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Kansas | Northeast Kansas
Kansas RiverOgden Access Ramp to Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont
Fourteen-mile upper-Kaw day from the Ogden public ramp to the Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont ramp. Friends of the Kaw documents both public ramps and calls this a relatively untouched section near Manhattan, but the mileage and downstream Wamego proxy gauge keep it a guarded trip.
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Ogden and take out at the Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont ramp for a 14-mile upper-Kaw day. Friends of the Kaw describes this as a beautiful, relatively untouched section near Manhattan. The Wamego gauge is downstream, so use its flow and trend as broad river context rather than a precise Ogden reading, and check local conditions before launching.
Access map
Put-in
Ogden Access RampOgden has a wide concrete river-left ramp, trailer-capable gravel parking, restrooms, a picnic shelter, trash can, and an informational kiosk, but same-day mud, sand, local parking, and high-water cleanup still control.
Take-out
Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont Access RampThe Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont ramp has limited parking and no restroom; do not block the packed gravel approach under the bridge.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at the Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont ramp below the K-177 bridge, then drive back to the Ogden ramp. Inspect Manhattan first because Friends of the Kaw notes a sandbar often forms at the toe of the ramp as paddlers approach from the west.
Additional access notes
- Friends of the Kaw notes that there is often a sandbar at the toe of the Manhattan ramp as paddlers approach from the west, so inspect the landing angle before launching from Ogden.
- All access and parking are subject to same-day city, county, and ramp conditions. Mud, silt, event closures, high-water cleanup, and shifted sand can change ramp usability.
More route and safety guidance
- Expect shifting sandbars, possible floating wood, and a sandbar that often forms at the Manhattan ramp toe.
- Use the public Ogden and Manhattan ramps and legal sandbar stops; do not treat private banks as planned rest or bailout points.
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Station details and river cameras
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River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Kansas River at Wamego, KS. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Public put-inOgden Access Ramp, RM 163.4
Friends of the Kaw lists Ogden Access Ramp with GPS 39.10503, -96.69633, river-left access, a wide concrete ramp, gravel parking with trailer space, restrooms, picnic shelter, trash can, and an informational kiosk.
- Public take-outManhattan K-177 / Fairmont, RM 150.7
Friends of the Kaw lists the Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont ramp below the K-177 bridge with GPS 39.17428, -96.55318, river-right access, parking for 5-8 cars, lighting, trash can, kiosk, and a concrete ramp.
- Route distanceAbout 14 river miles
The Ogden access page says the Manhattan K-177 / Fairmont ramp is about 14 miles downriver and describes the route as a beautiful section that is relatively untouched despite its proximity to Manhattan.
- Public river and rampsKansas, Arkansas, and Missouri Rivers public in Kansas
Friends of the Kaw says the Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri Rivers are public rivers in Kansas and that all Kansas River boat ramps are open to the public.
- Flow safety bandsNovices under 5,000 cfs; all paddlers under 8,000 cfs
Friends of the Kaw recommends novice paddlers stay below 5,000 cfs and more experienced paddlers stay below 8,000 cfs; at 8,000 cfs and higher, few sandbars remain for rest stops.
- Low-flow recreation impacts<1,000 / 1,500-5,000 / 8,000+ cfs
USACE Kansas River recreation material identifies difficult paddling below 1,000 cfs, no recreation impacts from 1,500 to 5,000 cfs, novice impacts from 5,000 to 8,000 cfs, and extremely difficult paddling from 8,000 to 11,000 cfs.
- Proxy gaugeUSGS 06887500 at Wamego
The Wamego gauge is downstream of this reach, so use its flow and trend as broad same-river context. The nearby Manhattan station reports stage rather than discharge; check local conditions at Ogden and Manhattan as well.
- Take-out approachSandbar often at toe of Manhattan ramp
Friends of the Kaw notes that as paddlers approach the Manhattan access from the west, there is often a sandbar at the toe of the ramp that must be skirted.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
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