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Melvern Lake - COE/Outlet Park
Overview
Melvern Lake - COE/Outlet Park is a premier destination managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, located just downstream from the Melvern Lake dam. This park is widely recognized for its lush, green canopy and peaceful atmosphere, offering a tranquil alternative to the more open lakeside campgrounds. It serves as a scenic riverside retreat where travelers can enjoy the sights and sounds of the Marais des Cygnes River while benefiting from well-maintained federal facilities.
Location & Surroundings
Located near Melvern, KS, the park is situated within the Osage Cuestas region of eastern Kansas. The landscape here is a beautiful mix of dense hardwood forests and rolling hills, providing a distinct sense of seclusion. Because the park sits in the river valley below the dam, it is sheltered from the heavy winds often found on the open prairie, making the shaded campsites highly desirable during the warmer summer months.
Amenities & Park Features
The park offers spacious RV sites that feature 50-amp electrical hookups, providing plenty of power for modern rigs. While most sites are not full-hookup, a convenient dump station and central water fill are available for all guests. Visitors have access to clean, modern shower houses and flush toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay. Families often enjoy the well-maintained playgrounds and picnic shelters, while anglers appreciate the accessible fishing docks located along the riverbank.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw for many visitors is the exceptional fishing in the river outlet, which is known for catfish and white bass. Just a short drive up the road, the 7,000-acre Melvern Lake provides endless opportunities for boating, sailing, and swimming. Nature lovers can explore the nearby Eisenhower State Park, which features miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding through the tallgrass prairie and wooded shoreline.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal choice for nature-focused RVers who prefer a quiet, rustic environment over a high-activity commercial resort. It is a favorite for budget-conscious travelers and seniors who value the reliability and affordability of COE parks. With its large, level sites and peaceful surroundings, it is also perfect for big-rig owners seeking a serene stopover with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the outdoors.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
User Reviews
Benita
Fantastic COE campground. We stayed in loop C. FHU, abundant shade, large paved sites situated for easy back in. Clean shower house with laundry available too. Walking trails through the woods and around the water. Good Verizon signal. No OTA TV channels. Hosts were so friendly and helpful and obviously doing a great job. Super clean facilities.
Wanda White
It's a beautiful park.We stayed here years ago and enjoyed it just as much this time.And we will definitely be back again.
Todd Konitzer
This was a surprise place to stay in our RV. It's quiet and a great place to stay. Plenty of places to fish, kayak, ride bikes and kids to run around all for a good price. We share our adventures on our YouTube Channel: Switch It Up Enjoy your time!
Josh W
Really great campground, lots of place for kids to play, the swimming beach what is one of the nicest around. The campground hosts are awesome, very kind and thoughtful and they keep everything so clean. I would go out of my way to camp here again.
Cathy Stwalley
Giant campsites in A loop with an excellent bathroom and shower house but not any shade. C loop has great shade and sites are average size. B loop reminds me a typical rv park with slanted pull through sites that are fairly close together but has a really nice shower house too and is close to the boat ramp.