Cedar Bluff Reservoir, reservoir in Kansas, United States
Cedar Bluff Reservoir is a large artificial lake in Trego County, Kansas, surrounded by limestone cliffs that form the landscape. The water flows in from the Smoky Hill River and stretches across a wide area with a prominent cliff face rising about 150 feet (46 meters) on the south shore.
The dam was constructed starting in 1949 and completed in 1951 to provide water for farming and towns during dry periods. A canal and fish hatchery were added in the late 1950s, but declining river flow caused irrigation to end in 1978 and the hatchery to close in 1983.
The name Cedar Bluff comes from the limestone cliffs that resemble a natural fortress rising above the water. Today, visitors use this place for quiet outdoor activities like fishing and photography, showing how the landscape shapes how people spend time here.
The reservoir is reached by driving about 13 miles (21 kilometers) south from Interstate 70 on Highway K-147. Cedar Bluff State Park offers campsites, boat ramps, showers, and cabins, with facilities for fishing, swimming, and various outdoor activities throughout the year.
Threshing Machine Canyon south of the reservoir contains rock carvings and inscriptions from the 1800s made by soldiers and travelers. These historical marks document a wagon train attack in 1867 and offer a window into the region's past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
