Tuttle Creek Lake

About Tuttle Creek Lake

When construction of the Tuttle Creek Dam began in 1952, it was assumed that Lake Tutle Creek would be a dry dam at high tide, carrying water from the dam down the river. Water savings for other purposes were envisaged, but not for the long-term storage of water in the lake.

A prolonged drought in 1952 and 1953, coupled with rising Kansas River rivers, prompted Congress to lift restrictions on the dry dam in 1957. Tuttle Creek Lake is one of six lakes managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, water park, swimming hole, toilets and flush toilets, and a picnic area. Located in the picturesque Flint Hills, Tutle Creek Lake is the largest lake of its kind in North America, covering an area of 3.6 square kilometers. Tutttle Brook The lake provides an average annual flow of 2.2 million cubic feet (1 million gallons) per day.

Visitors to the lake can swim, canoe, kayak, hike, picnic and picnic in the pool. Over 16,000 hectares of land around the lake have been improved to help wildlife and provide excellent opportunities for hunting and wildlife observation.

For those who prefer electric paddling or sailing, Tuttle Creek Lake is for boaters, but the lake's size, 14 miles long, combined with prevailing winds, makes it ideal for kayaking, canoeing, fishing and other recreational activities, as well as fishing.

On quiet days, boaters can use the main body of the lake for water skiing, inflatable and pleasure boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and other activities.

Canoeists and kayakers can paddle from the pond to the dam, and the national park offers canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals. On windy days, a small pond with a wooden bridge over the creek and a large wooden boat ramp provides shelter from rough water.

Swimming is permitted in almost all areas of Tuttle Creek Lake, but boaters should be aware that there are often hidden objects in Tutle Creek Cove, the bay and the dam. Water levels fluctuate so much that stumps that protrude from the water during a visit can sink on the next visit. A dangerous boat dock on the lake is located near the entrance of the stream, north of the dam and south of a small stream.

Vulnerable and heavily frequented areas are indicated with warning buoys on the south side of Tuttle Creek Lake, north of the dam and south of a small stream.

The area has two designated beaches, best reached by boat or on foot, surrounded by a small stream and a large stream, both within the confines of Tuttle Creek Lake. Visitors enjoy a gently sloping coastline with views of the river, lake and stream, as well as a variety of animal species.

Fishermen will appreciate the abundance of fish, large and small, as well as a variety of bird species, reptiles and amphibians. In the open water along the coast you can catch a wide variety of small, medium and large fish such as trout, salmon, perch, trout and even some small mules.

Around the lake there are several fishing pier and fishing tournaments are held at different times of the year. Fish caught in most lakes and streams in Kansas are safe to eat. For more information, see the "Eat Safe" link at the bottom of this page.

The scenic wilderness around Tuttle Creek Lake offers miles of hiking and biking trails. The Randolph Equestrian Trail offers horse riding, and the trail is also open to hikers, as well as trails for mountain bikers.

Bald eagles and great white herons are always a treat for birdwatchers and photographers, and the trails around the lake offer magnificent views of the water as well as a variety of birds of prey.

The river pond area offers a variety of self-guided nature trails as well as a number of hiking and cycling trails. The trails are ideal for family trips and the viewing platforms provide a great opportunity to see many species of animals in their natural habitat.

Hunters can find a variety of bird species, reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey and other wildlife in the area. There is a special hunting area for the disabled, which allows the use of a vehicle.

For non-campers visiting Tuttle Creek Lake, nearby Manhattan or The Little Apple, this rustic and modern vacation rental is the perfect choice. Manhattan is home to Fort Collins High School and the University of Kansas football team, and home games on Wildcat Weekend draw thousands of fans.

Downtown is full of interesting places to shop, sightseeing, pick up food and shop for some of the best food and drinks in the area.

Manhattan is also home to a beautiful back street that stretches 47.2 miles through the Flint Hills. Konza Prairie is a short drive from Manhattan, and Topeka, the state capital, is an hour east. Two hours east of Manhattan is Tuttle Creek Lake, home to the largest freshwater lake in the United States. It has a lot to offer the outdoor enthusiast, just camp on the water or camp on one of the many hiking trails.