Hillsdale Lake
16 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers
Managed by the Kansas State Park System, Hillsdale offers camping, fishing, boating, hunting, hiking, equestrian trails, and relaxation within 40 minutes of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Olathe
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Olathe for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
28places to boat and paddle
16 mito the closest
4within 30 miles
May–Octoberbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
Blue Springs Lake
28 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
Blue Springs is a 720 acre lake located in Blue Springs and Lee's Summit Missouri. There are 6 picinic shelters, swimming beach, primitive bicking/hicking trails and marina. Blue Springs is operated Jackson County Parks and Recreation.
Clinton Lake
28 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
Located close to beautiful and historic Lawrence and the University of Kansas, the lake offers camping, boating, fishing, hunting, over 50 miles of hiking, equestrian and mountain bike trails, 18-hole golf course, model airplane airport…
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Within 30 miles (4)
Hillsdale Lake
Managed by the Kansas State Park System, Hillsdale offers camping, fishing, boating, hunting, hiking, equestrian trails, and relaxation within 40 minutes of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Blue Springs Lake
Blue Springs is a 720 acre lake located in Blue Springs and Lee's Summit Missouri. There are 6 picinic shelters, swimming beach, primitive bicking/hicking trails and marina. Blue Springs is operated Jackson County Parks and Recreation.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Clinton Lake
Located close to beautiful and historic Lawrence and the University of Kansas, the lake offers camping, boating, fishing, hunting, over 50 miles of hiking, equestrian and mountain bike trails, 18-hole golf course, model airplane airport…
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Bloomington East
Bloomington East Park includes Cedar Ridge, Hickory/Walnut, and Oak Campgrounds, Ash and Elm Group Camps, and Bloomington Beach Picnic Shelters.
- Amphitheater
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
30 to 75 miles (14)
Bloomington West
Woodridge Park has 450 acres for hiking and primitive, walk-in camping. Tent camping is allowed throughout the park and along the 4.5 mile George Latham hiking trail. Campfires are allowed at designated locations only.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Softball Fields
- Star Gazing
Perry
Perry Park is a recreational day use area, situated near the dam on the south end of Perry Lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Perry Lake
Located conveniently near the cities of Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, Perry Lake boasts a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Slough Creek
Slough Creek Campground is situated on Perry Lake in the lush Kansas forest. As the largest and most popular recreation area at the lake, Slough Creek is an ideal destination for family camping trips.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Smithville Lake
Within 30 minutes of downtown Kansas City, this 7,190-acre lake offers city and county operated water-related recreation facilities including a regional visitor center and an 36-hole golf course.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Longview
Longview Campground is situated on Perry Lake in the lush Kansas forest, offering peaceful, family-oriented camping. Longview offers families the chance to camp together in a group camp setting overlooking the lake.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Old Town
***WATER WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING THE NON-PEAK SEASON. WATER AT ALL CAMPSITES, SHOWER BUILDINGS AND DUMPSTATIONS WILL BE TURNED OFF.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Michigan Valley
Michigan Valley Campground is located in eastern Kansas on the shores of Pomona Lake. The scenic park appeals to family campers, sportsmen and water sport enthusiasts.
- Boating
- Camping
- Swimming
Pomona Lake
Located near the Santa Fe Trail, this 4,000-acre lake features scenic beauty as well as an abundance of wildlife. From Topeka, 24 miles South on US 75, 7 miles East on KS 268.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 primarily for the preservation and restoration of bottomland hardwood forest.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Paddling
- Photography
Melvern Lake
Melvern Lake is situated on the eastern edge of Kansas' Flinthills Region. It draws outdoor enthusiasts from a wide range of disciplines. Melvern Lake covers approximately 7,000 acres of water and 18,000 acres of land open for public use.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
Outlet(Melvern)
Outlet Campground is situated below the Melvern Lake Dam on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills of Kansas. Visitors enjoy the area's wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
John Redmond Reservoir
Sightseers will enjoy the Flint Hills Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy wandering old Indian grounds.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1966 as an “overlay project” on an U.S. Corps of Engineers flood control reservoir, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge's 18,463 acres incorporate a diverse variety of habitat including wetlands, bottomland hardwood…
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (10)
Harry S. Truman Lake
Located adjacent to the Lake of the Ozarks, Truman features excellent fishing, a regional visitor center and powerplant exhibit area. Rugged hills, scenic bluffs, hardwood forest and prairie offer some of the best scenery in the State.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Off-highway vehicles
Council Grove Lake
The lake was named for the nearby town of Council Grove, the birthplace of the Santa Fe Trail and a National Historic District.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tuttle Creek Lake
Situated in the scenic Flint Hills, Tuttle Creek Lake provides 12,500 surface acres of water and 100 miles of shoreline, making it the second largest lake in Kansas.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge is managed as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
Toronto Lake
Kansas' only granite outcrop is located here, at the scene of a short-lived gold rush in 1887.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Stockton Lake
A popular lake in the scenic Missouri Ozarks.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Pomme De Terre Lake
Cool, clear spring waters make this lake the "Gem of the Ozarks."
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Fall River Lake
Flowers, birds and game enhance this project in rolling prairie country. The 10,900-acre Fall River Game Management Area is located here.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Milford Lake
The Milford Education Center and Fish Hatchery are located below the dam. From Topeka, 65 mi W on I-70, 5 mi N on US77, 2 mi W on K-57 hwy.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Big Hill Lake
to Kansas' "Little Ozarks"! Located 5 miles east of Cherryvale, Kansas. Five beautiful park areas are offered by the Corps of Engineers for camping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Olathe. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Olathe?
Hillsdale Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 16 miles south of Olathe as the crow flies. Next are Blue Springs Lake (28 mi) and Clinton Lake (28 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Olathe?
Based on Olathe’s average highs, May–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.