Quarry Bay Campground

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

For Kansas adventurers who prioritize spacious sites, heavy tree cover, and authentic primitive camping near a stunning body of water, **Quarry Bay Campground** is an essential stop. Located within the scenic confines of **Fall River State Park** in the Cross Timbers region of Southeast Kansas, Quarry Bay is celebrated as a "hidden gem" offering a tranquil escape that feels genuinely removed from the bustle of city life. This area is specifically tailored for those who appreciate a rustic experience, combining the raw beauty of the Fall River Reservoir with the necessary comforts of modern campground infrastructure.

The park is highly valued for its natural setting, with visitors noting that the area surrounding the lake is significantly quieter than other popular Kansas lakes, such as Hillsdale. The camping area itself is known for providing **ample shade**—a critical feature during the Kansas summer—and features spacious, well-maintained sites. While Fall River State Park offers a mix of accommodations, including modern electric/water sites in other loops and rental cabins, Quarry Bay Campground primarily serves the **primitive camping** community. This focus makes it the perfect choice for tent campers and self-contained RVs who desire seclusion and direct access to trails and the water.

Recent visitor reviews confirm that while some of the older facilities, such as the shower house, may need attention, the park management is actively engaged in making improvements, evidenced by the **"fairly new and modern" playground**. The overall consensus is clear: Quarry Bay offers an incredible outdoor experience where the benefits of beautiful, quiet surroundings and expansive campsites far outweigh any minor inconveniences of its functional, traditional state park facilities.

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility**

Quarry Bay Campground is situated on the eastern side of **Fall River State Park**, placing it directly on the shore of Fall River Reservoir. This location positions the park in Greenwood County, near the community of Fall River, Kansas. The general address is:

Fall River, KS 67047, USA

Fall River State Park is accessible from **US Highway 400**, making it a straightforward drive for residents coming from Wichita, Pittsburg, or other parts of Southeast Kansas. Specifically, the park is located two miles north of Highway 400 (at mile marker 344) on Z50 Road, about seven miles east of Severy. Quarry Bay itself is found east of the dam and requires following clear directional signs within the park property.

The layout of Quarry Bay features sites that are **spacious with plenty of parking**, ensuring ease of access for primitive campers with vehicles and gear. Due to the area's spread-out nature, visitors enjoy a high degree of privacy, which enhances the tranquil atmosphere.

🛠️ **Services Offered**

Quarry Bay Campground provides essential amenities necessary for a comfortable stay, focusing on the needs of the primitive and self-sufficient camper while offering access to fundamental comforts:

• **Primitive Campsites:** Features approximately **17 reservable primitive sites** (tent and dry RV), all of which are spacious and well-shaded.
• **Campsite Essentials:** Each primitive site includes a **fire pit** (some with grill rack covers), a **picnic table**, and several feature **overhead shade shelters** ("mushroom shelters") for cover during sun or brief rain showers.
• **Sanitary Facilities:** The campground provides **bathrooms** with flush toilets and doors, as well as a **shower house** with potable drinking water access. Note: The shower house is functional but has an open-sky design and lacks privacy curtains/doors.
• **Recreation Equipment:** A **life vest share station** is located at the campground, promoting water safety for all visitors.
• **Dump Station:** A central dump station is available within Fall River State Park (typically in the Fredonia Bay or Casner Creek areas) for RV waste disposal.
• **Water Access:** Potable water is available at central hydrants within the area.

✨ **Features / Highlights**

Quarry Bay is a standout destination in Southeast Kansas due to its natural features and the recreational opportunities it enables, particularly for hikers and those seeking a low-key atmosphere:

• **Outstanding Primitive Camping:** Widely regarded as the best primitive area in the park, offering highly **spacious, shaded, and well-maintained sites** that maximize privacy and comfort.
• **Catclaw Trailhead Access:** The **Catclaw Trail** (a 1-mile path featuring panoramic lake views and winding through tallgrass prairie and oak savannahs) is directly accessible from the Quarry Bay Campground area, making it ideal for hikers and mountain bikers.
• **Swimming Beach:** The campground is located near a **designated swimming beach** at Fall River Lake, providing a safe, accessible area for cooling off (even if water levels may fluctuate due to drought).
• **Modern Playground:** A **new and modern playground** provides excellent, safe recreation for younger children, showing a commitment to improving family-friendly amenities.
• **"Hidden Gem" Atmosphere:** The lake area is notably **less crowded** than larger regional reservoirs, offering a genuinely peaceful environment perfect for quiet enjoyment, photography, and wildlife observation.
• **Unique Ecosystem:** The park is located in the unique transition zone between the Cross Timbers and the Flint Hills, offering a **remarkable diversity of plant and animal life** and scenic contrasts between forested bottomlands and open prairie.

📞 **Contact Information**

For current information on site availability, specific trail conditions, water levels at the swimming beach, and to make reservations, please contact the Fall River State Park office. Quarry Bay Campground is managed under this park's umbrella:

Address: Fall River, KS 67047, USA (Quarry Bay Campground, Fall River State Park)

Phone: (620) 637-2213

Mobile Phone: +1 620-637-2213

As this area is highly prized for its primitive sites, reservations are advised, especially during peak season, which can be secured through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reservation platform.

✅ **What is Worth Choosing**

Quarry Bay Campground is the definitive choice for Kansas campers who prioritize **primitive, shaded seclusion** and **direct access to quality hiking trails and uncrowded lake water**. This is the location for you if you find large, pavement-heavy RV parks less appealing than a natural, forested setting.

The primary reason to choose Quarry Bay is its commitment to the **"true primitive camping"** experience. Unlike many campgrounds where "primitive" simply means "no electricity," Quarry Bay offers exceptionally spacious, shaded sites with thoughtful amenities like fire pits and shelter houses, all while being a stone's throw from the lake and the trailhead for the scenic Catclaw Trail. The feeling of the lake being a "hidden gem" that is **"much bigger than Hillsdale Lake"** yet has "barely any boats" creates an atmosphere of expansive, peaceful wilderness that is hard to find elsewhere in the region.

If your ideal weekend involves a campfire under the stars, waking up next to a mature tree line, and spending the day on the trail or swimming in quiet waters, Quarry Bay Campground at Fall River State Park offers an unparalleled and highly valuable escape in Southeast Kansas.