The Beach at Lake Olathe is the city of Olathe's staffed swim beach on Lake Olathe, a 170-acre reservoir built in the 1950s by damming Cedar Creek as a new water supply after the older city lake silted up. The beach sits on the east shore inside Lake Olathe Park, a 258-acre community park on the west side of Olathe run by Olathe Parks and Recreation. The city counts it as one of its outdoor aquatic facilities, alongside its pools, and it is the only place on the lake where swimming is allowed.

The listed address is 445 S. Ward Cliff Dr., Olathe, KS 66061 (phone 913-971-8973). Drivers reach the park from Dennis Avenue or Santa Fe Street, then follow Ward Cliff Drive along the east side of the lake to the beach and marina. Free paved lots sit just above the beach, with overflow parking near Eagles Landing. The park grounds are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but the swim beach keeps its own shorter hours.

The swim area is a designated section of lake in front of a sand beach that staff rake each morning, with lifeguards on stands during open hours. Expect open lake water rather than a pool: the bottom is natural lakebed, and the city recommends water shoes. A floating inflatable obstacle course (the Aquapark) is anchored offshore in water 6 to 16 feet deep, with its own lifeguards and a life jacket requirement. A Mobi-Mat path crosses the sand to the water's edge for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers, and an aqua wheelchair is kept on site. Locker rooms, outdoor showers and a concession stand are behind the beach.

This is not a free swim. The city charges daily admission of $10 for Olathe residents ages 3 to 61 and $12 for non-residents in that age range, $6 for anyone 62 and older, and nothing for children 2 and under. The Aquapark costs an extra $10 per hour, and canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats rent from the marina for $5 per 30 minutes, both only with paid beach admission. A $55 Splash Pass covers the beach and the city pools for the whole summer. Posted hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during the summer season, which runs roughly from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day; the beach closes early on some holidays and event days.

Know the rules before you go. Swimming anywhere else on Lake Olathe is prohibited, and police enforce that rule and watch for people jumping off the rock bluffs around the lake. The dam spillway at one end of the lake drops about 40 feet and runs hard after heavy rain, so stay well clear of it in any boat. Children 11 and under need a guardian 15 or older, non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket, and alcohol, glass, aluminum cans and pets are not allowed on the beach. The city tells swimmers not to swallow lake water and to stay out if they are sick or have open cuts. The beach sometimes closes with little notice, so check the city's page or social media on the day.

Outside the beach fence, Lake Olathe Park has a free spray ground, a nature playground, four miles of paved trail around the lake, an 18-hole disc golf course, a fishing pavilion, a boat ramp on the west shore (5 mph limit, no jet skis), and self-service kayak rentals near the fishing pavilion.