Outdoor Activities / KDWP

HIKING, BIKING, HORSEBACK

With thousands of miles of trails available, opportunities for hiking, biking and horseback riding can be found throughout Kansas.

All state parks and many wildlife areas and fishing lakes have hiking trails available that encompass a wide variety of terrain, distances and physical abilities. Accessible trails are available at many state parks. Maps and other information are available online by visiting individual state park, wildlife area or fishing lake pages. Volunteers from the Kansas Trails Council maintain some of these trails. More Information

SHOOTING

Recreational shooting is a fast-growing sport enjoyed by people with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Using a shooting range helps ensure a safe, enjoyable outing. Shooting ranges are available at some state parks and wildlife areas, as well as many privately-owned or volunteer ranges that are open for public use. Find a public shooting range near you.

RECREATIONAL ARCHERY

Recreational archery is a fast-growing sport that can be enjoyed – and mastered – by enthusiasts young and old. It can be practiced as a sport on its own or as a stepping stone or adjunct to bowhunting or bowfishing. Recreational Archery Ranges List

PADDLE SPORTS

Paddle sports include canoeing, kayaking, standup paddling (paddle boarding), and rafting. Paddling is a great way to enjoy many Kansas waterways, as these crafts are maneuverable in shallow waters and easily transported. More Information

SWIM BEACHES

Are there beaches in Kansas? You bet! Most state parks are located at state or federal reservoirs and have one or more beach areas along the shore. The exceptions are Kaw River State Park, Mushroom Rock State Park, Prairie Spirit Trail State Park and Sand Hills State Park. Popular in the heat of summer, these beaches offer a welcome respite from sweltering afternoon temperatures and a relaxing place to unwind at the end of a day of hiking, fishing, or exploring. Visit the state park pages to learn more. Click here for beach safety information.

RIVER AND STREAM FLOATING

Most streams and rivers in Kansas are privately owned. The public rivers are the Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri (shown at right). They are open to the public between the ordinary high water marks on each bank. This is the line that can be seen where high water has left debris, sand, and gravel during its ordinary annual cycle. When these rivers flow through private land, permission is needed from adjacent landowners to access the rivers as well as when picnicking, camping, portaging or engaging in any other activity on the adjacent private lands. Rivers and Streams Access

WILDLIFE WATCHING

Kansas state parks, wildlife areas and refuges, fishing lakes and numerous local parks and natural areas are ideal places to seek out and enjoy all manner of wildlife and native plants. Wildlife watchers will appreciate abundant opportunities to scope, photograph, sketch, paint, record or just sit and watch their favorite denizens of the Kansas outdoors. Learn more about Wildlife Diversity.

ATV AND OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

There are no ATV or off-road trails or facilities at state parks, wildlife areas and refuges or fishing lakes. On these state lands, motorized vehicles (cars, trucks, all-terrain vehicles, work-site utility vehicles, golf carts, go-carts, and electric or gasoline-powered two-wheeled vehicles) are allowed to be operated only on designated roads and parking areas. The complete regulation (115-08-13) can be found here.

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Outdoor Activities