This is a huge lake. When full of water it is about 20 miles long and about 4 miles wide. Since the lake is deep, the water gets fairly choppy, especially if the wind is onshore since it has time to build up over the length of the lake. When the wind blows directly from the NW or SE, it barrels down the axis of the lake, and that creates monster swells. It can get some pretty big rollers going, which are fun to surf.
There are miles of wide sandy beach to launch and land. The typical launch spot for kiters is on the north side about 5 miles west of the dam. Look for signs to Seagull Beach after you turn onto Arthur Road, then drive toward the water. You can drive to the south side if the wind is coming from the north. Take advantage of the miles of downwinders that are possible. Watch out for soft sand, you'll need a 4x4 if you drive on the beach, otherwise you'll have to find and pay for a tractor to pull you out. It's an irrigation reservoir, which means no power lines. It's surrounded by corn fields and grazing cattle. Great Western sunsets.
Wetsuits are needed in the spring and fall, but the water warms up mid-summer so you can ride in board shorts. You can generally ride from May through October (in board shorts in late-July and August)
- May - June - July - August - September - October
Wind Type:
No Information
Best Direction:
- SE - NW
Main Direction:
- SE - NW
It blows there a lot since there's nothing stopping the wind. Sometimes it's too much, but generally it's great for kiting. Check out weather forecasts online before you show up and bring a weather radio to get up-to-date info. Storms can come in very fast, so you need to be prepared. Keep your eyes on the opposite beach for sand blowing up into dust devils and look for thunder clouds and lightning.
From Denver, take I-76 Northeast to the I-80 interchange and keep going East to Ogallala. Head North through Ogallala and follow the signs to Lake McConaughy. Go across the dam and take a left on road 92. Pull in to Arthur Bay, Sandy Beach or North Shore entrances and pick a spot. Have fun! Big Mac, as it's known, is three hours from Denver/Boulder. Add another 20 minutes to access various launch sites.
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