Lake Contrary in Doniphan County

The "lake" isnt a lake anymore, its all dried up...

Great place ! Maybe run down right now but with some help there is so much potential. Would love to see it saved !!

Lake is dried up

Lake Contrary Today in sad state

The lake looks horrible,dead fish everywhere

There is no water in the lake...it is a waterless lakeq no fun

Next to Smithville lake this is our families fav place to picnic and swim

Love the new look at lake contrary! Its changed to an amazing view compared to when I was a child.

Beach looked nice and clean, bathroom was clean. They have kayak rentals and a little food shop with burgers, hotdogs, and other snacks.

Love this lake through every season.

The beach was clean and the lake was beautiful. I had a wonderful time.

My friend loves to take her dog out past the swimming area to let her dog swim and its peaceful. Looks a little run down but theres ample parking and not hassles. Its free, and easy access. Never seems too crowded. Maybe at the most Ive seen 50 swimmers, but even thats not too crowded for the swimming area. Its pretty clean and thats includes the water, so they are doing something right out there. If you have a pet that likes the water, its a great place to take them for a swim. Humans have their own sectioned-off area. Seems peaceful and never seen any rowdy activity.

I am glad that St Joseph is taking an interest in the lake. It reminds me of the 70s. Swimming, sunbathing, visiting with family and friends.Eating, and wearing a bikini. Thats a lot better than wearing mask. L.

I go to the Lake alot with my grandkids. We was swimming & fishing yesterday I found 2 needles I will not be going back.

Nice place to Kayack or Jet ski, I spent a few hours kayacking and fishing, didnt have much luck bass fishing here though

Nicely shaded, kids had a great time. Has bathroom facilities with flusing toilets

It could be really nice if the city spent a little money on upkeep.

Still dirty as hell with broken beer bottles every where

Went down to grab some tacos and ate lunch at the lake. Met some cool people and it was fun

Great family time!!!

We visited Eclipz Lake Branch for kayak rentals.Since they have moved in the appearance of the beach/sand is so much better. You cant blame them for the water levels

This place use to wonderful. Sad that our city cant come to some kind of agreement and bring it back to life. Put camping areas down there and more stuff around it. Fill it back up. Clean it up and have a great place for people of St. Joseph to go on hot days instead of having to drive an hour away to swim and cool off. What can we do to get this going?

Not bad for a small and shallow lake, the kids swam at the beach area and had fun.

It needs to be dredged out handmade deeper to bring it back to life

It was pleasant. My Dog Loved it.

Dirty and not well kept do not recommend more like a swamp

Beautiful place, getting cleaned up and its looking alive again.

The addition of Eclipz Lake Branch has made such an improvement! They are striving to continue to invest in this location and make it better. Cant wait for whats coming! They already rent out kayaks, paddle boards, and paddle boats at super affordable rates. They have lots of food options as well as snow cones and dairy free ice-cream! Such a gem! Ill definitely be back again soon!

Eclipse popcorn has kayaks and paddle boats!!! What else can this business have to offer!?

The lake could have better swimming area. 3 stars are higher now due to new shack, Eclipse, Which allows rentals of Kayaks, Paddle Boats and a small food menu. The future may increase, rating!

Very nice place to relax with my dog

The eclipse lake branch will do a lot for lake contrary area.

Kayaking was fun, water is shallow but was not a problem. Easy access and close to home.

Lake Contrary is so rich in the countys history. Its a great place to go to just escape from the daily stress. Lots of new, fun, and exciting amenities being added. I look forward to watching the progress of the lake come back to life!

Had a great time running my FlexSeal boat on the lake. Lots of improvements happening on the beach.... check it out people!Be safe,Phil!

Nice large Park for the kids swimming area Beach area shelter houses picnic tables

Looked very shallow with bunches an bunches of lily pads. Pretty in the evening sundown.

Beautiful scenery. Clean water. The city was maintaining the park

My kids have loved it here even in the winter since they was little

Great place for some early season hunting. I lots of dirt bags around the parking lot so dont leave truck or car unlocked

Nice, quiet area. Very peaceful. No sign of the amusement park that once filled the area

Fun me and my boys caught alotta fish we really enjoyed it

The Buchanan county park dept or who ever is over Lake Contrary ( city of Saint JosephHas done an absolutely HORRIBLE job keeping up with the lake. The pump doesnt work! The Lake is full of algea. And almost dry the park is well taken care it And a nice area. They could do so much with this area but refuse to.

My ALL TIME FAVORITE PLACE TO SWIM... I went there when i was young and took my kids now grandkids.. Cant wait to make memories there again this summer

This is a community landmark and an extremely tight knit group of residents. However, the City has failed, miserably, to keep up with the demands if regular maintenance and upkeep of this, and many other, civic facilities, presumably because they do not generate revenue like the Rec Center or Sports Complex does.

Nice park great lake view. And access play ground. Swim. Fish. Docks and events

I love that its being taken care of but the city needs to have a few volleyball tournaments or soccer tournaments & all the money raised will go towards lake improvements

They really cleaned it up. Has a nice swimming area, beach, playground and picnik area. Bathroom stalls do not have doors but they are clean.

Pretty awesome if you love dead fish and a lake that looks gross. The park is nice though

They have definitely cleaned up the last since I was a kid. Its not shallow like it used to be.