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Lake Scott State Park – Keswick Panorama - Oct 2009📷 Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0

Lake Scott State Park

Scott City, KS

History

A spring-fed lake in a canyon, with the ruins of El Cuartelejo, the northernmost known pueblo. A shady campground and good swimming.

Nearest town
Scott City, KS
Category
History & culture
GPS
38.6725, -100.9163

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Kansas chalk badlands – Symphyotrichum fendleri 95665295© Matt Berger · CC BY 4.0
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Scenic byways

Kansas chalk badlands

178 mi8 stops3 days

Nearby

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park – Little Jerusalem Badlands Kansas© Mufasa2414 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

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Chalk & impure chalk (Smoky Hill Chalk Member, Niobrara Formation, Upper Cretaceous; Monument Rocks, Kansas, USA) 100© James St. John · CC BY 2.0
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Castle Rock – Symphyotrichum fendleri 95665295© Matt Berger · CC BY 4.0
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Castle Rock

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Boot Hill Museum – TORUS 20220605 145318© NOAA NSSL · CC BY 2.0
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Boot Hill Museum

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Campsites nearby

  • Historic Lake Scott State Park Elm Grove CampgroundCampsite
    0 mi from Lake Scott State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Historic Lake Scott State Park Apache CampgroundCampsite
    1 mi from Lake Scott State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Historic Lake Scott State Park Lakeside CampgroundCampsite
    1 mi from Lake Scott State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Historic Lake Scott State Park Flatland CampgroundCampsite
    1 mi from Lake Scott State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Historic Lake Scott State Park Circle Drive CampgroundCampsite
    1 mi from Lake Scott State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Historic Lake Scott State Park Boat Ramp CampgroundCampsite
    1 mi from Lake Scott State Park
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Kansas · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Lake Scott State Park?

Lake Scott State Park is in Scott City, KS, at GPS 38.6725, -100.9163. It is about 32 mi from Oakley.

Can you camp near Lake Scott State Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Historic Lake Scott State Park Elm Grove Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Lake Scott State Park?

Lake Scott State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Kansas chalk badlands.

What is there to see near Lake Scott State Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park (8 mi), Monument Rocks (12 mi), Castle Rock (42 mi) and Boot Hill Museum (80 mi).

When is the best time to visit Lake Scott State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)