Whether Kansas is hot or cold, don’t let that keep you cooped up inside all the time. The best hikes in Kansas are easy, well-kept, and accessible, ensuring that every hiker can enjoy the beauty of the Sunflower State. The following low-key hikes in Kansas are a great way to get outside without spending all day on a trail. Plus, they each have amazing payoffs!
- Pawnee Rock Historic Site Trail - Pawnee Rock, KS
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails Though it’s more of a short loop around the historic marker, you’ll find the Pawnee Rock Historic Site Trail is a great place to get outside and view the rock, the wildflowers, and the history. Plus, this trail is only 0.4-miles, making it short and sweet. Pawnee Rock State Historic Site, 631 N Centre St, Pawnee Rock, KS 67567, USA
- High Park Loop - Derby, KS
slvdvl1/AllTrails This 1.6-mile loop through High Park in Derby is a great way for anyone to get outside without any chance of getting lost in the trees. High Park, 2801 James St, Derby, KS 67037, USA
- Watco Trail - Pittsburg, KS
Roger Horton/AllTrails This 2-mile trail in Trailhead Park is the perfect stroll in the park if you’re itching to get some outdoor time. This trail is also wide and paved, making it highly accessible and perfect for every member of your family. Watco Trail, Pittsburg, KS 66762, USA
- Fort Scott Interpretative Trail - Fort Scott, KS
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails This little 0.7-mile trail isn’t too hard to walk, but it does have a wealth of knowledge to give along the way. This is a loop trail and the majority of the path is paved or made of brick. If you’ve never been to Fort Scott, now’s the time to visit. Fort Scott, KS 66701, USA
- Prairie Spirit Rail Trail - Ottawa, KS
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails The Prairie Spirit Rail Trail is quite long, with more than 50 miles in its entirety. However, you can simply pick your favorite area and explore for a while or just hike along the well-kept trail and enjoy your day. This is also a popular trail for mountain biking. Prairie Spirit Rail Trail, Ottawa, KS, USA
- Ironwood Park Walking Trail - Leawood, KS
Tatiana Smith/AllTrails The Ironwood Park Walking Trail is a 1.9-mile loop that features a historic schoolhouse, bridge, and so much more. It’s mostly exposed, but the tree-lined areas along the trail are simply magical. This is one of the most scenic hikes in Kansas and you’ll definitely want to add it to your bucket list. 14701 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66224, USA
- Burcham Park Trail - Lawrence, KS
Roy Lafferty/AllTrails This waterside park trail is 1.5-miles long and what a view it has! Whether you walk at sunset or not, you can’t deny a view over the water is tranquil and relaxing. Burcham Park Trail, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
- Lake Shawnee Trail - Topeka, KS
Michele Holley/AllTrails This nearly 7-mile trail has plenty of beautiful scenery as well as a waterfall that’ll calm you from the inside out. This trail takes you all around Lake Shawnee, which is the most beautiful man-made lake in Kansas. Lake Shawnee, Kansas 66605, USA
- Buffalo Bill Cody Trails - Leavenworth, KS
Melissa Bower/AllTrails If you are looking for one of the best easy hikes in Kansas, this is it. This trail in Buffalo Bill Park has a lot to offer from shady tree areas to wildflowers. The path is short but perfect for an afternoon stroll by yourself or even with young kids in tow. 3003 Shrine Park Rd, Leavenworth, KS 66048, USA
- Cedar Ridge - Manhattan, KS
James Elliott/AllTrails This 0.5-mile hike through Tuttle Creek State Park is a great area for a walk, but be careful of bumps on the path that might stick any wheels you use to enjoy it. Also, make sure you keep your eyes open as it isn’t uncommon to run into various wildlife on this trail. Tuttle Creek State Park, 5800 River Pond Rd A, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
- Mushroom Rock Trail - Brookville, KS
Mindy Rayne/AllTrails We all know and love Mushroom Rock, but did you know that there’s a miniature trail to be seen here as well? This quaint loop trail takes you to many of the most incredible rock formations in this small state park. This is not only one of the best hikes in Kansas, but it is also one of the most kid-friendly trails as well. Mushroom Rock State Park, Ave K, Brookville, KS 67425, USA
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to tackle some of these low-key hikes in Kansas. What do you think are the best hikes in Kansas? Do you have any favorite kid-friendly hikes around Kansas that you love to explore each year? Let us know in the comments!
Doug Neidholdt/AllTrails
Though it’s more of a short loop around the historic marker, you’ll find the Pawnee Rock Historic Site Trail is a great place to get outside and view the rock, the wildflowers, and the history. Plus, this trail is only 0.4-miles, making it short and sweet.
Pawnee Rock State Historic Site, 631 N Centre St, Pawnee Rock, KS 67567, USA
slvdvl1/AllTrails
This 1.6-mile loop through High Park in Derby is a great way for anyone to get outside without any chance of getting lost in the trees.
High Park, 2801 James St, Derby, KS 67037, USA
Roger Horton/AllTrails
This 2-mile trail in Trailhead Park is the perfect stroll in the park if you’re itching to get some outdoor time. This trail is also wide and paved, making it highly accessible and perfect for every member of your family.
Watco Trail, Pittsburg, KS 66762, USA
This little 0.7-mile trail isn’t too hard to walk, but it does have a wealth of knowledge to give along the way. This is a loop trail and the majority of the path is paved or made of brick. If you’ve never been to Fort Scott, now’s the time to visit.
Fort Scott, KS 66701, USA
The Prairie Spirit Rail Trail is quite long, with more than 50 miles in its entirety. However, you can simply pick your favorite area and explore for a while or just hike along the well-kept trail and enjoy your day. This is also a popular trail for mountain biking.
Prairie Spirit Rail Trail, Ottawa, KS, USA
Tatiana Smith/AllTrails
The Ironwood Park Walking Trail is a 1.9-mile loop that features a historic schoolhouse, bridge, and so much more. It’s mostly exposed, but the tree-lined areas along the trail are simply magical. This is one of the most scenic hikes in Kansas and you’ll definitely want to add it to your bucket list.
14701 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66224, USA
Roy Lafferty/AllTrails
This waterside park trail is 1.5-miles long and what a view it has! Whether you walk at sunset or not, you can’t deny a view over the water is tranquil and relaxing.
Burcham Park Trail, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
Michele Holley/AllTrails
This nearly 7-mile trail has plenty of beautiful scenery as well as a waterfall that’ll calm you from the inside out. This trail takes you all around Lake Shawnee, which is the most beautiful man-made lake in Kansas.
Lake Shawnee, Kansas 66605, USA
Melissa Bower/AllTrails
If you are looking for one of the best easy hikes in Kansas, this is it. This trail in Buffalo Bill Park has a lot to offer from shady tree areas to wildflowers. The path is short but perfect for an afternoon stroll by yourself or even with young kids in tow.
3003 Shrine Park Rd, Leavenworth, KS 66048, USA
James Elliott/AllTrails
This 0.5-mile hike through Tuttle Creek State Park is a great area for a walk, but be careful of bumps on the path that might stick any wheels you use to enjoy it. Also, make sure you keep your eyes open as it isn’t uncommon to run into various wildlife on this trail.
Tuttle Creek State Park, 5800 River Pond Rd A, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
Mindy Rayne/AllTrails
We all know and love Mushroom Rock, but did you know that there’s a miniature trail to be seen here as well? This quaint loop trail takes you to many of the most incredible rock formations in this small state park. This is not only one of the best hikes in Kansas, but it is also one of the most kid-friendly trails as well.
Mushroom Rock State Park, Ave K, Brookville, KS 67425, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Kansas May 19, 2022 Courtnie Erickson What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Kansas? When you are searching for hiking trails near me in Kansas, the list can be long and extensive. It can be hard to narrow down your options, particularly if you are searching for easy hikes in Kansas. Fortunately, to help, we have created a list of easy hikes in Kansas that are also short and sweet. These are some of the best family-friendly hikes around Kansas and ones that you will definitely want to add to your bucket list. The Chisholm Creek Park Trail in Wichita is one of the best scenic hikes in Kansas and also one of the most kid-friendly. This 1.7-mile trail is located in Wichita’s Chisholm M. Creek Park and it takes you through wildflowers, prairie, and the most remarkable trees. You certainly won’t feel like you are in the city as you walk along this trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Kansas
May 19, 2022
Courtnie Erickson
What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Kansas? When you are searching for hiking trails near me in Kansas, the list can be long and extensive. It can be hard to narrow down your options, particularly if you are searching for easy hikes in Kansas. Fortunately, to help, we have created a list of easy hikes in Kansas that are also short and sweet. These are some of the best family-friendly hikes around Kansas and ones that you will definitely want to add to your bucket list. The Chisholm Creek Park Trail in Wichita is one of the best scenic hikes in Kansas and also one of the most kid-friendly. This 1.7-mile trail is located in Wichita’s Chisholm M. Creek Park and it takes you through wildflowers, prairie, and the most remarkable trees. You certainly won’t feel like you are in the city as you walk along this trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When you are searching for hiking trails near me in Kansas, the list can be long and extensive. It can be hard to narrow down your options, particularly if you are searching for easy hikes in Kansas. Fortunately, to help, we have created a list of easy hikes in Kansas that are also short and sweet. These are some of the best family-friendly hikes around Kansas and ones that you will definitely want to add to your bucket list.
The Chisholm Creek Park Trail in Wichita is one of the best scenic hikes in Kansas and also one of the most kid-friendly. This 1.7-mile trail is located in Wichita’s Chisholm M. Creek Park and it takes you through wildflowers, prairie, and the most remarkable trees. You certainly won’t feel like you are in the city as you walk along this trail.
