Big Basin Prairie Preserve & St. Jacob's Well

Our last stop on this trip was Big Basin Prairie Preserve and Saint Jacob's Well... This is a really wonderful and worthwhile trip in itself, but adding Clark and going through the hills is an excellent addition. If you go in spring or early summer you can catch miles of green prairie along with colorful wildflowers. It's a beautiful wildlife area! We didn't spot any bison roaming around out here this time, so I was happy we got to see some earlier in the trip. I actually had to drive past a young bull on the road the day before, which was a bit nerve racking for about a minute!

I'd like to bring my telescope out here on a clear night

Looking out on the Big Basin

Small flora growing on the rocky bluffs

St. Jacob's Well lies nestled in the Little Basin

Grasses, shrubs and flowers warm the path to the well

Barbed post rock fencing keep the bison out of the water

A partial view from the Living Water Monument

(left) Still missing the plaque! (right) Windmills water the bison herd

For more information on Big Basin and St. Jacob's Well Visit:
Natural Kansas
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Kansas Photo Tour

Clark State Fishing Lake

Camped out here after going through the hills. Clark is a really nice lake! Clear water, tall bluffs, awesome scenery... Curtis said it was like Chase on steroids! We didn't do much fishing, but an old timer showed up and was bringing in 2lb channels after each cast. I told Curtis I was almost embarrassed to fish next to him! He knew what he was doing. Really, I was just too worn out from the heat, it must have been 110° with little to no shade. I had a really good time and hope to get out there a lot more in the future.

I really admire how the KDWP utilizes native stone on most park signs

Looking south from the north end

Going around the lake and facing east

South end, near the spillway

On the southwest edge looking east


Same as above, with a bit of zoom




Clark State Fishing Lake is worth the drive!