Kaw Point Park Access Ramp – River Mile 0

River Mile: 0.0

GPS: 39.11601, -94.61203

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Access Ramp: River Left

Directions:  From I-70 in Kansas, take James Street Exit 423. At the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp go straight. Follow the signs to Fairfax Boulevard. The route will take you over an elevated ramp and down to Fairfax Boulevard Look for the “Kaw Point” sign to your right on a power pole. Turn right into a parking lot. Go east about 100 yards to the concrete floodwall. Turn right and follow the floodwall another 100 yards and go through the breach in the floodwall to the large parking area.

Access Information: The Historic Lewis and Clark RiverFront Park at Kaw Point is in the Fairfax District on the north bank of the Kansas just above the confluence with the Missouri River (river mile 367). This public access ramp was completed by Friends of the Kaw volunteers in January 2004. Today, members of the Friends of Kaw Point Park help maintain the park.

The access is concrete and lighted with a large blacktop parking lot. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County has elected to temporarily close the park from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am daily.  Twenty-four hour access to the river is still available at the Turner Bridge Access Ramp.  During special events access may be blocked. The park has shaded walking paths on both the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, a 500-seat stone amphitheater, and a historical kiosk explaining Lewis and Clark’s visit in 1804.

The launch ramp and access road are often busy.  You must park in the upper lot. The ramp was designed at a 14% grade, and is 16 feet wide and 190 feet long. The Missouri River is 200 yards downstream from the ramp.

Amenities:  Restroom, trash can, lighting, walking paths, and amphitheater.  There is not a kiosk with river information, but there are numerous signs and kiosks about the park and Lewis and Clark..  

Paddle Information: The next access ramp is four miles downstream on the Missouri River at Missouri Riverfront Park at river mile 363. The Missouri River is wider than the Kansas River with a faster current and generally not recommended for novice paddlers.

Under normal conditions you can easily paddle upstream on the Kansas River and return back the Kaw Point Park access ramp.  You can make the trip as long as desired and not have to worry about shuttling your car. 

Game Warden Covering Wyandotte County:  785-256-1206