Day Use

There are many scenic locations for picnicking at Milford Lake. The Corps of Engineers manages three (3) day use only parks, which have picnic facilities. They are the North Overlook, East Rolling Hills, and Outlet Parks. All three areas are located adjacent to the Milford Lake Dam. Other facilities in association with the picnic shelters include playgrounds, swimming beaches, a boat ramp, sand volleyball courts w/nets, horseshoe pits, a half-court basketball area, a softball diamond, and restrooms. There is no electricity or water available in the North Overlook and East Rolling Hills parks, however; water is available at the Outlet Park.

All eleven picnic shelters are available on a first come, first served basis free of charge unless someone wants to reserve a shelter for a special gathering. Any shelter can be reserved, at least 24 hrs. in advance, for the day (7 AM to 10 PM) for $20.00. (Half-day reservations are not available.) Reservations are taken for the time period of mid-April through September and can be made anytime after the first of January each year. Reservations can be made by contacting the Milford Lake Project Office at 785-238-5714 during business hours.

Wintertime hours:
Monday – Friday (excluding holidays) – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Summertime hours:
Seven days a week (including holidays) – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

No shelter reservation refunds are given but if a reservation is canceled by contacting the Milford Lake Project Office, the event can be rescheduled for another date without additional charges.

Special Note: A beer party permit is required for all groups planning to have alcohol at their event, with or without a shelter reservation. The beer party permit should be obtained at least 24 hrs. in advance of the gathering. Alcohol is allowed only at picnic shelters 1 – 10. Alcohol is not allowed at shelter 11. Beer party permits will only be issued to person’s 21 years of age or older and the alcohol is restricted to the area immediately underneath the picnic shelter. There is no additional charge for this permit and only one permit, per shelter, per day will be issued.

Special Use Conditions for Picnic Shelters

1. The gates to the Day Use areas open at 7 AM and close at 10 PM.
2. NO VEHICLES are allowed to drive across or park on the grass at any time. This includes the loading and unloading of supplies at the shelter.
3. All pets are required to be on leashes at all times.
4. Generators are not allowed.
5. Groups must police the shelter and area for trash before leaving. Trash dumpsters are located near each shelter.
6. Barbecue grills may be brought out but please do not dump hot ashes into the dumpsters. Barbecue pits may not be dug in the ground.
7. Noise must be kept at a reasonable level.
8. Temporary signage for invited guests:
1. will not be posted on any government facilities including signs, signposts, gates, vault toilets, roadways, or any natural resources such as trees.
2. can be placed on stakes and driven into the ground.
3. must be removed at the end of the event.
9. All Federal and State laws must be obeyed. Any violation of these rules or any regulations stated in Title 36, Rules and Regulations may result in the cancellation of the shelter permit.

Multiple Shelter User Policy

One person will be designated as a “Responsible Person” and will insure that the following policies are followed:

1. On the day of the reservation and prior to set-up, the “Responsible Person” will check-in at the Milford Lake Project Office and provide a cellular telephone number where they can be contacted throughout the remainder of the day.
2. The “Responsible Person” with the cellular telephone must remain at the shelter locations during the entire function for communications purposes.
3. The “Responsible Person” will ensure that all Special Use Conditions are complied with.
4. If these conditions are not met, future permit requests for this organization will be automatically denied for a period of five (5) years.

Picnic Shelters:

               *(No Alcohol at this shelter)

Other picnic opportunities at Milford Lake include:

Milford State Park
8811 State Park Road
Milford, KS 66514
785-238-3014
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/state_parks/locations/milford
MilfordSP@wp.state.ks.us

Thunderbird Marina
Box 548
Junction City, KS 66441
785-238-5864

Flagstop Resort and RV Park
P.O. Box 329
Milford, KS 66514
785-463-5537
800-293-1465

Clay County Park
P.O. Box 124
Wakefield, KS 67487
785-461-5774