In most states some portion of beaches are public land and all members of the public have a right to use that portion of the beach. The ability to walk along the beach is known as lateral beach access.

But the land between where people can park or walk to the beach and where they can enjoy the beach is often private property, making it difficult to provide access to the public while protecting personal property rights. The ability to reach the beach is known as vertical beach access.

Laws regarding public access to beaches vary from state to state but many states recognize the public trust doctrine, a legal doctrine that certain natural resources such as beaches are owned or held by the government in trust for the public’s use and enjoyment and that the government has an obligation to protect and maintain these resources for the public.

Kansas, being a landlocked state, does not have oceanfront beaches; therefore, the typical legal issues surrounding lateral and vertical beach access that coastal states face are not applicable in the same way. However, Kansas does have public lakes and rivers, and the principles of public access to these bodies of water may be somewhat analogous to coastal beach access issues. In Kansas, the public trust doctrine applies to navigable waters, meaning the state holds the beds and banks of these waters in trust for public use. Access to these areas is generally allowed for recreational purposes, such as fishing, boating, and swimming, provided that individuals do not trespass on private property to reach these public waters. The state may provide public access points to ensure that the public can reach these resources without infringing on private property rights. It's important to note that specific regulations and access points can vary by local jurisdiction, and it is advisable to check local laws and regulations for precise information on access to public waters in Kansas.