Yates Center Reservoir

Big Bluestem grass at Yates Center Reservoir
All photos by Jim Mason

Surrounded by upland native grasses, Yates Center Reservoir is an excellent place to get the "open tallgrass prairie" feeling.

Late spring and summer are the best times to view and photograph prairie wildflowers and birds. Commonly seen prairie birds include dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows, mourning doves, scissor-tailed flycatchers and red-tailed hawks. On occasion upland sandpipers and greater prairie chickens are sighted.

View of the lake looking north

The lake attracts migrating waterfowl in spring and fall. If you visit in early spring, listen for western chorus frogs. In late spring and summer the deep bellow of a bullfrog is often heard. Basking on logs in the water are sliders and painted turtles.

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User fee, Shelter house, Boat ramp

Camping icon Primitive camping only.  Permit required.
Picnic shelter and tables.

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Trail icon No developed trails.

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Yates Center Lake map
(a detailed site map may be found here)

Location in Kansas

Directions: From Yates Center (90 miles east of Wichita) travel west 4 miles on U.S. 54, then 2 miles south and 0.25 miles east (red arrow on map). There is no entry fee, but fees are required for fishing, boating, swimming, and camping.

For a Google Map for this site, click here.

Ownership: The City of Yates Center is the entity responsible for management of Yates Center Reservoir.  If you have specific questions about this site, write or call:
Yates Center City Hall
117 E. Rutledge
Yates Center KS 66783
(620) 625-2118
(hours: M-F, 8-5)

720 acres

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