You gotta see this place: Wilson Reservoir and State Park

Wilson Reservoir and its surrounding land simply don’t look like it belongs in Kansas.

Most people envision a flat, boring landscape when they think of Kansas. Wilson Reservoir looks like something you would find in the West.

Visit the state park and reservoir in central Kansas, just a few miles north of I-70, and you’ll find breathtaking scenery — rocky outcroppings, beautiful vistas overlooking a clear lake, cliffs, bluffs and mini-canyons, and prairies that are alive with wildflowers and blooming cacti at some times of the year.

The centerpiece of the area is the 9,000-acre reservoir, perhaps the most scenic body of water in Kansas. Set in the heat of the Smoky Hills, Wilson is known for its fishing, offering excellent opportunities for walleyes, smallmouth bass and even stripers.

But fishermen aren’t the only ones who are drawn to Wilson. With its rocky, hilly terrain, it is a perfect world for mountain bikers. The 24 1/2 -mile Switchgrass Trail, open to both bicyclists and hikers, winds through rugged prairie, past red Dakota sandstone rock formations and along the reservoir.

It offers the challenge that veteran mountain bikers desire, but also has sections for beginners. It has been designated as an Epic Trail by the International Mountain Biking Association.

Wilson State Park offers 241 campsites, many with utility hookups. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism also maintains cabins for rent.

In the fall, interest turns to hunting and again, Wilson has plenty to offer. The Wilson Wildlife Area offers 8,069 acres of public hunting. Much of that is made up of rolling hills of native prairie grass, but the wildlife area also includes cropland and timber along creeks. It offers hunting for deer, pheasants, turkeys and waterfowl.

The state park and reservoir also draw interest in the fall from hikers and campers who enjoy the changing of colors and the cool temperatures.

All of this, in Kansas.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 11:05 AM with the headline "You gotta see this place: Wilson Reservoir and State Park."