Manter Dam, on Bear Creek, was a WPA project intended to be the second or third largest recreational lake in Kansas.  Engineers' drawings for the recreational area show a large lake with a beach area, softball and baseball diamonds, a children's park. picnic shelters and much more. 

 

Although the project was never finished, you can still visit Manter Dam and see remains of the spillway.  It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon hiking around looking for fossil impressions, studying the wildflowers, and climbing on and through the rock structures while you look at the various layers of rock strata that make up millions of years of history.

See timeline.

 

Directions:  2 3/4 miles west of Manter on U.S. 160 to county road 17, just over 1 mile north on Road U, 4 1/2 miles west (past an old stone house) and then 1 1/2 miles north on a gravel road that curves around and ends in a parking area.  No water or restrooms are available.  Watch for rattlesnakes.