Harvey County West Park
Burrton, Kansas · on Little Arkansas River
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- pond
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $175
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Harvey County West Park
Harvey County West Park is a 310-acre county park near Burrton, Kansas, built around a 16-acre fishing pond/lake and a stretch of the Little Arkansas River. The county's own park page confirms a designated swim beach with a dock and kayak launch, so the pond doubles as a genuine swimming hole, alongside camping, trails, and picnic facilities.
The park sits in wooded, river-bottom terrain along the Little Arkansas River in rural northwest Harvey County, about 5 miles east and 3 miles north of Burrton off U.S. 50. The centerpiece water feature is a 16-acre impounded pond/fishing lake (sources use both terms) crossed by a notable 168-foot wire-mesh suspension footbridge, with the river itself running through the property.
Swimming at Harvey County West Park
Swimming takes place at a county-designated swim beach (sandy beach) on the park's 16-acre pond/lake rather than directly in the Little Arkansas River channel, based on the official park page and the Kansas Tourism listing. No lifeguard, depth, or water-clarity details were found in sources reviewed.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Burrton: 5 miles east on U.S. Highway 50, then 3 miles north on Golden Prairie Road, then 1/4 mile west on 24th Street, following park signs to the bait shop; park address is 15835 NW 24th St / 2733 West Park, Burrton, KS 67020.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up county park (310 acres) with a designated swim beach reachable from in-park roads/parking; no hike is required to reach the water. No source specifies an exact walk distance/time from the parking area to the beach itself. Separately, the park does have a recreational one-mile woodland trail (crossing a 168-ft suspension footbridge over the lake) plus equestrian trails, but these are leisure/nature trails unrelated to reaching the swim beach, not an access route required to get to the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official park page confirms a designated sandy swim beach, which typically implies gradual/shallow entry, but no source found states lifeguard presence, posted depth, or supervision rules. First-hand camper reviews describe the impounded pond as small with variable water levels rather than a deep, current-driven river channel, which is generally lower-risk, but adult supervision is still warranted given the lack of any lifeguard/safety documentation.
Parking
Free
The county's official facility-use page states that boating, camping, and horseback riding at Harvey County parks are subject to fees, but day-use/swim-beach access and parking are not listed among the fee-bearing activities, implying general day-use parking is free. No lot size, surface type, or exact location relative to the beach was found in sources reviewed.
Restrooms
Yes
Official park page and a text-extraction of it reference restrooms/bathhouses serving the campground area; exact location relative to the swim beach specifically (vs. the camping loops) was not specified in any source found.
On the water
Official park page confirms a dock with a kayak launch point on the 16-acre pond/lake, and The Dyrt camper reviews independently describe the lake as 'good for kayaking' and 'good for kayak fishing.' No source explicitly confirms or rules out canoes, paddleboards, or motorboats, and no no-wake/electric-only restriction was stated anywhere found, so those are left unspecified rather than assumed.
What regulars say
First-hand reports come from campers, whose reviews average 4.0/5 across three write-ups: visitors call it an 'awesome little lake' good for kayaking and fishing, note the lake water 'is not a lot' but still workable for kayak fishing, describe water levels as limited at times throughout the year, call the facilities 'older but decently clean,' report seeing deer and turkey on site, and note solid cell coverage on major carriers.
Backstory
The park has hosted the annual Trappers Rendezvous Boy Scout camping event for over 45 years, per the county's official park page.
Harvey County West Park: FAQ
Does Harvey County West Park charge a fee?
Camping and boating/horseback riding require fees (amounts not specified in sources found). Facility rentals: Community Building $175 (resident)/$200 (non-resident); enclosed buildings $35-$50; open shelters $25/day or free first-come-first-served; all rentals require a $200 refundable cleaning/damage deposit. Day-use swim beach access fee, if any, was not stated in sources found.
Is Harvey County West Park kid friendly?
Official park page confirms a designated sandy swim beach, which typically implies gradual/shallow entry, but no source found states lifeguard presence, posted depth, or supervision rules. First-hand camper reviews describe the impounded pond as small with variable water levels rather than a deep, current-driven river channel, which is generally lower-risk, but adult supervision is still warranted given the lack of any lifeguard/safety documentation.
Do I need to hike to reach Harvey County West Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Harvey County West Park?
The county's official facility-use page states that boating, camping, and horseback riding at Harvey County parks are subject to fees, but day-use/swim-beach access and parking are not listed among the fee-bearing activities, implying general day-use parking is free. No lot size, surface type, or exact location relative to the beach was found in sources reviewed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Harvey County West Park?
Official park page confirms a dock with a kayak launch point on the 16-acre pond/lake, and The Dyrt camper reviews independently describe the lake as 'good for kayaking' and 'good for kayak fishing.' No source explicitly confirms or rules out canoes, paddleboards, or motorboats, and no no-wake/electric-only restriction was stated anywhere found, so those are left unspecified rather than assumed.
What are the rules at Harvey County West Park?
Fishing requires a Kansas state fishing license. Alcohol consumption by anyone under 21 is prohibited on all Harvey County Parks property. Building/shelter rentals are full-day only (8am-midnight), with 30 days notice requested.
What water body is Harvey County West Park on?
Harvey County West Park is on Little Arkansas River, a natural pond verified in USGS hydrography data.
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