rock Creek) - Atchison Bass Club

September 6-8, 2013 - Tenative - Competivitive Horse Trail Ride - Sponsored by MOTDRA

September 7, 2013 - Bass Tournament (Rock Creek) - Sponsored by Backlashers Bass Club

September 27-29, 2013 - Horse Trail Ride - Sponsored by Critter Care

October 19, 2013 - Running Race - Bike Trails - Sponsored by Trail Nerds

ANNOUCEMENTS:

Perry State Park would like to give a big THANK YOU to members of the Kansas Bowhunters Association. They held a Conservation Day at Perry State Park on Saturday, April 6, 2013. Nine members came out to the park and cleared the Nature Trail area (approximately 1 mile of walking trails) of low tree branches, fallen trees and other obstacles on the trail. They were so efficient, that another clearing project was given to them to clear the roadway on the State Park Road that goes from Wild Horse campground to the bathhouse, approximately 1 mile of roadway. Members cut done numerous trees that were growing too close to the road, including large red cedars that were becoming a road hazard. KBA Members to recognize for all their hard work are Anna Whitehead, Marvin Whitehead (President), Barry Raugust, Kent Davis, Skip Lloyd, Bob Griffin, Chris Roberts, Dave Easton, and Ron Smith. We would also like to thank Paul Babcock for coordinating this Conservation Day at Perry State Park.

The Cougar Pass campground sites have been added to the reservation system. These camp sites will be reservable for the 2013 season! Go online at www.reserveamerica.com and reserve your camp sites for the spring and summer of 2013!

The lake level at Perry Lake is approximately one and a half feet (1.56) above normal pool. The current release rate is 25 cubic feet per second. Normal lake level is 891.50 and the current lake level is 893.06

Have a safe and enjoyable visit at Perry State Park.

For more information about Perry State Park or if you have any questions, please feel free to call the park office at 785-246-3449 or e-mail us at perrysp@ksoutdoors.com.