Watkins Mill Lake - State Park in Missouri

Trip Overview

A great day with mild winds from the north at noon and then switching to the south. The air temp was about 55-60 deg F. I launched my kayak about noon at the boat ramp and returned about 3 pm. The lake is full.

I fished with no luck for an hour then from the boat ramp I paddled a 1/2 mile or so north to the mouth of the creek where I crept up within a 100 ft of a Great Blue Heron, Blue Wing Teal, Bufflehead ducks, and some Shoveler ducks. There were a 100 or so Coots on the lake. It's a great experience to get that close to waterfowl and watch the Coots "run" by when you get close. There was only 1 other kayak on the lake and a handful of fishermen.

I was able to go quite a way up the creek until I reached the rocky shallows and within a 100 ft of a rock shelf with a short small waterfall.

Accommodations:

Nice toilets. A historic wool mill also in the park is worth touring. A good 4 mile paved walking/bicycling path circles the lake and has access to the rock shelf waterfall.

Fees:

No fees or permits needed.

Directions:

From Excelsior Springs take US 69 north to MO-92 (north end of town) turn left and go a couple of miles west to RA, turn right and take RA 2 miles north, round the curve to the main entrance. Turn into the park and stay on the main road, less than a mile, go through the gates and proceed about a mile until you see the sign for a boat ramp.