Glen Elder State Park 

Glen Elder State Park on KS Hwy 24 is located just a quarter mile west of of Glen Elder, 5 miles east of Cawker City, and 12 miles west of Beloit in Mitchell County. Glen Elder State Park includes the 12,500-acre Waconda Lake.  Basic groceries, dining, bait and other supplies are available in nearby Glen Elder and Cawker City.

The Park provides many family friendly opportunities including: children’s playgrounds, volleyball, Swimming, camping facilities, reservable group shelters and a public fish cleaning station. Hiking Trails are laid out and maintained throughout the entire park system.

An archery range with a variety of targets set at various distances, is  available directly across from the Park’s ranger station. ​Historical locations within the park include the Waconda Visitors & Educational Center, and a replica of Waconda Springs, the lake’s namesake.    

Waconda Springs Replica & Historical Site

Waconda Visitor & Education Center Located just off U.S. Highway 24, immediately inside the east entrance to the Park, the Visitor’s Center was originally built in 1969. Over the years, it fell into disrepair and was closed.  In 2018, having secured a grant from the Solomon Valley Community Foundation, the Waconda Cultural Committee, G.E Park staff and several locals joined to create a plan to renovate and add an educational opportunity inside the building. 

The new Waconda Visitor and Education Center was dedicated on June 30, 2018, and opened to the public. It now provides artifacts and historical information related to the history of the early Waconda Springs and Waconda Springs Hotel, the building of the Waconda Dam & Glen Elder State Park, and development of the Solomon River Valley. 

Waconda Springs Replica Dedicated on June 5, 2005, the replica of Waconda Springs is located less than a quarter mile from the park’s Ranger Station just south of U.S. Hwy 24 on KS Hwy 128.  
​Waconda Lake’s namesake is based on the famous Great Spirit Spring… Waconda Springs, and the legend of an Indian princess who died at the location. The spring, now covered by the lake, was located near midway between Glen Elder and Cawker City, Kansas. 

The creation of the Waconda Springs replica was endeavored by Waconda Heritage Village, Inc.*,  and Glen Elder State Park.  The replica is positioned to provide an inspiring 360º view of Waconda Lake, the park and the surrounding area.