A reservoir on the Wakarusa River, extensive wetlands and historic sites give Douglas County, Kansas, a varied character. Clinton Lake is in the northwest of the county; operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the lake combines a distinctive landscape with a diverse range of trails and recreational facilities. Beyond the water, the landscape ranges from prairie and open water to wooded conservation areas.
Water, Prairie and Trails
Five parks around Clinton Lake offer campsites, a beach, boat ramps, disc golf courses and picnic areas. For those comparing trails by length, there are options of different scales: the North Shore Trail offers more than 21 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The George Latham Trail in Woodridge Park is 4.5 miles long and offers opportunities for hiking and overnight camping along the trail. The Backwoods Trail is 5/8 of a mile long; a brochure from the information center makes self-guided exploration possible.
The Baker Wetlands cover 927 acres of wetlands, prairie, open water and riparian habitats. Parking areas and trails there are open daily from sunrise to sunset. A different landscape characterizes the 538-acre wildlife area around Douglas State Fishing Lake: it is predominantly wooded. In the southwest of the county, rural agricultural land surrounds the 422-acre Lone Star Lake Park. The figures for size and surroundings show the variety of landscapes in the county without reducing them to a single image of nature.
At Wells Overlook Park, nature meets informative interpretation: roadside displays in the Passerine Pavilion explore the area's historical, geological and astronomical features. The park also includes a prairie restoration project and a 1/4-mile nature trail. The topics range from landscape development to different ways of understanding the surrounding area.
History in Places and Collections
Black Jack Battlefield is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is associated with the events of “Bleeding Kansas” and the lead-up to the American Civil War. This historical context offers a different way to explore Douglas County than its trails and conservation areas: the focus here is on connections that matter to the region's history. Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park also includes remnants of the former Lone Star Lake Civilian Conservation Corps Camp. These include a stone water tower, four stone fire rings, a stone fire pit and a stone staircase.
In nearby Lawrence, several museums explore different aspects of history and nature. The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum features permanent exhibits on the development of Haskell as well as rotating special exhibitions. It is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; confirm opening hours before your visit. The Watkins Museum of History explores the people and events that have shaped Lawrence and Douglas County in its permanent exhibits. The Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum collects, preserves and shares the history of the Wakarusa River Valley.
Natural history is also part of the offering in nearby Lawrence: the KU Natural History Museum features exhibits on fossils, live snakes and insects, and the flora and fauna of the Great Plains across four floors open to the public. The Spencer Museum of Art is accessible via the Lawrence transit system. For a different look at everyday life in the area, visit the Lawrence Farmers Market: as a producer-only market, it focuses on Kansas-grown agricultural products and building local businesses. Together, these places offer a range of subjects—from regional history and natural history to agriculture and art.
Discover more destinations: Lawrence, Baldwin City, Reno County, Crawford, Clark County, Meade County, Kearny County, Neosho County.
For the broader travel overview: Kansas.
