Kansas River in Kansas

Trip Overview

I paddled from Lawrence to DeSoto. This was my first trip on the river. It was nice weather, about 75 for highs on both days. The evening was a bit cool and waking up to 45 degree temps was a bit brisk.

I was a little disappointed at the absolute lack of wildlife, and you are never far from a train, as there are tracks north and south of the river. There is an awful lot of rubble and tires everywhere (to prevent erosion I assume), which diminishes the natural beauty of the river somewhat.

We camped on a sandbar a few miles upstream from Desoto, which was pleasant. We saw people only twice the entire two days we were on the river. One group was even on a fan boat, which I would never have imagined.

Suggestions for first time paddlers would be to learn to follow the channel. There are sandbars everywhere, and if you get stuck on one it can be a bit of work to get off of it. The channel moves more quickly and goes around shallow sandbars.

Outfitting:

Heritage Angler 14'

Resources:

Friends of the Kaw website