Ready to get on the water at Council Grove Lake?
Check dates and book online in a few minutes, or call or text us at 888-205-7119.
Council Grove Lake is a 3,300-acre lake in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills, surrounded by tallgrass prairie, wooded coves and eight lakeside parks just outside historic Council Grove. It’s a scenic, relaxed lake for skiing, tubing and a day on the water. Invert Sports offers Council Grove Lake boat rentals, jet ski rentals, water toys and private boat charters, ready and waiting at the lake.
Council Grove Lake Boat Rentals
Council Grove Lake’s open water is great for tubing, skiing and cruising, and calm mornings in the coves are perfect for wakesurfing. Our Council Grove Lake boat rentals include:
- MasterCraft wakesurf and wakeboard boats for family and friends
- Ski boat rentals for water skiing, slalom and tubing
- Tubes, wakeboards and wakesurf boards for every age
- Paddle boards and water trampolines for a summer day on Council Grove Lake
Rather have someone else drive? Book a private boat charter and our captain will handle the boat. Damage waiver coverage is available on every rental.
Council Grove Lake Jet Ski Rentals
Jet skiing on Council Grove Lake means open prairie water, wooded coves and quiet arms to explore. Most of our jet ski rentals can pull a tube, depending on the model, and guided rides are available. See our jet ski models to pick your ride.
Pontoons, Marinas and Boat Service
Boat ramps at seven of the lake’s eight parks, plus a marina, make it easy to get on the water. We don't rent pontoons or service boats, but we offer surf boats, jet skis and water toys to go with your pontoon day or lake house stay.
Santa Fe Trail History
The town of Council Grove, just southeast of the lake, is where the Osage signed the treaty that opened the Santa Fe Trail. Today it’s a National Historic District with seven Santa Fe Trail sites, and it’s the starting point of the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway.
Flint Hills and Tallgrass Prairie
The lake was built in 1964 and sits in some of the last tallgrass prairie in the country. The National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is about 25 miles south along the scenic byway.
Fishing Council Grove Lake
Council Grove Lake is best known for crappie and catfish, and it was the first lake in Kansas to be stocked with saugeye.
Getting to Council Grove Lake
Council Grove Lake is just northwest of Council Grove, about 35 minutes northwest of Emporia, about 45 minutes south of Manhattan and about an hour from Topeka. See all of our Kansas lakes.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Kansas boating rules: anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 who is under 21 needs an approved boater education certificate to drive a boat or jet ski, and no one under 12 may drive without direct adult supervision. Jet skis can't be ridden between sunset and sunrise, and our rental drivers must be 18 or older.
- Life jackets: everyone on a jet ski must wear a life jacket, and children 12 and under must wear one at all times on a boat or while being towed.
- Wind and open water: Kansas wind can kick up whitecaps fast on the open lake, so plan skiing and wakesurfing for calm mornings and head for a cove when it picks up.
- Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.
Lakes Near Council Grove Lake
Milford Lake is about 50 minutes north, and Tuttle Creek Lake near Manhattan is about 50 minutes away. To the east, Melvern Lake is about an hour and 10 minutes away.
