Pelican Point Campground

🌲 **Introduction / Overview: Your Primitive Lakeside Getaway in Northeast Kansas**

For local Kansans who believe camping is best experienced when you leave the RV and all the noise behind, **Pelican Point Campground** at Perry State Park provides the perfect answer. Situated within the beautiful Jefferson Point area near Ozawkie, this campground is a dedicated sanctuary for **primitive, walk-in tent camping**. Unlike the more developed areas of the park, Pelican Point offers a quiet, back-to-nature experience, making it a favorite spot for those who seek genuine solitude and a traditional outdoor adventure on the shores of Perry Lake.

Pelican Point Campground is officially part of the expansive and well-regarded **Perry State Park**, managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). This area is specifically designed to minimize vehicle traffic and maximize the tranquil ambiance that tent campers cherish. It is an ideal spot for birdwatchers, hikers, and anyone who appreciates an unspoiled view of the lake, providing a sense of escape that is surprisingly close to home for residents of Topeka and Lawrence.

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility: Seclusion on Perry Lake's Shores**

Pelican Point Campground boasts a prime location on the southwestern banks of Perry Reservoir (often called Perry Lake). It is one of the many distinct camping areas within Perry State Park's vast 1,597 acres of parkland, complementing the massive 12,500-acre reservoir and 11,000-acre wildlife area. This location places it conveniently in Jefferson County, making it a highly accessible destination for local Northeast Kansas campers.

• **Official Address Area:** Ozawkie, KS 66070, USA. (Note: The campground is within the Jefferson Point Area of Perry State Park.)
• **Park Office Coordinates:** The main Perry State Park office is located at 5441 West Lake Rd, Ozawkie, KS 66070, serving as the central hub for check-ins and information.
• **Defining Accessibility Feature:** Pelican Point is designated for **walk-in camping only**. This means visitors must park their vehicles and carry their gear to their selected campsite. The KDWP explicitly states: "**Please do not drive around the barricades**." This crucial feature ensures that the area remains quiet, pedestrian-friendly, and offers a more deeply immersive outdoor feel.
• **Proximity to Lake:** As a point on the lake, the campground offers good access to the water for fishing and enjoying the scenic views of Perry Lake.

⛺ **Services Offered: Essentials for the Primitive Camper**

Pelican Point is clearly defined by its primitive nature, meaning it provides the fundamental services necessary for a comfortable tent camping trip without the hookups and facilities found in the park’s more developed RV campgrounds (such as Cougar Pass or Eagle Landing).

• **Lodging Options:**
  • **Primitive Campsites:** All sites at Pelican Point are dedicated to primitive tent camping, focusing on the basics of a campsite (a place to pitch a tent, likely with a fire ring and picnic table). These are part of the approximately 100 total primitive sites available across Perry State Park.
• **Water and Restrooms:**
  • **Centralized Restrooms:** Campers utilize nearby park facilities, which include central restroom and shower houses located throughout the Jefferson Point area of the park.
  • **Seasonal Caveat:** During the colder season (typically October through March), many bath/shower houses have their water shut off. Visitors can use the park’s sturdier, year-round CXT buildings that remain open.
• **Utility Access:**
  • **No Utilities at Site:** As a primitive area, individual campsites do **not** offer electrical, water, or sewer hookups.
  • **Dump Stations:** Full facilities, including two dump stations and potable water fill-up points, are available elsewhere within the main Perry State Park for use before or after your stay.
• **Registration and Fees:**
  • **Non-Reservable:** Campsites at Pelican Point are typically available on a **first-come, first-served basis**, distinguishing them from the reservable electric/water sites in other park areas.
  • **Permits Required:** All visitors must purchase a **Vehicle Permit** for daily entry and a separate **Camping Permit** for overnight stays. These can be purchased at the park office, gatehouse, camp host, or self-pay stations.

🏞️ **Features and Highlights: Solitude and Natural Beauty**

The appeal of Pelican Point lies in its quiet isolation and direct connection to the park's natural environment and extensive recreational network.

• **Dedicated Primitive Camping Zone:** The "walk-in only" policy is its strongest highlight. It naturally filters out RVs and vehicles, creating a genuine backwoods atmosphere that is rare in state park campgrounds. This makes for a notably quieter, more peaceful camping experience.
• **Perry Lake Recreation Hub:** Pelican Point is part of a larger hub of activity. Campers can easily access the full range of amenities that Perry State Park is famous for, including:
  • **40+ Miles of Trails:** The park features an extensive trail system for hiking, biking (including 15 miles of bike trails), and horseback riding (25 miles of equestrian trails), all easily accessed from the Jefferson Point area.
  • **Aquatic Activities:** Direct access to Perry Lake for premier fishing (Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Sauger, Blue Catfish) and boating/water sports. The park maintains two boat ramps and a swimming beach nearby.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** The area sits adjacent to the 11,000-acre Perry Wildlife Area, making Pelican Point an excellent staging point for wildlife observation and birdwatching. Large numbers of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds are common sights.
• **Unspoiled Views:** The Jefferson Point area is known for its beautiful, relatively undeveloped shorelines, offering campers picturesque views of the lake's vast waters and the surrounding forested hills of Northeast Kansas.

📞 **Contact Information**

For all inquiries regarding Pelican Point Campground, visitors should contact the main office of Perry State Park.

• **Address (Park Office):** 5441 West Lake Rd, Ozawkie, KS 66070.
• **Primary Park Phone:** (785) 246-3449
• **Mobile Phone (for park management):** +1 785-246-3449 (Same as main line, often used for direct park office contact).
• **Park Email:** PerrySP@ksoutdoors.com
• **Permit/Fee Information:** Detailed rates for vehicle and camping permits are available on the KDWP website and at the park's pay stations.

🌟 **What is Worth Choosing: Kansas's Best Walk-In Camping Value**

Pelican Point Campground is definitively worth choosing for any Kansas local who seeks a truly **primitive and peaceful tent camping experience** without sacrificing access to high-quality state park recreational facilities. The **walk-in only** nature of this area is the main draw, ensuring a much quieter night’s rest and a more genuine feeling of being immersed in nature than vehicle-heavy campsites can offer. This policy creates a natural sound buffer, making it the ideal spot to escape the noise of modern life.

Furthermore, because it is located within the greater Perry State Park, campers get the best of both worlds: the solitude of a primitive site combined with convenient access to excellent, paved infrastructure like the park's modern shower houses (a short drive or walk away), two full dump stations, and the extensive **40+ mile trail system**. For a budget-friendly, genuine, and easily accessible outdoor escape in Northeast Kansas, Pelican Point Campground offers an unbeatable value for the traditional tent camper.