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The state of Kansas is blessed with some of the best winds in the country. There are twenty-four reservoirs state wide with an abundance of sailing sites. Weather fronts cycle through every three or four days in the spring and fall making for plenty of sailing time. Most Kansas sailors have a wide variety of gear. From 3.5 through 9.5 meter sails and boards to match. It is not unusual to receive 55mph winds three or four times a year.
These locations are a few of my favorite sailing spots. Kansas state parks require a $3.00 per day vehicle pass or a yearly $30.00 sticker. Kansas also requires $15.00 board stickers every two years. Policing is more frequent in the height of the summer season and varies from lake to lake. Longview, Smithville, Shawnee Mission Lake and Heritage Park require a county sticker for each board sailed.
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Listed in this order:
Perry Lake
Clinton Lake
Hillsdale Lake
Longview Lake
Marion Lake
Pomona Lake
Smithville Lake
Melvern Lake
Milford Lake
Wilson Lake
Cheney Lake
Redman Lake
Shawnee Lake
Heritage Park Lake
Council Grove Lake
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Overview:
Perry Lake is known for its winds and sailboats. It lies more north to south so one is able to take advantage of even the slightest puffs of wind. Reach is 1 to 1 1/2 miles.
Location:
Perry Lake is located in Northeast Kansas. The Lake is located in Jefferson County and is near the Towns of Perry, Ozawkie, Meriden and Valley Falls. The lake is located on the Delaware River. Perry is located between Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas.
Perry is north of Interstate Highway 70, 30 miles west of Kansas City. Exit East Lawrence go north on US Highway 59 to Highway 24 west then north at the town of Perry to lake.
Launch:
Summer launches are located just north of the southeast marina at the Corps Camp Ground, and further north at the State Park on the east side, but be careful of the old house foundations.
Winter launches west/northwest winds. There is a small park directly at the east end of the dam with great rigging, parking and rest rooms. The reach is about 1 1/2 miles parallel to the dam.
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Click Here for a map of Perry Lake
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Clinton Lake Map
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Overview:
Windsurfers have their own launch site at the state park. Clinton Lake is great on southeast winds and has the potential to be Gorge-like conditions. There is a 1 1/2 to 3 mile reach depending on wind direction.
Some have said that if you can sail Clinton, you can sail anywhere yet it is still friendly to beginners. This is a very popular spot for meeting local surfers.
Location:
Clinton Lake is located 40 miles west of Kansas City on I-70. Exit at the Lecompton exit, go south about 3 miles. Enter at the state park. After the pay station, turn left toward the marina.
Launch:
If southwest to northeast winds prevail, launch from the east end of the parking lot between the two boat ramps near the marina. For west to northwest winds, travel around to the other side of the lake to Bloomington and launch at the Corps Camp Ground. Personally, I prefer Hillsdale or Perry Lake for northwest winds.
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Hillsdale Lake Map
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Overview:
Hillsdale is a great slalom lake. Even with higher winds the chop is moderate to flat. The is about a 2 mile reach depending on wind direction.
Location:
Hillsdale Lake is located 40 miles southwest of Kansas City. Travel I-35 south and exit at 169 highway south. Go about 8 miles and exit west at the brown sign marked Hillsdale Lake. The lake is about 3 miles from this exit.
Launch:
For southeast winds go immediately north of the Corps offices at the east end of the dam. There you will find the sailboard beach. There is a little bit of a hole getting out.
For northwest winds launch from the Jayhawk Park at the state park from the west end of the dam. After the paystation turn right on the gravel road and follow 1/8 mile to Jayhawk area.
Good rigging, parking, restrooms and a another great place to meet fellow windsurfers.
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Longview Lake Map
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Overview:
Longview is a smaller lake which is ideal for ripping the flat water and practicing your classroom stuff. The reach is about 1/2 mile across the south point. A good place for meeting local windsurfers but there is no windsurfing allowed Friday through Sunday.
Launch:
For southeast winds, launch at the sailboard launch site on the west side of the lake at shelter #12 or the boat ramp.
Location:
Longview Lake is on the southeast side of Kansas City off I-470 at the Raytown Rd exit. Go south and through the Longview Rd light then turn left toward the marina area. Before the marina, turn right on the lake loop road. The launch beach is on the left at shelter #12. No vehicle stickers required but county stickers required. The county stickers are $24 per season.
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Marion Lake Map
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Overview:
Marion Lake is a great place for weekend camping and sailing. It has the same isobar patterns as Cheney Lake in Wichita. Marion is very popular with RV folks so to get the good launch sites at your camping spot, you need to arrive early Friday. Marion has about a 1 1/2 mile reach.
Location:
Marion Lake is located about 50 miles due west of Emporia, KS. From Emporia, go west on Hwy 50 to Hwy 150 then to Hwy 56. The Corps Cottonwood Camp Ground is on the northeast side of the lake.
Launch:
The best launch is a the Corps Cottonwood Camp Ground. Camp site 71 through 76.
More Pics On Marion
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KC Wigger Group
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Pomona Lake Map
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Click Picture For Schedule
Overview:
It seems that under normal conditions the further west from KC the stronger the winds. Pomona is no exception. This lake is great for moderate chop and is the home of the KC Wigger group.
Location:
Pomona is around 1 1/2 hrs southwest of KC. Go south on I-35 to Ottawa take 183 exit north on Hwy 59 through ottawa to 68 west watch for Pomona Lake. Exit at Green Acres Restaurant and go north across the dam and turn left into Michigan Valley. Take 1st left for Corps Campground, 3rd left for Wiggers and 4th left for Wolfcreek camp area.
Launch:
Camping and launch at the Corps campground immediately at the east end of the dam or camp on the weekend with the KC crowd at wiggers. Also sail at Wolf creek which is the next point north of wiggers on the east side of the lake. This is good for more north winds or early and late seasonal sailing
Wiggers Schedule
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Overview:
Smithville Lake is great especially on weekdays as the local traffic is light. It has about a mile reach near the dam.
Location:
Drive north of KC about 25 minutes on Hwy 169.
Launch:
North at the west end of the dam there is a small park called the Little Platte. There is camping and launching from the Paradise Camp Grounds on the east side.
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Smithville Lake Map
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Melvern Lake Map
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Overview:
This is another good sailing spot with great camping at Hobi Beach. The chop is moderate however, sometimes there can be a wash board effect on a port tack. The Wigger gang will camp here sometimes during the summer.
Location:
From KC head south on I-35 to Hwy 75 north. Drive past the dam and turn left to the state park. Turn left at the end of the blacktop. Head past offices to the lake and look for Hobi beach. You will need an overnight camping sticker.
Launch:
Launching is at Hobi beach. The reach is about 2 miles to the dam.
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Overview:
This is one of the largest lakes in Kansas. It is located near Fort Riley (30 minutes west of Manhattan, KS). This is a really great lake to sail.
Location:
From KC head west on I-70 about 3 1/2 hours to Fort Riley. Go north on Hwy 77 to Milford. The State Park Camp Ground is about a 3rd of the way up the lake on the east side.
Launch:
Camp and launch from the camp ground at the "Circle C" camping loop.
North Wind Launch:
I70 exit 290 go north to hwy 837W (5 miles) Go west toward lake to Curtis Creek. Thats it. Go sail.
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Milford Lake Map
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Overview:
Wilson is clear water sailing and can be quite therapeutic. The sailing is some of the best anywhere. Colorado windsurfers sail here as well as travelers from other states. This lake, along with Cheney Reservoir. are both known nationally as some of the best lakes to sail.
Location:
From KC head west on I-70 about 4 hrs, turn north on Hwy 232 exit 206 drive over the dam to the first left. Follow the road to the Corp's Lucas Park Camp Ground. There is primitive camping or full hook-ups at the launch.
Launch:
You can sail from any point on about a 1 1/2 mile reach. Sometimes it can really howl close to the dam.
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Wilson Lake Maps and Info
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Overview:
This lake is on the list of the top 10 sailing lakes in the country. The winds seem 10 mph stronger than other parts of Kansas.
Location:
From KC head south on I-35 toward Wichita, take exit 71, go west on Hwy 254. Follow your map around north Wichita and go west through Colwich and Andale to Cheney Park.
Launch:
Launch at any exposed area on southeast winds. However, the traditional launching sites have been the South side of Wichita Point for south wind and the waves.
Also windsurfing signs are posted. For north winds the Cheney NSA, old yaht club, on the west side of the lake. for nice aminities aka hot showers.
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Cheney Map
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Overview:
This lake is small and is ideal for teaching beginners. It has light winds and is great for picnics. It almost never gets higher winds.
Location:
Shawnee Lake is located in western Shawnee. The main entrance is on Renner Rd. Exit I-435 at Midland Drive then turn east to 1st light (Renner Rd.), turn south and go 1 1/2 miles to main park entrance. Follow main road around to the lake.
Launch:
Launch anywhere on the north side of the lake.
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Council Grove Lake Map
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Overview:
This is a pleasant spot to sail and camp with historical places to visit. Council Grove was one of the last supply places on the Sante Fe Trail.
Location:
From KC head south on I-35 to exit 147, go west on Hwy 56 to Council Grove. Head north through Council Grove to the west side of the lake and look for the Sante Fe Camping area.
Launch:
Launch from the Sante Fe Camping area at site 18.
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