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El Dorado Perhaps the most popular state park in Kansas, El Dorado lies about 25 miles northeast of Wichita. El Dorado Reservoir provides 8,000 acres of water, and the wildlife areas adds 4,600 acres for the outdoor lover's enjoyment. This beautiful Flint Hills park offers 1,100 campsites (including cabins), five shelter houses, two swimming beaches, a modern marina, and a large amphitheater with an indoor-outdoor stage. Squirrels, rabbits, songbirds, and other wildlife can be seen in the park, and the wildlife area boasts good populations of game species such as wild turkey, prairie chicken, quail, geese, and deer. Bald eagles also nest on the area. Primitive camping is restricted to designated sites. El Dorado Lake is located in an area of rolling terrain made up of croplands, prairies, woodlands, and marshes. The lake provides many attractive areas for water oriented activities such as camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, and hunting. Four recreational areas located near the lake are -- Boulder Bluff, Shady Creek, Bluestem Point, and Lost Lake. There are roads and parking, boat launching ramps, a potable water supply, fireplaces, picnic tables, shelters and showers that are all available to the public. An overlook structure constructed of native limestone is located on the left bank of the lake adjacent to the buildings and provides an excellent view of the dam and lake. The approach to the overlook is a bridged ramp designed for easy access and use by the handicapped. Stones and a date block from a local school, constructed in 1897, have been incorporated in the structure and walkway. The schoolhouse was located on a tract of land about one mile NW of the overlook site. The land inundated by the lake was given to the school district by George and Elizabeth Parker, pioneers of Prospect Township. The date block over the door to the old "School District 94" was placed in an approach pillar at the ramp entry. The pillar on the opposite side of the entry contains a metal plaque with a tribute to the pioneers of the area and an inscription about the school.
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