1: Santa Fe Lake
While there are several places within Wichita, our top recommended SUP destination for the city Santa Fe Lake. Located just outside of Wichita, this lake has paddleboard rentals right on the water, and with limited boat access, you’ll find it a very beginner friendly location for those learning how to paddle.
Outside of basic lessons, the local paddleboarding experts also have guided tours and yoga sessions, and even instructional workout sessions and races you can participate in. All fish are catch and release, but that is partially why you can find some large catches that will challenge your paddleboarding ability, including 15+ lbs Largemouth Bass. If you’re in Wichita, make sure you stop by Santa Fe Lake for an excellent paddleboarding experience.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 221
Distance to Major Cities: 15 Minutes to Wichita
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
2: Clinton Lake
The 7,000-acre lake (with 85 miles of shoreline) is located just outside of Lawrence and is our top recommendation for the city or those heading westward from Kansas City. The excellent clear water makes it very easy to spot Catfish, Walleye, and Crappie, while Songbirds, Turkeys, and Bald Eagles frequent the area as well.
Many popular events and attractions, including fireworks shows and concerts, happen right on the water’s edge if you manage to visit at the right time during the year! Lastly, while boats are allowed on the lake, it’s large size, and the efforts of local environmentalists keep the water calm, making it great for yoga meditation or those who want to enjoy the sun with friends.
Those visiting the northeastern portion of Kansas, stop by Clinton Lake for your next paddleboarding adventure.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 211
Distance to Major Cities: 15 Minutes to Lawrence, 1 Hour to Kansas City
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
3: Shawnee Mission Park Marina
Kansas City is officially a Missouri municipality, but if you want to visit the popular Shawnee Mission Park Marina, you’ll reach it by staying on the urban center’s Kansas half. The Mariana is one of the most famous waterfronts for Kansas and Missouri, with plenty of gear rentals for those visiting the large city and don’t care to bring along their equipment.
Many clubs frequent the area, so you can expect races, touring adventures, sailing, and other fun paddle boarding adventures to be available or on-going when you stop by the marina. Throughout the year, especially during the summer, concerts, fireworks, and other land events can also be seen, heard, or experienced from the water.
Plan to put the Shawnee Mission Park Marina on your list as the next paddleboard destination to visit while you’re in Kansas and visiting Kansas City.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 215
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to Kansas City
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
4: Kansas River
The Kansas River is a 148-mile river that cuts through Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, Junction City, and Kansas City. From each of these cities, you can rent a paddleboard and get on the water, with both beginner-friendly and advanced sections awaiting those who explore its long length. Sticking to the cities’ shores will offer great beaches and calm waters, but you don’t have to paddle too far away to find up to Class III rapids.
Shiner, Sauger, and several other rare fish that aren’t found in too many other waterfronts throughout the United States make their home here. Depending on where you visit, you might also find students from the University of Kansas or members of the Kansas-Missouri rowing teams frequenting the waters.
There’s a ton to explore, and with 18 official launching points full of paddling enthusiasts ready to teach or help you learn, there’s plenty of reasons to make the Kansas River your next paddleboarding destination.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 215
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to Lawrence, Topeka, Kansas City, and other cities.
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
5: Geary State Fishing Lake
The Geary State Fishing Lake is a bit south of Junction City, but while it might be the smallest and most remote destination on our list, dedicated paddling anglers will want to visit this spot. The 97-acre lake is very well stocked with Black Bass, Saugeye, Walleye, Catfish, and an assortment of other fish that will fill up your cooler in hours.
As this destination is out of the way, it tends to be a very peaceful spot perfect for yogis to practice meditation or for families trying to teach their kids how to paddleboard without dealing with the crowds. Overnight camping is available for free along the shore, and you’ll want to watch the shoreline for the migrating fowl and local animals wandering over to the state-managed food plots. For a more private, serene, but just as enjoyable paddleboarding experience, consider Geary State Fishing Lake in Kansas.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 224
Distance to Major Cities: 15 Minutes to Junction City
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes (In Junction City)
Conclusion: Plan Your Paddle Board Trip and Have Fun!
Thank you for reading about our top paddleboarding destinations in Kansas! As we have been unable to visit every destination we’ve suggested above personally, we rely on other paddleboarders’ feedback to develop the best list we can for the state. If you’ve been to one of these above locations or have another destination you would like to recommend not on our list, be sure to leave a comment below or send us an email with your thoughts.
As we work on our fifty state series, you can expect paddleboarding recommendations for Kentucky soon, or visit our top 15 recommended paddleboarding locations for the United States. At SUPBoardGuide.com, you can also read our reviews on new paddleboards hitting the market, instructional guides for beginner and advanced paddleboarders alike, or watch or in-depth videos on our Youtube channel.
Thank you again for visiting! We hope that you stay safe, enjoy the sun, and have fun SUPing as you explore the lakes, reservoirs, and marinas in Kansas!
SupBoardGuide
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