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Does Kansas have many natural lakes?
- No, Kansas is not naturally rich in lakes, but many reservoirs were constructed in the 20th century to control floods, generate power, and provide drinking water.
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How many reservoirs are there in Kansas today?
- Currently, Kansas has over 120,000 reservoirs, many of which serve both recreational and functional purposes.
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What recreational activities can visitors enjoy at Kansas lakes?
- Visitors and locals alike can enjoy:
- Fishing in lakes stocked with walleye, catfish, and bass.
- Sandy beaches perfect for relaxation.
- Exploring massive parks filled with trails and abundant wildlife.
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Why are Kansas reservoirs important?
- These reservoirs were created to prevent floods, generate power, and provide drinking water for residents while also supporting recreation.
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1. Cedar Bluff Reservoir
Go boating or admire scenic cliffs on an exciting summer trip.
Cedar Bluff Reservoir is visually stunning, with tall, blocky limestone cliffs that stand over a hundred feet tall at the lake’s edge. The bluffs offer a great place to watch a colorful sunrise or sunset, and serve as a great hiking point around the lake. The water itself is huge, with plenty of opportunity for boating and fishing for walleye, bass, crappie, wiper, and catfish in the waters of Cedar Bluff Reservoir. The area of the lake is huge, over 10 square miles of water, and on part of its shores visitors will find Cedar Bluff State Park, which is split into two parts: one on the northern shore and one on the south side.
2. Cheney Lake
Sail breezy waters or fish with the kids in this popular recreation spot.
Located along the Ninnescah River’s northern fork, Cheney Lake is a reservoir that was completed during the 1960s. With nearly 10,000 surface acres of water, and almost seventy miles of shoreline available for recreation and use by the public, Cheney Lake is a great destination for families and groups of friends seeking a natural getaway. Jig fishing is incredibly popular on Cheney Lake, and lucky fishing enthusiasts will find an abundance of crappie, walleye, striped bass, white bass, wipers, and channel catfish in the lake. On the shores of the lake, there is also a plethora of activity options, such as hiking trails, campsites, picnic areas, wildlife watching, and hunting.
3. Clark State Fishing Lake
Catch bass or enjoy quiet trails in this affordable outdoor retreat.
Clark State Fishing Lake lies tucked into the depths of Bluff Creek Canyon, a geographically beautiful place especially when compared to the flat plains that surround it. There are two lovely hikes around the lake area, including the one mile Jay Wood Memorial Nature Trail, and the 2.2 mile loop that is the gravel road from the trailhead to the K-94 highway. On the lake itself, visitors will find a boat launch to get them started on the water, and if they’re lucky, they may find some channel catfish, white bass, crappies, and even walleye in the lake. Hunters will find 900 acres of hunting land around the lake, and camping enthusiasts will find many primitive camping spots in the area where they can relax and observe the wildlife.
4. Clinton Lake
Swim at sandy beaches or explore easy hiking paths near the water.
Clinton Lake is a reservoir near Lawrence that occupies a 7,000 acre space. It was built in the late 1970s to prevent flooding of the nearby Wakarusa and Kansas Rivers, and was filled very slowly to allow the natural plants and vegetation to remain. This method paid off, as now this vegetation has created a perfect habitat in the lake, ideal for the fish who dwell there. On the northern shores of the lake, Clinton State Park is a great place for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. There are hundreds of campsites, trails for mountain bikes, and even an archery range at the park, and the marina has launches, boat rentals, and even a floating restaurant.
5. Crawford State Fishing Lake
Fish wooded coves or look at peaceful sights on a relaxing weekend.
Crawford State Fishing Lake, originally a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) project during the Great Depression, is surrounded by a variety of nature, including grasslands and plains as well as green woodlands. The lake area is a great spot for bird watching, as it is home to cardinals, indigo buntings, hawks, Bell’s vireos, and dickcissels as well as many shorebirds at the lake’s edge and on its waters. Fishing enthusiasts may find channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. There are also several lovely hiking and nature trails around Crawford State Fishing Lake, ranging from the easy and scenic Spider Leg Trail and Deer Run Nature Trail to the more challenging 7 mile Drywood Creek Trail.
6. El Dorado Lake
Camp lakeside or enjoy fun attractions with the whole family.
Just northeast of the city of El Dorado lies the lake of the same name, an eight thousand acre reservoir that is one of the largest in the state of Kansas. Surrounded by the tall grasslands and rolling prairies that Kansas is so well known for, El Dorado Lake has almost one hundred miles of shoreline available for recreational use. Visitors can spot birds like geese, warblers, and even majestic bald eagles in any of the natural areas on the shores of the lake, or look for other creatures like deer, prairie chickens, mink, and vultures. The lake itself is a popular destination for watersports like boating, jet skiing, and waterskiing, and there are plenty of fish in the water to tempt fishermen. Trails around the lake’s edge are suitable for hikers, mountain bikers, or horseback riders, who will spot some beautiful wildflowers in the area depending on the season.
7. Fall River Lake
Paddle calm waters or hike wooded trails during your fall adventure.
Located in Fall River State Park, near the Flint Hills and the Cross Timbers regions, Fall River Lake is a scenic destination with a lot of activity and beautiful nature to offer its visitors. With green, tree lined shores that turn stunning shades of red and orange in the autumn, Fall River Lake is set on a 980 acre park that offers six hiking trails, a course for orienteering, and cabins for camping. The lake is a calm and tranquil place which is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and other slow boat travel on the still, peaceful waters so visitors can enjoy all the gorgeous nature that Fall River Lake has to offer.
8. Glen Elder Lake
Watch the sunrise or explore great birding stuff on a retirement-style trip.
Also known as Waconda Lake, Glen Elder Lake is one of the most popular and oft-visited lakes in Kansas. Located in the Solomon River Valley, it is easily accessible via Highway 24, and it is one of the best lakes in the state for fishing. Fishers will find crappie, walleye, and a variety of bass including striped, white, and largemouth in the waters of Waconda Lake, and Glen Elder State Park, on the shores of the lake, offers a great opportunity for swimming, kayaking, and land activities like hiking, hunting, and camping. Campgrounds in the area are modern and diverse, and there are also other amenities for visitors such as nature trails, picnic shelters, educational programs, and even sand volleyball courts near the swimming area.
9. Hillsdale Lake
Go horseback riding or fish in this quick nature escape.
Hillsdale Lake is a natural habitat for the bald eagle, the symbol of America. The eagles often join other birds of prey, as well as many human visitors, in hunting for largemouth bass and other fish in the waters of the lake. Hillsdale Reservoir was completed in the early 1980s, and today it is a pretty place to enjoy nature via boat or by foot. Kayaking and canoeing are very popular on the water, as are more adrenaline-pumping sports like waterskiing, tubing, and sailing. On land, visitors can learn about the area the visitor’s center, hike on the Hidden Spring Nature Trail, or hop on horseback and ride the Saddle Ridge Trail, which contains over fifty miles of well maintained trails for humans and horses alike.
10. Horsethief Lake
Visit red rock canyons or discover unusual landscapes on your weekend getaway.
Horsethief Reservoir has a long history for a lake so new. It was first proposed in the 1930s, but the dam was not approved until 2009. Completed in 2010, Horsethief Lake is now a popular spot for visitors, who enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, camping, and more in the area. Located in Western Kansas, in the town of Jetmore, Horsethief Lake has 450 acres of water, filled with fish and surrounded by a park that measures over a thousand acres. Because the lake is still so new, recreational activities are still in development, but already it has become a busy and fun place to spend a day or a weekend away. All types of watercraft are welcome on the lake, and in fact it has become a popular place for kite-boarding.
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