Overview

Natural Features:

The Flint Hills represent America's last expanse of intact tallgrass prairie, made up mainly of big bluestem, switchgrass and Indian grass. The rolling hills on the south side of the lake are somewhat wooded, but trees and shade are sparse within the campground.

Recreation:

Melvern Lake impounds nearly 7,000 acres of water on the upper reaches of the Marais des Cygnes River Valley. Boating and swimming are popular activities on the lake. Anglers fish for walleye, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, black bass, white bass, striped and smallmouth bass.

The 18,000 acres of land surrounding Melvern Lake provide plentiful hiking and hunting opportunities. Several trails link up around the lake, including Overlook and Breakwater Trails, both of which begin within the campground. Hunters may find deer, quail, turkeys, ducks, rabbits and squirrels throughout the area.

Facilities:

The campground offers 59 campsites, 34 of which have electric hookups. Site 1 is an accessible site with 50-amp electric, water and sewer hookups. Two group day-use picnic shelters with electric hookups are available as well. Several family picnic sites can be used on a first come, first served basis.

Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. A boat ramp, dock, marina and fish cleaning station are located on-site, as are an overlook, two nature trails, three playgrounds and a swim beach.