service

Pomona Lake | Ottawa


Information

Landmark: Pomona Lake
City: Ottawa
Country: USA Kansas
Continent: North America

Pomona Lake, Ottawa, USA Kansas, North America

Overview

Pomona Lake, just outside Vassar in eastern Kansas, rests quietly under wide blue skies, offering scenic views, plenty of outdoor fun, and that easygoing Midwestern charm.The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees a lake with more than 4,000 acres of water, framed by 8,000 acres of rolling prairie, wooded trails, and winding shoreline, where visitors come to camp, cast a line, launch a boat, or simply watch the sun ripple across the water.Pomona Lake took shape in the 1960s, built under a federal project to control floods and manage water along One Hundred and Ten Mile Creek, a winding tributary of the Marais des Cygnes River.Finished in 1963, the dam formed a broad reservoir that helps prevent flooding in nearby towns, nurtures wildlife habitats, and invites visitors to fish, paddle, or simply watch the water ripple in the wind.Over the years, it’s become a favorite getaway for families, anglers, and anyone who loves the outdoors, from the quiet banks of east-central Kansas to the shady picnic tables by the water.Around Pomona Lake, the land has that unmistakable Kansas ease-soft hills lifting above the water, oak and hickory hugging the shoreline, and prairie grasses rippling in the breeze beneath a sky that seems to go on forever.At dawn, a thin mist slides over the still water; by sunset, the lake glows with deep gold and soft violet, a scene that begs to be captured.In spring and fall, when migrating birds pause in the wetlands, their songs spill into the air, mingling with the faint smell of campfires and cedar carried on the cool lake breeze.At Pomona Lake, you can hike shaded trails, fish from the dock, or simply relax by the water, attracting both weekend travelers and campers who settle in for the season.Boating and water sports thrive here-the lake’s wide, open water and steady breeze are perfect for sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, or gliding across on a paddleboard, with the wind tugging at your sleeves.You’ll find several boat ramps for quick access, and the marina by Vassar has fuel, fresh ice, supplies, and slips ready.Anglers head here for crappie, largemouth bass, catfish, and white bass, sometimes pulling a silver-scaled catch from the cool, rippling water.All around the lake, hidden coves, tangled brush beneath the surface, and jagged points of rock make it a reliable place to fish no matter the season.Pomona State Park sits along the lake’s south shore, offering modern campsites, RV hookups, picnic shelters, and trails where you can hear the gravel crunch under your boots.Many campers talk about the quiet nights, when the air feels still, and the sky glitters with countless stars.Hike the Witches’ Broom and Deer Creek trails as they wind through shady forest and along the lake’s edge, where you might spot deer stepping softly through the grass, wild turkeys rustling leaves, and bursts of wildflowers in season.Swimming spots with soft, warm sand offer safe, family‑friendly places to splash, wade, and enjoy long summer afternoons.Right in the middle of the lake’s recreation area, Pomona State Park draws visitors in like a crossroads, where trails meet and the smell of pine drifts on the breeze.Founded in 1965, the park offers campgrounds like Wolf Creek, Outlet Park, and Burning Heart, each with its own character-some tucked beneath tall, rustling oaks, others wide open to sweeping views over the lake.Every year, the park comes alive with fishing tournaments, music under the open sky, and friendly gatherings that honor Kansas’ vibrant lake traditions.A trip to Pomona Lake often feels like slipping into a peaceful hideaway, where the only sound is the soft ripple of water against the shore, far from the rush of the city.Waves tap gently against the hulls, children’s laughter drifts from the shore, and the faint crackle of campfires at dusk all weave together into a calm both locals and visitors treasure.Early autumn paints the surrounding woods in amber, scarlet, and rust, and by late afternoon, the light feels like it’s slipped straight out of a film.For a lot of folks, Pomona Lake isn’t just where you spend a weekend-it’s where you ease into the quiet, hear the wind in the cottonwoods, and soak up the simple beauty of Kansas.Pomona Lake captures the heart of the Kansas outdoors-quiet banks, open skies, and a warmth that feels like home.Generations come together here for summer barbecues, anglers slip out early to find glassy water, and travelers catch sight of the plains’ quiet beauty.Blending quiet shorelines with plenty of ways to play, it’s still one of Kansas’ favorite spots to spend a day by the water.


Location

Get Directions



Rate it

You can rate it if you like it


Share it

You can share it with your friends


Contact us

Inform us about text editing, incorrect photo or anything else

Contact us

Landmarks in Ottawa





Tourist Landmarks

Tourist Landmarks ® All rights reserved