Longview Lake is a 930-acre freshwater reservoir in Jackson County, Missouri, located near Grandview, Lee’s Summit, and Kansas City. It is a crucial component of the Little Blue River Project, an endeavor by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to preserve fish and wildlife while averting flooding. The reservoir is hidden in the 4,852-acre Longview Lake Park, managed by Jackson County Parks & Recreation.
After the U.S. Congress approved the Little Blue River Project in 1968, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bought a portion of Longview Farm. Work on the Longview Dam, first known as “The World’s Most Beautiful Farm,” started in 1979 and finished in 1985. Since its 1986 opening, the park has welcomed around a million visitors each year.
Longview Lake supports numerous water recreation activities:
Boating: Power boating, jet skis, and other personal watercraft are permitted. A full-service marina provides concessions, fuel, fishing supplies, and slip rentals.
Fishing: The lake is home to numerous fish species, including walleye, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, carp, and bluegill.
Swimming: A sandy beach area is available for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and swimming.
The encompassing Longview Lake Park offers additional recreational opportunities, such as camping, golf, softball, equestrian activities, picnicking, hiking, biking, and flying radio-controlled aircraft. A popular seasonal attraction is “Christmas in the Park,” which features over 300,000 lights and 175 animated figures and attracts around 200,000 visitors each holiday season.
Longview Lake provides a rich assortment of activities and amenities, making it a beloved destination for locals and tourists.