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
Horseback riding near Olathe
Trails and recreation areas near Olathe open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
11places to ride horses
16 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
March–June, September–Novemberbest months
Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.
Closest picks
Rockhaven Park Campground and Equestrian Area
30 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
Rockhaven Park is located on the south side of Clinton Lake, west of the Dam on the Rock Creek Arm of the lake.
Perry Lake
36 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Located conveniently near the cities of Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, Perry Lake boasts a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
Map of all 11 places
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Within 30 miles (2)
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
Rockhaven Park Campground and Equestrian Area
Rockhaven Park is located on the south side of Clinton Lake, west of the Dam on the Rock Creek Arm of the lake.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Picnicking
30 to 75 miles (4)
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
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
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
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
75 miles and farther (5)
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
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
Stockton Lake
A popular lake in the scenic Missouri Ozarks.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
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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- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for horseback riding near Olathe?
Hillsdale Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 16 miles south of Olathe as the crow flies. Next are Rockhaven Park Campground and Equestrian Area (30 mi) and Perry Lake (36 mi).
When is the best time for horseback riding near Olathe?
Based on Olathe’s average highs, March–June, September–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.