Best Lakes Near Kansas City, MO
50 lakes within 50 miles of Kansas City, ranked on agency water-quality readings.
50 lakes within 50 miles of Kansas City have nutrient and algae readings on record. Weatherby Lake in Platte County leads the set on measured water quality, with about 6.2 ft of clarity. 8 of the 50 have a recorded public access point.
Within reasonable driving distance of Kansas City sit 50 measured lakes, a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend.
The lakes below are sorted on measured water quality. If you have a specific activity in mind, swimming, kayaking, ice-fishing, family-fishing, the activity-specific sub-pages will filter further.
| Lake | Distance | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherby Lake | 11.1 mi | Platte | 6.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Rock Lake Village Lake | 30.9 mi | Johnson | 4.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Douglas Co State Fishing Lake | 37.2 mi | Douglas | 9.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Waukomis Lake | 9.4 mi | Platte | 4.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Jacomo Lake | 16.2 mi | Jackson | 3.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Lotawana Lake | 21 mi | Jackson | 4.6 ft | - | 0 |
| New Olathe Lake | 21.9 mi | Johnson | 3.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Louisburg State Fishing Lake | 41.6 mi | Miami | 3 ft | - | 0 |
| Lenexa Lake | 16.9 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Prairie Lee Lake | 17.1 mi | Jackson | 3 ft | - | 0 |
| Olathe Lake | 21.9 mi | Johnson | 3 ft | - | 0 |
| Watkins Mill Lake | 26.4 mi | Clay | 3.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Leavenworth Co State Fishing Lake | 30.8 mi | Leavenworth | 4.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Hillsdale Lake | 35.2 mi | Miami | 3.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Clinton Lake | 42.6 mi | Douglas | 3.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Blue Valley Lake | 3.7 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Lake of the Woods-Kc | 7.9 mi | Jackson | 2 ft | - | 0 |
| Quivira Lake | 11 mi | Wyandotte | 3 ft | - | 0 |
| Blue Springs Lake | 14.1 mi | Jackson | 2.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Tapawingo | 15 mi | Jackson | 2.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Stoll Park Lake | 15 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Smithville Lake by Dam | 20.6 mi | Clay | 3.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Arrowhead | 30.2 mi | Clinton | 2 ft | - | 0 |
| Potter'S Lake | 37.2 mi | Douglas | 4.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Hazel Hill Lake by Dam | 46.5 mi | Johnson | 2 ft | - | 0 |
| Lone Star Lake | 46.6 mi | Douglas | 3.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Higginsville South Lake | 48.8 mi | Lafayette | 1.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Pony Express Lake | 49.8 mi | DeKalb | 1.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Washington Lake | 1.7 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Troost Lake | 1.8 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Kessler Lake | 1.8 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Valley Lake | 2 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Big Eleven Lake | 3.4 mi | Wyandotte | — | - | 0 |
| Loose Park Lake | 4.8 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Chaumiere Park Lake | 5.5 mi | Clay | — | - | 0 |
| Houston Lake | 6.7 mi | Platte | 1.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Pierson Lake | 7.5 mi | Wyandotte | — | - | 0 |
| Firehouse Park Lake | 7.8 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Lake of the Woods | 7.9 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Antioch Park Lake | 8.4 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| South Lake | 10.2 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Blue River Parkway Lake | 11.3 mi | Jackson | — | - | 0 |
| Leawood Park Lake | 11.9 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Tomahawk Creek Park Lake | 12.7 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Sar Ko Park Lake | 13.2 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Kingston Lake Park | 18.1 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Jackrabbit Lake | 20 mi | Jackson | 1.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Water Works Park Lake | 20.1 mi | Johnson | — | - | 0 |
| Nell Lake | 20.4 mi | Jackson | 1.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Coot Lake | 20.4 mi | Jackson | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
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Cleanest Lakes Near Kansas City
11.1 mi · Platte County · 6.2 ft clarity
30.9 mi · Johnson County · 4.3 ft clarity
37.2 mi · Douglas County · 9.5 ft clarity
9.4 mi · Platte County · 4.7 ft clarity
16.2 mi · Jackson County · 3.3 ft clarity
21 mi · Jackson County · 4.6 ft clarity
Lakes Near Other Cities
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Kansas City?
There are 50 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Kansas City, Missouri. 8 of them have a recorded public access point and 29 have a clarity reading.
What are the best lakes near Kansas City for fishing?
0 lakes near Kansas City have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 0 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Kansas City
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Kansas City — book a place close to the cleanest lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Kansas City
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.