Downstream Point

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Downstream Point

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

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Downstream Point
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(620) 336-2741


Best Time to Camp at Downstream Point

Summer transforms Downstream Point into a haven for families seeking relief from the Kansas heat. Just a short distance away, the sand-covered beach at Mound Valley Park offers the perfect complement to your picnic outing, where kids can splash in cool waters while adults relax in the shade. The lake's breezes and forest canopy provide natural air conditioning, making warm-weather gatherings particularly inviting.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Downstream Point

    Tucked along the peaceful outlet of Big Hill Lake in southeast Kansas, Downstream Point welcomes groups to gather beneath its reservable shelter, where shade trees frame views of the water and adventure beckons from every direction. Whether your crew craves lakeside picnics, trail exploration on foot or horseback, or casting lines into the calm waters, this group facility serves as your basecamp for creating memories in Kansas's scenic Little Ozarks region.
    Primarily used as a group picnic facility with a reservable shelter for up to 100 people; other camping types are not specified in the provided information.
    Historical SignificanceYour visit connects you to the legacy of Ruth Nixon, an early champion whose dedication to Big Hill Lake lives on in the trail that bears her name. As you explore the paths winding near the water's edge, you're walking in the footsteps of those who recognized this landscape's special character and fought to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
    Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Downstream Point into a haven for families seeking relief from the Kansas heat. Just a short distance away, the sand-covered beach at Mound Valley Park offers the perfect complement to your picnic outing, where kids can splash in cool waters while adults relax in the shade. The lake's breezes and forest canopy provide natural air conditioning, making warm-weather gatherings particularly inviting.
    Natural Features and SceneryThe Little Ozarks reveal themselves in waves of rolling hills cloaked in dense oak-hickory forest, an unexpected pocket of woodland rising from the surrounding prairie and farmland. Along the lake shore, these diverse habitats create a living tapestry where woodland birds call from the canopy, mammals leave tracks in the soft earth, and the boundary between forest and water becomes a meeting place for wildlife. The thick canopy overhead filters sunlight into dappled patterns, while the lake's surface mirrors the sky and surrounding trees in ever-changing reflections.
    Geological RegionLittle Ozarks
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsitesnull campsites
    Recommended CampsitesThe facility is mostly used as a group picnic area and includes a reservable shelter within walking distance of the lake and basketball courts. The shelter provides shade in an otherwise sunny area.

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
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    Reserving a campsite

    Guests Allowed Per Site
    Group picnic shelter accommodates up to 100 people.
    Groups
    • Reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 100 people
    • shelter is within walking distance of the lake and provides shade in an otherwise sunny area.
    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are allowed

    Site layoutReservable group picnic shelter near the lake outlet with nearby basketball courts; beach access at nearby Mound Valley Park.

    Accomodation available

    GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

    Activities you can enjoy

    Downstream Point is primarily a group picnic area on Big Hill Lake with nearby hiking and equestrian trails, fishing opportunities, and a nearby sand beach for cooling off in summer. The surrounding Little Ozarks oak-hickory forests offer wildlife viewing opportunities and varied terrain for outdoor recreation.
    Hiking
    Multiple nearby trails are accessible, including the Big Hill Lake Horse Trail (17 miles) and the Ruth Nixon Trail (approximately 1 mile) along the western side of the lake; trails accommodate hikers and equestrians.
    Fishing
    Big Hill Lake is noted as a trophy lake and is popular for fishing tournaments. Principal sport fish include largemouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye and smallmouth bass.
    Swimming
    Families can cool off at a sand-covered beach at nearby Mound Valley Park, providing summer swimming opportunities close to the facility.
    Wildlife viewing
    The lake shore and surrounding oak-hickory forests and prairie provide habitats for a variety of birds and mammals, supporting wildlife viewing and nature observation.
    Beach activities
    A sand-covered beach at nearby Mound Valley Park offers beach recreation and a place to cool off in summer.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsAlmost all land around the lake is open to public hunting with the exception of parks and areas around the dam and control structures.

    Weather at Downstream Point

    35
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Partly cloudy
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 73%
    Wind: 3.7 mph
    Partly cloudy

    Weather History
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    Good to know

    Proximity to water featuresLocated by the outlet channel of Big Hill Lake; the group shelter is within walking distance of the lake.
    HostThis location has limited staffing. Call (620) 336-2741 for general information.

    Campground Map

    Downstream Point
    Driving directionsTake U.S. Highway 169 to Cherryvale, Kansas, and turn east onto Main Street. Continue through the town and turn right at the end of Main Street onto Olive Street. Go 1/2 a block and turn left onto County Route 5000. Proceed 4.5 miles to Big Hill Lake and follow signs to the park.
    Accessible via U.S. Highway 169 to Cherryvale, then east on Main Street and local county roads to Big Hill Lake.

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    Downstream Point has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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