Canoeing & Wamego’s Riverfront Park and Access Ramp in Wamego, Kansas

Canoeing the Kansas River

Stretching 171 miles from its origin in Junction City to where it joins with the Missouri River in Kansas City, the Kansas River makes for prime paddling adventures between Manhattan and Wamego.

Sandbars on the Kansas River

Stop and explore the sand for old glass bottles, animal bones, and bank swallows’ nests. Gather up drift wood, build a fire and set up camp for the night. Just make sure you settle in on high ground, and not on an island. You don’t want to wake up to find the river at your toes – or worse.

Local Access Points

Hwy 177 Bridge (Fairmont Park Boat Ramp) in Manhattan (15 miles driving from Wamego and 20.5 miles from Wamego on the river)

Directions
Travel west on Hwy 24 – 13.5 miles
Turn left at the light on Tuttle Creek Blvd / Fort Riley Blvd, following under bridge - .5 mile
Take a right to merge onto KS-177
Cross bridge
Take first right on McDowell Creek Road
Take immediate right to river access

Blue River Tributary Access (Lanier Park) – Outskirts of Manhattan (12 miles driving from Wamego and 19.5 miles on the river)

Directions
Travel west on Hwy 24 – 12.5 miles
Make a u-turn at Levee Drive (before the stoplight) – 1000 ft.
Take first right to river access (before the bridge)

St. George “Boggs Landing” River Access Park (seven miles driving from Wamego and nine miles on the river)

Directions
Travel west on 4th Street / Military Trail Road – 6.2 miles
Turn left on Lincoln in downtown St. George – 1/3 mile
Crossing railroad tracks, keep right entering parking area for river access

For maps and more information
Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation
(785) 458-9776
www.EcoDevo.com

Half-day Canoe River Trip
Here are some suggestions for your trip from local canoe-trip guru, Dave Karnowski, who has been canoeing the Kansas River for the past 30 plus years. For beginners, he recommends this half-day trip (8 miles / 4-5 hours):

Put in at the ramp in St. George, break at a few sandbars along the way, and end at the ramp in Wamego. Dave says this is a very pretty stretch of the river, and if you go near Memorial Day weekend, you’re almost guaranteed good water, gorgeous weather and minimal bugs.

Safety
Don’t underestimate the strength and unpredictability of the river – always wear a life vest.

Wamego Riverfront Park and Access Ramp
This access point is still being developed. The boat ramp was completed in 2008 and future plans include a fishing pier, camping and picnic areas, restrooms and a parking area. It presently serves as an excellent place to start, break or an end point for those traveling along the river. The access point is located on the south side of Wamego under KS 99.

Directions
From Downtown on Lincoln Avenue, head south across the railroad tracks
Turn right (going west) on Valley Road
Take a left (heading south) at the first alley

Canoe Rental Locations

Tuttle Creek State Park (20 miles from Wamego)

Costs
$5/hour, $20/day for canoes, kayaks and paddle boats.
Rent five or more canoes at $4/hour, $15/day.
Available for rent during the warm season.

Directions
Scenic Route

Travel west on Hwy 24 – 11 miles
Turn right (going north) on Green Valley Road – 1.5 miles
Take a left on Blue River Road – follow around for 4.5 miles
Turn right (going north) on Dyer Road – 2 miles
Take a left at KS-13 – 1.5 miles
Turn left at River Pond Road – before the big dam, follow until you arrive at park entrance
The building is across from the gate house at the bottom of the hill

Fastest Route

Link to Map Quest: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/10-AOboirPf

For more information
Tuttle Creek State Park
(785) 539-7941

Kansas State University Recreation Services (16.7 miles from Wamego)

Costs
$12 / 2 days, $16 / 3 days, trailers available.
Current K-State ID must be presented.

Directions
Travel west on Hwy 24 – 12.6 miles
Turn right at stoplight on McCall Road – 1 mile
Turn right (going north) on Tuttle Creek Blvd – 1.5 miles
Turn left (going west) on Kimball Avenue - .8 mile
Turn left (going south) on Denison Avenue - .2 mile
Take your first right to K-State Recreation Center

For more information
K-State Recreation Services
(785) 532-6980 / 6894
http://recservices.k-state.edu/orc/

Fort Riley Outdoor Recreation Center (33.7 miles from Wamego)

Costs
$14 / day, $25 / weekend.
Group discounts available.
Current military ID card must be presented.

Directions
Travel west on Hwy 24 – 14 mile
Turn left at stoplight onto Fort Riley Blvd / Tuttle Creek Blvd
Follow Fort Riley Blvd / K-18 through and out of town – 9.5 mile
Fort Riley Blvd turns into Riley Street upon entering Ogden
Drive through Ogden, and pass through Fort Riley’s Huebner Gate, entering Fort Riley. – 1. miles (be sure to have proper vehicle registration, a valid driver’s license, and some form of ID for every adult in the car)
Riley Street becomes Huebner Road – 5.9 miles
Turn right onto McCormick Road / Anzio Road – 1.5 miles
Turn right at G Street - .2 miles
Turn left onto Venable Drive - .4 miles
Turn slight left – .1 miles
Turn right onto Milford Road - .4 miles
Milford Road becomes Rifle Range Road
It’s the only building out there - you can’t miss it!

For more information
Fort Riley Outdoor Recreation Center
(786) 239-2363 / 6368

*Prices are subject to change so call for most up-to-date information.

Safety resources and float trip company
Friends of the Kaw, is a Kansas River watch-dog group located in Lawrence, Kan. Its mission is to protect and preserve the Kansas River. Friends of the Kaw also offers educational river experiences for groups of 16 to 20 people at a time. The group also serves as a safety resource for the Kansas River and suggests these safety reminders:

Make sure you’re in good health.
Always wear a life vest.
Beware of dangerous objects in the river like trees, fishermen’s hooks and debris.

For more advice and info on guidelines

Laura Calwell, Kansas Riverkeeper
(785) 312-7200 www.kansasriver.org/content/safety