Beaches & Boating in Kansas City

The metro’s newest lake is found in Lake Olathe Park (191 N. Ward Cliff Dr., Olathe, KS). The beautiful 170-acre lake is surrounded by a 258-acre community park and is popular for fishing, swimming and boating. The swim beach features locker rooms, outdoor showers, vending machines and a floating obstacle course—the Aqua Park. Visitors may rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats at the marina. Coolers with food and nonalcoholic beverages are welcome, along with beach chairs and umbrellas. The park is also home to an outdoor amphitheater where concerts are offered throughout the summer.  OlatheKS.org

You may also enjoy free rental of a canoe, paddle boat or bicycle and enjoy the beautiful 22-acre lake and trail at Legacy Park in Lee's Summit, MO (cityofls.net/parks/parks/parks/legacy-park).

Other great local lakes to enjoy for boating, fishing and swimming:

Jackson County, MO, Lakes:

• Blue Springs Lake (1500 NE Bowlin Rd., Lee's Summit) offers a swim beach, fishing, power boating, water skiing, tubing and jet skiing. Boat rental is available.
• Lake Jacomo (7401 W. Park Rd., Blue Springs) is a 970-acre lake known for colorful sailboat regattas, as well as leisurely pontoon boat rides. Fishing is very popular at this lake, and boat rental is available.
• Longview Lake (9898 Longview Rd., Kansas City) offers a swim beach with an inflatable floating obstacle course, fishing and boat rental.

Johnson County, KS, Lakes:

• Shawnee Mission Park Lake (7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee) features a 120-acre lake with swimming beach and marina, shelters, nature trails, play areas, an archery range, a 44-acre off-leash dog area, an 18-hole disc golf course, mountain biking and hiking trails, equestrian trails. The green space is also home to Theatre in the Park.
• Kill Creek Lake (11670 Homestead Ln., Olathe) offers a swim beach and boat rental for fishing.

Additional Local Lakes:

• Smithville Lake Beach (16311 County Rd. DD, Smithville, MO). This 7,190-acre lake features marinas, fishing and a swim beach. 
• Watkins Woolen Mill State Park Lake (26600 Park Rd. N., Lawson, MO) is a 100-acre lake with a paved bicycle path, fishing, campground, swim beach and picnic spots.

Beach Volleyball

These urban beach volleyball courses are favorite local hangouts on a summer night.

• Volleyball Beach: 13105 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.942.2820
• Shawnee Mission Volleyball Beach: 19800 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS, 913.422.4070
• Centerline Beach Volleyball: 1910 US 40 Hwy., Blue Springs, MO, 816.224.4455

• Blue Springs Lake Marina

  Blue Springs Lake Marina is found one mile east of 291 Highway on Bowlin Road. Conveniences include boat rentals from April 15 thru October 15 (weather permitting), lakeside gasoline pumps and overnight slip rental.

• Gardner Lake Public Boat Dock

• Lake Jacomo Marina

  Lake Jacomo Marina is the largest boat rental facility in the Kansas City Metro area, with more than 60 watercraft available.

• Legacy Park

  The park includes 3 shelters, Legacy Park Community Center, a 22 acre lake, a disc golf course, an amphitheater, our destination playground and 4.7 mile trail.

• Longview Lake Beach

• Longview Lake Marina

  Conveniences include boat rentals from April 15 thru October 15 (as weather permits), lakeside gasoline pumps and overnight slip rental.

• Olathe Cedar Lake (South Side)

• Rowdy Ribbit’s

  Rowdy Ribbit’s is an inflatable floating playground on the lake!

• Smithville Lake

  Whether you’re interested in biking, hiking, camping, horse-back riding, fishing, boating, or kayaking, Smithville Lake has just what you need to make your perfect outdoor adventure.

• Wyandotte County Lake & Park

  1500 acres, 400 acre lake for fishing and boating, 16 shelters, all with water, electricity, playground equipment and restrooms.

• Wyandotte County Lake Marina

  Wyandotte County Lake is a 400 acre lake stocked with 17,000 lbs. of rainbow trout and 14,000 lbs. of catfish. Crappie, bass (smallmouth and largemouth), walleye and wiper are also popular with anglers.