Listen to our full interview with Kimberly Jones from Fall River State Park here:
Fall River State Park Camping
Camp Kansas: We’re talking with Kimberly Jones today. She is the park manager for Fall River State Park down in Kansas. How’s it going today, Kimberly?
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Kimberly: It’s a good rainy day today. We needed some rain.
Camp Kansas: How long has Fall River State Park been around, and how did it get its start?
Kimberly: Fall River was actually the second reservoir to be completed in the state of Kansas. It was completed in 1949, so it’s one of the oldest lakes in the state. The state parks didn’t come in until ’62, and of course, developed two areas on the lake. We also share the lake with the Corp of Engineers; they also have recreation areas around the reservoir. Yeah, that’s kind of how they got their start, back in the ’60s.
Camp Kansas: What are some of the most popular activities at that park?
Kimberly: We have a youth kids’ fishing pond that we stock with all kinds of different brims and sunfishes, as well as catfish, bass. It’s for 15 years and younger, and I can about guarantee they’ll catch a fish if they go over there. It’s pretty stocked up for them.
Camp Kansas: Fun. What kind of fish?
Kimberly: Different brims, sunfish, catfish.
Camp Kansas: Tell me about the campground.
Kimberly: We have 81 campsites at Fall River State park; 46 of those are utilities and 35 are primitive. Our primitive sites are all designated sites. They all have fire rings, upright grills, picnic tables, and some even have [inaudible 00:01:28] holders.
Camp Kansas: Are they first-come, first-served, or can you reserve a site?
Kimberly: You can reserve through the first of October. In the fall and winter months, we don’t require a reservation on those.
Camp Kansas: Does it tend to be less popular during that time?
Kimberly: Yes, we’re just not as busy when we get cold. But you can stay in a cabin. You can stay in a cabin in the wintertime; they’re open year-round.
Camp Kansas: That sounds great. How many do those sleep?
Kimberly: Two of our cabins sleep six, and the third cabin actually will sleep up to nine.
Camp Kansas: How much do those cost a night?
Kimberly: Coming into the fall season, they run $85 on the weekend and $65 during the week, and through the winter rates, January to March are $55 a night. Prime season they run $95 and $75.
Camp Kansas: Two more questions for you about Fall River State Park. If you could spend just one hour in the park, what would you do with your time?
Kimberly: Oh my. I would probably hike the Post Oak Trail over on the east side of the lake. It’s a nice combination of tall grass prairie and a little mix of the cross timbers ecosystem, both.
Camp Kansas: And if you could spend just one night in Fall River State Park, which campsite would you choose and why?
Kimberly: I would stay at the end of the Fredonia Bay in a primitive campsite, probably Site 34 because it’s off by itself. It is right on the water, as close as you can get, and it’s right on a rock bluff, so it has a great view and is off by itself, close to the playground. Because I’ve got little people, and my little people could play at the playground and I could still sit around my camp spot.
Camp Kansas: Sounds beautiful.
Kimberly: Yes, it is.
Camp Kansas: Thanks for taking some time out of your afternoon today – or morning, I guess, still – to chat with us a little bit about Fall River State Park, Kimberly.
