Welcome to the Kansas River Water Trail!
Friends of the Kaw has created this interactive map to help you navigate the 173-mile-long Kansas River and locate the 19 access ramps and in-river hazards.
Click on the map icons below for access point and hazard names, exact locations, and pictures. Blue icons represent existing access points, red icons represent hazards, and yellow icons represent tributaries and alternative paddling locations. Scroll below the map for links to detailed information about each access point, including directions and amenities.
Check Weather and Water Conditions
Friends of the Kaw estimates it takes about 1 hour to paddle 3 miles when the river is at safe conditions. Novice paddlers should not attempt to paddle more than 10 miles in one day.
The Kansas River is a big river and we recommend that novice paddlers use the river on their own when the flow is less than 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). We recommend that experienced paddlers consider paddling the river if it is running below 8,000 cfs. At 8,000 cfs and higher, most sandbars are under water. This means:
- There is no place to stop and rest.
- The banks are private property and off-limits to paddlers.
- The rate of flow is fast and harder to navigate.
Friends of the Kaw paddle trip flows are based on the most recent information available including whether or not the river is rising or falling, weather conditions, and forecasted river flows.
For more advice for novice paddlers, visit our River Access Tips page.
In case of an emergency on the river call 911. The dispatcher will connect you to the appropriate emergency personnel for your location. If you encounter a situation involving wildlife, contact a Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Game Warden. The links below include the phone numbers for the game wardens who respond to calls in the counties where the access points are located.
Each page also includes what3words coordinates. Many emergency departments and first responders are beginning to use what3words in their emergency response systems. What3words is an easy way to identify precise locations. Every 10 foot square has been given a unique combination of three random words: a what3words address. The free what3words app allows you to find, share, save and navigate to precise 10 foot locations using what3words addresses. Note that the what3words coordinates on the access ramp pages are for locations near the top of each ramp. The coordinates for the hazards are for locations in the vicinity of each hazard.
Friends of the Kaw advocates for the river and for safe river usage. We are not responsible for maintaining the access ramps and ensuring everyone’s safety on the river. You can report pollution and trash, however, and we will forward your report to the appropriate authorities. Call 1-800 RIVKEEP to make a report.
View Kansas River Access Map in a larger map
For more detailed information on access ramps, hazards, and tributaries along the Kansas River please visit the pages below.
Kansas River Access Ramps
- River Mile 0 – Kaw Point Park Access Ramp
- River Mile 9 – Turner Bridge Access Ramp
- River Mile 16 – Edwardsville Access Ramp
- River Mile 26 – Cedar Creek Access Ramp
- River Mile 31 – De Soto Access Ramp
- River Mile 42 – Eudora Access Ramp
- River Mile 51 – Lawrence Riverfront Park East/8th St. Access
- River Mile 54 – Lawrence Riverfront Park Access Ramp
- River Mile 64 – Lecompton/Rising Sun Access Ramp
- River Mile 77 – Seward Avenue/Fool’s Landing Access Ramp
- River Mile 87 – Topeka Water Plant Low-Head Dam and Access Ramp (Topeka Weir)
- River Mile 90 – Kaw River State Park Access Ramp
- River Mile 119 – Belvue Access Ramp
- River Mile 128 – Wamego Access Ramp
- River Mile 137 – St. George/Boggs Landing Access Ramp
- River Mile 147 – Linear Park/Blue River Access Ramp
- River Mile 149 – Manhattan K-177/Fairmont Access Ramp
- River Mile 163 – Ogden Access Ramp
- River Mile 173 – Junction City Access Ramp
Hazards
- River Mile 15 – WaterOne Low-Head Dam
- River Mile 52 – Bowersock Dam
- River Mile 54 – Lawrence Low-Head Dam (Lawrence Energy Center)
- River Mile 76 – Tecumseh Low Head Dam
- River Mile 84.5 – East Old Railroad Bridge
- River Mile 85.3 – West Old Railroad Bridge
- River Mile 87 – Topeka Water Plant Low-Head Dam and Access Ramp (Topeka Weir)
- River Mile 120 – Belvue Low-Head Dam (Jeffries Energy Center)
COMING SOON! Tributaries and Alternative Paddling Locations
Links for Kansas River tributaries where paddling is allowed will be posted soon. All of these locations are within federal, state, county, or city park boundaries. Note that most rivers and streams in Kansas are on private property and can not be accessed by the public without landowner permission. For more information about public stream access go to Kansas Department of Wildlife & Park’s River and Stream Access page. Most of the links below are not yet live, but will include these locations:
- Saline River above Wilson Reservoir
- Smoky Hill River above Kanopolis Reservoir
- Republican River above Milford Reservoir
- Big Blue River above Tuttle Creek Reservoir
- Delaware River above Perry Lake
- Wakarusa River above Clinton Lake
- Rock Creek above Clinton Lake
- Mud Creek Access Ramp – Live NOW!
- Mill Creek Streamway Park – Live NOW!
