Both shelters provide a panoramic view of the lake for waterfowl viewing.

Longview Lake-Shelters 12&13 is one of seven hotspots that have been recognized on Longview Lake Park, managed by Jackson County Parks and Recreation. An overview of the lake and a map of the park can be found in the Longview Lake hotspot description. To get to the Longview Lake-Marina hotspot, go east 0.2 miles from the intersection of Raytown Road and Longview Road in Kansas City. Turn right (south) on a park road (indicated as Balloon Port Road on the Longview Lake map of Jackson County Parks and Recreation). The Shelter 13 entrance road is 0.2 miles to the south and the Shelter 12 entrance road is 0.5 miles to the south). The shelter entrance roads may be gated if there are no reservations to use the shelters. Alternate access is from the Longview Bike Trail.

The Longview Bike Trail passes both shelters. Shelter 13 is about 1/2 mile south of the Shelter 14 parking lot and trailhead and Shelter 12 is about one mile south of the trailhead. The trail is an alternate access if the shelter entrance roads are gated.