To make a great hiking trail in Kansas, all you need is our beautiful scenery and a marked way to navigate it. Kansas is naturally gorgeous, and as long as we have a place to cross a river, a place to walk through the brush, and things to see, we couldn’t be happier. Thankfully, the best hikes in Kansas have foot bridges to take care of the water and nature does the rest.
- Bartlett Arboretum - Belle Plaine
Bartlett Arboretum Facebook Though some people don’t consider parks as part of the “hiking trails” group, for some of us, this is about all we can manage. So, enjoy this hike through a beautiful garden and across this picturesque bridge! 301 N Line St, Belle Plaine, KS 67013, USA
- Cedar Lake Park - Olathe
brent flanders/Flickr This beautiful park has a small trail leading up to the three falls, and it includes this cute little foot bridge. We can’t get enough of leaning over to see the mini waterfall flowing (or frozen!) in any season. 15500 S Lone Elm Rd, Olathe, KS 66061, USA
- Largest Swinging Bridge In Kansas - Moline
gT corner/Google Enjoy walking through small towns like Moline? Then you’ll love making your own mini hiking trail and enjoying the largest swinging bridge in Kansas along the way. Moline, KS 67353, USA
- Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site - Pleasanton
Laura Myers/Google This beautiful area of Kansas is home to a Civil War Battlefield where a 2.6-mile nature trail interprets the battle to the best of history’s ability. You can learn more about this area in this feature article. Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site, 20485 KS-52, Pleasanton, KS 66075, USA
- Valkommen Trail - Lindsborg
Louetta S/TripAdvisor This little welcome trail of sorts is perfect for viewing the local scenery, or just enjoying a nice bridge along a small hike. Who doesn’t love a bridge now and then? Plus, this may just be the best holiday trail in the entire Sunflower State. Lindsborg, KS 67456, USA
- Southwind Rail Trail - Iola
Southwind Rail Trail Facebook This rail trail is 6.5-miles long, between Iola and Humboldt, Kansas. There’s plenty of wildlife and natural beauty, but we prefer to spend the most time at this historic bridge. Southwind Rail Trail, Humboldt, KS, USA
- Flint Hills Nature Trail
Ryan Wrigley/AllTrails There are actually quite a few bridges along this trail, both big and small. It will take a long time to complete the trail, but each section brings new surprises. You can learn more about this 117-mile trail in this article. Flint Hills Nature Trail, Admire, KS, USA
Are there any enchanting foot bridges in Kansas that we left off this list? What do you think are the best hikes in Kansas? Share with us your thoughts in the comments! And, if you’d rather go to one place to have your mind blown instead of traveling to many, check out this state park that has everything you’d ever want.
Bartlett Arboretum Facebook
Though some people don’t consider parks as part of the “hiking trails” group, for some of us, this is about all we can manage. So, enjoy this hike through a beautiful garden and across this picturesque bridge!
301 N Line St, Belle Plaine, KS 67013, USA
brent flanders/Flickr
This beautiful park has a small trail leading up to the three falls, and it includes this cute little foot bridge. We can’t get enough of leaning over to see the mini waterfall flowing (or frozen!) in any season.
15500 S Lone Elm Rd, Olathe, KS 66061, USA
gT corner/Google
Enjoy walking through small towns like Moline? Then you’ll love making your own mini hiking trail and enjoying the largest swinging bridge in Kansas along the way.
Moline, KS 67353, USA
Laura Myers/Google
This beautiful area of Kansas is home to a Civil War Battlefield where a 2.6-mile nature trail interprets the battle to the best of history’s ability. You can learn more about this area in this feature article.
Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site, 20485 KS-52, Pleasanton, KS 66075, USA
Louetta S/TripAdvisor
This little welcome trail of sorts is perfect for viewing the local scenery, or just enjoying a nice bridge along a small hike. Who doesn’t love a bridge now and then? Plus, this may just be the best holiday trail in the entire Sunflower State.
Lindsborg, KS 67456, USA
Southwind Rail Trail Facebook
This rail trail is 6.5-miles long, between Iola and Humboldt, Kansas. There’s plenty of wildlife and natural beauty, but we prefer to spend the most time at this historic bridge.
Southwind Rail Trail, Humboldt, KS, USA
Ryan Wrigley/AllTrails
There are actually quite a few bridges along this trail, both big and small. It will take a long time to complete the trail, but each section brings new surprises. You can learn more about this 117-mile trail in this article.
Flint Hills Nature Trail, Admire, KS, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Kansas April 08, 2022 Courtnie Erickson What are some of the best scenic hikes in Kansas? There are many scenic hikes in Kansas that are perfect for a day trip or even just a quick afternoon adventure with the entire family. The South Shore East Loop hike, located in Shawnee Mission Park, is one short and easy loop trail that you’ll want to revisit many times. This scenic hike is 3 miles and takes you through lush greenery, wildflowers, and water views. Another of the best scenic hikes in Kansas is the Rocky Ridge Trail. This hiking trail is found in the Overland Park Arboretum and it is absolutely magical. It is a 2.2-mile trail that is easy and the entire family will love the journey. You’ll cross beautiful bridges, walk through forested areas, and see lots of gorgeous plants and vegetation. You’ll even come to a prairie at the Overland Park Arboretum, which is full of hidden gems including a duck pond. What are some road trips I should take through the Sunflower State? Kansas is full of incredible road trip stops. Some of these will take you to beautiful and scenic places outdoors, while others will keep you inside and may even fill your belly. For example, if you love a good slice of pizza, we created the ultimate pizza journey through Kansas. On this road trip through Kansas, you’ll stop at six different pizza joints around the Sunflower State. Your taste buds will certainly be thanking you for making this journey!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Kansas
April 08, 2022
Courtnie Erickson
What are some of the best scenic hikes in Kansas? There are many scenic hikes in Kansas that are perfect for a day trip or even just a quick afternoon adventure with the entire family. The South Shore East Loop hike, located in Shawnee Mission Park, is one short and easy loop trail that you’ll want to revisit many times. This scenic hike is 3 miles and takes you through lush greenery, wildflowers, and water views. Another of the best scenic hikes in Kansas is the Rocky Ridge Trail. This hiking trail is found in the Overland Park Arboretum and it is absolutely magical. It is a 2.2-mile trail that is easy and the entire family will love the journey. You’ll cross beautiful bridges, walk through forested areas, and see lots of gorgeous plants and vegetation. You’ll even come to a prairie at the Overland Park Arboretum, which is full of hidden gems including a duck pond. What are some road trips I should take through the Sunflower State? Kansas is full of incredible road trip stops. Some of these will take you to beautiful and scenic places outdoors, while others will keep you inside and may even fill your belly. For example, if you love a good slice of pizza, we created the ultimate pizza journey through Kansas. On this road trip through Kansas, you’ll stop at six different pizza joints around the Sunflower State. Your taste buds will certainly be thanking you for making this journey!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are many scenic hikes in Kansas that are perfect for a day trip or even just a quick afternoon adventure with the entire family. The South Shore East Loop hike, located in Shawnee Mission Park, is one short and easy loop trail that you’ll want to revisit many times. This scenic hike is 3 miles and takes you through lush greenery, wildflowers, and water views.
Another of the best scenic hikes in Kansas is the Rocky Ridge Trail. This hiking trail is found in the Overland Park Arboretum and it is absolutely magical. It is a 2.2-mile trail that is easy and the entire family will love the journey. You’ll cross beautiful bridges, walk through forested areas, and see lots of gorgeous plants and vegetation. You’ll even come to a prairie at the Overland Park Arboretum, which is full of hidden gems including a duck pond.
What are some road trips I should take through the Sunflower State?
Kansas is full of incredible road trip stops. Some of these will take you to beautiful and scenic places outdoors, while others will keep you inside and may even fill your belly. For example, if you love a good slice of pizza, we created the ultimate pizza journey through Kansas. On this road trip through Kansas, you’ll stop at six different pizza joints around the Sunflower State. Your taste buds will certainly be thanking you for making this journey!
