Elk City State Park, west of Independence in southeastern Kansas, occupies 857 acres along Elk City Reservoir and adjoins the 4,500-acre lake and the 12,000-acre Elk City Wildlife Area. It serves as a compact recreation area within a much broader landscape of water, woodland, and managed habitat. Fishing in the reservoir draws visitors for channel catfish, white bass, crappie, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, and saugeye, while the wildlife area offers chances to see deer, turkey, prairie chicken, bobcat, coyote, and beaver. The park is also noted for nationally recognized trails, from short nature loops to the 15-mile Elk River Hiking Trail.