Crawford State Park

Crawford State Park and Fish Hatchery were started by the Kansas Fishing, Forestry, and Gaming Commission in 1939, as part of the Civilian Conservation Corp’s projects. It was one of the original State Parks in Kansas. Located in Farlington, Kansas, the State Park is north of Girard, approximately fifteen miles West of Pittsburg. According to David Goble, Park Ranger, Farlington’s 149 surface acres of water and 479 recreational acres’ primary function are related to camping; however, other attractions include swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and mountain biking, an amphitheater as well as the Fish Hatchery.

Although open year round, Farlington’s peak season runs from April fifteenth through October fifteenth with approximately 189,000 visits per year. Including sixty-three camping sites with utilities and forty-five permanent sites, the park system works by "How much you use is what you pay," says Goble. Prices range for each activity: four dollars per day for fishing, swimming, and boating; primitive camping is five dollars per day; primitive camping with electricity is ten dollars per day; primitive camping with electricity and water is eleven dollars per day. Season passes for camping are one hundred dollars and thirty dollars a year per vehicle. All money is used for the upkeep of the park.

There are two hiking trails available at Farlington, each stretching one-half mile in length. These trails include a hardened surface and are both handicap accessible. Both trails are self-guided and interpretive, which means that there are signs along the way pointing out the sites of interest. One path is a nature trail, and the other is an historic trail. The historic trail is an old military encampment; the story of why the encampment was there is explained along the path. The bike trail is seven miles long and made for mountain bikes. It is rough terrain and can also be used us a hiking trail. These recreational activities are available to guests and permanent residents of Farlington Park.

There are 129 private cabin sites, seventy-nine which are privately owned. In addition, there are thirty different residents who live here year round. "The majority of our residents are former campers who liked it so well that they decided to stay here year round," says Goble.

There are also permanent employees at Farlington Lake, specifically, the Park Ranger and a Manager. In the summer they deal with administration and law enforcement, while dealing with developmental projects in the winter. Also, there are eleven seasonal employees including gatehouse attendants, seasonal park rangers, and camp hosts.

According to Goble, Farlington Lake is fairy unique compared to other Kansas lakes. With an average depth of twenty-one feet, what makes the 149 surface acres of water different is the aeration system located in the middle of the lake. It keeps the water turning over all year round.

Another aspect of Crawford State Park is the Fish Hatchery. According to Randy Nelson, employee of the park, the Farlington Hatchery is part of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Association; their sole purpose is to provide fish for public water in Kansas.

The hatchery is staffed all year long, with three permanent employees. It is one of four hatchery’s located in Kansas, and produces approximately two million fish a year.

Fish common to the park include the black bass, Kentucky bass, stripers, wipers, walleye, bull head, bluegill, hybrids, red ear crappie, and flat head and channel catfish.

Even though fishing is a common sport at Farlington, hunting is not. Due to the fact that Farlington is a State Park, hunting is strictly prohibited. Common wildlife species include deer, turkey, and quail. In addition, a unique species to the park is the broad-headed skink, which is an endangered species.

Crawford State Park holds at least four special events each year. An old fashioned Fourth of July fireworks display is held every year the week before the holiday. It is held early in order not to interfere with other firework displays being held. Approximately 3,000 viewers attend the event, and a cookout is held. Another event is the Summer Sizzler Triathlon in which two hundred to three hundred people from seven to fourteen states participate. The triathlon at Farlington has been recognized by the United States Triathlon Association (USTA) and is listed as one of the fifty best triathlons in the nation. In addition to the previous events, a mountain bike race is held each year. Usually held in May, this competition is part of a race circuit traveling through the country. The Bluegrass Festival is also held at Farlington. Five separate bands perform in the amphitheater and around two hundred people are in attendance.

Each Friday during the summer months a different activity is held at the amphitheater. These attractions include movies, nature walks, guest speakers and jam sessions.

Farlington is also involved in the Americore Program. According to Goble, the Americore program is basically the domestic Peace Corps. Women and men volunteer for one year to provide 17,000 hours of community service. They are paid minimum wage, provided with health insurance, and at the end of the year, receive $4,700 to go to college.

Whether it is family fun or fun with friends, due to the wide variety of activities offered Farlington Park has something for everyone to do. Come out and see for yourself!

For more information:

CALL: 316-362-4131
# 1 Lake Road
Farlington, KS 66734