About Venango Park ATV Trails
Venango Park ATV Trails is a small off road riding area on the north side of Kanopolis Lake Dam in central Kansas, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It covers roughly five acres with about three miles of marked trail, and it is free to ride. This is a beginner and family area rather than a destination park, and it works best as an add on to a weekend at the lake.
Small, Free and Honest About What It Is
Venango is worth being straightforward about. Three miles of trail across five acres is not a full day of riding for an experienced rider. Seasoned riders will likely work through everything in an hour or two.
What it is good at is being a first place to ride. Terrain rates mostly beginner with some intermediate sections and nothing expert level. The surface is mostly loose dirt and sand with a few small hills. There are no water crossings, no large jumps, few rocks and few hazards. Trails are marked but only lightly maintained.
For a family camping at Kanopolis Lake with quads or small bikes on the trailer, that adds up to exactly the right thing. Kids can ride, parents can watch, and nobody gets in over their head.
Who Can Ride
Maximum vehicle width is 60 inches, enforced by gates or posts at the entrance. That is wider than many Corps riding areas, so most side by sides fit.
Dirt bikes, ATVs and UTVs up to 60 inches are all permitted. Registered Jeeps, SUVs and four wheel drive trucks are prohibited, as are dune buggies and sand rails.
Helmets are required for all riders. A spark arrester is not required here, though it is always a good idea. There is no posted noise limit.
Hours, Fees and Rules
There is no permit required and no fee for entry, parking or riding.
Riding hours run daily from 8:00 in the morning until sunset. Night riding is not permitted and overnight parking at the staging area is not allowed. Alcohol is prohibited.
The staging area has plenty of parking room along with a picnic table, a trash bin and a vault toilet.
Camping at Venango
Camping and campfires are not permitted at the trail area itself, but Venango Campground sits a short distance away with potable water, RV hookups and a dump station on site. Camping fees apply from May through the end of September, with separate rates for full hookup, electric only and non electric sites.
Two planning notes. First, there is no direct motorized trail access from the campground to the riding area, so unless your machine is street legal it has to be hauled the short distance. Second, Kanopolis Lake is a popular destination and campsites fill through the summer. Reserve ahead if you are coming between May and September.
Getting There
The riding area is on Beach Road on the north side of Kanopolis Lake Dam, near Kanopolis and Marquette in Ellsworth County, central Kansas.
From the I-70 corridor, take exit 238 and head south on Brookville Road about seven miles, west on State Route 140 for roughly six miles, south on State Route 141 for a little over eight miles, then west on Venango Road and southeast on Beach Road to the park entrance on the left.
Fuel, diesel and basic supplies are available at the trading post a few miles south. The Corps office for Kanopolis Lake is at 105 Riverside Drive in Marquette and can be reached at 785-546-2294. Kanopolis State Park, with its hiking and equestrian trails through Horsethief Canyon, sits on the same lake and is worth building into the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to ride at Venango Park?
No. There is no permit, entry, parking or riding fee.
How much trail is there?
About three miles across roughly five acres. Plan on a half day at most.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes. Terrain is mostly beginner level with some intermediate sections and nothing rated expert, which makes it a good place to put a new or young rider on a machine.
Can I ride a side by side?
Yes, up to 60 inches wide. Dirt bikes and ATVs are also permitted. Jeeps, SUVs, four wheel drive trucks and dune buggies are not.
What are the riding hours?
Daily from 8:00 AM to sunset. Night riding is not permitted.
Are helmets required?
Yes, for all riders.
Can I camp at the riding area?
No. Camping and campfires are prohibited at the trail area and overnight parking at the staging area is not allowed. Venango Campground is a short distance away with hookups, water and a dump station.
Can I ride from the campground to the trails?
Not unless your machine is street legal. There is no direct motorized trail connection, so most riders haul the short distance.
Where is Venango Park ATV Trails located?
Beach Road near Marquette, Kansas 67464, on the north side of Kanopolis Lake Dam in Ellsworth County. The Corps office number is 785-546-2294.
More information on Venango Park ATV Trails; Click here https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Kanopolis-Lake/Camping/
For ATV and off road venues click here: https://www.plainspowersports.com/category/atv/
For more motorcycle venues click here: https://www.plainspowersports.com/category/motorcycle/