Fourth Street (Wakefield)

The Fourth Street boat ramp in Wakefield provides access to Milford Lake and the Republican River, a substantial waterway with an average flow of over 1,000 cubic feet per second. This is a non-reservable, public access point managed as part of the Fort Riley Recreation Area. The ramp offers a convenient launch point for kayakers and canoeists looking to paddle the Republican River downstream.

Paddlers launching here will find themselves on a large river (classified as stream order 7) with relatively clear water flowing from the Milford Reservoir outflow. Those seeking a short paddle can venture approximately one-third mile downstream to the confluence with the Smoky Hill River, where the two waterways merge to form the Kansas River—a notable feature marked by a visible contrast in water clarity, as the Smoky Hill typically carries more sediment. The Republican River maintains steady flow conditions in this area, making it suitable for various paddling skill levels.

For more information about facilities and amenities in the area, visit the Milford Education Center and Fish Hatchery located below the dam, or contact the Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The access site is located approximately 65 miles west of Topeka via I-70.

This recreation area is part of Milford Lake