Here Are The 5 Best Hikes In Kansas

It feels like we’ve got a virtually unlimited number of hiking trails in Kansas. With so many new and old trails to explore, it can be tough to narrow it down to just one or two that are worth checking out. When you do finally head out to get some leg work in, which ones do you go for? Old favorites or new explorations? Luckily for you, we’ve chosen five of the best hikes in Kansas if you need a few suggestions. They’ve all got absolutely stunning landscapes and are great places for picnics or just to make family memories. Get out there and explore!

Castle Rock Trail: Gove County, KS 67752

Sarah Liberty/Flickr This gorgeous trail encompasses a fantastic area. There are some really neat natural rock formations here! The hike measures less than three miles, making it pretty easy. When circling the rocks, you may even come across some tiny fossils! This is one of the better kid-friendly hikes around Kansas, so bring along the whole family. Castle Rock, Larrabee, KS 67752, USA

Santa Fe Trail at Cimarron National Grassland: Rolla, KS 67954

Kansas Tourism/Flickr Approximately 23 miles of the historic Santa Fe Trail goes through Cimarron National Grassland. Some of Kansas’s best scenery is laid out in this stunning preserve. And what better way to see it than by hiking through it? The trail is full of diverse Kansas wildlife. The iconic Point of Rock is a must-stop for family photos. It was an important marker for early settlers. The early travelers’ campsites are still visible, giving you a glimpse into the lives that they led so long ago. This is a great trail if you’re looking to combine history with natural beauty. Rolla, KS 67954, USA

Elk River Trail at Elk City State Park: 4825 Squaw Creek Rd, Independence, KS 67301

Granger Meador/Flickr This gorgeous park in Kansas doesn’t look much like our usual scenery. It’s filled with trees and some pretty hilly areas that are very unique to those living in our flatter areas. If you’re looking for something new, this little slice of the Ozarks is a great change from the typical Kansas prairies. Don’t forget your walking stick! Elk City State Park, 4825 Squaw Creek Rd, Independence, KS 67301, USA

Flint Hills Nature Trail: Osawatomie, KS

Paul Middleton/Flickr The Flint Hills are stunningly beautiful, and they also happen to be home to the longest trail in Kansas. Right now, the trail is over 90 miles long, and it’s hoped that it will eventually stretch all the way across the state. It’s part of a rails-to-trails project that seeks to convert abandoned railroad tracks into biking and hiking trails. Obviously you wouldn’t be able to hike the entire 90 miles all at once, but there are plenty of access points where you can enter and hike a small portion at a time. This one belongs on any bucket list of Kansas hikes. Flint Hills Nature Trail, Admire, KS, USA

Horsethief Canyon Trail at Kanopolis State Park: 200 Horsethief Rd, Marquette, KS 67464

Lonnie Edgecomb/Flickr Kanopolis State Park is one of the best parks in Kansas, and this trail is a particular favorite there. It ends in a cave complete with a natural slide out front. In addition to the cave, you’ll see beautiful open skies framing unique red-orange rock. This one is a bit rocky and steep in some areas, so it may not be a great option for those with mobility issues. But if you’re able to handle the difficulty, this trail will make you feel like you’re in another world. Kanopolis Public Land Office, Marquette, KS 67464, USA

Obviously, it’s tough to narrow down a list to just the five best hikes in Kansas, so we know we missed some favorites. Do you have any trails that you’d like to add to our list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! Also, check out this list of hikes under 3 miles long. They’re just perfect for those days when you want to explore, but not spend the whole day out trekking.

Sarah Liberty/Flickr

This gorgeous trail encompasses a fantastic area. There are some really neat natural rock formations here! The hike measures less than three miles, making it pretty easy. When circling the rocks, you may even come across some tiny fossils! This is one of the better kid-friendly hikes around Kansas, so bring along the whole family.

Castle Rock, Larrabee, KS 67752, USA

Kansas Tourism/Flickr

Approximately 23 miles of the historic Santa Fe Trail goes through Cimarron National Grassland. Some of Kansas’s best scenery is laid out in this stunning preserve. And what better way to see it than by hiking through it? The trail is full of diverse Kansas wildlife. The iconic Point of Rock is a must-stop for family photos. It was an important marker for early settlers. The early travelers’ campsites are still visible, giving you a glimpse into the lives that they led so long ago. This is a great trail if you’re looking to combine history with natural beauty.

Rolla, KS 67954, USA

Granger Meador/Flickr

This gorgeous park in Kansas doesn’t look much like our usual scenery. It’s filled with trees and some pretty hilly areas that are very unique to those living in our flatter areas. If you’re looking for something new, this little slice of the Ozarks is a great change from the typical Kansas prairies. Don’t forget your walking stick!

Elk City State Park, 4825 Squaw Creek Rd, Independence, KS 67301, USA

Paul Middleton/Flickr

The Flint Hills are stunningly beautiful, and they also happen to be home to the longest trail in Kansas. Right now, the trail is over 90 miles long, and it’s hoped that it will eventually stretch all the way across the state. It’s part of a rails-to-trails project that seeks to convert abandoned railroad tracks into biking and hiking trails. Obviously you wouldn’t be able to hike the entire 90 miles all at once, but there are plenty of access points where you can enter and hike a small portion at a time. This one belongs on any bucket list of Kansas hikes.

Flint Hills Nature Trail, Admire, KS, USA

Lonnie Edgecomb/Flickr

Kanopolis State Park is one of the best parks in Kansas, and this trail is a particular favorite there. It ends in a cave complete with a natural slide out front. In addition to the cave, you’ll see beautiful open skies framing unique red-orange rock. This one is a bit rocky and steep in some areas, so it may not be a great option for those with mobility issues. But if you’re able to handle the difficulty, this trail will make you feel like you’re in another world.

Kanopolis Public Land Office, Marquette, KS 67464, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Hiking Trails Near Me In Kansas March 14, 2022 Lisa Sammons What are some more of the best hikes in Kansas? Looking for a challenge? We’ve got a list of 12 of the best hikes in Kansas, which is a great opportunity to try one a month for a year. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to get in shape or simply want to see more of the state, getting out and exploring the Sunflower State is always a treat. What are some of the best parks in Kansas for hiking? We’ve got over 20 state parks in Kansas, so some of them tend to fall through the cracks just because there are so many to choose from. We’ve got quite a few underrated state parks in Kansas that we absolutely love. Fall River State Park is especially gorgeous. It’s a 1,000-acre preserve that is beautiful regardless of what season you visit in. Are there any hiking trails with waterfalls in Kansas? Kansas is often thought of as a flat, boring state, but there actually are a few waterfalls here. Many of them are actually quite accessible, meaning you don’t have to trek all day to reach them. Here are ten waterfalls in Kansas that are some of our favorites. We especially recommend checking out Kanopolis State Park: it’s a beautiful park that has a fascinating array of biomes.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Hiking Trails Near Me In Kansas

March 14, 2022

Lisa Sammons

What are some more of the best hikes in Kansas? Looking for a challenge? We’ve got a list of 12 of the best hikes in Kansas, which is a great opportunity to try one a month for a year. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to get in shape or simply want to see more of the state, getting out and exploring the Sunflower State is always a treat. What are some of the best parks in Kansas for hiking? We’ve got over 20 state parks in Kansas, so some of them tend to fall through the cracks just because there are so many to choose from. We’ve got quite a few underrated state parks in Kansas that we absolutely love. Fall River State Park is especially gorgeous. It’s a 1,000-acre preserve that is beautiful regardless of what season you visit in. Are there any hiking trails with waterfalls in Kansas? Kansas is often thought of as a flat, boring state, but there actually are a few waterfalls here. Many of them are actually quite accessible, meaning you don’t have to trek all day to reach them. Here are ten waterfalls in Kansas that are some of our favorites. We especially recommend checking out Kanopolis State Park: it’s a beautiful park that has a fascinating array of biomes.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Looking for a challenge? We’ve got a list of 12 of the best hikes in Kansas, which is a great opportunity to try one a month for a year. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to get in shape or simply want to see more of the state, getting out and exploring the Sunflower State is always a treat.

What are some of the best parks in Kansas for hiking?

We’ve got over 20 state parks in Kansas, so some of them tend to fall through the cracks just because there are so many to choose from. We’ve got quite a few underrated state parks in Kansas that we absolutely love. Fall River State Park is especially gorgeous. It’s a 1,000-acre preserve that is beautiful regardless of what season you visit in.

Are there any hiking trails with waterfalls in Kansas?

Kansas is often thought of as a flat, boring state, but there actually are a few waterfalls here. Many of them are actually quite accessible, meaning you don’t have to trek all day to reach them. Here are ten waterfalls in Kansas that are some of our favorites. We especially recommend checking out Kanopolis State Park: it’s a beautiful park that has a fascinating array of biomes.