If you haven’t had time for hiking recently, you may want to break in your hiking feet with these short and beautiful hikes in Kansas. There are a lot of places out and around Kansas that you can get in touch with nature, and we wholly recommend it. In fact, these are some of the best hikes in Kansas. Where have you been so far this year?
1. Big Bull Creek Unpaved Loop - Edgerton
Jenny Pritchard/AllTrails This rough-and-tumble loop trail is only 1.5 miles long, perfect for a good stretch on your legs. It features wildflowers, plenty of trees curving up and around the path, and great spots for nature watching. If you have the extra time, you can also explore the attached trails for a little more adventure! Big Bull Creek Park, 20425 Sunflower Rd, Edgerton, KS 66021, USA
2. Dornwood Park Loop - Topeka
Bruce Carroll/AllTrails Dornwood Park is a local secret in Topeka, where an old dairy building stands as ruins. The 5 mile loop trail running through takes you through plenty of what is left of the building, but the whole trail is beautiful. Dornwood Park, 2815 SE 25th St, Topeka, KS 66605, USA
3. Azura Trail - Topeka
Cheryl Jones/AllTrails Another trail in Topeka lives in Skyline Park, and runs 3.6 miles through. You get the benefit of boardwalk paths, natural settings, and an overlook over the city making this one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Kansas. Topeka, KS, USA
4. Coronado Heights Park Trail - Lindsborg
Jerry Griffis/AllTrails For anyone up for a small adventure, you will find a good little 2 mile trail out by Coronado Heights that is not only a great hike, but a cute little stone castle as well. Pretend you are an explorer and get out there! Coronado Heights Park, KS-4, Falun, KS 67442, USA
5. Southwind Nature Trail - Strong City
Jerry Griffis/AllTrails 2.9 miles of loop trail cover the beautiful Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. There are always plenty of grasses flowing through the wind during the hike. Southwind Nature Trail, CCMV+W2, Strong City, KS 66869, USA
6. Reynolds Nature Trail Loop - Hays
Will Barns/AllTrails Another loop in Kansas that is too beautiful to pass up is one in the Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Park. 1.4 miles of wildflowers, trees, and water features are here for the exploring. Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trails, Hays, KS 67601, USA
7. Cedar Crest Yellow and Red Trails - Topeka
Marcie Fiorentino/AllTrails Another trail near Topeka, this 4.8 mile adventure is perfect for anyone in the area who wants fresh air and a stretch of their legs. What a stunning area to take the most scenic hike in Kansas! Cedar Crest, 1 SW Cedar Crest Rd, Topeka, KS 66606, USA
8. Fort Larned Walking Trail - Lawrence
Vince Greece/AllTrails A beautiful lake combined with a trail? We would never turn that down. 2.8 miles of beautiful lakeside and tree lined path. Blue Trail, Kansas, USA
9. Chisholm Creek Park Trail - Wichita
Paula Michelle/AllTrails 1.7 miles of beautiful wildflowers, tallgrass prairie, and trees will make you feel like you are far from the city at this park. It sadly only lasts as long as you visit, though. We wish we could sit here and read forever on this scenic hike in Kansas. Chisholm Creek Park, Chisholm Crk Pk, Wichita, KS 67220, USA
Do you have a favorite trail around Kansas that really brings out our natural beauty? We’d love to check out more of your favorite trails, so make sure to nominate your favorite hiking trail!
Jenny Pritchard/AllTrails
This rough-and-tumble loop trail is only 1.5 miles long, perfect for a good stretch on your legs. It features wildflowers, plenty of trees curving up and around the path, and great spots for nature watching. If you have the extra time, you can also explore the attached trails for a little more adventure!
Big Bull Creek Park, 20425 Sunflower Rd, Edgerton, KS 66021, USA
Bruce Carroll/AllTrails
Dornwood Park is a local secret in Topeka, where an old dairy building stands as ruins. The 5 mile loop trail running through takes you through plenty of what is left of the building, but the whole trail is beautiful.
Dornwood Park, 2815 SE 25th St, Topeka, KS 66605, USA
Cheryl Jones/AllTrails
Another trail in Topeka lives in Skyline Park, and runs 3.6 miles through. You get the benefit of boardwalk paths, natural settings, and an overlook over the city making this one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Kansas.
Topeka, KS, USA
Jerry Griffis/AllTrails
For anyone up for a small adventure, you will find a good little 2 mile trail out by Coronado Heights that is not only a great hike, but a cute little stone castle as well. Pretend you are an explorer and get out there!
Coronado Heights Park, KS-4, Falun, KS 67442, USA
2.9 miles of loop trail cover the beautiful Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. There are always plenty of grasses flowing through the wind during the hike.
Southwind Nature Trail, CCMV+W2, Strong City, KS 66869, USA
Will Barns/AllTrails
Another loop in Kansas that is too beautiful to pass up is one in the Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Park. 1.4 miles of wildflowers, trees, and water features are here for the exploring.
Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trails, Hays, KS 67601, USA
Marcie Fiorentino/AllTrails
Another trail near Topeka, this 4.8 mile adventure is perfect for anyone in the area who wants fresh air and a stretch of their legs. What a stunning area to take the most scenic hike in Kansas!
Cedar Crest, 1 SW Cedar Crest Rd, Topeka, KS 66606, USA
Vince Greece/AllTrails
A beautiful lake combined with a trail? We would never turn that down. 2.8 miles of beautiful lakeside and tree lined path.
Blue Trail, Kansas, USA
Paula Michelle/AllTrails
1.7 miles of beautiful wildflowers, tallgrass prairie, and trees will make you feel like you are far from the city at this park. It sadly only lasts as long as you visit, though. We wish we could sit here and read forever on this scenic hike in Kansas.
Chisholm Creek Park, Chisholm Crk Pk, Wichita, KS 67220, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Kansas May 06, 2022 SKS What is the most popular hike in Kansas? The Wyandotte County Lake Loop Trail is Kansas’ most popular hike. With minimal elevation but lots of ground to cover, this loop trail makes for a wonderful morning or afternoon walk around the entirety of Wyandotte County Lake. The trail can be found right outside Kansas City, Kansas, which makes this trail perfect for a quick walk or jog during the week. The path is big and well-maintained, making it ideal for equestrian riding and even mountain biking. What are the most unique hikes in Kansas? Horsethief Canyon Trail can be found in Kanopolis State Park in Marquette, Kansas, and many are calling it the most unique hike in the entire state! What makes Horsethief Canyon Trail so special is the ending! The trail will bring you to a giant cave carved from the beautiful red rock that makes this hike so beautiful and unique. To reach the cave, you will have to follow a narrow path that has been carved from the rock over time, but don’t worry, the view from the cave makes it all worth it! The cave is the perfect place for a picnic, and there is really nothing like setting up for a nice snack or lunch while looking out over the trees below! What is the most popular kid-friendly hike in Kansas? Castle Rock is the most popular kid-friendly hike in Kansas. Castle Rock Hike is found near Collyer, Kansas, and is the absolutely perfect hike for the entire family. This 2.3 mile hike is an easy one, which definitely lends to its popularity. There is not much elevation, which makes it perfect for a quick trip outside to get some fresh air during the day. However, the best part of the Castle Rock hike is the limestone rock towers that rise up over 70 feet tall! You and your kids will love exploring these giant and unique pillars that you can’t find anywhere else!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Kansas
May 06, 2022
SKS
What is the most popular hike in Kansas? The Wyandotte County Lake Loop Trail is Kansas’ most popular hike. With minimal elevation but lots of ground to cover, this loop trail makes for a wonderful morning or afternoon walk around the entirety of Wyandotte County Lake. The trail can be found right outside Kansas City, Kansas, which makes this trail perfect for a quick walk or jog during the week. The path is big and well-maintained, making it ideal for equestrian riding and even mountain biking. What are the most unique hikes in Kansas? Horsethief Canyon Trail can be found in Kanopolis State Park in Marquette, Kansas, and many are calling it the most unique hike in the entire state! What makes Horsethief Canyon Trail so special is the ending! The trail will bring you to a giant cave carved from the beautiful red rock that makes this hike so beautiful and unique. To reach the cave, you will have to follow a narrow path that has been carved from the rock over time, but don’t worry, the view from the cave makes it all worth it! The cave is the perfect place for a picnic, and there is really nothing like setting up for a nice snack or lunch while looking out over the trees below! What is the most popular kid-friendly hike in Kansas? Castle Rock is the most popular kid-friendly hike in Kansas. Castle Rock Hike is found near Collyer, Kansas, and is the absolutely perfect hike for the entire family. This 2.3 mile hike is an easy one, which definitely lends to its popularity. There is not much elevation, which makes it perfect for a quick trip outside to get some fresh air during the day. However, the best part of the Castle Rock hike is the limestone rock towers that rise up over 70 feet tall! You and your kids will love exploring these giant and unique pillars that you can’t find anywhere else!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Wyandotte County Lake Loop Trail is Kansas’ most popular hike. With minimal elevation but lots of ground to cover, this loop trail makes for a wonderful morning or afternoon walk around the entirety of Wyandotte County Lake. The trail can be found right outside Kansas City, Kansas, which makes this trail perfect for a quick walk or jog during the week. The path is big and well-maintained, making it ideal for equestrian riding and even mountain biking.
What are the most unique hikes in Kansas?
Horsethief Canyon Trail can be found in Kanopolis State Park in Marquette, Kansas, and many are calling it the most unique hike in the entire state! What makes Horsethief Canyon Trail so special is the ending! The trail will bring you to a giant cave carved from the beautiful red rock that makes this hike so beautiful and unique. To reach the cave, you will have to follow a narrow path that has been carved from the rock over time, but don’t worry, the view from the cave makes it all worth it! The cave is the perfect place for a picnic, and there is really nothing like setting up for a nice snack or lunch while looking out over the trees below!
What is the most popular kid-friendly hike in Kansas?
Castle Rock is the most popular kid-friendly hike in Kansas. Castle Rock Hike is found near Collyer, Kansas, and is the absolutely perfect hike for the entire family. This 2.3 mile hike is an easy one, which definitely lends to its popularity. There is not much elevation, which makes it perfect for a quick trip outside to get some fresh air during the day. However, the best part of the Castle Rock hike is the limestone rock towers that rise up over 70 feet tall! You and your kids will love exploring these giant and unique pillars that you can’t find anywhere else!
