Tuttle Creek Orv Area

About Tuttle Creek ORV Park

Tuttle Creek ORV Park is a 310 acre off road vehicle area managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, located two miles southeast of Randolph, Kansas at Tuttle Creek Lake. It is free to ride, open to all motorized and non motorized vehicles, and it sits in the northern Flint Hills where limestone ledges and steep slopes give the terrain real character. This is a primitive riding area rather than a groomed park, and that is the whole point of it.

Terrain Built for Crawling

The riding here leans heavily toward rock crawling and technical four wheel drive work. Expect steep and chunky hill climbs, stepped rock climbs, rugged trails with sharp turns and deep ruts, scattered mud holes, creek crossings and miles of four wheel drive roads.

The obstacles are a mix of natural and left over. Large logs, boulders, concrete pipes, rock ledges and old building foundations all sit within the park, which gives crawlers plenty to pick lines through. The area known as The Ledges is the feature most riders come for.

Four wheel drive trucks and Jeeps get the most out of this property. Dirt bike and ATV riders can certainly ride here, but the nearby Spillway Cycle Area below the east end of Tuttle Creek Dam offers a better mix of double track and single track for two wheels. It is accessed from Dyer Road and is open to bicycles and motorized vehicles under 66 inches wide.

Free Access, Primitive Conditions

There is no fee to ride and no fee to park. The staging area is open during daylight hours only, and camping is not permitted within the ORV area. Several Corps campgrounds around Tuttle Creek Lake sit a few minutes away for anyone making a weekend of it.

Amenities are deliberately minimal. A parking and staging area at the entrance has picnic tables, a vault toilet and a loading ramp. There is no shade and no drinking water, so bring what you need. Basic supplies and fuel are available at the convenience store in Randolph.

Trail maintenance is minimal by design. Volunteer groups including the Flint Hills Jeep Club have been primary maintainers of the trails, and the vault toilet came about through a partnership between the Corps, a local Jeep dealer and a local Jeep club. Ride accordingly and treat the place as the volunteer effort it is.

Rules Worth Knowing

The Corps has a short set of rules that riders should read before the first visit.

Helmets approved by the Department of Transportation are required for all cyclists, ATV riders and anyone in an open vehicle without roll bars. The speed limit in staging areas is 10 miles per hour. All off road vehicles must have effective mufflers. Hunting and firearms are prohibited throughout Corps recreation areas including this one, though public land outside the parks is open to hunting.

Two conduct rules protect the trails themselves. Do not ride when the ground is soft and muddy, because wet trail use accelerates erosion and shortens the life of the area. And do not ride up and down the creek beds, which are not trails.

Use of the area is at your own risk. This is unsupervised, minimally maintained terrain.

Getting There

The park is two miles southeast of Randolph with access from Gardiner Road, then about a mile and a half east on Secrest Road. Randolph sits at the north end of Tuttle Creek Lake in Riley County, north of Manhattan.

Randolph itself has an unusual history tied to the lake. The original town was displaced when the Corps built Tuttle Creek Dam, completed in 1963, and the community was relocated to higher ground about a mile and a half southwest. What remains is a small town with a convenience store and not much else, so plan your supplies before you turn off.

For questions, the Corps office for Tuttle Creek Lake is at 5020 Tuttle Creek Boulevard in Manhattan and can be reached at 785-539-8511.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to ride at Tuttle Creek ORV Park?

No. Riding and parking are free.

What vehicles are allowed?

All motorized and non motorized vehicles are permitted across the 310 acre area.

Is it better for Jeeps or dirt bikes?

Four wheel drive trucks and Jeeps get the most from the terrain. Two wheel riders often prefer the nearby Spillway Cycle Area, which has more double track and single track.

Can I camp there?

No. Camping is prohibited in the ORV area, but Corps campgrounds around Tuttle Creek Lake are only minutes away.

Are helmets required?

Yes. DOT approved helmets are required for cyclists, ATV riders and anyone in an open vehicle without roll bars.

What are the hours?

The staging area is open during daylight hours only.

Are there restrooms and water?

There is a vault toilet, picnic tables and a loading ramp at the entrance staging area. There is no drinking water and no shade.

Can I ride after rain?

The Corps asks riders to stay off when the ground is soft and muddy, since wet trail use causes serious erosion.

Where is Tuttle Creek ORV Park located?

Two miles southeast of Randolph, Kansas 66554, accessed from Gardiner Road then about a mile and a half east on Secrest Road. The Corps office number is 785-539-8511.

More information on Tuttle Creek ORV Park; Click here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tuttle-Creek-ORV-Park/155558677838421

For ATV and off road venues click here: https://www.plainspowersports.com/category/atv/

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