While car loads of people head to the Ozarks every weekend, don’t overlook the abundance of local lakes right here at home that all offer wonderful amenities from boat rental, swimming, trails, camping and more. All are great places to celebrate a special occasion, reunion, or just a quiet get away. Get out and enjoy the local public lakes!
Lake Olathe Park
191 N. Ward Cliff Dr., Olathe, KS 66061
Lake Olathe Park features a 170-acre lake surrounded by a 258-acre community park. The Swim Beach features locker rooms, outdoor showers, vending machines and a floating obstacle course – The Aqua Park.
Lake Olathe Park visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats at the Marina. Coolers with food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome along with beach chairs and umbrellas.
Additional renovations to Lake Olathe now offer an upper event lawn surrounded by landscaping and a small stream. The water feature flows into a waterfall before ending in a pond. A creek leading from the pond wraps around the newly built Spray Ground before flowing into the lake.
An amphitheater, featuring event seating for 1,500 and Lake Olathe as its backdrop, is a great spot to relax and enjoy nature’s elements.
Shawnee Mission Park & Lake
7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 66219
Shawnee Mission Park is home to a number of fantastic amenities as well as a beautiful 120-acre lake. The beautiful scenic lake is a very popular spot for boating, fishing, sail boarding and much more. The park also has 11 spacious shelters, numerous picnic areas, nature trails, play areas, an archery range, a 53-acre dog off-leash area and a disc golf course. It is a great place to enjoy mountain biking and horseback riding.
Shawnee Mission Park is also home to The Theatre in the Park, Shawnee Mission Park Beach and Shawnee Mission Park Marina. In season, there are canoes, pedal boats and fishing boats available for rent at the marina.
Wyandotte Co Lake and Park
91st & Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, KS 66109
Wyandotte County Lake and Park provides 1,500 acres of wooded area, a 400-acre lake with marina, kids’ fishing pond, a large playground, boat rentals, concessions, bridle trail, off-leash dog area, archery range, F.L. Schlagle Library and Environmental Center. Picnic shelters available – A rural retreat within the city limits.
Watkins Mill State Park
26600 Park Road North, Lawson, MO 64062
A 100-acre lake with a paved bicycle path around it, plentiful fishing, a picturesque campground and a choice picnic spots make Watkins Mill State Park an ideal place for an afternoon or longer. Located near the Kansas City area, the park has ample fishing opportunities and an abundance of white-tailed deer and wild turkeys to watch. The park is adjacent to Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.
Smithville Lake
17201 Paradesian, Smithville, MO 64089
A 7,190-acre recreational lake for boating, fishing, sailing, and swimming. Facilities include, among other activities: golf courses; campgrounds; picnic shelters/areas; hiking, biking and equestrian trails; two full-service marinas, with boat rentals.
Park passes start at $5 per car. Free admission available at specific trail heads. Fees for boating, camping, golf and other activities.
Longview Lake
11100 View High Drive, Kansas City, MO 64134
Take the Raytown Road Exit (Exit 4) off I-470 and turn south. Go 1 mile.
Longview Lake Park has been a favorite place to play and relax ever since it first opened in 1986. It attracts more than a million visitors every year.
The park is host of many County events and activities, including the popular Christmas In The Park holiday display.
Lake Jacomo
7401 West Park Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015
Set sail on Jackson County Parks+ Rec’s Lake Jacomo where windsurfers and sailors abound.
This breathtaking 970-acre lake is located in the heart of Fleming Park, one of Jackson County Parks + Rec’s premier recreational areas. Enjoy colorful sailboat regattas, while pontoon boaters take a leisurely cruise across the lake! Lake Jacomo’s limited-horsepower regulation affords a relaxing outing for the water enthusiast.
Lake Jacomo’s marina provides boat rental, concessions, lakeside gasoline, tackle, bait and dock fishing. For convenience, Lake Jacomo boasts 3 boat ramps for easy access. Popular among the fishermen, you’ll find Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Carp, Catfish, Hybrid Striped Bass and Walleye while fishing at Lake Jacomo.
