Cross Timbers State Park

Nestled in the gently rolling hills of the Verdigris River Valley in southeastern Kansas, Cross Timbers State Park features a pet-friendly campground and a host of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Encompassing 1,075 acres, the park overlooks the 2,800-acre Toronto Reservoir and marks the northern boundary of the region known to early explorers as the Cross Timbers.

With a landscape of forested floodplains, surrounded by acres of prairie and hills of oak savannah, Cross Timbers State Park is home to some of the most diverse flora and fauna anywhere in Kansas. Wildlife watchers are particularly well catered for, with white-tailed deer, wild turkey, quail, squirrel, and a wide range of songbirds just waiting to be spotted by eagle-eyed observers.

If you enjoy fishing, you might want to cast a line into the reservoir or the Verdigris River. White crappie, white bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and a number of other species are all on offer.

For those keen to explore on foot, the park's network of trails is open to hiking and backpacking. All but the Ancient Trees Trail are also open to mountain biking, so two-wheeled adventure enthusiasts are also welcome.

If you're staying the night, the Cross Timbers State Park campground features more than 160 pet-friendly sites. Some offer a host of creature comforts while others are much more primitive, so choose your site carefully. The park also features four cabins, but pets are not permitted to stay in this type of accommodation.

Finally, if visiting with your pet, make sure you stick to a few simple park rules. These include keeping your pet leashed or tethered (on a leash no longer than 10 feet) and ensuring that you only take your pooch to areas designated as dog-friendly. As always, remember to clean up after your pet.

Cross Timbers State Park offers an amazing array of beautiful natural scenery, so why not get out and explore it all with your canine pal by your side?