Kansas state parks, fishing lakes to remain open to the public

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has developed a plan to keep Kansas’ 28 state parks, 63 state fishing lakes, and more than 100 wildlife areas open to the public during the COVID-19 crisis.

Webster State Park, located 6 miles west of Stockton, is no exception.

According to a March 20th Webster State Park Facebook post, the public is invited to use their facilities.

For the safety of all, park officials ask you practice your social distancing while using the facilities. There will be no shower houses available at this time. The park office will be closed to walk-in traffic, but they will be in the office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and available by phone to answer questions, take reservations, and sell permits. ALL transactions payments will need to be done with a card. They ask you please remain in your car and they will bring your permits or campsite cards out to you.

There are several options for purchasing licenses and camping if you do not wish to come out to the office.

For camping you can make reservations on the new CampItKS app that is available for both iOS and Android in your app stores, or go on line at https://www.kshuntfishcamp.com.

Licenses can be purchase through the Hunt-FishKS app that is available for both iOS and Android in your app stores, or you can go online at https:// www.kshuntfishcamp.com.

“We’re committed to ensuring Kansas outdoors remain accessible to all, and that Kansans have safe and healthy recreation opportunities during this unprecedented crisis,” KDWPT Secretary Brad Loveless said. “There’s no better place to be right now than out in nature, where social distancing is a breeze. We encourage families across the state to get outside, get fresh air, go fishing or for a hike, and enjoy our natural spaces.”

On March 23, 2020, KDWPT temporarily closed regional and district offices for two weeks; however, state park staff will work in limited capacities to ensure Kansas’ state parks remain open to the public, and that park facilities are regularly cleaned and disinfected.

Kansas state parks offer 10,000 campsites and hundreds of miles of trails open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Parks offer convenient access for boating and fishing, and some parks have shooting ranges. Small, family-friendly state fishing lakes are scattered across the state and provide more than 5,000 total surface acres of fishing opportunities close to home.

All public land regulations and license requirements remain in effect. Check with local governments for access restrictions to community lakes and USACE-operated parks.

For more on Kansas state parks, and other outdoor recreation opportunities in Kansas, visit ksoutdoors.com.