Pomona State Park | Kansas
White Feather Campground at Sunset
Mike’s Score: Solid park with quintessential Kansas prairie trails. I’d recommend a stay here for anyone in the NE Kansas area, but not worth going out of your way. 3/5
Location
Street Address: 22900 S. Highway 368 | Vassar, KS 66543
Park Office: Located within the park near the lake at these coordinates: 38°39'34.8"N 95°36'00.7"W
Phone Number: (785)828-4933
Park Description
Located on the south shore of the 4,000 acre Pomona Reservoir in Osage County, Pomona State Park is operated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The park is open year-round, but most facilities are fully functional only April 15th through October 15th.
Recreational activities at the park include camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting. The terrain is composed of prairie grasslands, woodlands and lake-side environments.
Camping & Hiking
Pomona State Park offers campsites across luxury levels. The park has 142 utility campsites, all having electric, water and available nearby restrooms equipped with showers and flush toilets. There are also approximately 200 primitive campsites at the park. All primitive campsites are first-come, first-served - while utility sites can be reserved ahead of time.
The Blue Dasher trail circumnavigates the park and spans 8 miles. There are several shorter, sub-trails that comprise the Blue Dasher. Such as the Buck Brush, Hedge Wood, Rising Sun trails. These sub-trails are half to a mile in length. These trails offer a nice blend of prairie, woods and lake front terrains.
Fishing & Boating
Whether by shore or by boat, Pomona Lake offers some of the best crappie and catfish angling in Kansas. Management efforts have also provided good populations of walleye, white bass, and largemouth bass.
Four boat ramps are available in the park. Boat passes are rented by the day, month, or season. Pomona Lake Marina providers full services including: fuel, parts, service and supplies. For sale at the marina store you can find water sports and fishing equipment, camper supplies, and food & beverages.
My Trip
I called the park office the morning of my trip and was guided through available camping options by the park coordinator. Once I arrived, I checked in at the park office and was given a map of the park so I could go find a suitable campsite. After I picked out a spot I liked, I went back to the park office to inform the coordinator where I will be staying the night and she got me set up with respective permits. The single night stay cost me $18.
I chose to stay at the White Feather campground on the East side of the park since it was secluded and right on the water. I only saw two other vehicles during my overnight stay. Once I set up camp, I went to hike around the park. I took the Rising Sun trail as it was nearby my campsite. The trail was quite enjoyable as it was comprised of prairie grasslands, wooded forest, and lake front views. The total hike was a manageable mile across mostly flat terrain.
When I made it back to my campsite, I exercised briefly and then started preparing dinner. The campsite was equipped with tables which made preparing dinner much easier. After enjoying some steak quesadillas, I relaxed by a campfire I built in the stone fire pit at the site.
Overall this was a very pleasant stay at Pomona State Park. There was plenty of terrain to cover and explore, and well equipped campsites. Since there are so many campgrounds at the park, there should be available sites even if you decide to go last minute. I’d recommend Pomona State Park to anyone in the area who is looking to stretch their legs and get some fresh air over the weekend.
After all, the sun feels better than the screen!
