Wyandotte County Lake

View across the south end of the lake
Wyandotte County Lake - All photos by Jim Mason

 Wyandotte County Lake is located at the northwest edge of Kansas City, Kansas, in a setting of hillside oak-hickory woodlands and lakeside sycamores.

The 300 acre lake was constructed in the 1930's by the Works Progress Administration.

 

Stop first at the Park Ranger Headquarters (where you will be accosted by Canada geese seeking a handout) and pick up a map and checklist. Best viewing sites for water birds are the south side, west lookout, Boathouse Cove, and Wilson Cove. There are many pullouts on the loop drive for viewing woodland wildlife as well as a bridle/hiking trail around the lake. During spring and fall migrations, search the lake for northern shovelers, northern pintails, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, common goldeneyes, buffleheads, common mergansers, and hooded mergansers. On occasion, an osprey will be fishing the lake. Survey the woodlands for migrating warblers and vireos. In winter, bald eagles and rough-legged hawks may visit. On warm summer nights listen for the calls of eastern screech-owls, great horned owls, barred owls and whip-poor-wills. Early daylight and dusk are the best times to watch for wading herons, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, beaver, opossums, raccoons, and foxes.  A pullout at the dam offers a panoramic view of the Missouri River valley. 

Visit the Mr. & Mrs. F. L. Schlagle Library and Environmental Learning Center for a bird list and a trail map and brochure for the adjacent Stotler Cove Nature Trail.  The library is located midway up the west side of the lake.

Library hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 to 4.  Closed Sunday and Monday.
Website: http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/schlagle/
Phone: (913) 299-2384

 

Schlagle Library and Environmental Learning Center
bullet16 Shelter houses, Picnic tables, Playground, Marina, Boat rental.

Camping icon Camping not allowed.  Park hours: 6 AM - Midnight.

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Trail icon Stotler Cove Nature Trail (1/2 mile); An 8 mile bridle/hiking trail circles the lake.  It may be accessed from any of 5 trailheads.

Click here to get county birding lists for Kansas. Click the icon to find a birding list for Wyandotte County.

Find nearby Geocaches! Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches

Frontier Military Scenic Byway logo Wyandotte County Lake is on the Frontier Military Scenic Byway.

Wyandotte County Lake map

 Directions: From I-70 take I-435 north to Leavenworth Road (Exit 15). Travel east 1.7 miles to 91st Street, then 0.6 miles north to the Park Ranger Headquarters.

Location in Kansas

For a Google Map for this site, click here.

Ownership: The entity responsible for management of Wyandotte Lake is the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Parks and Recreation Department.  Contact them at (913) 573-8327 if you have specific questions about use or management of this site, or visit their website.

1,500 acres

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Funded by the Chickadee Checkoff Program
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The Natural Kansas web site © 2011 by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism.

Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use requires written permission.  If you are a Kansas resident, please assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form.

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Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism