Boating In Kansas

Kansas offers some of the finest water recreation found anywhere. More than 150 lakes, 10,000 stream miles, and 55,000 ponds make the state attractive to boaters of many types. Most of the lakes are well served by public access facilities and provide excellent opportunities for anglers, swimmers, skiers, sailboaters, powerboaters, paddlers, and others.

The Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas rivers are the state’s only public rivers. They are open to the public between the ordinary high water marks on each bank. This is the line that can be seen where high water has left debris, sand, and gravel during its ordinary annual cycle. When these rivers flow through private land, permission is needed from adjacent landowners to access the rivers as well as when picnicking, camping, portaging or engaging in any other activity on the adjacent private lands. Other waters are privately owned and landowner permission is required to access them.

It is a goal of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to provide as many safe recreational boating opportunities as possible. As the demand for recreational use of Kansas waters increases, it becomes more important for boaters to be safe, knowledgeable, and responsible. All boaters must commit themselves to learning and practicing safe watercraft operation, as well as knowing the boating laws and regulations before they get out on the water.