I visited Clinton State Park last summer, and it’s exactly the kind of place that sneaks up on you with its beauty. Just five miles from Lawrence, it feels worlds away, peaceful blue water, trails lined with wildflowers like sunflowers and bee balm, and the occasional heron gliding overhead. I rented a kayak for a couple of hours and paddled into the middle of Clinton Lake where the only sounds were birds and the splash of fish.
Hiking here is easy to moderate, with prairie views and plenty of chances to spot migratory birds. Fishing is big too, and there’s even a kids-only pond. After a day outside, I headed back into Lawrence for cream cheese donuts from Muncher’s the perfect end to a Kansas summer day.
Have you ever combined a small college town visit with a state park escape?
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