Wildcat Marina

By: Desiree Powell

Today I took a trip to Cedar Ridge State Park specifically to Wildcat Marina. The area is public land managed by the Cedar Ridge State Park which is a part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). The easiest way to access this boat ramp is to take Tuttle Creek Boulevard and stay on it until it turns into highway 24. From there you’ll turn on to KS-13 until you see Spillway Marina Road which you will stay on until you reach Wildcat Marina. This is honestly one of my favorite places just outside of Manhattan. Personally, I do not fish and I do not own a boat, or even know how to run one but, this is a great area to just sit and think. Most of the times that I have been out here I have only run into one or two other people which suits my preferences. Additionally, I usually visit this place because of the sunsets. This is one of the best places to hangout and watch the sun go down, truly a calming and wonderful feeling to experience. People tend to take for granted that the sun sets and rises every day and this is an amazing place to witness it and understand the beauty behind it. 

Considering that it is November I would highly recommend taking a heavy jacket to keep you warm while you’re out there and closed toe shoes. The area is usually decently clean but you never know what you might step in or on. Additionally walking out onto the dock is a nice added experience as long as it isn’t flooded over by the water which happens semi frequently. There are bathrooms in the area as well but at this time they are closed for the season since it is no longer summer time. If you’re out there during the summer then you can take a cement trail up the hill to another parking lot which has a bathroom there. Also during the summer Wildcat Marina is open to the public where they have live music along with food, as well as watercraft rentals. This area also features a fish cleaning station which is a great amenity to have there given that it is a marina. Also at the boat dock if you have fishing line that you’re planning on tossing out after using it you can conveniently put it into a recycling receptacle specifically meant for fishing line. This receptacle was a part of an Eagle Scout project done by a local in 2020 and it is built from PVC pipe which is attached to a post located by the ramp. All in all this is a great place to access the lake, hangout with some friends or go by yourself, watch the sunset, fish, relax, think, and explore. During the summer time it has even more possibilities to explore which should be utilized when possible. With this being about 15 minutes outside of Manhattan by car it is an easy way to leave town and get back into nature.