General Description & Characteristics -- The
Kansas River drainage includes northwestern Kansas, a portion of eastern Colorado, and
southern Nebraska. It is situated between the larger Platte and Arkansas rivers, but
unlike those rivers, its source does not include any of the mountainous region of
Colorado, and it depends largely on regional rainfall for its flow.
The two principal streams that form the Kansas River are
the Republican River (north) and the Smoky Hill River (south). From the confluence of
these rivers in Junction City, the river bears the name Kansas or Kaw River.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- You can start
out at a small park on Grant Avenue Park in Junction City, Kansas. This park is in the
median, just before Grant Avenue crosses the Republican River. You paddle only about 100
yards down the Republican River to its confluence with the Smoky Hill River and the
beginning of the Kansas River. It is 177 miles to River Front Park just north of Lawrence,
Kansas (off highway 24). This access has a boat ramp and large parking area. Both of these
access points are in or near cities, so caution would be advised leaving cars parked for
an extended period. The entire trip will take 6-8 days with good water flow, longer
if the river level is down.
There are not many developed access points along this
route, and access at some public roads is difficult or impossible. Some intermediate
access points are described on the Kansas Paddlers' Guide web site (see link below). Also,
we would recommend you check locally if you wish to do a shorter section of this run.
Interesting Features -- While the Kansas River
generally has adequate water for canoeing nearly all year, it can be challenging to
negotiate the shallow channel that winds along its sandy bed in late summer. Of course, if
it has been raining in the basin (spring, early summer would be the wet season), you'll
have plenty of water for floating. In colder winters, the Kansas River can ice up.
This river is not commercially popular as a float stream,
and canoeing is not widely popular in this region, so except for the town and cities along
the way, you are likely to enjoy a great deal of solitude on a Kansas River float trip.
Fort Riley Military Reservation is on the left bank for
several miles after the initial put-in at Junction City. A few miles downstream, the river
passes along the south side of Manhattan, home of Kansas State University. At mile 44 of
this run, you will pass very near the small town of Wamego (pop. 3,100) where you can stop
off for a visit, meal, or re-supply. The Kansas River runs through the capital city of
Topeka for about 10 miles, so be sure to take this into account when planning your camping
locations.
Camping -- The bed of the Kansas River up to the
average high water mark is considered to be public land, and you can camp on the many fine
sandbars and islands. There are no designated campsites, but the relatively remote nature
of the river make it ideal for primitive camping along the way.
Additional Information:
