Couer d'Alene Park Campground

### 🌲 Introduction / Overview: A True Kansas Lake Getaway

For residents of Kansas and the surrounding area seeking a quintessential Midwestern outdoor experience, **Coeur d'Alene Park Campground** at Melvern Lake is a top-tier destination. Nestled on the eastern edge of the famous Flint Hills, this campground offers a beautiful blend of rolling prairie scenery and the refreshing amenities of a major Corps of Engineers lake. It’s an ideal spot for those who love water sports, fishing, hiking, and simply unwinding in the natural beauty that the Sunflower State has to offer.

This facility, maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is known for its clean, well-kept environment and a wide variety of site types to suit every camper, from the large RV owner to the traditional tent enthusiast. Coeur d'Alene Park is consistently praised by local users for its stunning location on the southeast corner of Melvern Lake, providing direct access to the water and its related activities. As one happy camper noted, the experience includes exploring the shoreline, finding fossils, and enjoying a happy family day at the little park, highlighting the area's peaceful and family-friendly atmosphere.

If your summer plans or weekend escapes involve a boat, a fishing rod, or a desire for a clean, accessible lake experience just a short drive from major Kansas towns, Coeur d'Alene Park Campground is ready to welcome you.

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### Location and Accessibility: Melvern Lake near Lebo, KS

Coeur d'Alene Park Campground is conveniently located in **Lebo, KS 66856, USA**, in the heart of Osage County, often celebrated as the Water Sports Capital of Kansas. The exact address is 31408 Coeur d'Alene Parkway. This placement on the southeast corner of Melvern Lake makes it easily accessible for campers coming from major Kansas metropolitan areas.

The campground is situated approximately 30 miles south of Topeka and 30 miles northeast of Emporia, making the drive highly manageable for a weekend trip. The roads leading to the park are generally well-maintained, with paved access all the way into the campground loops. The geographical setting provides a unique landscape where the gentle, rolling terrain of the Flint Hills transitions into the wooded areas surrounding the Marais des Cygnes River Valley, which feeds Melvern Lake.

Despite its peaceful, natural setting, the campground is not far from essential services. While the small town of Melvern has limited services, campers are just a short distance from major highways (like US-75) that connect them to larger towns for fuel, groceries, and other supplies. The lake itself is the main draw, offering nearly 7,000 acres of water, perfect for boating and fishing enthusiasts from across Kansas.

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### Services Offered

Coeur d'Alene Park Campground is a well-developed facility managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ensuring a good standard of essential amenities for a comfortable stay. The total site capacity is 56, featuring a variety of hookup options to accommodate different camping styles.

• **Electric Hookups:** Approximately 26 sites feature 30-amp electric hookups.
• **Electric and Water Hookups:** Seven sites are equipped with the popular electric and water combination.
• **Full Hookups (ADA Accessible):** There is one dedicated handicapped-accessible site that includes water, 50-amp electric, and sewer hookups. Full hookups for other sites are primarily found at nearby COE parks, but this site provides the option.
• **Basic/Primitive Campsites:** Roughly 22 sites are designated as basic or primitive, ideal for tent camping or self-contained RVs.
• **Modern Restrooms and Showers:** The park features clean, well-maintained shower buildings and both flush and vault toilets, a frequently praised feature in customer reviews.
• **Dump Station:** A sanitary dump station is available on-site for convenient RV waste disposal.
• **Potable Drinking Water:** Accessible sources of safe drinking water are provided throughout the park.
• **Reservable Picnic Shelters:** Two picnic shelters with electric hookups are available for reservation, perfect for family reunions or group outings.

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### Features / Highlights

The biggest draw for Kansas campers to Coeur d'Alene Park Campground is the sheer volume and quality of the recreational and natural features available right outside your RV or tent.

• **Direct Melvern Lake Access:** The campground is located right on the shoreline and features an on-site boat ramp with courtesy docks, making water access incredibly easy for boating, skiing, and fishing.
• **On-Site Swimming Beach:** A designated swimming beach allows for safe, family-friendly fun in the water. Reviewers note it's a great little park area for children.
• **Abundant Fishing Opportunities:** Melvern Lake is renowned in Kansas for its excellent fishing, with species like walleye, crappie, channel catfish, and various bass making it an angler's paradise. A fish cleaning station is provided near the boat ramp.
• **Extensive Trail System:** The park offers access to the Tallgrass Heritage Trail, a four-mile trail connecting Coeur d'Alene to Arrow Rock Campground, which is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and immersing yourself in the beautiful tallgrass prairie. The Breakwater Trail and Overlook Nature Trail offer shorter, scenic options.
• **Melvern Lake Marina Proximity:** The Melvern Lake Marina is conveniently located near the park, offering potential access to supplies, rentals, and services.
• **Family Amenities:** Multiple playgrounds scattered across the park ensure that young campers have plenty of space and equipment for fun and games.
• **Geological Interest:** As noted in customer reviews, the shoreline area is known to be a great spot for exploring and finding small fossils, adding an element of historical discovery to your trip.

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### Contact Information

For reservations, current site availability, or detailed information, Kansas residents can contact the Melvern Lake Project Office, which manages the Coeur d'Alene Park Campground.

**Address:** 31408 Coeur d'Alene Parkway, Lebo, KS 66856, USA

**Phone:** (785) 549-3318

**General Information Phone (Corps of Engineers):** +1 785-549-3318

It is always highly recommended to check the current operating status and make reservations, particularly for electric sites, via the national reservation system well in advance of your visit, especially during the busy summer season.

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### What is Worth Choosing Couer d'Alene Park Campground

For the Kansas family or outdoor enthusiast, choosing Coeur d'Alene Park Campground represents a selection of the best that lake camping in the Flint Hills region has to offer. The combination of its management, amenities, and recreational depth creates an unmatched value proposition.

**The biggest reason to choose this campground is its balanced approach to accessibility and nature.** You receive the reliability of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility—clean, functional, and organized amenities like the noted clean bathrooms and modern showers—while being placed directly in a beautiful, recreational hotspot. You are mere steps from the vast waters of Melvern Lake, ready for your boat or fishing line.

Furthermore, the sheer variety of activities is worth the trip. The campground is the starting point for the **Tallgrass Heritage Trail**, allowing you to seamlessly transition from water sports to an immersive hiking or biking experience through one of America’s last expanses of tallgrass prairie. The ability to fish for walleye, swim at the beach, and hike an extensive trail all within one park makes it an ideal central hub for a fun-filled family vacation. As satisfied campers frequently attest, this location successfully blends a "fun experience" with "beautiful camp sites" and a "gorgeous lake," making it a beloved annual tradition for many Kansans. If you are looking for a reliable, feature-rich, and family-friendly lake camping spot in Eastern Kansas, Coeur d'Alene Park Campground on Melvern Lake is the perfect choice.