There are a lot of places around Kansas to hike, but they usually take hours of time to get through. Unless you’re going at a super slow pace, or you keep stopping for wildflowers, these hikes are easily completed within an hour. Let’s check out the best hikes in Kansas that won’t take up a whole day of your travel plans. Have you hiked all of them?
- Alcove Springs - Blue Rapids
Aaron Hall/Flickr One of our favorite waterfalls in Kansas is perfect for relaxation, but did you know it comes with a half-mile trail for you to explore? Visit after a rain and enjoy the soothing sounds of trickling water. Read all about it in this article. Alcove Spring, KS 66411, USA
- Prairie Dog Nature Trail - Norton
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails This 1.4 mile trail is great if you love natural grasslands and wildflowers, but if you’re truly lucky, you’ll see prairie dogs popping up around you in their natural habitat. You don’t see these little guys often, but if you’re quiet enough, snap some photos for us. Get all the important details in this article. Norton, KS 67654, USA
- Coronado Heights Trail - Lindsborg
Jerry Griffis/AllTrails Have you ever heard of Kansas’ mini castle? Coronado Heights was built long after the man it was named after stopped by, but still stands strong as a cool place to picnic on a short, 2 mile trail near Lindsborg. Take photos with family, and enjoy the view from the castle overlooking the fields of the surrounding area. Get all the details in this article. Lindsborg, KS 67456, USA
- Mount Sunflower Trail - Weskan
Jon Bonin/AllTrails Mount Sunflower isn’t a mountain at all, but the highest point in Kansas definitely deserves a marker for effort. There’s an attached 0.5 mile trail with plenty of wild grasses and flowers that makes this visit to the “middle of nowhere” so worth it. Learn more on the official AllTrails listing. Mount Sunflower, Weskan, KS 67762, USA
- Mushroom Rock State Park Trail - Brookville
Mindy Rayne/AllTrails This loveable landmark is something most Kansans recognize, but did you know there’s a short trail you can take at the park? It’s only 0.2 miles long, so feel free to spend the rest of your hour taking photos with the big mushrooms. Mushroom Rock State Park, Ave K, Brookville, KS 67425, USA
- Horse Thief Trail - Marquette
Naxin Fan/AllTrails This popular trail at Kanopolis State Park is full of rock carvings, caves to explore, and beautiful red rock outcroppings. The trail is a little on the longer side, at 1.9 miles, but most people shouldn’t take more than an hour. Unless of course you’re busy exploring these rocks and caves! Read more about this hike in this delightful article! Marquette, KS 67464, USA
- Agave Ridge Loop - Ransom
Robert Badget/AllTrails Though you may have not heard of this trail before, the rough brush and hilly landscape is beautiful in its own way. The trail itself is 0.8 miles, and runs near a lake, so you’ll get plenty of scenery changes during your short hike here. Ransom, KS 67572, USA
Another great thing to do outdoors is visiting with wildlife, just like at this amazing zoo hiding out in plain sight.
Aaron Hall/Flickr
One of our favorite waterfalls in Kansas is perfect for relaxation, but did you know it comes with a half-mile trail for you to explore? Visit after a rain and enjoy the soothing sounds of trickling water. Read all about it in this article.
Alcove Spring, KS 66411, USA
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails
This 1.4 mile trail is great if you love natural grasslands and wildflowers, but if you’re truly lucky, you’ll see prairie dogs popping up around you in their natural habitat. You don’t see these little guys often, but if you’re quiet enough, snap some photos for us. Get all the important details in this article.
Norton, KS 67654, USA
Jerry Griffis/AllTrails
Have you ever heard of Kansas’ mini castle? Coronado Heights was built long after the man it was named after stopped by, but still stands strong as a cool place to picnic on a short, 2 mile trail near Lindsborg. Take photos with family, and enjoy the view from the castle overlooking the fields of the surrounding area. Get all the details in this article.
Lindsborg, KS 67456, USA
Jon Bonin/AllTrails
Mount Sunflower isn’t a mountain at all, but the highest point in Kansas definitely deserves a marker for effort. There’s an attached 0.5 mile trail with plenty of wild grasses and flowers that makes this visit to the “middle of nowhere” so worth it. Learn more on the official AllTrails listing.
Mount Sunflower, Weskan, KS 67762, USA
Mindy Rayne/AllTrails
This loveable landmark is something most Kansans recognize, but did you know there’s a short trail you can take at the park? It’s only 0.2 miles long, so feel free to spend the rest of your hour taking photos with the big mushrooms.
Mushroom Rock State Park, Ave K, Brookville, KS 67425, USA
Naxin Fan/AllTrails
This popular trail at Kanopolis State Park is full of rock carvings, caves to explore, and beautiful red rock outcroppings. The trail is a little on the longer side, at 1.9 miles, but most people shouldn’t take more than an hour. Unless of course you’re busy exploring these rocks and caves! Read more about this hike in this delightful article!
Marquette, KS 67464, USA
Robert Badget/AllTrails
Though you may have not heard of this trail before, the rough brush and hilly landscape is beautiful in its own way. The trail itself is 0.8 miles, and runs near a lake, so you’ll get plenty of scenery changes during your short hike here.
Ransom, KS 67572, USA
What do you think the best hikes in Kansas are? Tell us about them in the comments!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Kansas March 23, 2022 Tori Jane What are the best kid-friendly hikes around Kansas? Kansas isn’t exactly a mountainous state, and as a result, a decent majority of our beautiful hiking trails are perfectly kid-friendly. Most of the time, all you’ve got to worry about on a hiking trail in Kansas is the distance; there are, however, plenty of short, sweet and easy hikes in Kansas the whole family can enjoy. Some of our favorites include the Bittersweet Trail at Ernie Miller Nature Park. It’s under a half-mile long (0.4 miles) and is remarkably green and lush. Then, there’s Alcove Springs Trail, which can be found at Blue Rapids and is exactly one-half mile long. Better yet, sometimes there’s a small waterfall along the way – it just depends on rainfall. Next, look into the Waterfall Pond Trail in Milford if you’re fascinated by the tiny falls at Alcove Springs; it’s a 0.6-mile hike that’s remarkably well-kept and very scenic. It’s a must-do for hikers with kids! Finally, we recommend the Pawnee Rock Historic Site Trail at Pawnee Rock; that one is 0.4 miles long and features intriguing geology and plentiful wildflowers. Need more? Check out this list of seven of the best hikes around Kansas for beginners. What are some of the most amazing scenic hikes in Kansas? We’re glad you asked! We might be a little biased, considering Kansas is the best place ever, but we digress. There are plenty of scenic hikes in Kansas to be had all over the state; fans of tallgrass prairies will want to take notes. There’s the Kings Creek Loop Trail, at Konza Prairie Natural Area. It’s four and a half incredible miles of bluestem prairie grasses and is best done at sunset when the golden light spills across the grass and looks truly splendid. Flint Hills Nature Trail is another great one; it’s a riverside adventure with amazing views and stretches remarkably far, from Osawatomie near Kansas City to Herington, 117 miles west of there. Finally, check out the awe-inspiring Elk River Hiking Trail, which is another long one with 15 miles from point to point and is great if you enjoy a challenge.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Kansas
March 23, 2022
Tori Jane
What are the best kid-friendly hikes around Kansas? Kansas isn’t exactly a mountainous state, and as a result, a decent majority of our beautiful hiking trails are perfectly kid-friendly. Most of the time, all you’ve got to worry about on a hiking trail in Kansas is the distance; there are, however, plenty of short, sweet and easy hikes in Kansas the whole family can enjoy. Some of our favorites include the Bittersweet Trail at Ernie Miller Nature Park. It’s under a half-mile long (0.4 miles) and is remarkably green and lush. Then, there’s Alcove Springs Trail, which can be found at Blue Rapids and is exactly one-half mile long. Better yet, sometimes there’s a small waterfall along the way – it just depends on rainfall. Next, look into the Waterfall Pond Trail in Milford if you’re fascinated by the tiny falls at Alcove Springs; it’s a 0.6-mile hike that’s remarkably well-kept and very scenic. It’s a must-do for hikers with kids! Finally, we recommend the Pawnee Rock Historic Site Trail at Pawnee Rock; that one is 0.4 miles long and features intriguing geology and plentiful wildflowers. Need more? Check out this list of seven of the best hikes around Kansas for beginners. What are some of the most amazing scenic hikes in Kansas? We’re glad you asked! We might be a little biased, considering Kansas is the best place ever, but we digress. There are plenty of scenic hikes in Kansas to be had all over the state; fans of tallgrass prairies will want to take notes. There’s the Kings Creek Loop Trail, at Konza Prairie Natural Area. It’s four and a half incredible miles of bluestem prairie grasses and is best done at sunset when the golden light spills across the grass and looks truly splendid. Flint Hills Nature Trail is another great one; it’s a riverside adventure with amazing views and stretches remarkably far, from Osawatomie near Kansas City to Herington, 117 miles west of there. Finally, check out the awe-inspiring Elk River Hiking Trail, which is another long one with 15 miles from point to point and is great if you enjoy a challenge.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Kansas isn’t exactly a mountainous state, and as a result, a decent majority of our beautiful hiking trails are perfectly kid-friendly. Most of the time, all you’ve got to worry about on a hiking trail in Kansas is the distance; there are, however, plenty of short, sweet and easy hikes in Kansas the whole family can enjoy. Some of our favorites include the Bittersweet Trail at Ernie Miller Nature Park. It’s under a half-mile long (0.4 miles) and is remarkably green and lush. Then, there’s Alcove Springs Trail, which can be found at Blue Rapids and is exactly one-half mile long. Better yet, sometimes there’s a small waterfall along the way – it just depends on rainfall. Next, look into the Waterfall Pond Trail in Milford if you’re fascinated by the tiny falls at Alcove Springs; it’s a 0.6-mile hike that’s remarkably well-kept and very scenic. It’s a must-do for hikers with kids! Finally, we recommend the Pawnee Rock Historic Site Trail at Pawnee Rock; that one is 0.4 miles long and features intriguing geology and plentiful wildflowers. Need more? Check out this list of seven of the best hikes around Kansas for beginners.
What are some of the most amazing scenic hikes in Kansas?
We’re glad you asked! We might be a little biased, considering Kansas is the best place ever, but we digress. There are plenty of scenic hikes in Kansas to be had all over the state; fans of tallgrass prairies will want to take notes. There’s the Kings Creek Loop Trail, at Konza Prairie Natural Area. It’s four and a half incredible miles of bluestem prairie grasses and is best done at sunset when the golden light spills across the grass and looks truly splendid. Flint Hills Nature Trail is another great one; it’s a riverside adventure with amazing views and stretches remarkably far, from Osawatomie near Kansas City to Herington, 117 miles west of there. Finally, check out the awe-inspiring Elk River Hiking Trail, which is another long one with 15 miles from point to point and is great if you enjoy a challenge.
