Elk City State Park is located in the Osage Questas of southeastern Kansas, where thick oak-hickory woodlands meet rolling meadows of big bluestem and Indian grass. The reservoir has 4,500 surface acres of water, and the wildlife area comprises another 12,000 acres, in addition to the park. The prominent feature of the landscape is the precipitous limestone bluff known as Table Mound. In autumn, the native hardwoods bring an abundance of color to the area, as well.
Elk City State Park has a full complement of camping and boating facilities, but it is perhaps best known for its hiking and biking trails. The park itself boasts 4.5 miles of trails, and the Army Corps of Engineers manages the scenic Elk River Hiking Trail covers 15 miles from the west edge of the dam to the Highway 160 bridge on the Elk River.