We’ve picked out 12 great trails for you to consider instead of sitting at home. Why not take a weekend every month to get outside? Though you don’t have to take these once a month, we’d like to dedicate the best hikes in Kansas to each month this year for a great time. Get out there into nature and make sure you breathe some fresh air.
- Santa Fe Lake North Trail - Augusta
Armaan Mehta/AllTrails Santa Fe Lake in Augusta is well known for having excellent views of the sky. Whether it’s a sunrise or sunset, the sky makes the lake look amazing. Plus, during your hike, you’ll have 4.4 miles to enjoy the surroundings and admire the natural beauty of the area. It’s really one of the most scenic hikes in Kansas.
Read more about Santa Fe Lake North Trail. Santa Fe Lake, 11367 SW Shore Dr, Augusta, KS 67010, USA
- Konza Prairie Kings Creek Loop - Manhattan
Ben Force/AllTrails Though we love the Konza Prairie, we think the Kings Creek Loop is the best place to start if you want to hike through it. This 4.6-mile loop trail will take you to some of the best scenery here, so don’t pass up on it if you’re nearby!
Learn more about Konza Prairie Kings Creek Loop. Konza Prairie - Kings Creek Loop, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
- Elk River Hiking Trail - Elk City
David Barbee/AllTrails A longer trail on the list, 15.3 miles of beautiful tree-lined rocky paths await you at Elk River Hiking Trail. It’s an adventure if you have the stamina for it. While this might not be a kid-friendly hike, if you have some advanced hiker friends, it would make an exciting day out!
Check out more about Elk River Hiking Trail. Elk River Hiking Trail, Elk City, KS 67344, USA
- Life on the Rocks Trail - Monument
Amir Kohanpur/AllTrails In one of our newer state parks, you’ll find a great hike ready for you to explore. This out-and-back trail will keep you entertained if you haven’t visited Little Jerusalem Badlands yet.
Find out more about Life on the Rocks Trail. On The Rocks Trail, On The Rocks Trl, North Carolina 28607, USA
- Teter Nature Trail - El Dorado
Allison Monroe/AllTrails An easy 1-mile loop is ready to go in El Dorado State Park, featuring wildflowers during warmer months, and wildlife like deer in the cooler ones. Who wouldn’t love to see a natural neighbor during their hike?
See more about Teter Nature Trail. Teter Nature Trail, 2998-2246 NE Shady Creek Access Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042, USA
- Jamestown Marsh Lookout Point - Norway
Luke Mahin/AllTrails Though it’s a tiny trail, you can hike back and forth and get your steps in at this lookout point. It’s just under a mile, and pretty easy on the feet. If you’re looking for easy hikes in Kansas, you should definitely head here. Marsh Trail, Beaver, KS 66948, USA
- Wilson State Park East Loop - Lorraine
Jessica Johns/AllTrails We love Wilson and the 7.2-mile loop here is as stunning as the rest of the state park. The rock faces and the blue waters really make it amazing!
Check out more about Wilson State Park. Wilson State Park East Loop, 15th St, Sylvan Grove, KS 67481, USA
- Southwind Nature Trail - Strong City
Jerry Griffis/AllTrails Speaking of amazing, next on our list is a 2.9-mile loop out on the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. It’s full of wide-open space, and you may even see some of the local bison during your visit. Just keep your distance!
Find out more about Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Southwind Nature Trail, CCMV+W2, Strong City, KS 66869, USA
- Prairie Walking Trail - Kirwin
Hannah N/AllTrails Out in the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, this walking trail is the shortest on the list for this year. This loop trail is great if you just want to enjoy the scenery without spending too much time in the sticks. It’s a great time to get out even if it’s too hot for an all-day hike.
See more about Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge. Prairie Walking Trail, Prairie Walking Trl, Valley, KS 67644, USA
- Agave Ridge Loop - Ransom
Ginger L/AllTrails Another short trail is hiding out in Cedar Bluff State Park, totaling only 0.8 miles. It’s most beautiful during the summer and fall and always looks great as those colors start to change. Check it out for yourself sometime!
Read more about Cedar Bluff State Park. Cedar Bluff State Park- Bluffton Area, 32001 KS-147, Ellis, KS 67637, USA
- Meade State Park Nature Trail - Plains
Liz Heath/AllTrails Though short, this trail in Meade State Park is always beautiful. This loop trail makes for an easy hike while you enjoy the outdoors.
Learn more about Meade State Park. Meade State Park, 13051 V Rd, Meade, KS 67864, USA
- Linear Trail - Manhattan
Karla Rivera/AllTrails Rounding out our list of the best hikes in Kansas is Linear Trail. Much longer than most on this list, this trail is 16.8-miles long, and you’ll have to go out to the end and back to where you started. It’s a long hike, but even if you only check out part of it, it’s still beautiful.
Check out more about Linear Trail. Linear Trail, Manhattan, KS, USA
If you know of a great trail you plan to explore, tell us about it! We have a submission box for all of your great hiking ideas that need some attention.
Armaan Mehta/AllTrails
Santa Fe Lake in Augusta is well known for having excellent views of the sky. Whether it’s a sunrise or sunset, the sky makes the lake look amazing. Plus, during your hike, you’ll have 4.4 miles to enjoy the surroundings and admire the natural beauty of the area. It’s really one of the most scenic hikes in Kansas.
Read more about Santa Fe Lake North Trail.
Santa Fe Lake, 11367 SW Shore Dr, Augusta, KS 67010, USA
Ben Force/AllTrails
Though we love the Konza Prairie, we think the Kings Creek Loop is the best place to start if you want to hike through it. This 4.6-mile loop trail will take you to some of the best scenery here, so don’t pass up on it if you’re nearby!
Learn more about Konza Prairie Kings Creek Loop.
Konza Prairie - Kings Creek Loop, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
David Barbee/AllTrails
A longer trail on the list, 15.3 miles of beautiful tree-lined rocky paths await you at Elk River Hiking Trail. It’s an adventure if you have the stamina for it. While this might not be a kid-friendly hike, if you have some advanced hiker friends, it would make an exciting day out!
Check out more about Elk River Hiking Trail.
Elk River Hiking Trail, Elk City, KS 67344, USA
Amir Kohanpur/AllTrails
In one of our newer state parks, you’ll find a great hike ready for you to explore. This out-and-back trail will keep you entertained if you haven’t visited Little Jerusalem Badlands yet.
Find out more about Life on the Rocks Trail.
On The Rocks Trail, On The Rocks Trl, North Carolina 28607, USA
Allison Monroe/AllTrails
An easy 1-mile loop is ready to go in El Dorado State Park, featuring wildflowers during warmer months, and wildlife like deer in the cooler ones. Who wouldn’t love to see a natural neighbor during their hike?
See more about Teter Nature Trail.
Teter Nature Trail, 2998-2246 NE Shady Creek Access Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042, USA
Luke Mahin/AllTrails
Though it’s a tiny trail, you can hike back and forth and get your steps in at this lookout point. It’s just under a mile, and pretty easy on the feet. If you’re looking for easy hikes in Kansas, you should definitely head here.
Marsh Trail, Beaver, KS 66948, USA
Jessica Johns/AllTrails
We love Wilson and the 7.2-mile loop here is as stunning as the rest of the state park. The rock faces and the blue waters really make it amazing!
Check out more about Wilson State Park.
Wilson State Park East Loop, 15th St, Sylvan Grove, KS 67481, USA
Jerry Griffis/AllTrails
Speaking of amazing, next on our list is a 2.9-mile loop out on the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. It’s full of wide-open space, and you may even see some of the local bison during your visit. Just keep your distance!
Find out more about Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Southwind Nature Trail, CCMV+W2, Strong City, KS 66869, USA
Hannah N/AllTrails
Out in the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, this walking trail is the shortest on the list for this year. This loop trail is great if you just want to enjoy the scenery without spending too much time in the sticks. It’s a great time to get out even if it’s too hot for an all-day hike.
See more about Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge.
Prairie Walking Trail, Prairie Walking Trl, Valley, KS 67644, USA
Ginger L/AllTrails
Another short trail is hiding out in Cedar Bluff State Park, totaling only 0.8 miles. It’s most beautiful during the summer and fall and always looks great as those colors start to change. Check it out for yourself sometime!
Read more about Cedar Bluff State Park.
Cedar Bluff State Park- Bluffton Area, 32001 KS-147, Ellis, KS 67637, USA
Liz Heath/AllTrails
Though short, this trail in Meade State Park is always beautiful. This loop trail makes for an easy hike while you enjoy the outdoors.
Learn more about Meade State Park.
Meade State Park, 13051 V Rd, Meade, KS 67864, USA
Karla Rivera/AllTrails
Rounding out our list of the best hikes in Kansas is Linear Trail. Much longer than most on this list, this trail is 16.8-miles long, and you’ll have to go out to the end and back to where you started. It’s a long hike, but even if you only check out part of it, it’s still beautiful.
Check out more about Linear Trail.
Linear Trail, Manhattan, KS, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Kansas June 19, 2022 Danielle Schwartz Where can I hike to a cave in Kansas? The colorfully named Horse Thief Trail is a great place to hike to a cave in Kansas. The trail is not too long, so it’s a good choice for all hikers to check out. You’ll get to experience different landscapes, from prairie to lake. The highlight, of course, is getting to go inside the cave! There are also striking rock formations that will make you stop and stare right on the trail. You’ll also get to summit a mountain! This is definitely a trail you won’t soon forget. Can I hike to abandoned places in Kansas? Yes, you can definitely hike to abandoned places in Kansas! Check out these hikes that will lead you to amazing ruins that you can explore. You’ll feel like a historical figure yourself! Coronado Heights in Lindsborg is a really exciting place to visit, as there is an abandoned castle at the top! Its history is rooted in the discovery of gold. In Flint Hills, you can hike to some spooky abandoned schoolhouses, which will certainly spark your curiosity as you approach them. What are the most beautiful lakes in Kansas? There are so many beautiful lakes in Kansas that you might not know where to begin. We are here to help with 10 suggestions that you will love. If you’re looking to spend the night by the water, check out Tuttle Creek Lake in Manhattan. There’s nothing like sleeping in a tent in the endless grass surrounding the lake. In the fall, you’ve got to go to Milford Lake for its lovely autumn leaves. The reflection of all the colorful foliage in the water is to die for!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Kansas
June 19, 2022
Danielle Schwartz
Where can I hike to a cave in Kansas? The colorfully named Horse Thief Trail is a great place to hike to a cave in Kansas. The trail is not too long, so it’s a good choice for all hikers to check out. You’ll get to experience different landscapes, from prairie to lake. The highlight, of course, is getting to go inside the cave! There are also striking rock formations that will make you stop and stare right on the trail. You’ll also get to summit a mountain! This is definitely a trail you won’t soon forget. Can I hike to abandoned places in Kansas? Yes, you can definitely hike to abandoned places in Kansas! Check out these hikes that will lead you to amazing ruins that you can explore. You’ll feel like a historical figure yourself! Coronado Heights in Lindsborg is a really exciting place to visit, as there is an abandoned castle at the top! Its history is rooted in the discovery of gold. In Flint Hills, you can hike to some spooky abandoned schoolhouses, which will certainly spark your curiosity as you approach them. What are the most beautiful lakes in Kansas? There are so many beautiful lakes in Kansas that you might not know where to begin. We are here to help with 10 suggestions that you will love. If you’re looking to spend the night by the water, check out Tuttle Creek Lake in Manhattan. There’s nothing like sleeping in a tent in the endless grass surrounding the lake. In the fall, you’ve got to go to Milford Lake for its lovely autumn leaves. The reflection of all the colorful foliage in the water is to die for!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The colorfully named Horse Thief Trail is a great place to hike to a cave in Kansas. The trail is not too long, so it’s a good choice for all hikers to check out. You’ll get to experience different landscapes, from prairie to lake. The highlight, of course, is getting to go inside the cave! There are also striking rock formations that will make you stop and stare right on the trail. You’ll also get to summit a mountain! This is definitely a trail you won’t soon forget.
Can I hike to abandoned places in Kansas?
Yes, you can definitely hike to abandoned places in Kansas! Check out these hikes that will lead you to amazing ruins that you can explore. You’ll feel like a historical figure yourself! Coronado Heights in Lindsborg is a really exciting place to visit, as there is an abandoned castle at the top! Its history is rooted in the discovery of gold. In Flint Hills, you can hike to some spooky abandoned schoolhouses, which will certainly spark your curiosity as you approach them.
What are the most beautiful lakes in Kansas?
There are so many beautiful lakes in Kansas that you might not know where to begin. We are here to help with 10 suggestions that you will love. If you’re looking to spend the night by the water, check out Tuttle Creek Lake in Manhattan. There’s nothing like sleeping in a tent in the endless grass surrounding the lake. In the fall, you’ve got to go to Milford Lake for its lovely autumn leaves. The reflection of all the colorful foliage in the water is to die for!
