Herington Reservoir in Dickinson County, Kansas.
Herington Lake and Reservoir, located just one mile west of the city of Herington, Kansas, provides RV camping, swimming areas, fishing opportunities, and hunting for locals and travelers in Dickinson County of northcentral Kansas.
Herington Reservoir was constructed in 1923 to provide water for the city, along with a water treatment plant. It is separate from the smaller Lake Herington, which was later improved in the 1930s by New Deal agencies. Lake Herington was created in 1929, when the Civilian Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were working to improve and develop the surrounding park.
In 1934, federal funding was used to improve the older lake, including clearing areas and building a caretaker’s house. At that time, Herington was allotted $6,106 in Civil Works Administration state funds to improve Lake Herington, including excavation and stump removal along the edges. Works Progress Administration funds were used to construct the caretaker’s house and garage, as well as the shelter house just up the street. Appropriations for the project in 1935 and 1936 exceeded $12,000, of which approximately $9,634 were for the construction of the house and garage.
When complete, the caretaker’s house, also known as the Boy Scout Cabin, was a simple dwelling with ashlar, quarry-faced limestone walls laid in random range. Wood windows had an 8/8 configuration and cast stone sills. The entry, centered in the symmetrical façade, had a multi-light wooden door and was sheltered by a front-gable portico supported on wrought-iron columns. A stone chimney rose from the rear slope of the composition shingle roof.
The shelter house has limestone walls with large screened window openings, topped by bands of multi-light transoms. A projecting hip-roofed addition at the rear has an external chimney on the north side for an internal BBQ/fireplace.
Herington Reservoir & Lake, Kansas.
Today, both the lake and the reservoir are used for municipal water supply, recreation (fishing, camping), and boating. Herington Lake covers 367 surface acres, and Herington Reservoir covers 555 surface acres. Offering a blend of scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, the expansive reservoir features three distinct areas: Zeibell Cove, Schmidts Lookout, and Kandts Point, each providing picturesque spots for camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking. RV sites offer electric pedestals for RV camping, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities for white and largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, and crappie. Both the lake and reservoir provide a diverse fishery, and crappie and channel catfish are stocked annually. There’s also an abundance of game in the Herington area, and public hunting, for migratory wildfowl only, is allowed at the Herington Reservoir.
A seasonal camp host is available on-site from April 1 until the end of the season.
The camphost must inspect boats and trailers before being put in the water at the designated dock. Trailers must be removed from the water when not loading or unloading. Boats must be launched at proper areas, except for unpowered boats, not including sailboats.
Boats pulling skiers must travel in a counterclockwise direction, unless in the act of picking up a downed skier. Boats must not exceed 40 MPH inside the ski area and not exceed 5 MPH outside the ski area. Water skiing is prohibited before sunrise and after sunset. Boating and skiing regulations are subject to change at the City Manager’s discretion. Power boats must yield the right-of-way to unpowered boats.
It is unlawful for any person to fish with a trot-line, limb-line, or jug-line in any area of the Herington Lake or Herington Reservoir. Persons fishing must abide by posted length and limit rules.
Permits and Licenses can be purchased at: City of Herington, 17 N Broadway, 785-258-2271
Herington Reservoir is located about 2.5 miles west of Herington at 451 Sage Road.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated May 2026.
Also See:
Sources:
City of Herington
HipCamp
Lake Brochure
Living New Deal
Travel Kansas