Lake Afton Park

Summary of Rules & Regulations - UPDATED JUNE 21, 2024

Camping

  • You must purchase a park permit in advance to camp, boat, swim or other recreational activities excluding anyone who is only fishing, attending a shelter event, Lake Afton Observatory, or Lake Afton Shooting Range.
  • You must be 18 yrs. of age to purchase a permit.
  • Campers will be allowed one camping vehicle used for overnight stay per campsite, and one trailer used for the transportation of a vessel or personal watercraft.
  • A camper cannot leave their campsite unattended for more than 24 consecutive hours without providing written notice to the Park Supervisor and receiving authorization.
  • Campers must vacate the park for five consecutive days after camping for 14 consecutive days before they can return for another stay.
  • A combination of 2 or more campers shall be prohibited from teaming, or acting in unison, to secure any campsite for longer than 14 days.
  • Any individual, group, and/or camping unit is limited to 56 total days of camping per single calendar year.
  • If you camp near one of the rentable shelters, check with the park office before establishing your campsite. Those renting the shelter might have reserved those sites.
  • No camping in playground/swimming areas.
  • No portable generators allowed.
  • No electrical lines or clotheslines can be erected unless it is affixed to a vehicle owned by the camper, and removed when not in use.
  • Use of dump station is allotted to all campers; if not camping a permit to use dump station must be obtained from the office.
  • Any person camping at Lake Afton Park who fails to make a timely payment upon the expiration of a permit, yet remains camping at Lake Afton Park, shall be charged a fine of $7.00 per day for all days such person camps at Lake Afton Park. If the camper fails to pay or abide by rules after 4 days, the camper will be required to leave the park.
  • You must have a current camping permit obtained by the Lake Afton Park Office, security, or Kiosk machine.
  • You must display your camping permit at all times for all recreational activities such as boating, camping, or day use.
  • Primitive camping must be 150 ft. away from any electrical campsite, away from the shelter buildings, and out of the swimming areas with a playground.
  • Camping is prohibited inside or within 30 feet of open sided shelters.
  • Enclosing an open-sided shelter is prohibited.
  • In the event of inclement weather, 1 side of a shelter may be enclosed.
  • Dumping sewage from a recreational vehicle is permitted only at designated dump station.
  • If a camper fails to pay any required fees after four days, the camper will be required to leave the park.
  • A camper shall be prohibited from causing, maintaining, or permitting to be maintained a nuisance upon a campsite.

Fishing

  • Must have a state fishing license for anyone aged 16 to 74 yrs. of age as in compliance with the state of Kansas.
  • Fishing must be in compliance with state fishing laws.
  • An angler is prohibited from using trotlines, limb lines and nets.
  • An angler is prohibited from taking fish by use of a bow and

Special Events

  • Special Events need to be approved by Park Superintendent.

Animals

  • Animals must be out of the water, on leashes, and not aggressive. Leashes may not be longer than 8 foot. If you have animals in your campsite, they must be taken inside your camper during quiet hours.

Park Property

  • All trash/litter generated during use of park property must be disposed of properly. Trash/litter generated outside of the park property MAY NOT be disposed of on park grounds.
  • Trees within any county park, lake or recreational area shall not be trimmed, cut, or destroyed without the express written permission of the park superintendent.
  • Park property shall not be damaged, defaced or destroyed.
  • No person may loiter, loaf, wander, camp or remain idle in a restroom in any county park, lake or recreational area.
  • No person shall sell or offer for sale any merchandise, article or thing without having prior written permission of the park superintendent.
  • Possession or consumption of any alcoholic liquor, except canned beer and wine in any county park, lake or recreational area is prohibited, unless otherwise excepted by county resolution.
  • Feeding wildlife is prohibited except in areas, which have been so designated by the park superintendent.
  • Quiet hours shall be observed at any county park, lake, and recreational area between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.
  • Keep all vehicles on the roadway, no off-road driving allowed and if it is not tagged by a county office, it is not allowed to be driven in the park; No ATV’s etc…
  • No open fires are allowed, but campfires are allowed and must be in a container; no rock rings, open fires on the ground, or digging holes. No dumping ashes on the ground.
  • Operating a vehicle more than 1 ½ tons is prohibited unless operated by request of the county.
  • Possessing any weapon as defined in Sedgwick County shall be prohibited as defined in Sedgwick County code sec. 20-106.
  • Discharging, shooting, firing, or otherwise expelling a projectile firearm or weapon is prohibited; this subsection shall not apply when said action is in defense of self, another human being, or one’s property or as otherwise authorized by law, nor shall this subsection apply to a law enforcement officer.
  • Discharging, shooting, firing or otherwise expelling a projectile from a firearm or weapon is allowed in the Lake Afton Park public firing range during the hours it is open to the public.
  • Installing or operating any amusement ride or inflatable without prior park approval is prohibited.

Swimming

  • Swim times are from sunrise to sunset, no consumption of alcohol or malt beverages allowed while swimming, and swimming must be in designated swimming areas.

Boating

  • Any person to operate any vessel at Lake Afton must comply with state laws and regulations.
  • Vessels must be launched and removed at an area designated by park staff.
  • Kayaks, sailboats, sailboards, rowboats, and canoes must be operated in coves.
  • 40 mph speed limit and no wake speed in harbor and cove areas. No boating in swimming areas marked with buoys.
  • No vessels allowed with unmuffled exhaust systems.
  • Vessels must go in counter clockwise circles.
  • Skiers and vessels must maintain a distance of 150 feet from the shoreline, buoys, docks, spillways and gates. It is also a violation to tow more than two skiers at a time.