When you look at a map it seems as though Kansas is flat and boring, wrong! Kansas has exciting trails to adventure on and burn some serious calories. The 5 trails I am sharing with you are our top personal favorites and ones we love to personally attend.
Rather alone, with a partner these trails will catch your eyes and your imagination. Still vast in the beauty before mankind paved trails, these trails can be rugged, sandy, may have ticks and will test your heights and yes, I said heights in Kansas. Follow along as I show you our stunning yet calorie burner hikes all in Kansas, The Sunflower State.
Elk River Hiking Trail, Elk City State Park Elk City
Trail Season: Year-around
Length of Trail: 15.3 mile(s) one way
Location: Elk City State Park
Difficulty: Moderately hike
The Elk River Hiking Trail is located on the northwest side of Elk City Lake. The trail can be accessed from two main trailheads.
Horsethief Canyon, Kanopolis State Park Kanopolis
Trail Season: Year-around
Length of Trail: 2.66 mile(s) with connecting trails nearby to making it a 9.1 mile loop
Location: Kanopolis State Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderately hike
Extended views of sandstone bluffs, deep canyons cutting through beautiful grasslands, and a Kanopolis lake glistening in the background.
Table Mound Hiking Trail
Trail Season: Year-around
Length of Trail: 2.75 mile(s)
Location: Elk City State Park
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous hike
This linear trail has a trailhead at the Scenic Overlook near the dam and at Timber Road Campground, northwest of the State Park office.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Trails
Trail Season: Year-around
Length of Trail: SOUTHWIND NATURE TRAIL 1.75 mile(s)
BOTTOMLAND NATURE TRAIL Choose from two trail lengths- 3/4- or 1/2-mile loops
FOX CREEK HIKING TRAIL 6.1-mile round-trip trail
Location: Elk City State Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderately hike
Three nature trails allow visitors to encounter the tallgrass prairie first-hand.
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge trail near Battlehill RV Park
Trail Season: Year-around
Length of Trail: 2.75 mile(s)
Location: The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
Difficulty: Easy to Moderately strenuous hike
A self-guided nature trail is open year-round on the southwestern corner of the lake. The trail is mowed and well-marked. Brochures for the trail are available at the trail head.