Dive on in! The Water is Great in Montgomery County!

Looking for something fun to do in the summer heat? Everyone knows that the best thing to do when it is hot outside is to take a dip in some cool, refreshing waters. Here in Montgomery County, Kansas, we are lucky enough to have amazing lakes which, year after year, bring people together for fun in the sun. Whether you just want to lay on the beach, have a picnic by the water, camp out, or swim, we have the lake life you are looking for!


Elk City Lake

Located just a few miles from Elk City, Kansas, Elk City Lake is one of the most popular lakes that people in Montgomery county enjoy. This lake is a perfect place for anyone who enjoys swimming, boating, tubing, and water skiing. The lake itself if a reservoir that has a total of over 50 miles of shoreline and 4,500 acres of water, making it the perfect summer destination for anyone who enjoys the water!

The park offers its visitors a wide array of amenities. The campgrounds at Elk City lake are well shaded for camping in the hot summer sun. There are restrooms and designated shower areas for visitors. The lake also has convenient fishing piers for catching channel catfish, white bass, and crappie. For the kids, Elk City Lake and its park have a kids fishing pond, horseshoe pits, a basketball court, and playgrounds.

For those nature lovers, there are trails that wind around the lake itself. The Green Thumb Trail is a 1-mile long self-guided trail where visitors can take in the natural beauty of the area. The Table Mound Hiking Trail is a 2 ¾-mile trail that takes visitors up along the lake’s natural bluff. Lastly, The Post Oak trail is a 4-mile bike trail for visitors to enjoy. Whether you are just there to soak up the sun or jump on into the lake and enjoy the water Elk City Lake and its park has a little something for everyone!

Big Hill Lake

Big Hill Lake is a reservoir that sits on the Montgomery County and Labette County line. It was built by the Army Corp of Engineers for recreational public use. The reservoir is located just a few miles east of Cherryvale, Kansas and holds 1,240 acres of water. This lake and its surrounding park areas have a little something for everyone to enjoy!

Big Hill Lake’s park areas include campsites, with and without electricity, for anyone who enjoys camping under the stars during the warmer months. There are also several picnic areas to enjoy meals while at the lake or camping. These campsites also come complete with sanitary restroom facilities. For the kids, there is a playground and ballfield available to play on.

But the big draw for many who frequent Big Hill Lake is the lake itself. There are designated swimming beach areas for those who enjoy the lake life. Stretch out on the sand and get a good tan or soak up the sun in the water! There are also several boat launches for fishing boats and water sports vehicles alike. Enjoy jet skiing or tubing with the kids or your friends this summer and take advantage of all this lake has to offer! This lake is also known as an excellent fishing spot for those who love to fish. Some of the most common fish caught in Big Hill Lake include largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, and more. Big Hill Lake has a lot to offer anyone who loves to be outdoors and near the water on these hot summer days!

We here in Montgomery County are proud of the area we live in and urge locals and tourists alike to check out our local lake life this summer. Both of our amazing lakes offer great rates for camping and additional discounts for Senior citizens as well! Swimming, fishing, water sports, campsites, we have it all to offer for a very affordable price! Check out our website for more information on Montgomery County’s lake life and dive on in today! The Elk City Lake Park website and the Big Hill Lake website also offer specifics on these lakes and parks. 

Images Courtesy of Caitlin Shepard