Cheney State Park Beach

Cheney State Park Beach sits on the eastern shore of Cheney Reservoir in Reno County, Kansas, approximately 20 miles west of Wichita. The reservoir covers around 9,500 acres and was impounded on the North Fork Ninnescah River, serving both recreation and as a primary water supply for the Wichita metropolitan area. The beach features a sandy, gradually sloping shoreline that enters the warm, shallow water at a gentle angle, making it well suited to families with young children. Water color is typically a warm prairie green through the summer months, and wave action remains minimal except during sustained Kansas winds that can push across the open exposed surface.

The designated swim area occupies a defined stretch of the park's eastern shoreline near the main entrance off NE 50th Street. The surrounding landscape reflects classic south-central Kansas terrain — open rolling plains with scattered tree cover near the picnic shelters. The park's roughly 1,900 acres border the reservoir on multiple sides, but the concentrated beach area provides the clearest and most accessible swimming point within the park boundaries. Beach sand is light-colored and firm close to the waterline, transitioning to a grassy fringe farther back.

Amenities at Cheney State Park Beach are thorough for a Kansas state park. Restrooms and changing facilities sit adjacent to the beach, a summer concession stand provides snacks and cold drinks, and picnic shelters with charcoal grills are available for day visitors. A playground nearby keeps younger children occupied between swimming sessions. For those staying longer, the park includes tent and RV campgrounds within easy walking distance of the shoreline. Boat ramps serve water sports enthusiasts, and fishing piers extend into the reservoir for anglers targeting the lake's catfish, walleye, and white bass populations.

Entry requires a Kansas State Park vehicle permit — day passes and annual passes are both available online through the Kansas Wildlife and Parks website and at the entrance kiosk. No lifeguards are on duty, so swimmers should exercise appropriate caution near deeper water. The park is managed by Kansas Wildlife and Parks and sees its heaviest use on summer weekends when Wichita-area families fill the campgrounds and beach. Weekday morning visits from late May through August offer the most relaxed experience with easy parking and open shoreline.