At any given time of the year, you might be eagerly awaiting those days when you can take that trip with your family and make memories together. Did you know there are more than 20 state parks in Kansas? Some of the more popular ones, such as Kanopolis or Wilson, get lots of love when it’s warm out – but what about the rest? Here are some wonderful parks you may not have heard of, but you’re sure to love as much as we do:

1. Cedar Bluff State Park
Cedar Bluff State Park- Bluffton Area, 32001 KS-147, Ellis, KS 67637, USA
Cedar Bluff State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/ Facebook
At Cedar Bluff, there are plenty of activities for you and the family, including sand volleyball, bike trails, and boating docks! Learn more about Cedar Bluff SP in this article.
2. Cross Timbers State Park
Cross Timbers State Park, Kansas 105, Toronto, KS, USA
Cross Timbers State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/ Facebook
Cross Timbers was once a hunting and camping ground for the Osage Nation. You've got a good chance to see an eagle here, with all the space and wildlife nearby. While you're here, you'll definitely want to do plenty of exploring.
3. El Dorado State Park
618 NE Bluestem Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042, USA
El Dorado State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/Facebook
The El Dorado Reservoir was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and continues to be a large park of the local state park grounds. Read all about it on StateParks.com.
4. Fall River State Park
Fall River State Park, Fall River, KS 67047, USA
Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism - Fall River State Park/Facebook
Come have a picnic, boat outing, or jet ski race at the reservoir here at Fall River, or bring a canoe for the river here as well. This place might make you forget you're even in Kansas!
5. Lovewell State Park
Lovewell State Park, 2446 250 Rd, Webber, KS 66970, USA
Lovewell State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/Facebook
At Lovewell, they have a 14 target archery range, as well as all your normal campground activities. Click here to learn more.
6. Meade State Park
13051 V Rd, Unincorporated, KS 67864, USA
Meade State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/Facebook
Meade is a great place for hunting, nature watching, or fishing. Read more on StateParks.com.
7. Hillsdale State Park
26001 W 255th St, Paola, KS 66071, USA
Hillsdale State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/Facebook
Right near Kansas City is Hillsdale state park, a great place for camping, hiking, horseback riding, and a shooting range as well, with multiple options. Read more on the official Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks website.
8. Sand Hills State Park
Sand Hills State Park, 4207 E 56th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502, USA
Sand Hills State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/Facebook
Sand Hills boasts more than 1,000 acres of land, preserved for natural wetlands, sand dunes, and grasslands. Excellent for horses, i'd say! Read more about Sand Hills SP in this article.
9. Tuttle Creek State Park
Tuttle Creek State Park, 5800 River Pond Rd A, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
Tuttle Creek State Park - Kansas Wildlife & Parks/Facebook
Tuttle Creek also has a wide variety of activity opportunities, and wonderful views as far as the eye can see. Get all the details in this helpful article.

Do you know of any places in beautiful Kansas that need a little extra attention? Let us know in the comments!

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State Parks to Visit in Kansas

Tori Jane | January 26, 2022

What are the best state parks in Kansas?  

Though the term “best” might be pretty subjective, it’s no secret that of Kansas’s 28 amazing state parks, some are more popular than others. They attract major crowds (well, for Kansas standards) for a reason, and that reason tends to be that, well, they’re awesome. Some of the state parks in Kansas often considered among the “best” are Clinton State Park, where you can do some boating, fishing, and camping, and Elk City State Park, which offers a forest-y break from the prairies and plains you’re probably so used to. Wilson Reservoir and State Park is another great one, especially for those who love water sports and recreation. Kanopolis State Park is wonderful, too! For some info on more Kansas state parks – namely, the lesser-appreciated ones – check this article out!  

What are some of the best hiking trails in Kansas?  

According to our good friends at AllTrails.com, there are more than 400 awesome trails all over Kansas to conquer! Some get a lot more love than others, and usually, there’s a reason for that, so like in the above paragraph, we’ll consider the most popular hikes in Kansas to be the widely-accepted “best” ones. The #1 trail in the entire Sunflower State is the Elk River Hiking Trail, located within Elk City State Park. It’s long, coming in at just over 15 miles long, but it’s great for camping and exploring some of Kansas’s most unique landscapes. The Orange, Violet, and Red Trails at Shawnee Mission Park are also beloved; each one varies in difficulty, so make sure to double-check before you go so you know which is best for your needs. The Wyandotte County Lake Loop Trail is another great one. Who says Kansas doesn’t know good hiking? We sure don’t.  

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