Lawrence, Kansas Metropolitan Area Local whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information. Lawrence, Kansas doesn't have that much whitewater nearby but there are some good places a bit away. You'll find some good whitewater in the list below to fit any ability level. All the whitewater is pretty far away as you can see so you'd better plan for a long drive. If you pick the right whitewater spot you will have a great trip. HIGH QUALITY TOPO MAP, CLICK HERE Important Whitewater Safety Information Whitewater paddling spots near Lawrence, Kansas: Whitewater 0 to 25 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Kansas River, Kansas, Close to Lawrence, 2 miles away, class II, 0.1 miles long. Whitewater 25 to 50 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Kansas River, Kansas, Playspot Below I-435 Bridge, 32 miles away, class II, 0.1 miles long. Blue River, Missouri, Blue Ridge Road to Red Bridge Road, 47 miles away, class I(II), 3 miles long. Whitewater 50 to 75 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Whitewater 75 to 100 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Whitewater 100 to 125 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Elk River, Kansas, Elk Falls, 108 miles away, class III, 1 miles long. Pool Creek, Kansas, Butcher Falls, 121 miles away, class III, 1 miles long. Shoal Creek, Missouri, Ritchey to low-water bridge about 1 mile southwest of Highway 43, 124 miles away, class I, 31.3 miles long. South Fabius River, Missouri, Hester Wildlife Area to Highway 61, 123 miles away, class I-II(III), 0 miles long. Whitewater 125 to 150 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Whitewater 150 to 175 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Illinois River, Arkansas, Prairie Grove to Robinson Road, 173 miles away, class I-II, 14.5 miles long. Illinois River, Arkansas, Robinson Road to Highway 16, 166 miles away, class I-II, 13.7 miles long. Illinois River, Arkansas, Highway 16 to Arkansas 59, 165 miles away, class I-II, 5.1 miles long. Raccoon River, Iowa, Henderson Park, 168 miles away, class I-II, 0.01 miles long. Raccoon River, Iowa, Walnut Woods SP Ledges, 169 miles away, class I-II, 0.1 miles long. Roaring River, Missouri, Roaring River State Park to Highway 86, 165 miles away, class I-II, 5.8 miles long. Arkansas River, Oklahoma, Tulsa Wave, 165 miles away, class -blank-, 0 miles long. Flint Creek, Oklahoma, US 412 to Fidler's Bend, 158 miles away, class II(IV), 1 miles long. Illinois River, Oklahoma, Playspot at Echota, 169 miles away, class II, 0 miles long. Spring Creek, Oklahoma, Low Water Bridge by Peggs, 158 miles away, class II, 0 miles long. Whitewater 175 to 200 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Ben Doodle Branch, Arkansas, Camping area to Highway 220, 193 miles away, class IV-V, 7.5 miles long. Blackburn Creek, Arkansas, Devils Den State Park to Highway 220, 191 miles away, class II-III, 8 miles long. Cedar Creek - West Fork, Arkansas, Highway 162 to Cedar Creek, 200 miles away, class II+, 1.9 miles long. Clear Creek, Arkansas, Chester to Mountainburg, 199 miles away, class II-III, 6 miles long. Fall Creek, Arkansas, Strickler to Lee Creek, 189 miles away, class III, 12 miles long. Hart Creek, Arkansas, to Highway 220, 192 miles away, class III-IV(V), 4 miles long. Kings River, Arkansas, Highway 74 to Missouri 86, 189 miles away, class I-II, 67 miles long. Lee Creek, Arkansas, Devils Den State Park to Highway 220, 191 miles away, class II-III, 8.4 miles long. Lee Creek, Arkansas, Highway 220 to NFS Access, 192 miles away, class II+, 3 miles long. War Eagle Creek, Arkansas, Highway 23 to War Eagle Mill, 187 miles away, class I-II, 38 miles long. White River, Arkansas, Pettigrew to Elkins, 195 miles away, class I-II, 37 miles long. White River - Middle Fork, Arkansas, Arnett to Hicks, 188 miles away, class II, 1.75 miles long. White River - West Fork, Arkansas, Woolsey to Greenland, 182 miles away, class I-II, 11 miles long. Des Moines River, Iowa, Breens, 198 miles away, class III, 0.1 miles long. Lizard Creek - SouthBr., Iowa, D22 to mouth, 194 miles away, class I-II, 12 miles long. Soldiers Creek, Iowa, park to mouth, 197 miles away, class I-II, 1 miles long. * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the middle of the river section listed, actual driving distance is longer. Other Outdoors Recreation Nearby: Ski Resorts near Lawrence, Kansas: Ski Areas 150 to 200 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Seven Oaks, Iowa, 186 miles, vertical drop 275 feet Ski Areas 200 to 250 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Ski Areas 250 to 300 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Mount Kato, Minnesota, 273 miles, vertical drop 240 feet Ski Areas 300 to 400 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Sundown Mountain, Michigan, 360 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Trollhaugen, Wisconsin, 361 miles, vertical drop 260 feet Mount La Crosse, Wisconsin, 369 miles, vertical drop 516 feet Afton Alps, Minnesota, 329 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Wild Mountain, Minnesota, 362 miles, vertical drop 300 feet Welch Village, Minnesota, 332 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Buck Hill, Minnesota, 315 miles, vertical drop 309 feet Powder Ridge, Minnesota, 319 miles, vertical drop 290 feet Hyland Ski, Minnesota, 316 miles, vertical drop 175 feet Andes Tower Hill, Minnesota, 334 miles, vertical drop 290 feet Chestnut Mountain, Illinois, 381 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Ski Snowstar, Illinois, 338 miles, vertical drop 262 feet Hidden Valley, Missouri, 319 miles, vertical drop 250 feet * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the ski areas listed, actual driving distance is longer. National Parks near Lawrence, Kansas: National Parks 0 to 100 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 94 miles National Parks 100 to 200 miles from Lawrence, Kansas George Washington Carver National Monument, 130 miles Homestead National Monument of America, 125 miles Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 130 miles National Parks 200 to 300 miles from Lawrence, Kansas Buffalo National River, 211 miles Chickasaw National Recreation Area, 279 miles Hot Springs National Park, 295 miles Missouri National River & Recreation Area, 249 miles Pipestone National Monument, 262 miles * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the parks listed, actual driving distance is longer. Important Outdoors Safety Information       Go to Kansas Rivers